Reds 2024 Rule 5 Draft: Full details, roster deadline, players who are eligible

The Cincinnati Reds will need to make some critical decisions in the coming days as it results to the team's offseason roster. The Rule 5 Draft won't take place until the final day of the MLB Winter Meetings, but in order to protect prospects from being selected, the Reds will need to make some adjustments to the roster.

The Rule 5 Draft allows teams to poach certain players from other organizations who aren't protected. In order to protect these players from the Rule 5 Draft, Cincinnati will need to add them to the 40-man roster.

Last offseason, the Reds added three players (Blake Dunn, Christian Roa, and Jacob Hurtubise) and the club may add even fewer this offseason. But with their 40-man roster currently sitting at 36, the Reds could choose to add up to four prospects.

Reds 2024 Rule 5 Draft: What is the deadline to protect prospects from being selected?

Mark your calendars, Reds fans. Cincinnati has until Tuesday, November 19 to protect those players who are subject to the Rule 5 Draft. Any player with more than four (and sometimes five) years of professional experience who is not on the 40-man roster could be selected in the Rule 5 Draft.

There is a caveat, however. If a team is willing to select a player from another organization in the Rule 5 Draft, said player must remain on the active — not just 40-man — roster for the duration of the 2025 season. If at any time the selecting club desires to option a Rule 5 draftee back to the minors, he must first be offered back to his original organization.

Reds 2024 Rule 5 Draft: Which players need to be added to the 40-man roster in order to be protected?

The Reds, unlike most teams in Major League Baseball, do not have a single top-30 organizational prospect who's eligible for this year's Rule 5 Draft. While that doesn't preclude the Reds from adding a prospect or two to the 40-man roster, it definitely lessens the likelihood. Typically, teams are willing to protect some of their best assets, but not fringe players.

• Mat Nelson, C
• Andrew Moore, RHP
• Justice Thompson, OF
• Jose Acuña, RHP
• Tyler Callihan, 2B
• Michael Trautwein, C
• Austin Callahan, 2B
• Luis Mey, RHP
• Austin Hendrick, OF
• Ryan Cardona, RHP
• Ivan Johnson, 2B
• Jose Franco, RHP
• Yerlin Confidan, OF

Cam Collier, Edwin Arroyo, Carlos Jorge, and Hector Rodriguez do not need to be protected from the Rule 5 Draft until next winter, and Cincinnati doesn't need to add the likes of Sal Stewart, Adam Serwinowski, and Ty Floyd until 2026.

Of those mentioned above, Luis Mey, Tyler Calllihan, and Jose Acuña are the most likely to be added to the Reds 40-man roster by Tuesday's deadline. There's always a surprise player or two that could find his way onto the roster, but don't be shocked if the deadline comes and goes without the Reds making a single addition.

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