We’re starting to learn about the initial fates of Rule 5 players, whose teams are weighing Opening Day assignments. While cracking the roster out of camp is no assurance that a player will stay there all year, only those that have impressed a fair bit to this point are typically given a chance.
Here’s are a few who’ll get their first shot at the majors:
- Outfielder Carlos Tocci has been told he’ll be on the Rangers’ active roster to open the year, he tells reporters including Evan Grant of the Dallas Morning News (Twitter link). The 22-year-old, who was taken from the Phillies, has only reached base ten times in his 54 plate appearances this spring. But he has swiped seven bags and reputedly brings a plus glove in center, so the Texas organization has decided to look past that initial showing with the bat. Tocci struggled upon reaching Triple-A for a brief stretch at the end of the 2017 season, but did produce at a useful .307/.362/.398 rate in his 474 Double-A plate appearances.
- The Orioles will carry righty Pedro Araujo to begin the season, Roch Kubatko of MASNsports.com was among those to tweet. He only has made one appearance north of the High-A level in the Cubs organization, but was awfully impressive there in 2017. In 64 2/3 innings over 44 apperances, he allowed just 13 earned runs on 42 hits while racking up 83 strikeouts against 17 walks. Araujo kept that output going in the Arizona Fall League and into the Grapefruit League, so the O’s — who frequently utilize the Rule 5 process — will see if he can take it another big step forward in the majors.
Araujo has been solid for O’s this ST 8 & 2/3.innings – 2 runs, 2 BB’s/ 8K’s.
Yeah. Exciting. Could be another great O’s reliever in a long line of them.
Could be… Always in sports the term is “could be”. Only the athletic survive. I like this Orioles rule 5 pick.
He’s been impressive. Surprised after his strong 2017 which continued through the fall league, the Cubs even let him be available. I guess teams can’t protect everyone but the AFL is crawling with scouts and coaches. Add to it he’s old enough to be ready but not to old (24), has 7 years in pro ball, has a really nice developing changeup to go with a mid nineties fastball, and has solid command, it seems like the Cubs dropped the ball. Maybe it’s payback for the gift of Arrieta.
Hahahahaha!!! You wish.
I love these Johnny Superscouts
To be fair, the kid looks to have a good arm and his changeup hasn’t looked bad this spring
Hard to believe the cubs couldn’t make room for this guy. Araujo looks like a keeper. Very good arm.
That’s not “a few that will get a shot”, that’s just two!
More to be determined, of course. I would imagine Seattle would like to keep Ford around, who is now batting .283/.415/.509.
I’m sure they would, but they’d have to make a trade with the Yankees to keep him in the minors because it feels like a 0% chance he makes the opening day roster, with every day first baseman Ryon Healy, and Dan Vogelbach is lighting the world on fire, and ahead of him on the depth chart
Ryon and Vogelbach have options. I suspect they will keep Ford and option Vogelbach (until they realize Healy can’t hit RHP).
In order to cut a deal with NY he would have to clear waivers. That’s unlikely. So, if Seattle doesn’t keep him on the actice roster, they’ll likely lose him.
I don’t usually complain when getting free content but I agree the title is a bit misleading. For instance, the O’s selected 3 players in rule 5 draft. One has already been dropped and I assume is waiting to be picked up on waivers or offered back to original team, one is still in camp competing for long relief role, and other is Araujo as mentioned above in post.
How is it (Rule 5 Decisions: 3/23/18 ) misleading considering it indicates today’s date. Mesa was already covered here 3 days ago link to mlbtraderumors.com and Cortes was covered here link to mlbtraderumors.com and as you said no decision made, certainly not on 3/23/18.
Santandar is a Rule 5 and he is staying with the team. They really love is potential
Santander only has to be on the roster for the first 44 days of the season, after which they gain his rights and he can be sent to the minors. I, for one, hopes that Rasmus decides to retire again and Santander becomes the full time RF, but I know that’s wishful thinking.
Unless they option Vogelbach in order to keep Ford. It’d be surprising but it’s the only way to keep both of them. In all honesty I could see a world where both Ford and Vogelbach become better hitters than Healy. Vog is always going to be a liability defensively though. He’s probably Nelson cruz’s future replacement.
I see no point in keeping Vogelbach on the bench. Although he’s taken a huge step forward defensively, he could stand to improve further, which will only happen by playing regularly.
If it was my call, Healy would be optioned. But Servais has already named him the starter (despite missing most of spring), so optioning Vogelbach is probably the right move.
I believe Elesier Hernandez made the Marlins, according to Frisaro, if that hadn’t been stated before on the site
O’s should keep Nestor Cortes.
Cortes will break camp. With Cobb needing to start the year in AAA we will be able to carry another reliever. One of Mike Wright, araujo, or Cortes won’t make it to mid season though.
I would like Tocci back with the Phils. This premature ML run is just going to stunt his growth.
Besides Josh Hamilton, I’d like to see an article on the long term success of a Rule 5 draftee. I think Hector Rondon was one for the Cubs.
Odubel Herrera, delino deshields, joey bats tho he didn’t stick. They all come to mind.
Justin Bour was a rule 5 guy, Dan Uggla, Josh Fields
Matt Bowman
I keep waiting for this article to be updated with all the results of the rule five draft. There are a whole lot of players who look like they could be real contributors to their new teams, I’m especially excited about the two guys who made the orioles roster, including a guy who never pitched above single-A, and had a blazing spring.
And don’t ignore the rule five guys. Joe Biagini has been a very valuable Bluejay for three years now, and they got him for free.
Matthew Bowman has been a productive cardinal for the last two years as well.