The Braves selected two players in the major league phase of the Rule Five Draft on Wednesday.
In the first round, the Braves chose right-handed pitcher Anderson Pilar from the Marlins. In the second round, they selected infielder Christian Cairo from the Guardians.
Pilar, 26, split the 2024 season between High-A Beloit, Double-A Pensacola and Triple-A Jacksonville, pitching to a 1-1 record and a 2.64 ERA between the affiliates. In 37 games (two starts), he logged 71 strikeouts against only 13 walks.
Originally signed by the Rockies as a minor league free agent in 2015, Pilar has appeared in 213 minor league games (17 starts). The 6-foot-2, 210-pounder posted a 28-20 lifetime record and a 2.86 ERA, striking out 366 and walking 106.
Cairo, 23, split the 2024 season between Double-A Akron and Triple-A Columbus, slashing .241/.354/.326 (82-for-341) between the levels. In 108 minor league games last year, he scored 48 runs, had 39 RBI and walked 59 times against 96 strikeouts. A right-handed hitter and thrower, Cairo stole 26 bases.
Originally selected by the Guardians in the fourth round of the 2019 First-Year Player Draft, Cairo has primarily appeared as a second baseman (123 games), third baseman (114 games) and shortstop (83 games). He is a lifetime .221/.359/.314 (250-for-1,129) hitter in the minors, including 63 extra-base hits. The 5-foot-9, 185-pounder has logged 72 stolen bases in 89 minor league tries (80.9%).
Held every December on the final day of the Winter Meetings, the Rule 5 Draft allows clubs to select non-40-man roster players from other teams. Clubs pay $100,000 for each selection.
Cairo and Pilar will go to the Braves’ 40-man roster. A team who takes a player in the Rule 5 Draft must put that player on its 26-man roster for the entirety of the following season. If Cairo or Pilar don’t make the team out of spring training, the Braves must place them on outright waivers. If they clear waivers, they must be offered back to their original club for $50,000. If that team doesn’t wish to re-acquire the player, the Braves can outright him to the minor leagues.
Players who signed at age 18 or younger must be added to their club’s 40-man roster within five seasons or they become eligible for the Rule 5 Draft. Players signed at age 19 or older need to be on the 40-man roster within four seasons.
To make a selection in the Rule 5 Draft, a team must have a 40-man roster that isn’t full.
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