Home / MLB / Yankees snare Cardinals’ RHP fireballer Cade Winquest in Rule 5 draft

Yankees snare Cardinals’ RHP fireballer Cade Winquest in Rule 5 draft

Colin Lynch Written by Sports EditorColin Lynch
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Yankees snare Cardinals’ RHP fireballer Cade Winquest in Rule 5 draft

The New York Yankees made their first Rule 5 Draft selection in 14 years, adding right-hander Cade Winquest from the St. Louis Cardinals.

For the first time since 2011, the New York Yankees made a selection in the Rule 5 Draft, choosing right-handed pitcher Cade Winquest from the St. Louis Cardinals during the major-league phase of the 2025 Rule 5 Draft at the Winter Meetings.

Rule 5 Draft picks cost teams $100,000 and require that the player remain on the selecting club’s active MLB roster all season, or be offered back to his original club at half that price.

Winquest’s selection, the Yankees’ first Rule 5 roster pick in 14 seasons, marks a notable departure from the Bombers’ usual offseason strategy, which typically focuses on free agency and trades.

At 25 years old, Winquest spent 2025 in the Cardinals’ system, finishing the season split between High-A and Double-A with 110 strikeouts across 106 innings and a mid-90s fastball that touches the upper-90s.

Assistant GM Mike Fishman noted New York’s interest stemmed from Winquest’s velocity, pitch mix, and projectable bullpen profile, suggesting the Yankees see him as someone who can compete for big-league innings immediately.

What this pick means for New York’s bullpen and roster

This Rule 5 selection carries built-in risk and reward. Winquest has limited experience above Double-A, and traditional Rule 5 candidates must stay on the 26-man roster all year or be offered back to their original club.

For a franchise that often rotates relievers and develops pitching internally, dedicating a roster spot to a Rule 5 pick requires confidence in Winquest’s ability to contribute.

But the upside, a young arm with strikeout upside and a fastball that plays in late innings, is precisely what teams covet at low acquisition cost.

In 2025, the Yankees’ bullpen had flashes of dominance but also stretches of inconsistency. Adding a high-upside right-hander like Winquest provides both competition in spring training and a potential surprise contributor if he sticks.

The pick also underscores a growing trend around MLB: clubs are willing to zoom in on pitching depth via the Rule 5 Draft, especially in years where other teams leave promising arms unprotected on 40-man rosters.

This year, 12 of the 13 major-league phase picks were right-handed pitchers, illustrating how teams value bullpen upside in this low-cost draft mechanism.

How Winquest fits  and what to watch in 2026

Winquest’s profile suggests a bullpen role is most likely, especially given the Yankees’ crowded starting rotation and their search for reliable late-inning arms. His fastball sits in the mid-90s, complemented by a curveball, cutter, and sweeper, giving scouts a full arsenal to work with.

Key things to watch as the Yanks head toward spring training include:

  • Roster battle outcomes: Whether Winquest can carve out a role in spring games and earn early-season bullpen opportunities.

  • Rule 5 roster management: The Yankees must decide how best to use him without violating the active roster requirement, potentially limiting depth mobility for other pitchers.

  • Development path: If Winquest struggles at MLB pace, decisions later in the season could include keeping him in a long reliever role or offering him back to the Cardinals.

Prospects and depth influence beyond Rule 5

Rule 5 picks often don’t come with long-term control or deep track records, so organizations also look internally at players with more traditional developmental timelines.

As the Yankees integrate Winquest, they also monitor several other up-and-coming prospects who could impact roster construction in 2026 and beyond:

  • Elmer Rodríguez (RHP): A potential back-of-the-rotation starter with size and projection, currently in the upper minors.

  • Spencer Jones (OF): A long-term outfield piece with raw power and athleticism, who could force conversations by 2027.

  • Bryce Cunningham (RHP): A big-armed pitching prospect with starter upside if he continues to harness his stuff.

While Winquest’s Rule 5 status forces the Yankees to give him an immediate chance, the broader farm system remains crucial to sustainable success.

Balancing long-term development with short-term pitching depth remains a core front-office challenge, and Rule 5 picks like Winquest illustrate how teams can blend creativity into roster building.

Why it matters now

This pick signals a subtle shift in the Yankees’ offseason philosophy, dipping into the Rule 5 Draft for the first time in over a decade. It’s an aggressive, low-cost way to chase pitching value, and if Winquest sticks, it could be remembered as a savvy addition.

If not, the roster risk is mitigated by the draft’s structure and the player’s potential return to his original organization.

For now, the spotlight will be on spring training and whether Cade Winquest earns himself a job and a role in the Bronx in 2026.

Colin Lynch Written by Sports EditorColin Lynch
Colin Lynch covers the NFL, MLB and WNBA for Heavy.com, with a focus on the New England Patriots. His sports coverage has been featured on The Sports Daily and Basketball Insiders, as well as FanSided's Chowder & Champions. A New Hampshire native and former D1 baseball player at St. John's University, Colin was drafted by the San Diego Padres in 2008 and enjoyed a four-year professional baseball career.
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