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Complete list of Braves' Rule 5 draft eligible prospects (and the ones they might lose)

ByChase Owens
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Feb 28, 2025; Jupiter, Florida, USA; Atlanta Braves first baseman David McCabe (72) makes a catch and retires Miami Marlins right fielder Jesus Sanchez (not picutred) during the first inning at Roger Dean Chevrolet Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Sam Navarro-Imagn Images
Feb 28, 2025; Jupiter, Florida, USA; Atlanta Braves first baseman David McCabe (72) makes a catch and retires Miami Marlins right fielder Jesus Sanchez (not picutred) during the first inning at Roger Dean Chevrolet Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Sam Navarro-Imagn Images | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

The annual Rule 5 Draft is a staple of the baseball offseason, and savvy ball clubs have found diamonds in the rough to help their team the following season. For hopeful contenders like the Atlanta Braves, finding room on the 40-man roster for a Rule 5 selection is often too difficult to manage. Instead, teams like Atlanta are often the ones ravaged for prospects and lose quality depth in the process.

This season, Atlanta has quite a few players who are Rule 5 Draft eligible, including a couple who have a real chance at getting selected. As a reminder, eligible minor leaguers not signed at age 18 or younger (within 5 seasons) or 19 or older (within 4 seasons) must be added to the 40-man roster by mid-November to be protected from the Rule 5 Draft.

Complete list of Braves' Rule 5 draft eligible propects

Cal Conley (INF), Adam Zebrowski (C), Archer Brookman (C), David McCabe (1B), Carson Taylor (1B), Will Verdung (INF), Ambioris Tavarez (INF), Luke Waddell (INF), Cade Doughty (UTL), Kevin Kilpatrick Jr. (OF), Lizandro Espinoza (UTL), Cedric De Grandpre (SP), Drue Hackenberg (SP), Landon Harper (SP), Davis Polo (SP), Cade Kuehler (SP), Julio Robaina (SP), Ian Mejia (SP), Luis Vargas (RP), Isaac Gallegos (RP), Samuel Strickland (RP), David Rodriguez (RP), Riley Frey (RP), Elison Joseph (RP), Cory Wall (RP)

David McCabe, Davis Polo, and Drue Hackenberg stand out as names the Braves could lose in the Rule 5 Draft

Typically prospects with upside are the ones scalped by opposing MLB teams. The Braves have a few prospects who showed real flashes in 2026, and may require placement on the 40-man roster if Atlanta wants to keep them around. David McCabe is probably the most notable position player; the corner infielder hit 20 homers in 78 minor league games last season and posted a 141 wRC+ in the process.

On the pitching side, Davis Polo and Drue Hackenberg stand out as potential Rule 5 Draft casualties. Polo because of his dominant 2026 season, where he pitched across four minor league levels and racked up 140 strikeouts in the process. Hackenberg is a former second round pick, with Major League quality stuff.

Still, many thought that the Braves would pay the price for not protecting Blake Burkhalter last season, yet the former Auburn Tiger went untouched in the Rule 5 Draft. Additionally, the draft itself may not even happen this winter due to the presumed lockout. The last time Major League Baseball dealt with a lockout, the Rule 5 Draft was cancelled entirely.

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