Marlins add Devers, Encarnación to 40-man
This browser does not support the video element.
Two promising Marlins prospects -- shortstop José Devers and outfielder Jerar Encarnación -- were added to the club’s 40-man roster at Friday's deadline to protect them from the Rule 5 Draft on Dec. 10.
The additions gave Miami a full 40-man roster.
Devers, 20, is the Marlins’ No. 13 prospect according to MLB Pipeline, and he was acquired in the 2017 trade that sent Giancarlo Stanton to the Yankees.
In 2019, Devers rose through three levels -- including Class-A Advanced Jupiter -- and batted .322 with a .781 OPS. He played just 47 total games that season after a right forearm strain sidelined him for nearly three months.
Encarnación, 23, is Miami’s No. 17 prospect and has been in the organization since 2015. He batted .276 with a .756 OPS and 16 home runs in 135 games between Class A Clinton and Jupiter in '19.
The Rule 5 Draft allows teams to add young talent by plucking prospects who aren’t on other organizations’ 40-man rosters. Players first signed at age 18 or younger must be added to 40-man rosters within five seasons, or they become eligible to be drafted. Players signed at age 19 or older have to be protected within four seasons. Clubs pay $100,000 to select a player in the Major League phase of the Rule 5 Draft. If that player doesn't stay on the 26-man roster for the full season, he must be offered back to his former team for $50,000.