The Chicago Cubs are looking to add to their roster. Although the Kyle Tucker rumors are currently controlling the headlines, the Cubs were very active at the Rule 5 Draft on Thursday. Players eligible for the Rule 5 Draft were to be added to 40-man rosters earlier this offseason if they were to be protected, just as the Cubs did with Owen Caissie. On Wednesday, those efforts came to fruition.
In the Major League phase of the draft, the Cubs made a selection. Teams will pass if their 40-man roster is full or there isn't a player they're interested in. The rules for the Rule 5 Draft, along with the full results, can be found here. Having not been on the Detroit Tigers 40-man roster, the Cubs selected 3B/SS Gage Workman.
Workman's first three minor-league seasons were largely underwhelming. However, the infielder had a huge offensive outburst at Double-A in 2024, slashing .280/.366/.476 with 18 home runs, 89 RBIs, 29 doubles, 30 steals, and 85 runs scored over 126 games. A fair majority of his totals were career highs as well.
The Workman addition is intriguing. Listed as a third baseman, Workman could be a replacement on the 40-man roster for other third baseman who, based on speculation, could be a part of a big trade.
From there, the Cubs drafted a trio of minor league pitchers. RHP William Jensen, RHP Nolan Clenney, and RHP Robert Kwiatkowski were all selected from the Double-A level for the San Francisco Giants, New York Mets, and Boston Red Sox, respectively.
Jensen has made a handful of starts in the minors over the last two seasons, but has largely served as a bullpen arm. Between Double-A and Triple-A in 2024, Jensen held a 3.74 ERA and 106 strikeouts in 35 appearances (six starts). He struggled a bit at Triple-A, but could be a bullpen piece for the Cubs at some point in the next two seasons.
The 28-year-old Clenney showed a lot of promise in 2021 and 2022, pitching to a 4.80 ERA in 37 appearances. While fanning 95, the righty looked like a high-upside arm. However, his last two seasons leave a lot to be desired and as an older prospect, the Cubs may try to tinker his arsenal in the pitch lab and expedite him to the MLB bullpen.
Finally, Kwiatkowski is another older righty (27) that the Cubs see something in. Between Double-A and Triple-A in 2024, the righty posted a 2.86 ERA with 71 strikeouts but 25 walks in 36 appearances (two starts). Despite the high number of walks, Kwiatkowski showed well in 78.2 innings of work and could be another gem for the bullpen.
Along the way, the Cubs lost three players to other teams. RHP Richard Gallardo went to the Toronto Blue Jays in the first round of the minor league phase. In addition, OF Jacob Wetzel was also scooped up by Toronto in the second round of the minor league phase. Finally, RHP Angel Gonzalez was selected by the St. Louis Cardinals, also in the second round of the minor league phase.
