Update On This Year’s Rule 5 Picks

Many Rule 5 picks ultimately return to their original organizations, because it's not easy to keep inexperienced players in the Major Leagues all season long. Only five of the 19 players selected in the Major League phase of last offseason's Rule 5 draft remain on active MLB rosters midway through the season. Here’s another update on the draftees:

On Active Rosters (5)

• Pedro Beato of the Mets may be the most impressive Rule 5 pick of 2011. The former first rounder has a 3.52 ERA with 5.4 K/9, 2.8 BB/9 and a 53.6% ground ball rate in 38 1/3 innings of relief for the Mets. 
• Aneury Rodriguez of the Astros has a 5.43 ERA with 6.4 K/9 and 2.9 BB/9 in 58 innings for the Astros. The 23-year-old right-hander recently returned to the bullpen after a stint in Houston's rotation.
• Nathan Adcock of the Royals hasn't had a scoreless outing since May 21st, but that's largely because manager Ned Yost barely used the right-hander in June. Adcock appeared in just three games last month and has a 4.91 ERA with 5.9 K/9 and 3.7 BB/9 36 2/3 innings into his big league career.
• Joe Paterson of the D'Backs has succeeded as a lefty specialist (53 plate appearances vs. left-handed hitters, 28 plate appearances vs. right-handed hitters). He has a 2.89 ERA with 8.7 K/9 and 4.3 BB/9 in 18 2/3 innings this year.
• Michael Martinez of the Phillies hasn't hit, but he has played left field, center field, second base and shortstop. He has a .188/.221/.234 line in 70 plate appearances off of the bench.

Traded (4)

The Mets returned Brad Emaus to the Blue Jays, who traded the infielder to Colorado; the Twins retained Scott Diamond in a trade with the Braves; the Red Sox sent Daniel Turpen to the Rockies; the Indians recently sent Josh Rodriguez to the Pirates.  Rule 5 restrictions no longer apply to these four players.

Injured (2)

Elvin Ramirez (Nationals) and Mason Tobin (Rangers) have been on the 60-day DL for over two months. They have to spend 90 non-September days on the active roster to become official property of their new teams. Otherwise, their Rule 5 status carries forward until the players spend 90 non-September days on the active roster.

Back Where They Started (8)

Brian Broderick, Jose Flores, Adrian Rosario, Pat Egan, Lance Pendleton, George Kontos, Robert Fish and Cesar Cabral are back with their original organizations.