Today marks not only the conclusion of the Winter Meetings, but also the annual Rule 5 Draft. If you're not familiar with the Rule 5 Draft, be sure to check out MLBTR's primer.
While most of the names that come out of the Rule 5 Draft are inconsequential, every so often there's a gem that's uncovered; Johan Santana, Shane Victorino, Dan Uggla, and Josh Hamilton have all been Rule 5 selections, so you never know when you might run into an All-Star. Here's a preview of today's action:
- Baseball America's John Manuel provides the draft order and the number of open 40-man roster spots each team has.
- MLB.com's Jonathan Mayo discusses the Rule 5 Draft and some names to look for in this video segment.
- In a two part draft preview, Manuel also names some of the top candidates to be selected. While the links require a BA subscription to see all of the players and their scouting reports, we'll at least cover the names here.
- Pitchers: Caleb Brewer, Justin Fitzgerald, Brett Lorin, Diego Moreno, T.J. McFarland, Bryce Stowell, and Ryan Searle.
- Hitters: Abraham Almonte, Eduardo Sosa, Ryan Flaherty, Jiwan James, and Beamer Weems.
- Utility Guys and Role Players: Drew Cumberland, Jordan Danks, Blaine Hardy, Brandon Sisk, Justin Henry, Joe Ortiz, Trevor Reckling, Dae-Eun Rhee, Josh Smoker, and Johan Yan.
- Brewers GM Doug Melvin said his team probably won't make a pick in Thursday's Rule 5 Draft,tweets Tom Haudricourt of the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel
- The Pirates have at least thought about picking Nationals lefty Josh Smoker in the Rule 5 Draft, though it's not a lock according to John Perotto of Baseball Prospectus (on Twitter). Smoker was selected 31st overall by the Nats in 2007
- Even with tonight's hiring of Jeff Luhnow as the new Astros GM, it will be interim GM Dave Gottfried and scouting director/assistant GM Bobby Heck calling the shots at the Rule 5 Draft tomorrow, tweets Alyson Footer of the Astros
- Manuel writes that reports of the Twins focusing on pitching led to speculation on Mets righty Rhiner Cruz, but a club source said the team is looking in another direction.
- The Pirates have made a 40-man roster move that they haven't yet announced in order to open a spot to make a pick in the draft, tweets Rob Biertempfel of the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review.
- As of last night the Yankees were planning on making a selection in the draft, tweets Joel Sherman of the New York Post.
What time does this start and end
It starts at 10, not sure when it ends.
Thanks 10 EST?
Yes
Can I see it live somewhere?
There are some interesting picks in the Rule V draft, leftys that can throw 100+, a switch pitcher, lots of outfield speed, pitchers with great walk to strikeout ratios. However, one of the weaknesses I saw with the Pirates last year was the fact that their pitchers couldn’t go deep into games. So in the second half of the year, the bullpen started struggling from overwork. Therefore, I hope the Pirates go after the minor league inning eater Terry Doyle. His numbers aren’t overpowering, but I think he can go deep into games and this is what the Pirates might need for a middle reliever or a possible #5 starter. We’ll see.
I think the Reds will try to draft Bryce Stowell, if he’s available when their pick comes around.