The White Sox have placed Rule 5 pick Alexander Alberto on waivers, reports James Fegan of Sox Machine. Another club could claim the right-hander but would be subject to the standard Rule 5 restrictions, meaning Alberto would not be eligible to be optioned to the minors. If he clears waivers, he will have to be offered back to the Rays.
This effectively means that Alberto isn’t breaking camp with the Sox. Chicago made two Rule 5 picks in December, taking right-hander Jedixson Paez from the Red Sox and Alberto from the Rays. Alberto has tossed 6 2/3 innings over seven spring appearances, having allowed ten runs, eight of them earned. He struck out seven batters but allowed 12 hits, issued four walks and threw one wild pitch.
Under the regulations of the Rule 5, the selecting team must pay $100K to the club they take the player from. The player cannot be optioned to the minors and must therefore stay on the active roster or injured list. If he survives a full season with his new club, including at least 90 days on the active roster, then his rights fully transfer over to the drafting club.
With Alberto’s rough spring showing, it seems the Sox aren’t going to break camp with him. It was always a long shot pick, as Alberto’s career topped out at High-A last year. To skip over Double-A and Triple-A and stick in the big leagues, even with a rebuilding club, would be a tall order.
It’s possible some other club takes a chance on the stuff. Last year, Alberto tossed 48 2/3 innings on the farm, allowing 2.59 earned runs per nine. His 10% walk rate was a bit high but he struck out 30.6% of batters faced and induced grounders on 54.4% of balls in play. His cut fastball sits in the upper 90s while his upper 80s slider is considered a strong pairing. If no other club grabs him via waivers, he must be offered back to the Rays for $50K, half of the initial selection fee. The Rays would not need to carry Alberto on their 40-man roster.
Photo courtesy of Arianna Grainey, Imagn Images
I could see a pitching needy team going for him.
The White Sox have found a way to get Bonds and Griffey, and they wouldn’t have to give up that much.
who
Someone will claim Alejandro Albert. He’s gonna have a break our year.
With Petit possibly on the shelf, maybe Colorado will use the yar-long Rule 5 spot they were expected to give him to Alberto.
Even with the spring that he’s had, the Rockies could do worse than trying to hide an essentially free former Rays prospect in a low-leverage role for at least a few weeks.
I was excited about Alberto as a fan.
Rockies would be a good fit. A’s too. He will likely have some rough outings with a few too many walks but he doesn’t give up too many HRs and if he gets in a groove, he might take off and land sometime in 2040.
Its odd that the White Sox cut him after losing Vasil for what is likely an extended amount of time. I feel like they have Murakami Fever.
Hope he catches on with another team.