The A’s protected five promising minor-league players from the Rule-5 draft Friday, placing right-handers Paul Blackburn and Bobby Wahl on the 40-man roster, along with shortstop Franklin Barreto, infielder Yairo Muñoz and outfielder Jaycob Brugman.
Blackburn, who is from Brentwood, was acquired from Seattle for Danny Valencia last week, while Barreto was obtained in the Josh Donaldson deal with Toronto and is considered the A’s potential shortstop or second baseman of the future. The 20-year-old hit .284 combined between Double-A Midland and Nashville and he stole 30 bases.