The Royals announced that they’ve acquired right-handers Brad Keller and Burch Smith in trades with the Reds and Mets following today’s Rule 5 Draft. Kansas City will send a player to be named later or cash to both Cincinnati and New York in each trade. Keller was selected with the No. 5 pick out of the D-backs organization, while Smith was selected out of the Rays’ system.
Keller spent the entire 22 season in Double-A despite pitching most of the season at the age of 21. He made 26 starts and totaled 130 2/3 frames with a 4.68 ERA, 7.7 K/9, 3.9 BB/9 and a 49.6 percent ground-ball rate. He had been considered the No. 12 prospect in the D-backs’ organization by Jim Callis and Jonathan Mayo of MLB.com but was unprotected on at last month’s deadline to set 40-man rosters.
The Rule 5 selection could pave the way back to the Majors for Smith for the first time since 2013. Smith tossed 36 1/3 innings for the Padres as a 23-year-old that year, and though he logged an ugly 6.44 ERA, he also punched out 46 batters in that time.
Now 27 years of age, Smith has seen two seasons wiped out by Tommy John surgery and other arm troubles. But, he was healthy in 56 1/3 minor league innings as he worked his way back across three minor league levels this year — his first action on a mound since 2014. Smith posted a 2.40 ERA with 8.9 K/9 against 3.8 BB/9 before impressing with 29 strikeouts in 20 1/3 innings in the Arizona Fall League.
Both pitchers will retain their Rule 5 status with the Royals, meaning neither can be optioned to the minors without first being exposed to waivers and then offered back to their original organizations for $50K. If either lasts the entire season on the Royals’ big league roster (with at least 90 days on the active roster and not on the DL), he’ll become their property without any restrictions in 2019.
We need guys that can be apart of our next run for contention in 2020-2021 not just minor leaguers for the heck of it.
Oh settle down. One time we selected a minor leaguer just for the hell of it in the Rule 5 Draft makes Joakim Soria, perhaps you’ve heard of him? It’s not like they’re taking spots from someone more deserving.
90% of the people they draft and sign in the next 5 years won’t be apart of the “next run”, so I’d stop expecting every player they acquire to be a home run.
Ahh, I thought Smith was a good pickup for the Mets.
Burch Smith becomes the ace of the Royals.
Why? They should get players who can help them now. I’m sure there may have been better players in the rule 5 draft instead
Someone please explain to me how the reds are in this trade?
Because the Reds selected Brad Keller, “with the No. 5 pick out of the D-backs organization”, and then trade him to the Royals
Same goes with Burch Smith (no.6 pick) and the Mets
It was the Reds draft position, and the Reds didn’t see anyone worth trying to hold all year so KC asked for that pick and will send money or a player (I guess depending on if the pick sticks with them or not maybe)?