Rule 5 Draft Preview

THURSDAY, 12:10am: Yankees' GM Brian Cashman said that four teams have called about the first pick, however they'll keep it for themselves according to Mark Feinsand of The NY Daily News. Ben Goessling of The Washington Times says that the Yanks will have Washington take Kroenke, with the idea of him replacing the recently departed Phil Coke.

WEDNESDAY, 11:13pm: Mayo says the Royals will make a selection, which means we'll see a roster move soon.  And it's now looking like the Pirates will take a right-hander instead of a position player.

9:16pm: Johan Santana, Dan Uggla and Shane Victorino were all Rule 5 Draft selections, so we could see some unheralded talent change teams tomorrow morning when this year's draft takes place. MLB.com's Jonathan Mayo has the latest on the draft, which he calls something of a "crapshoot:"

• The Nats will select first for the Yankees, followed by the Pirates, the Orioles for the Rangers, the Royals and the Indians.
• The Royals have a full 40-man roster so they can't make a selection unless that changes. They may create space to make a pick, though.
• Pirates GM Neal Huntington says there's a good chance he'll select someone. Mayo expects the Pirates to take a position player.
• Marlins outfielder John Raynor is gathering lots of attention; he has a career .299/.383/.452 line.
• D'Backs pitcher Hector Ambriz could also be an early pick, perhaps for the Indians.
• The Yankees might have the Nats take one of their own players, Zach Kroenke, to make sure no one else does. Ed Price of AOL FanHouse agrees: there's a chance the Yankees will have the Nats select Kroenke.
• Remember, Florida has Houston's eighth overall pick, from the Matt Lindstrom deal.
• Check Mayo's article for the complete draft order and some more intriguing names.