Padres poach Orioles top pitching prospect in big coup during Rule 5 Draft

The MLB Winter Meetings may be winding down with little fanfare surrounding the San Diego Padres, but AJ Preller was active during the Rule 5 Draft. The Padres picked up right-handed pitcher Juan Nuñez from the Baltimore Orioles and thankfully didn't lose anyone from within the organization.

For those unaware, every year the Rule 5 Draft allows opposing organization to poach talent from other ball clubs. There is specific criteria to meet in order to be selected in the Rule 5 Draft, and the event was put in place to keep teams from hoarding players who might deserve more playing time. This year, 15 players were selected during the Rule 5 Draft.

Padres poach top Orioles prospect during Rule 5 Draft

Nuñez is an intriguing pickup for the Friars. It was somewhat surprising, given his status in the Orioles organization, that Nuñez was left unprotected. According to MLB Pipeline, Nuñez was an top-10 prospect for the O's. Nuñez began his pro career with the Minnesota Twins, but was dealt to the Orioles in 2022 as part of the Jorge Lopez trade.

Nuñez has yet to pitch above High-A, which is likely why Baltimore didn't add the right-hander to their 40-man roster. While the Rule 5 Draft allows you swipe players from another organization, there's a catch. Once the season begins, Nuñez will have to break camp with the Padres and remain as part of the active (26-man) roster throughout the entire season. If he underperforms, San Diego must offer him back to Baltimore before optioning him to the minor leagues. That's the risk attached to the Rule 5 Draft.

But while Nuñez hasn't pitched above High-A, he is 24 years old. His advanced age, coupled with his 38 punchouts in 29 ⅓ innings pitched reveal exactly why Preller and Co. were willing to take a flier on Nuñez. He'll surely enter spring training looking to secure a role in the Padres bullpen, and if San Diego moves one of their relievers into the rotation, there'll certainly be an opening.

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