With the Rule 5 draft coming up on December 14th, major league teams are filling out their 40-man rosters to protect the prospects they see a use for in the future. (Players can not be called up to the major leagues unless they are on the 40-man, so it is actually a very big hurdle to overcome for prospects.)

According to wikipedia (I know, I know), here are the rules for eligible players:

Players are eligible for selection in the Rule 5 draft who are not on their major league organization’s 40-man roster and:

  • were 18 or younger on the June 5 preceding their signing and this is the fifth Rule 5 draft upcoming; or

  • were 19 or older on the June 5 preceding their signing and this is the fourth Rule 5 draft upcoming.

FOUR former Valley Leaguers were added to their team’s 40-man roster over the past couple weeks, making them ineligible for the draft, but also means they could make the majors much easier:

Two players are newly-eligible for the draft but were NOT added to the 40-man (there are others, too):

ATVL will be watching to see if either of these guys, or any other VBLers, of course, are selected in any phase of the draft.

Also, one player has been released by his organization:

  • Jordan DeLorenzo (Front Royal 2013). Jordan was awesome for the Cards in ’13; he went 4-3, 1.69 in 8 starts, with a 0.82 WHIP, 1.4 BB/9, and 9.8 K/9. ATVL named his the 2nd best starter in the league that year. Jordan was drafted in 2014 by St. Louis, and appeared in 40 minor league games over the last 4 years (he struggled with injuries).
DeLorenzo
Howard
Gomber
Yarbrough
Huffman
Stout
Herget