Unlike the standard MLB Draft which is relatively straightforward as teams just pick from a pool of eligible players to draft, the Rule 5 Draft is a bit more arcane and less understood. Essentially, it was created to prevent teams from just stockpiling talent in the minor leagues without giving players an opportunity to make it to the big leagues and overall, it has been successful in that goal. This year, the Atlanta Braves didn't have a ton at stake in the Rule 5, but that doesn't mean they were going to avoid it completely.
The Braves didn't have any headlining prospects that they absolutely had to protect from the Rule 5 by adding them to the 40-man roster this year. The closest was Blake Burkhalter who doesn't fit the profile perfectly of arms that typically get picked in the Rule 5 (relievers with strikeout stuff that you can stash on your active roster with confidence), but the risk was always there.
Thankfully, Burkhalter was safe from the Rule 5 this time as he was not picked despite being exposed. The Braves did not make any picks during the MLB portion of the Rule 5 Draft as they did not have any available spots on their 40-man roster.
Rule 5 Draft has come and gone and the Braves made no picks while losing
Between Burkhalter's injury history combined with his profile as a guy that doesn't really go into every at-bat trying to strike guys out or blow them away probably kept him from being selected this go-around. Given the lack of bullpen depth the Braves have at the moment, it would not be surprising whatsoever if Burkhalter gets a long look this spring as either a rotation or bullpen option.
Atlanta did take advantage of the minor league portion of the Rule 5, which has different rules and eligibility requirement than the MLB portion and is usually lower level players, by taking Carter Howell, an outfielder from the Giants. A cursory look at his numbers the last couple of years at the plate does not inspire much confidence in his hitting after posting a .738 OPS in 2024 and a .639 OPS in 2025, the latter of which is after he repeated the level at Double-A.
The Braves also went ahead and selected Archer Brookman, a catcher from the low minors of the Tigers' farm system.
With that bit of roster housekeeping done, Atlanta can get back to the offseason market where things are certainly getting interesting after Pete Alonso landed with the Orioles on Wednesday.