Mets add OF Alex Ramirez to 40-man roster to protect prospect from Rule 5 Draft

The Mets announced Tuesday that outfield prospect Alex Ramirez was added to the 40-man roster. The move comes as the deadline to protect players from the upcoming Rule 5 Draft.

Ramirez, the team’s 11th-ranked prospect, spent his 2023 in High-A Brooklyn. In 120 games, the 20-year-old slashed .221/.310/.317 with seven home runs and 21 doubles. Ramirez did start 2022 in Low-A ball before being promoted to Brooklyn.

The 2023 Rule 5 Draft is set for Dec. 6 and will include eligible players who were not added to their respective organization's roster. Players first signed at age 18 or younger must be added to 40-man rosters within five seasons or they become eligible to be drafted by other organizations.

According to MLB.com, the Mets have four other prospects who are not protected from being chosen in the upcoming Rule 5 draft. This includes: RHP Justin Jarvis (No. 15 prospect), LHP Luis R. Rodriguez (No. 21), INF/OF Jeremiah Jackson (No. 22) and RHP Coleman Crow (No. 29).