Below is an article from Rotoworld on the upcoming Rule 5 draft. I highlighted some that either had a high percentage (of being taken) ranking or caught my eye for one reason or another. The link (provided) includes individual links to the various players and if someone here catches your eye you might try it or www.minorleaguebaseball.com for more info.

 

http://rotoworld.com/content/story.asp?spo...LB&storyid=7572

 

Enjoy.

 

Strike Zone - Rule 5 Draft Preview

By Matthew Pouliot

Executive Editor, RotoWorld.com

November 25, 2004

 

Presented below is our second annual Rule 5 draft preview. This year?s draft will take place on Dec. 13. Under the terms of the Rule 5 draft, players with at least three years of professional service (four years if they were signed at age 18 or younger) who were not protected on a team's 40-man roster are eligible for to be selected by another club for $50,000. The drafted player must remain with his new club for the full season or be offered back to his original club for $25,000.

 

Along with the list of available players, I?m presenting a percentage chance of their being selected.

I?ve done by best to check everything, but there might be errors below. Please let me know of any mistakes or glaring omissions.

 

All Ages as of Opening Day 2005

Potential Rule 5 Picks

 

Matt Albers - RHP Astros - Age 22 - 20 percent

8-3, 3.31 ERA, 95 H, 140/57 K/BB in 111 1/3 IP for Single-A Lexington. Primarily a two-pitch pitcher. Could be safely stashed away in a major league bullpen.

 

Brian Barden - 3B Diamondbacks - Age 24 - 10 percent

2002 sixth-round pick was given a look at second base last season. He?s a decent prospect, but the Diamondbacks have no idea what they?ll do with him.

 

Kevin Barry - RHP Braves - Age 26 - 30 percent

1.79 ERA and 71/35 K/BB in 60 1/3 IP between Double- and Triple-A. Needs better command, but his fastball could get him an opportunity.

 

Tony Blanco - OF Reds - Age 23 - 10 percent

Reemerged as a prospect by hitting .306/.403/.588 at Single-A Potomac but fell off to .245/.300/.455 at Double-A Chattanooga.

 

Chadd Blasko - RHP Cubs - Age 24 - 20 percent

Blasko underwent Tommy John surgery last year, but he was viewed as one of the Cubs? top prospects before getting hurt. 1.98 ERA and a 131/43 K/BB ratio in 136 1/3 IP for Single-A Daytona in 2003.

 

Brant Colamarino - 1B Athletics - Age 24 - 20 percent

.355/.450/.601 in 50 games for Single-A Modesto and .273/.333/.438 for Double-A Midland. Probably not a future regular.

 

Jon Connolly - LHP Cubs - Age 21 - 20 percent

Below average stuff and great results. Connolly went 11-7 with a 2.59 ERA, 151 H and 109/29 K/BB in 153 IP for Single-A Daytona last season.

 

Jason Cooper - OF Indians - Age 24 - 70 percent

Cooper, Cleveland?s No. 10 prospect at the beginning of the season, hit a disappointing .239/.321/.424 in Double-A after batting .307/.380/.528 in the Carolina League in 2003. As far as being ready to contribute and being a solid long-term option, he?s one of the best bets available. Still, since he needs a year in Triple-A and he may not be more than a fourth outfielder, he could go overlooked.

 

Jorge Cortes - OF Pirates - Age 24 - 20 percent

The South Atlantic League MVP in 2003, Cortes hit .292/.385/.435 in 70 games for Single-A Lynchburg and .281/.338/.482 in 37 games for Double-A Altoona last season. Could be a quality bench player, but probably not in 2005.

 

Jesus Cota - 1B/OF Diamondbacks - Age 23 - 1 percent

Hasn?t really impressed since Rookie ball. Hit .290/.324/.451 for Double-A El Paso last season.

 

Ron Davenport - OF Blue Jays - Age 23 - 10 percent

.278/.345/.495 in a third season for Single-A Dunedin. Davenport has a chance to become a reserve, but his lack of speed makes it unlikely he?ll be picked.

 

Dan Denham - RHP Indians - Age 22 -60 percent

2001 first-round pick went 12-8 with a 4.78 ERA, 161 H and 112/60 K/BB in 147 IP between Single-A Kinston and Double-A Akron. Limited upside as a starter but a switch to the pen could make him interesting again.

 

Shea Douglas - LHP Indians - Age 24 - 20 percent

Reliever had a 1.54 ERA while spending most of last year at Single-A Kinston.

 

David Espinosa - OF Tigers - Age 23 - 10 percent

The Reds? 2000 first-round pick has turned into a player, batting .264/.366/.440 with 20 steals for Double-A Erie last season. There are better outfielders available, though.

 

Travis Foley - RHP Indians - Age 22 - 20 percent

Foley?s stock has fallen since his big 2002 and the Indians now view him as a reliever. The team has pitching prospects more likely to be taken.

 

Ben Francisco - OF Indians - Age 23 - 20 percent

.254/.326/.414 for Double-A Akron. Some speed and offensive potential.

 

Ben Fritz - RHP Athletics - Age 24 - 10 percent

2002 first-round pick could be stashed away on 60-day DL as he recovers from Tommy John surgery.

 

Michael Garciaparra - SS Mariners - Age 22 - 1 percent

Even the cheapest of teams can have a Garciaparra at shortstop next year. Unfortunately, Nomar?s little brother hit just .226/.333/.316 in 70 games for Single-A Inland Empire last season.

 

Jake Gautreau - 3B Padres - Age 25 - 40 percent

2001 first-round pick surprisingly went unselected in last year?s draft. Played better in 2004, hitting .259/.351/.462 in 66 games for Double-A Mobile and .274/.333/.500 in 48 games for Triple-A Portland.

 

Nick Gorneault - OF Angels - Age 25 - 10 percent

Only a potential reserve. Fell to .280/.341/.480 in Double-A after entering the season with a career .312/.362/.513 line.

 

Colt Griffin - RHP Royals - Age 22 - 50 percent

Is there a pitching coach in baseball who wouldn?t like a shot at Griffin? The 2001 first-round pick can still work in the high-90s when he wants to, though he typically doesn?t throw that hard in games these days. Had a 4.02 ERA and a 26/16 K/BB ratio in 31 1/3 IP for Double-A Wichita after a conversion to relief.

 

Rudy Guillen - OF Yankees - Age 21 - 10 percent

The No. 5 prospect in weak Yankees system a year ago, Guillen hit only .264/.313/.339 for Single-A Tampa.

 

Javier Guzman - SS Pirates - Age 20 - 20 percent

Maybe the new Jose Morban. Guzman hit .306/.334/.413 with 31 steals for Single-A Hickory last season. He has the potential to be a good defender, but he made 40 errors last season. He might amount to something if he stays with the Pirates. Wasting away a year in the majors would hurt him.

 

Luke Hagerty - LHP Cubs - Age 24 - 40 percent

2002 first-round pick struggled to come back from Tommy John surgery last season, but he has tremendous long-term potential. Since a club could probably get away with keeping him on the DL for the first couple of months, he?d be a smart pick.

 

Buddy Hernandez - RHP Braves - Age 26 - 20 percent

Taken by Oakland two years ago but failed to stick. Hernandez had a 2.42 ERA in 67 innings for Triple-A Richmond last season. He deserves an opportunity.

 

Tripper Johnson - 3B Orioles - Age 22 - 10 percent

2000 first-round pick hit .269/.343/.454 in his second year in the Carolina League. Tripper still has some offensive potential, but not enough to be taken when he?s so far away.

 

Tyler Johnson - LHP Cardinals - Age 23 - 90 percent

Talented lefty reliever has struck out 10.7 batters per nine innings in four seasons. Johnson?s control isn?t improving, but he has the fastball-curveball combination to be a quality setup man. He should be one of the first players to go.

 

Ben Julianel - LHP Yankees - Age 25 - 20 percent

Former Cardinals prospect struck out 70 in 59 1/3 IP as a reliever for Single-A Tampa. He could someday be a lefty specialist.

 

James Jurries - 1B Braves - Age 25 - 20 percent

.267/.336/.487 for Triple-A Richmond. Jurries is a decent player, but he?s not quite a regular.

 

Mark Kiger - 2B/SS Athletics - Age 24 - 30 percent

Hit .262/.367/.355 for Double-A Midland. While Kiger has the potential to be a pretty good utilityman, he does need another year in the minors.

 

Brad Knox - RHP Athletics - Age 22 - 50 percent

14-5, 2.59 ERA, 141 H, 174/24 K/BB in 156 1/3 IP for Single-A Kane County. Knox lacks more than No. 4-starter upside and he pitched in low Single-A last year, but those numbers are still very tough to overlook.

 

Shawn Kohn - RHP Athletics - Age 25 - 40 percent

Yet another product of Oakland?s 2002 draft. Kohn had a 105/11 K/BB ratio in 85 2/3 IP between Single-A Modesto and Triple-A Sacramento last season.

 

Shane Komine - RHP Athletics - Age 24 - 10 percent

See Fritz. Sub in ninth round for first.

 

Don Levinski - RHP Orioles - Age 22 - 1 percent

A highly thought of prospect two years ago, Levinski fell apart last season, posting a 6.48 ERA in 82 innings while splitting time between the rotation and the pen for Single-A Frederick.

 

 

Bobby Livingston - LHP Mariners - Age 22 - 10 percent

Livingston went 12-6, 3.57 ERA, 187 H, 141/30 K/BB in 186 2/3 IP for Single-A Inland Empire, but there isn?t much to like here except the numbers.

 

Warner Madrigal - OF Angels - Age 21 - 20 percent

Lots of upside but probably four years away. Madrigal was limited to 26 games last season after hitting .369/.394/.581 in Rookie ball in 2003.

 

J.D. Martin - RHP Indians - Age 22 - 30 percent

Drafted 35th overall in 2001. Martin started his pro career with a bang, but he?s coming off a couple of mediocre years in the Carolina League. He never had big-time stuff, so the Indians shouldn?t be too concerned about losing him.

 

John McCurdy - SS Athetics - Age 23 - 1 percent

A Moneyball bust. 2002 first-round pick hit .249/.284/.364 for Double-A Midland last season.

 

Marshall McDougall - 3B Rangers - Age 26 - 40 percent

.282/.349/.508 for Triple-A Oklahoma. Could be a nice offensive-minded utilityman for some team.

 

Blake McGinley - LHP Mets - Age 25 - 80 percent

111/22 K/BB ratio in 91 1/3 IP relief innings should get him taken, maybe by a Moneyball team.

 

Drew Meyer - SS Rangers - Age 23 - 80 percent

Meyer, the 10th overall pick in the 2002 draft, hasn?t done much offensively yet, but he?s athletic and versatile. Some team will take a chance.

 

Nyler Morgan - OF Pirates - Age 24 - 10 percent

.258/.355/.337 and 55 steals for Single-A Hickory. He might be more tempting with one more year of experience.

 

Carlos Morla - RHP Red Sox - Age 22 - 10 percent

Mid-90s fastball and not much else. 3.88 ERA as an A ball reliever in 2004.

 

Corey Myers - C/3B Diamondbacks - Age 24 - 10 percent

.289/.369/.483 in 57 games for Triple-A Tucson and .400/.434/.632 in the AFL. Probably wouldn?t be as good of a selection as?

 

Mike Napoli - C/1B Angels - Age 23 - 30 percent

.282/.393/.539 with 29 HR and 118 RBI for Single-A Rancho Cucamonga last season. Doesn?t have Chris Shelton?s upside, but since he can act as a third catcher, there would be worse uses of a roster spot.

 

John Nelson - SS Cardinals - Age 26 - 20 percent

Hard to figure what the Cards were thinking adding Mike Mahoney and Scott Seabol but leaving Tyler Johnson and Nelson off their roster. Nelson hit .301/.396/.524 in 63 games for Double-A Tennessee last season. Some team might look to see if he can cut it as a utilityman.

 

Ricky Nolasco - RHP Cubs - Age 22 - 20 percent

Nolasco was roughed up in Triple-A, but he had a 3.70 ERA and a 115/37 K/BB ratio in 107 IP for Double-A West Tenn last season. He?s a potential fifth starter.

 

Pat Osborn - INF Indians - Age 24 - 30 percent

University of Florida product hit .342/.422/.531 in 86 games while playing third base and shortstop for Single-A Kinston. He?s probably not yet solid enough defensively to stick in the majors, but he?s an intriguing prospect.

 

Nathan Panther - OF Indians - Age 23 - 40 percent

2002 15th-round pick hit .256/.345/.344 for Single-A Kinston last season. Has more offensive upside than a lot of the speedy outfielders selected in past Rule 5 drafts.

 

Manny Parra - LHP Brewers - Age 22 - 30 percent

Shoulder problems limited Parra to 73 1/3 IP last season and prevented him from pitching in the Arizona Fall League. That the Brewers are protecting Andy Pratt and Luis Pena over him shows just how concerned they are.

 

David Pauley - RHP Padres - Age 21 - 60 percent

7-12, 4.17 ERA, 155 H and 128/60 K/BB in 153 1/3 IP for Single-A Lake Elsinore. Average fastball and plus curveball could make him a quality reliever in time.

 

Carmen Pignatiello - LHP Cubs - Age 22 - 10 percent

9-7, 4.56 ERA, 167 H, 137/39 K/BB in 148 IP for Double-A West Tenn. Pignatiello is a soft-tosser, but his offspeed pitches have allowed him to maintain a strong strikeout rate.

 

Royce Ring - LHP Mets - Age 24 - 50 percent

2002 first-round pick had a 3.69 ERA between Double- and Triple-A. He?s lost velocity, so he?s not nearly the prospect he once was. Still, he has decent stuff for a lefty. It would be a surprise if he doesn?t have a career.

 

Sendy Rleal - RHP Orioles - Age 24 - 20 percent

2.66 ERA, 60/12 K/BB in 47 1/3 IP for Double-A Bowie. Only has average stuff or he would have been protected.

 

Alex Romero - OF Twins - Age 21 - 60 percent

Romero doesn?t have a lot of power and he may not stick in center field, but he?s a switch-hitter with a chance to become a major league regular. He hit .292/.387/.405 for Single-A Fort Myers last season.

 

 

Davis Romero - LHP Blue Jays - Age 22 - 40 percent

5-4 with a 2.53 ERA, 77 H and 108/30 K/BB in 103 1/3 IP for Single-A Charleston. Romero?s lack of experience might allow the Blue Jays to keep him, but he is a left-hander with pretty good stuff and strong numbers.

 

 

Jae-Kuk Ryu - RHP Cubs - Age 21 - 10 percent

Stock dropped the day he killed an osprey with a thrown ball, but when healthy, Ryu performed well as a reliever last season. He was once viewed as a potential third or fourth starter.

 

Bronson Sardinha - 3B Yankees - Age 21 - 20 percent

2001 first-round pick hit .315/.389/.403 in 63 games for Single-A Tampa and .267/.356/.383 in 72 games for Double-A Trenton. He?s still one of the Yankees? better prospects, but it?s unlikely that any team will want to carry him for a year.

 

Todd Self - 1B Astros - Age 26 - 10 percent

.315/.420/.460 for Double-A Round Rock. Probably not a long-term regular, but the Blue Jays could do worse at 1B/DH.

 

Juan Senreiso - OF Rangers - Age 23 - 60 percent

.296/.344/.442 for Single-A Stockton. He needs a couple of more years in the minors, but he has the tools to become a regular.

 

Brandon Sing - 1B Cubs - Age 24 - 10 percent

In his third year with the team, Sing hit .270/.399/.571 for Single-A Daytona and his 32 homers were just one shy of the Florida State League record. Still, he?s not viewed as a future regular and he isn?t ready to help a team right now.

 

Andy Sisco - LHP Cubs - Age 22 - 80 percent

It?s hard to believe the Cubs left Sisco available, especially when they had room to protect Geovany Soto and some other youngsters that will probably never be broken in under Dusty Baker?s watch. The 6-foot-9 Sisco has about as much upside as any lefty in the minors. Some team should grab him and see if his stuff comes back.

 

Brian Slocum - RHP Indians - Age 24 - 10 percent

15-6, 4.33 ERA, 136 H, 102/41 K/BB in 135 IP for Single-A Kinston. Average stuff.

 

Brian Stavisky - 1B/OF Athletics - Age 24 - 10 percent

2002 sixth-round pick hit .343/.413/.550 for Single-A Modesto. He?s limited to left field and first base, so he?s not a great prospect.

 

Adam Stern - OF Braves - Age 25 - 10 percent

.322/.378/.480 with 27 SB for Double-A Greenville. Not quite good enough to stick.

 

Mike Stodolka - LHP Royals - Age 23 - 10 percent

Fourth overall pick in the 2000 draft. Stodolka made a strong recovery from Tommy John surgery last season, but he was viewed as a bust even before getting hurt.

 

Erik Thompson - RHP Rangers - Age 22 - 40 percent

Certainly would have been protected if not for a shoulder problem. The Rockies still might want him.

 

Jose Vaquedano - RHP Red Sox - Age 23 - 20 percent

Command pitcher had a 2.93 ERA and a 126/33 K/BB in 135 1/3 IP between two A ball teams last season. Would be interesting if he adds velocity.

 

Anthony Webster - OF Rangers - Age 21 - 20 percent

Hit .287/.363/.439 with 20 SB for Single-A Stockton last season and can play center field. Webster is a quality prospect, but spending a year on a major league bench would hurt him.

 

Wes Wilkerson - RHP Royals - Age 28 - 10 percent

Wilkerson had a 5.18 ERA as a Double-A reliever, but he allowed just two runs in 18 1/3 IP in the Arizona Fall League. Throws 92-94 mph.

 

Charlie Zink - RHP Red Sox - Age 25 - 1 percent

Zink was Boston?s No. 4 prospect a year ago, but his knuckleball didn?t work at all in 2004. He only has another 10 years or so to figure things out.

---------------

Players signed to minor league contracts and not added to 40-man rosters are also available in the Rule 5 draft, so if a team is bitter about having lost out on Jack Cust, Esteban German or Santiago Ramirez, it can pick up the player for $50,000.

 

Matthew Pouliot is the Executive Editor of RotoWorld.com and has been featured in ESPN The Magazine. For comments, e-mail him at matthewpouliot@hotmail.com.

What number is our pick?

What number is our pick?

622596[/snapback]

 

Depending what the tie-breaker is (the Marlins and Chicago WhiteSox both finished with a .512 winning percentage), the Fish will pick approximately 15th or 16th.

Batter's Box preview

 

With Lenny Harris clogging a roster spot and a number of our own young prospects pushing for bench roles I doubt the Marlins make a selection. Perhaps they could look at a lefty specialist or middle reliever. Ring, Sisco, McGinley and Ryan Rowland-Smith (A single-A lefty with good control, but a fastball that tnds to find its way over short fences. stats) Although that may be asking too much from a new pitching coach.

The Marlins could lose outfielder Chip Ambres or recent signed pitcher Frank Castillo in the draft.

Sisco!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

*Drools*

 

:notworthy

sweet, thx for posting the article Marlins2003

some real prospects on the list there, but remember they would have to be on the 25 man if selected in the MLB phase.

Take Castillo!

Take Castillo!

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Why? Aside from Chris Truby, he's the best minor league free agent pick-up to date. If you hadn't noticed the Marlins are kinda thin on decent AAA pitchers, and we'll definetly need him if Beckett/Burnett go down or plan on having an open competition for 5th starter.

Sisco!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

*Drools*

 

:notworthy

622685[/snapback]

I was thinking the same thing.

I'm curious exactly how MLB handles a player taken in the Rule 5 draft IF he doesn't make the team that chose him.

 

We all know that if a team takes a player in the draft he must go on their 25 man roster for a year, or if the team cuts him, he must be offered back to the team that lost him in the draft.

 

But what happens if that team doesn't want him back? Does he go through waivers? Can the team that drafted him then sign him to a minor league contract? If he's a pitcher and recovering from surgery can he be placed on the DL?

 

So many questions, so little time...anyone know or have the time to check the MLB Basic Agreement?

I'm curious exactly how MLB handles a player taken in the Rule 5 draft IF he doesn't make the team that chose him.

 

We all know that if a team takes a player in the draft he must go on their 25 man roster for a year, or if the team cuts him, he must be offered back to the team that lost him in the draft.

 

But what happens if that team doesn't want him back? Does he go through waivers? Can the team that drafted him then sign him to a minor league contract? If he's a pitcher and recovering from surgery can he be placed on the DL?

 

So many questions, so little time...anyone know or have the time to check the MLB Basic Agreement?

622963[/snapback]

 

 

Isnt that What Happend To Grilli last year? Not sure But I think someone drafted him then gave him back then he went on waivers :confused I am going to stop smoking my cocoa puffs now

I would take Warner Madrigal if we can't get one of those pitchers like Royce Ring or Andy Sisco.

Im still a bit ticked we didnt snatch Ty Howington last year