The Red Sox added three pitching prospects — right-handers David Sandlin and Tyler Uberstine and left-hander Shane Drohan — to their 40-man roster in advance of Tuesday’s Rule 5 Draft protection deadline.
To accommodate the additions of Sandlin, Uberstine, and Drohan, the Red Sox traded left-handers Brennan Bernardino and Chris Murphy to the Rockies and White Sox, respectively, for a pair of minor leaguers and designated righty Josh Winckowski for assignment.
Sandlin is currently regarded by MLB Pipeline as Boston’s No. 10 prospect, which ranks sixth among pitchers in the organization. The hard-throwing 24-year-old was originally selected by the Royals in the 11th round of the 2022 draft out of Oklahoma, then acquired by the Red Sox for reliever John Schreiber last February.
Sandlin opened the 2025 season with Double-A Portland, pitching to a 3.61 ERA (3.33 FIP) with 86 strikeouts to 27 walks over 17 outings (13 starts) spanning 82 1/3 innings in which he held opposing hitters to a .227 batting average. He received a promotion to Triple-A Worcester in late July but then struggled to a 7.61 ERA (5.27 FIP) in 15 appearances (one start) totaling 23 2/3 innings as he transitioned to a bullpen role ahead of a possible big league call-up.
That never came to fruition, but there is still plenty to like about Sandlin when it comes to his arsenal. The 6-foot-4, 215-pound hurler sits at 94-97 mph and reaches triple digits with his fastball. while also incorporating a slider, sweeper, splitter, and curveball into a diverse pitch mix.
Uberstine, a one-time USC hopeful who did not receive any scholarship offers coming out of high school, was Boston’s 19th-round pick in the 2021 draft out of Northwestern. After working his way back from June 2023 Tommy John surgery late last season, the 26-year-old opened the 2025 campaign at Portland and posted a 3.64 ERA (2.51 FIP) with 35 strikeouts to just four walks in six starts (29 2/3 innings) before receiving a promotion to Worcester in mid-May. From there, he forged a 3.56 ERA (4.92 FIP) with 102 strikeouts to 37 walks across 19 outings (15 starts) and 91 innings in which opponents batted .245 against him.
Altogether, Uberstine finished the season leading the Red Sox organization in innings pitched (120 2/3) and strikeouts (137). The 6-foot-1, 200-pound righty features a 92-94 mph fastball that tops out at 95 mph as well as a slider, a changeup, a cutter, and a curveball.
Unlike Sandlin and Uberstine, Drohan is already plenty familiar with the Rule 5 process. Boston’s fifth-round pick in the 2020 draft out of Florida State, the 26-year-old Drohan was left off the club’s 40-man roster when first eligible following the 2023 season and was subsequently scooped up by the White Sox in the Rule 5 Draft that December. He was, however, later returned to the Red Sox in June 2024 after undergoing a nerve decompression procedure in his left shoulder four months prior.
Drohan began the 2025 season in Worcester but was limited to 12 outings (11 starts) with Boston’s top affiliate due to left forearm inflammation that sidelined him from early May until late August. When on the mound, though, the 6-foot-3, 195-pound southpaw compiled a 2.27 ERA (2.85 FIP) with 67 strikeouts to 16 walks over 47 2/3 innings in which he held opposing hitters to a .185 batting average. He primarily operates with a 92-94 mph fastball that can reach 96 mph, a changeup, a curveball, a cutter, and a slider.
With the additions of Sandlin, Uberstine, and Drohan, the Red Sox now have a full 40-man roster. That means that other eligible prospects who were left off, like righties Yordanny Monegro (who is recovering from Tommy John surgery) and Jedixson Paez, lefties Eduardo Rivera and Hayden Mullins, and outfielders Miguel Bleis and Allan Castro, could be taken by other clubs in next month’s Rule 5 Draft.
Chicago Cubs Secure Future Talent by Selecting Top Prospects Ahead of Rule 5 Draft
The Chicago Cubs are making strategic moves to secure their future with the Rule 5 Draft looming, announcing the selection of James Triantos, Pedro Ramírez, and Riley Martin
. These three promising players are now protected from being selected by other teams, further solidifying the Cubs’ commitment to developing their top-tier talent.
With this move, the Cubs have added these three prospects to their 40-man roster, bringing their total to
James Triantos, a second-round pick in 2021 after graduating from high school, has been regarded as one of the most promising pure hitters in the Cubs’ system. However, his performance at
Despite these struggles, his speed and base-stealing ability remain impressive, as evidenced by his 31 stolen bases. This makes Triantos a potentially valuable, versatile asset for the Cubs in 2026 — a player who could provide a spark as part of a multi-faceted approach.
Pedro Ramírez, a 21-year-old infielder from Venezuela, has turned heads and earned a place among the Cubs’ top 10 prospects
, according to Baseball America. Ramírez had an outstanding season in Double-A Tennessee, boasting a solid .280/.346/.386 slash line while swiping 28 bases in 563 plate appearances. His power remains modest, but his elite bat control and
While Ramírez still has some work to do in terms of power development, his potential as an all-around contributor to the Cubs’ future lineup is undeniable. He could see his promotion to
Riley Martin, a left-handed pitcher from Illinois, was selected in the
Though Martin has struggled with walks, his 94 MPH fastball and 80 MPH curveball remain potent weapons. If he can refine his command, he could develop into a key member of the Cubs’ bullpen in the coming seasons.
With the Rule 5 Draft just around the corner, the Cubs have made sure that Triantos, Ramírez, and Martin are safe from being poached. But the real question now is:
The Cubs’ decision to protect them is a clear indication of their belief in these players. Now, it’s up to Triantos, Ramírez, and Martin to prove they have what it takes to live up to the hype and help the Cubs build a championship-caliber team.
Final Thought:
With these selections, the Cubs have secured three promising prospects who could shape the team’s future. As the 2026 season approaches, it’s clear that the Cubs are focusing on both short-term success and long-term growth. The next few seasons will be crucial for the development of these rising stars.