Domingo Tapia, rhp, Mets: Midway through the 2013 season, Tapia seemed unlikely to be on a list of Rule 5 unprotected players. He had touched 100 mph and was stifling high Class A hitters. But his stuff has backed up since then while his control remains below-average, which explains why he’s still in high Class A.
Luis Cessa, rhp, Mets: Another conversion project, Cessa has been a slow-mover as he’s been used as a starter. He has an athletic delivery, with a big arm (93-95 mph fastball) and a fringe average breaking ball and changeup, and he throws a lot of strikes (1.78 BB/9 in 374 IP).
Greg Peavey, rhp, Mets: The former Little League star threw 90 mph as a 14-year-old and has gained 2-4 mph since. Coming off an excellent season in Double-A Binghamton, the Oregon State alum doesn’t fit normal profile of type of pitcher who sticks in Rule 5.
Logan Verrett, rhp, Mets: The four-pitch Baylor alum has above-average control that has helped him succeed at Triple-A (11-5, 4.33 at Las Vegas in 2014), but he lacks a true plus pitch and he’s always been vulnerable to lefthanded hitters.