A look back at Nationals' Rule 5 Draft history

A look back at Nationals' Rule 5 Draft history

December 5th, 2024

After a long gap of not making selections in the Rule 5 Draft, the Nationals have been active in the annual event. This year, the Nats could add to their 2025 roster when the Rule 5 Draft takes place on Dec. 11 at 2 p.m. ET at the Winter Meetings in Dallas.

• How the Rule 5 Draft works | History of the Rule 5 Draft

Players can be selected by another organization in the Rule 5 Draft if they first signed at age 18 or younger and were not added to the 40-man roster within five seasons, or if they signed at age 19 or older and were not protected within four seasons.

During the Major League portion of the Rule 5 Draft, teams pay $100,000 per pick. In the case that player does not remain on the big league roster for the entire season, he then has to be offered to his former team for $50,000.

Here's a look back at the players the Nats have acquired in past Rule 5 Drafts and where their careers took them:

2023

Marlins INF Nasim Nuñez
The Nationals selected Nuñez with the fifth overall pick in the Rule 5 Draft. A 2019 second-round pick by the Marlins, Nuñez was named the 2023 SiriusXM All-Star Futures Game MVP. With speed and crafty defense, he earned a spot on the Nats' roster for the entire 2024 season at shortstop. In 51 games, including 21 starts, Nuñez batted .246 with eight stolen bases.

2022

Red Sox RHP Thaddeus Ward
The Nationals made their first selection in the Rule 5 Draft in 12 years when they acquired Ward with the No. 1 overall pick. Ward spent the entire 2023 season on the Nationals. He posted a 6.37 ERA in 26 relief appearances while dealing with injuries. Ward was optioned to Triple-A Rochester for 2024, where he returned to a starting role. He went 8-6 with a 5.64 ERA in 28 starts. Ward’s tenure with the Nats concluded when he was claimed off waivers by the Orioles in November of 2024.

2010

Mets RHP
Ramírez was returned to the Mets on Oct. 18, 2011, without having played for the Nationals' organization. He made 20 relief appearances for New York in ‘12 (0-1, 5.48 ERA).

Cardinals RHP
The Nationals returned Broderick to the Cardinals on May 23, 2011, after making 11 relief appearances (0-1, 6.57 ERA) for Washington. When he was released by St. Louis on July 21, 2012, he signed with the Nats as a free agent six days later. Broderick started seven games for the Nationals’ Double-A affiliate in ‘13 (1-3, 5.21 ERA). He went on to sign with the D-backs and Angels before being traded to the Royals, who granted him free agency in ‘15.

2009

Dodgers OF
The Nationals selected Hoffmann in the Rule 5 Draft and then sent him to the Yankees to complete a trade made three days earlier for right-hander Brian Bruney. Hoffman went on to be part of the Dodgers, Rockies, Orioles and Mets organizations. He appeared in 16 Major League games for Los Angeles (.154 batting average in 28 plate appearances) and was granted free agency by the Mets in 2013.

2008

Reds RHP
The Nationals selected the reliever with the first pick in the 2008 Rule 5 Draft after he posted a 2.88 ERA that season. Young injured his right shoulder during Spring Training, though, and was returned to the Reds in May ‘09.

2007

Indians 1B/3B
Whitney played a combined 107 games for the Nationals' Double-A and Triple-A affiliates in 2009, hitting .268 with and eight homers and 37 RBIs. He signed a Minor League deal with the Athletics in December of that year, and retired on June 10, 2010.

Twins OF
Guzman slashed .247/.320/.390 across 124 games at the Double-A and Triple-A levels for the Nationals in 2008. He last played for the Camden Riversharks of the Atlantic League in ‘10.

2006

Mets C
Flores appeared in 311 games (239 starts) for the Nationals from 2007-12, posting a .241/.289/375 slash line. He ranked second on the Nats with 59 RBIs in ‘08, recording a five-hit game against the Braves on July 20. Flores missed the ‘10 season because of a right labrum tear. The Nats granted him free agency in November ‘12. Flores went on to sign with the Dodgers, Rays, Royals, Braves and Marlins, but he didn’t appear in another Major League game after his time in Washington. He was released by Miami in ‘15.

Twins RHP
Washington selected Speigner in the 2006 Rule 5 Draft, returned him to Minnesota in June ‘07 and re-acquired him in a trade for outfielder Darnell McDonald four days later. Speigner made 26 appearances (six starts) for the Nats from ‘07-08, posting a 2-4 record with a 9.19 ERA over 48 innings. His highlights include throwing a career-high six innings in a victory over Johan Santana and the Twins on June 9, 2007. Speigner was granted free agency by the Nationals following the ‘08 season and went on to appear in Minor League games with the Marlins and Mariners organizations. He was granted free agency by Seattle in November '10.

2004

Blue Jays OF
Godwin, a third-round pick of the Blue Jays in the 2001 MLB Draft, was selected by Washington in the ‘04 Rule 5 Draft and then returned to Toronto in March ‘05 -- only to be traded back for lefty A.J. Wideman. Godwin made his big league debut that May with the Nationals, going hitless in three Major League at-bats spanning three games. He was granted free agency the following year. After a stint with the Reds, Godwin rejoined the Nats in August ‘07 and appeared in 15 Triple-A games.

Reds 3B
Blanco spent three seasons in the Nationals' organization from 2005-07. He appeared in 56 MLB games and hit .177 in ‘05 before spending the next two seasons in Washington’s Minor League system. Blanco signed with the Rockies in ‘08, and he began a professional career in Japan the following year.