The Rule 5 Draft was originally designed to help prevent teams from stockpiling talent without the intention of promoting such players. Teams began using the Rule 5 draft as an opportunity to fill holes on the active roster with low cost players. Since its inception however, it’s morphed into something of a low-cost “try-out” for potential talent as well as a chance to build roster depth. The idea here is that instead of drafting players in AA or AAA to fill in holes as bench options or relievers on your roster, teams are selecting players in Class A Ball with “loud” tools, but not as much polish, effectively making these picks like lottery tickets.
This makes the draft process intriguing, but highly unlikely too many players drafted will break camp with a team. Making the jump from A Ball to the majors is tremendously difficult and teams have a hard time justifying keeping a player with potential on the bench just in case they grow into something in the future. But for a select few in the AA and AAA ranks, a big league future awaits.
C Oscar Hernandez: Despite being one of the premier defensive backstops in the minor leagues, Hernandez hasn’t met success above A Ball. The Diamondbacks will be stashing him on the DL to start the year with a wrist injury, and their underwhelming situation behind the plate gives him every chance to earn playing time in 2015.
1B/OF Mark Canha: Canha was selected by the Rockies and dealt to the A’s in a prearranged deal. Mark’s always been a little old for his level, but his power and batting average have kept him climbing, despite a poor OBP. Billy Beane is always looking for low-cost ways of adding power to his lineup and he did just that with Canha, who has a 50/50 shot at breaking camp with the A’s as a power bat off the bench.
OF Delino DeShields Jr: Since being drafted, Delino has continually showed he’s an elite prospect that’s possibly destined for stardom at the major league level. So why were the Astros, a team built for the future, so willing to send him packing? Off the field issues became a constant source of frustration and it looks as if Houston simply “had it” with his antics. However, DeShields has had an impressive Spring with Texas, is a lock for a roster spot as speed coming off the bench and looks as if the potential for a starting role is just around the corner. It appears to be a great pickup for the Rangers right now, unless DeShields screws up again.
RHP Jason Garcia: Garcia possesses an upper-90’s fastball and was only in class A last year, so the Red Sox were a little surprised to see him end up with the Orioles in a prearranged deal. Garcia’s been brilliant this Spring for Baltimore, and they’d like to keep him, but an impending roster crunch makes it likely he’ll be sent back to Boston.
RHP J.R. Graham: He was once a Top 100 prospect with the Braves, but just couldn’t hack it in AA as a starter. The Twins scooped him up, put him in the bullpen and have since watched him flourish in Spring Training. He definitely appears to have a spot in the Twins bullpen come Opening Day.
RHP Jandel Gustave: Gustave was a failed starting experiment from the Astros who was washed up in A Ball a year ago. Since then he was selected by the Red Sox and traded to the Royals in a prearranged deal and then exposed to waivers and scooped up by the Padres. The Padres are taking a look at how Gustave fits into their plans, but their bullpen is already 10-deep. Gustave will end up back in the minors soon.
2B/SS Taylor Featherston: Taylor was traded from the Cubs to the Angels in another prearranged deal, and has since found his niche with the defending AL West champions. With a fair share of power and speed for a middle infielder, the Angels gave him a go at the 2B job, but seem set on using Featherston’s defensive ability in a utility role. He’s a virtual lock for Opening Day and possibly frequent playing time if none of the Angels second base options pan out.
CF Odubel Herrera: Odubel is one of the rare Rule 5 picks that is stepping into a starting role immediately. Though’s he’s only played second base in his career, the Phillies got him in a prearranged deal and moved him to the outfield immediately where he’s done a solid job. His combination of speed, OBP and batting average make him a dark horse candidate for the leadoff spot in the lineup.
RHP Andrew McKirahan: Though he’s had success as a reliever in the high minors and wasn’t terrible in Spring Training, the Marlins have already exposed him to waivers and he’s since been picked up by the Braves.
RHP Sean Gilmartin: Though he was a solid yet unspectacular starter in the Twins organization, the Mets chose to take a closer look at him this Spring, and while the results haven’t been as promising as expected, the upside remains. The Mets are expected to carry Gilmartin in hopes that he’ll improve, but don’t be surprised to see Gilmartin back with his orginal organization if things don’t turn around.
RHP Daniel Winkler: By far the most gifted pitcher on this list. Winkler was scooped up by the Braves with the hope he’d recover well from his Tommy John surgery. The Braves will continue to allow him to rehab until July when they’ll need to make a decision whether or not to keep him, which they likely will because it’s like adding a top prospect that’s AAA ready.
RHP David Rollins: Can I first just say that this guy has been drafted FOUR TIMES! Dodgers in the 19th round, Mariners in the 23rd, Mariners in the 46th and Blue Jays in the 24th. Clearly the Mariners didn’t get the message when he refused to sign with them the first two times they grabbed him. Now he’s back again and was awfully impressive for the Mariners….until he popped positive for steroids and was suspended 80 games. Perhaps the newly acquired Nelson Cruz can give him some tips on how to avoid this embarrassment. Rollins isn’t making the team, despite his mid-90’s fastball.
RHP Logan Verrett: Logan was the second selection by the O’s in the draft, and appears to be a virtual lock to make the team. Though he lacks upside, he’s had measured success in AAA as a starter and has been very good this Spring as a reliever.
LHP Andy Oliver: Despite having an amazing Spring, Oliver didn’t look like he’d stick with the Phillies, until injuries struck. Now Oliver’s spot is all but guaranteed, until others get healthy.
By my count, that’s five that appear unlikely to make the roster, seven that appear likely to make the roster and two unknowns. However, we should keep in mind that throughout the year, many of the players that are kept on will eventually be exposed to waivers as rosters continually shuffle. The lesson here provides us the basic overview of what the draft truly is, a chance to add talent that likely won’t be stars or even starters. But that doesn’t make such acquisitions useless. There’s value to be had in a middle reliever or utility infielder. In the case of guys like Delino DeShields and Daniel Winkler, there may be considerable value in the future as well.
