Can The White Sox Replicate Their Rule-5 Draft Success In 2026?
The Rule-5 draft is a very interesting part of Major League Baseball, as it allows teams to poach minor league talent from other organizations. However, while most players don’t end up sticking on the new team’s 26-man roster, there have been some very good players selected in the draft.
The White Sox struck gold last year when they selected pitcher Shane Smith from the Milwaukee Brewers organization, as Smith went on to have an all-star year for the White Sox. In 146 innings, Smith had a 3.81 ERA and a 1.2 WHIP, while striking out 145 batters in those 146 innings. Now, the White Sox will rely on him to likely be their Opening Day starter.
Mike Vasil was another Rule-5 pick, however he wasn’t selected by the White Sox. The White Sox acquired him from the Tampa Bay Rays who selected Vasil in the Rule-5 Draft. Vasil became one of the most important relief pitchers for the White Sox, as he had a 2.5 ERA over 101 innings and struck out 82 batters. He got the White Sox out of a ton of tough jams last season and will be a big part of the pitching staff this year. There is a chance that he wins a spot as the fifth starter, although I think he fits best as a long reliever or as a one inning guy.
Now with two more Rule-5 players added to the team this off-season, the White Sox will look to strike gold again, but history is not on their side. It is not often that a team is able to consistently churn out Rule-5 picks that stick on the roster.
The first player the White Sox selected was pitcher Jedixson Paez from the Red Sox organization. Paez has yet to make his appearance in Spring Training, which may not bode well for his chances to make the team, as there are a ton of arms fighting for the last few bullpen spots.
Rule 5 pick Jedixson Paez throwing a pen today, has to yet to get into game action @FutureSox
He faces an uphill battle to make the roster out of camp with no experience above A+ and a later start to camp than some others. pic.twitter.com/yT7qxUvyQh
— Elijah Evans (@ElijahEv8) February 25, 2026
It is unclear what the White Sox will want to do with Paez, as he could be competing for one of the last spots in the rotation as well. Paez may be a very good major league player, however he is only 22 years old and has not played against any competition above A+ ball. It remains to be seen what he can do, but it’s hard for the White Sox to judge him if he doesn’t play in any games. If he doesn’t make the initial roster out of Spring Training, he is subject to being returned to the Boston Red Sox, who will gladly take him back.
The White Sox also selected Alexander Alberto from the Tampa Bay Rays organization in the second round. Alberto, unlike Paez, has made a few appearances in Spring Training so far. In two innings, he gave up two runs, but has shown his swing and miss stuff, as he had three strikeouts in his last outing. Like Paez, he also hasn’t pitched above High-A, but he is 24 years old, so he may be able to acclimate to the MLB quicker. Alberto has exclusively worked as a reliever over the last few years, so he looks to earn a spot in the bullpen.
Alexander Alberto gets his first K of ST in the T7 on a nasty slider. pic.twitter.com/RHF7qzhUW6
— FutureSox (@FutureSox) February 21, 2026
With the amount of competition with the veteran arms in camp, it may be hard for both players to break camp with the team. This would subject them to be returned to their original organization. However, it is likely that they at least get a shot to see what they can do when the regular season starts, as they both have been very productive minor leaguers and posses Major League stuff.
But, if they struggle throughout Spring Training, that certainly may change things. I would imagine that both have successful MLB careers, but it may be with other teams as they might not be ready to pitch in the pros quite yet. It will be hard for the White Sox to replicate their production out of the Rule-5 draft from last year, but there certainly is a chance if things go right.