Which prospects might the Giants protect from the Rule 5 Draft?

The Giants have spent the first part of the offseason cleaning up their 40-man roster, which needed to be trimmed back down to 40 before Monday’s deadline to reinstate players off the 60-day injured list.

San Francisco got back in compliance by cutting nine players -- most notably right-handers José Buttó and Tristan Beck -- on Monday, but the roster churn isn’t expected to end there. The Giants will still have to clear more 40-man spots for any free agents they sign, as well as any prospects they want to shield from the Rule 5 Draft.

(Players signed at age 18 or younger need to be added to their team’s 40-man roster within five seasons or they become eligible for the Rule 5 Draft. Players…