Last year was the most successful Rule 5 draft to date for what it was intended to do. Gave guys like Mark Canha, Delino DeShields, and Odubel Herrera a chance to play regularly. Moreover though, 9 of the 14 guys picked ended up getting a full year of big league pay (either from being on the 25 all year or on the DL). Additionally 2 of them served suspensions but are still with the teams that claimed them, with the Rule 5 restrictions still in place for next year. Guys who were stashed on the DL for long periods, like Daniel Winkler on the Braves, will still have the Rule 5 restrictions next year too.
I think your best bet to stick is to make it as a reliever though. Every team keeps at least 7 relievers at all times, so it's the cleanest route to try to earn a job.
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