dodgersdigest
Despite the possibility of a lockout and the Rule 5 Draft being canceled, the Los Angeles Dodgers and other MLB teams must still decide which players to shield from the Rule 5 Draft by placing them on the 40-man roster. The deadline for these protections is November 18, and even if the draft doesn't occur, teams are expected to proceed as if it will.
The Rule 5 Draft is typically held during the Winter Meetings, which fall after the assumed lockout date. In a similar past scenario, the draft was canceled entirely. Additionally, the new Collective Bargaining Agreement could bring changes to the Rule 5 process once it's agreed upon.
For clarity, Rule 5 eligibility rules state that players signed at age 19 or older with four years of professional experience, or those signed at 18 with five years, are eligible. All players on a team's 40-man roster are protected. This year, that includes college players from the 2023 MLB Draft and high school players or international amateurs signed in 2022. Other previously eligible players not on the 40-man roster are also eligible.
Among the Dodgers' candidates, two stand out as near-certain protections: left-hander Jackson Ferris and right-hander Christian Zazueta. Ferris, acquired in the Michael Busch trade, finished the season strong with a 2.08 ERA and a 31.4% strikeout rate over his final seven starts, despite a rough last outing. At 23, he offers a lively left arm and starting potential. Zazueta, acquired from the Yankees in the Caleb Ferguson trade, posted a 3.65 ERA and a 30.4 K-BB% across High-A and Double-A, walking only 20 in 103 2/3 innings and earning the Dodgers' Minor League Pitcher of the Year award.
Beyond those two, the decisions become more complex. The Dodgers currently have 37 players on the 40-man roster after accounting for free agents and arbitration-eligible players. They could protect more than three players by making trades or roster moves. The top remaining candidates are infielder Jake Gelof and left-hander Adam Serwinowski.
Gelof, 24, the brother of Zack Gelof, was the Dodgers' second-round pick in 2023 out of Virginia. He spent all of 2026 with Double-A Tulsa, hitting .271/.385/.565 with 34 home runs and 23 doubles while playing first, second, and third base. His right-handed power and versatility make him a worthwhile protect, especially with his improved contact rate later in the season.
Serwinowski, acquired in the Hunter Feduccia trade, had an inconsistent 2026 but remains a talented arm, ranked No. 11 on Bruce's Midseason Top 50 prospects list. The 22-year-old southpaw is working on his repertoire against righties and needs to improve his strike-throwing consistency. The Dodgers protected Ronan Kopp last year, and Serwinowski is considered a better prospect.
Other candidates like Patrick Copen, Luke Fox, Noah Miller, and Nico Perez have intriguing cases, but the roster crunch is real. Fox or Miller could be selected if a Rule 5 Draft occurs, but they might be safe if it doesn't. The Dodgers could protect four players with a fringe move or a more significant transaction before November 18.
Key Analysis
The Dodgers face a strategic decision in protecting players from the Rule 5 Draft, balancing immediate roster needs with long-term potential. While Ferris and Zazueta are clear locks, the team must weigh the risk of losing valuable assets like Gelof and Serwinowski against the constraints of the 40-man roster. The uncertainty surrounding the draft's occurrence adds another layer of complexity, but the Dodgers are likely to err on the side of caution and protect their top prospects.
Originally reported by dodgersdigest.