MLB’s 2025 Rule 5 Draft happened on the afternoon of December 10 during the annual Winter Meetings. Players who signed with their club at 18 years old must be added to the 40-man roster within five seasons, and players who signed at 19 or later need to be added within four seasons to avoid becoming available to other clubs in the Rule 5 Draft.
It was an unsurprisingly busy event for the Boston Red Sox. They lost some prospects and gained a few more. There was a shock name taken and a handful of players who, surprisingly, stayed in the organization. Here’s a breakdown of their acquisitions, including a surprising trade, and losses.
Who the Red Sox lost in the 2025 Rule 5 Draft
The Chicago White Sox used the second pick in the major league portion of the Rule 5 Draft to take a pitcher from the Red Sox. It was only draft pick in the major league portion used on a prospect in Boston’s organization.
The White Sox selected Jedixson Paez, formerly the Red Sox’s No. 18 prospect. The right-handed pitcher has plenty of potential. However, Paez threw only 19 1/3 innings last year, all in High-A. The 21-year-old has yet to even appear in a Double-A game.
Chicago isn’t seen as a massively talented roster, but this pick feels bold. Paez has the talent to perform in the majors given time, but I don’t know if he’ll be ready on Opening Day. Boston could get its prospect back at some point in 2026.
The Red Sox lost three more pitchers in the minor league portion of the draft — Eybersson Polanco, Alvaro Mejias, and Jonathan Brand were all taken.
Polanco is a 22-year-old right-handed pitcher who posted a 5.23 ERA, .248 BAA, and 1.50 WHIP in 36 games in Single-A in 2025. He struck out 71 batters compared to 31 walks in 62 innings. Polanco was taken by the Los Angeles Angels.
Mejias is also a 22-year-old right-handed pitcher who hasn’t appeared in a game since 2023 (when he threw 2/3 innings in the FCL). He’s going to the Tampa Bay Rays.
Brand is a 25-year-old right-handed pitcher who posted a 3.16 ERA, .225 BAA, and 1.21 WHIP in 33 games between High-A, Double-A, and Triple-A. He struck out 59 batters compared to 20 walks in 51 1/3 innings. Brand is headed to the Texas Rangers.
Who the Red Sox acquired in the 2025 Rule 5 Draft
Boston technically didn’t make a pick in the major league portion of the Draft, but they did add someone. They traded utility prospect Justin Riemer to the Athletics for their selection of Ryan Watson from the San Francisco Giants.
Watson is a right-handed reliever who posted a 4.26 ERA, .278 BAA, and 1.46 WHIP in 46 games in Triple-A in 2025. The 28-year-old struck out 64 batters compared to 16 walks in 50 2/3 innings. He picked up nine saves and had three holds.
Watson’s high strikeout numbers and low walks definitely gives the Red Sox something to work with. They’ve had success with Rule 5 relievers in the past (Garrett Whitlock and Justin Slaten are prime examples).
The Red Sox added three more prospects in the minor league portion of the draft. First was left-handed pitcher Caden Vire from the Milwaukee Brewers. Vire is a 22-year-old who made five appearances in Single-A last season. The lefty posted a 19.64 ERA, .167 BAA, and 3.27 WHIP in 3 2/3 innings. He struck out seven batters but walked 10.
Vire is listed at 6’6”, 170 lbs. There’s plenty of projection in his frame, and the Red Sox could absolutely do wonders with him.
Next was first baseman Matt Lloyd. The 29-year-old has appeared in games at second base, third base, left field, and right field. However, his most common spot is first base. Lloyd gives the Red Sox some much-needed depth in Triple-A, especially at a barren first base position.
Lloyd is a left-handed hitter who slashed .272/.364/.434 with 18 doubles, one triple, and eight home runs in 78 games in Triple-A in 2025. He drove in 50 runs, scored 39 more, and stole seven bases.
Raudelis Martinez was the final pick of the Rule 5 draft for Boston. The 23-year-old catcher appeared in 74 games in High-A last season. Martinez slashed .239/.339/.317 with seven doubles and four home runs. The left-handed hitter drove in 38 runs, scored 20 more, and stole two bases. Martinez struck out 40 times and walked 36, showing a good eye and good contact rate.
The Red Sox came into the offseason desperately needing catchers in their minor league system. It’s been the position they’ve added to the most over the last month, as Martinez joins Luke Heyman, Adonys Guzman, and Ronny Hernandez as the newest additions.
