These Two Angels Prospects Could Need Rule 5 Protection

The Los Angeles Angels have plenty of prospects, and the status of most of them is clear going into the offseason. But two prospects could need to be protected in the Rule 5 draft, according to a report from Brian Burrows of Halo Hangout.

Nelson Rada, OF

Rada is an important name, and he’s become familiar to Angels fans as he’s risen through the Angels system. He’s one of the few Halos prospects who hasn’t been rushed through the farm system, which is part of the reason he’s vulnerable in the Rule 5 Draft. 

Rada actually had a good chance to make the team this year, which is also a big reason he needs protection. Rada played well in spring training, but manager Kurt Suzuki made some vague comments about the outfielder needing to develop a professional work ethic, so he was sent down to Triple-A Salt Lake. 

Rada certainly wasn’t affected much by the demotion, or at least he didn’t show it if he was. The No. 6 prospect in the Angels system spent the entire 2026 season in Triple-A, where he hit .278 with a .739 OPS. He doesn’t provide much power, as he hit only three home runs, but Rada did use his speed to get 22 doubles and five triples. He also stole 43 bases, which gave him a total of  214 for his minor league career. 

The outfielder struggled at Double-A, but his season is a big indicator of his growing maturity, and outfielder Mike Trout has expressed an openness to shift over to left field after metrics revealed his loss of range this year. 

Rada is considered an excellent defensive outfielder, and he would instantly help the Halos across all through outfield spots given his speed and range. He would also give the Angels an effective leadoff man or speed at the bottom of a lineup that was rife with holes, so he may need to be added to the 40-man roster. 

Camden Minacci, RHP

Minacci is a name most fans don’t know, but the 24-year old is important nonetheless, per Burrows. He pitched 47 innings in Double-A last season with a 3.59 ERA, a strikeout rate of almost 30 percent and a walk rate that hovered around 10 percent. He held batters to a .219 batting average with a home run per nine of just 0.19.

The overarching question at the moment is whether the Rule 5 draft is even held, as it’s usually scheduled after the World Series and the lockout is about to completely shut down all baseball business on Dec. 1.