Rule 5 exposure, 2026

1471 minor leaguers across the 30 organizations are eligible for the 2026 Rule 5 draft on Dec 9, 2026 unless their club adds them to the 40-man by Nov 17, 2026. 622 are exposed for the first time. Eligibility is computed from signing year and age on the June 5 before the first contract (five drafts for 18-and-under signees, four for 19-and-older); anyone outrighted before is eligible every year. Most of these players will not be taken; the major-league phase averages 13 to 15 picks and about half stick.