10 candidates for Marlins to select in 2025 Rule 5 draft

Pitchers

RHP Blake Burkhalter (Atlanta Braves)

The majority of Rule 5 picks are pitchers, so we will begin with them.

Burkhalter may be one of the first names off the board this year, before the Marlins are even on the clock. Taken with the 76th pick of the 2022 MLB Draft, the righty reached the Triple-A level in 2025, posting a 3.77 ERA, 4.82 FIP, 6.68 K/9 and 4.65 BB/9 in 31 innings pitched. Overall on the season, he had a 3.32 ERA, 3.53 FIP, 7.69 K/9 and 3.93 BB/9 in 32 appearances (16 starts) and 103 innings.

Ranked 11th among Braves prospects per MLB Pipeline, Burkhalter could bolster the bullpen with his strong fastball/cutter combo, along with a low-80s curveball and occasional changeup.

Upgrading the bullpen is one of the Marlins' top priorities heading into 2026. In addition to bringing in a veteran reliever, it wouldn't hurt to give Burkhalter an opportunity to see what he can show during spring training.

LHP Hayden Mullins (Boston Red Sox)

Mullins, who is 25 years old, spent the 2025 season between High-A and Double-A, posting a 2.21 ERA, 3.44 FIP, 10.89 K/9 and 4.51 BB/9 through 101 ⅔ innings pitched. His arsenal consists of a fastball, slider, cutter and changeup. The slider seems to be his best pitch, per FanGraphs, with a 60-grade future value and 55-grade current value.

It is a bit risky to select a prospect with no AAA experience. However, that did not scare the Marlins away from picking Hicks when he was in that situation last year.

RHP Griff McGarry (Philadelphia Phillies)

McGarry spent most of the season in AA, but was then promoted to AAA. Between both levels, he posted a 3.44 ERA, 3.14 FIP, 13.34 K/9 and 5.27 BB/9.

He has been a strikeout machine throughout his professional career thanks to a 60-grade slider and overpowering fastball. McGarry is very tough for right-handed batters to hit, and that should carry over to the majors.

Clearly, the issue is control.

LHP Dalton Rogers (Boston Red Sox)

Another lefty in the Boston system, Dalton Rogers was a third-round pick in 2022 out of Southern Mississippi. He had a breakthrough year in 2025 after previously being stuck at the High-A level. In 105 innings pitched, Rogers finished with a 3.09 ERA, 3.03 FIP, and 15% K-BB%, almost all of that coming against AA competition.

Rogers has electric stuff, but will need to control it better if he wants to stick as a starter. With an over-the-top fastball, sweeper, and lofty curveball, he should reliably miss bats if turned into a reliever.

RHP Alaska Abney (Cleveland Guardians)

Perhaps the most unique player on this list is Guardians submariner Alaska Abney. Pure deception and grit are the name of the game for Abney, who was a 15th-rounder in 2021.

Abney spent the majority of the 2025 season rehabbing from a shoulder injury, but he finished strong. In his 20 ⅓ innings at AA, he had a 1.44 ERA, 3.12 FIP, and 23.4% K-BB%. Unlike the couple pitchers mentioned before him, he locates with precision and issued only two walks.

The Marlins bullpen hasn’t had an arm angle like this since Adam Cimber.

RHP RJ Petit (Detroit Tigers)

Petit had an extremely successful 2025 season. Between Double-A and Triple-A, he posted a 2.44 ERA, 2.94 FIP, and 21.3% K-BB%.

One tall glass of water, Petit stands at 6’8”, 300 pounds. Those unique physical characteristics contributed to the excellent results on his slider and sinker.

With the way he commands the zone, limits damage, and strikes hitters out, it would be a surprise if none of the teams picking before the Marlins took a shot on Petit.