White Sox Rule V results

[ChiSox59]

The Sox have the 8th pick in tomorrow's Rule 5 Draft. Here are a few of the top prospects:

 

 

Cody Martin, RHP, Atlanta Braves

 

2014 Stats (AAA): 27 G/26 GS, 156 IP, 3.52 ERA, 1.327 WHIP, .254 BAA (17 HR), 3.2 BB/9, 8.2 K/9

 

Cody Martin is one of the few notable pitching prospects available in this year’s Rule 5 draft, as he likely would have reached the major leagues in 2014 if not for the Braves’ surplus of starting pitching.

 

A seventh-round pick in 2011, Martin owns a 3.07 ERA over 433.1 minor league innings, and it would likely sit below 3.00 if not for a career-worst 3.52 ERA at Triple-A Gwinnett last season. Other than that, the 25-year-old right-hander continued to miss bats at a high rate (8.2 K/9) in the International League and even lowered his walk rate while logging a career-high 156 innings.

 

Though his track record is undeniably impressive, Martin has never profiled as anything better than a No. 4 or 5 starter due to his lack of a plus pitch; he has a deep arsenal of four pitches and knows how to change speeds, but none of them are going to be standout offerings at the highest level. On top of that, Martin’s tendencies as a fly-ball pitcher caught up to him last season in Triple-A, as he allowed a career-worst 17 home runs (1.0 home runs per nine innings) as well as a .726 opponents’ OPS.

 

However, Martin should still appeal to teams looking for a cheap back-end starter headed into spring training. Yes, there are concerns about whether his stuff will translate in The Show, but the right-hander has done his part by checking all of the boxes in the high minors.

 

 

Delino DeShields, OF, Houston Astros

 

2014 Stats (AA): 114 G, 507 PA, .236/.346/.360, 27 XBH (11 HR), 54 SB (14 CS), 12.0 BB%, 22.1 K%

 

A first-round draft pick back in 2010, DeShields is arguably the most intriguing Rule 5-eligible player this year thanks to his combination of power, speed and his ability to play two up-the-middle positions.

 

The 22-year-old put up huge numbers in 2012 between both Class-A levels (mostly Low-A), batting .287/.389/.428 with 44 extra-base hits (12 home runs) and 101 stolen bases in 135 games, and he followed it up with a career-best .873 OPS at High-A Lancaster in 2013.

 

This past season saw DeShields bat .236/.346/.360 with 27 extra-base hits through 114 games in his first taste of the Double-A level, though a broken cheekbone he suffered in late April as a result of an errant pitch might have contributed to his underwhelming production. Still, the second baseman-turned-center fielder’s speed translated favorably at the higher level, as he ranked second in the Texas League with 54 stolen bases.

 

Speed alone could get DeShields popped in the Rule 5 draft later this week, and he might be particularly attractive to teams that believe the once highly regarded prospect still has some upside—which he does.

 

 

Taylor Featherston, SS, Colorado Rockies

 

2014 Stats (AA): 127 G, 550 PA, .260/.322/.439, 53 XBH (16 HR), 14 SB, 6.9% BB%, 20.7% K%

 

A fifth-round draft pick out of Texas Christian in 2011, Featherston has spent the last four seasons moving at a level-per-year pace through the Rockies system, and he’s quietly posted some impressive numbers along the way.

 

Coming off of a career-best offensive campaign in 2013 playing in the hitter-friendly High-A California League, Featherston, 25, proved his power was for real this year at Double-A Tulsa by setting career highs in doubles (33) and home runs (14) while once again achieving double digits in stolen bases (14). Plus, Featherston lowered his strikeout rate from the previous year by nearly nine percent, and he did so without sacrificing any power.

 

Featherston would likely be used as a utility infielder if selected in the Rule 5 draft, as he’s logged significant time at shortstop (113 games), second (242 games) and third base (18 games) over four minor league seasons. In general, Featherston is a sound defender with a solid glove, average range and above-average arm strength, and his tools tend to play up thanks to his strong instincts.

 

 

Reymin Guduan, LHP, Houston Astros

 

2014 Stats (Rk): 13 G/9 GS, 44.1 IP, 4.47 ERA, 1.80 WHIP, .286 BAA, 5.5 BB/9, 11.8 K/9

 

Reymin Guduan turns 23 next March and lacks significant experience above the rookie level, but he’s a 6’4” left-hander with a legitimate upper-90s fastball and a track record of missing bats.

 

Guduan spent 2014 in the Appalachian League where he posted a 4.47 ERA in 44.1 innings, though his FIP of 3.50 highlights how he suffered from bad luck (like opposing hitters’ .402 batting average on balls in play). Meanwhile, the left-hander continued to miss bats at a high rate as he struck out 11.8 batters per nine innings (K/9), which actually lowered his career rate to an 11.0 K/9.

 

Houston promoted Guduan from the Gulf Coast League to Triple-A Oklahoma City in 2013 for one appearance out of bullpen. He walked three batters and surrendered a run, but Guduan allowed only one hit over 2.1 innings and struck out four.

 

 

J.R. Graham, RHP, Atlanta Braves

 

2014 Stats (AA): 27 G/19 GS, 71.1 IP, 5.55 ERA, 1.472 WHIP, .289 BAA, 3.3 BB/9, 6.3 K/9

 

Graham, 24, simply hasn’t been the same after suffering a season-ending shoulder injury in mid-May of 2013, as it cost him velocity and sinking action on his fastball. However, the right-hander, who was officially moved to the bullpen late in the 2014 season at Double-A Mississippi, still has the potential to carve out a role in the Braves bullpen if he's able to return to his 2012 form.

 

 

Breyvic Valera, 2B, St. Louis Cardinals

 

2014 Stats (A+/AA): 132 G, 570 PA, .313/.361/.367, 163 H, 22 XBH, 17 SB (15 CS), 7.0 BB%, 6.1 K%

 

Valera solidified his prospect stock with a quietly impressive 2014 season between the High- and Double-A levels, as the athletic switch-hitter combined to bat .313/.361/367 with 17 stolen bases and more walks (40) than strikeouts (35).

 

Since he’s still realistically at least a year away from holding a role in the major leagues, the Cardinals opted not to add Valera to the 40-man roster last month, making him eligible for the upcoming Rule 5 draft.

 

 

Steve Baron, C, Seattle Mariners

 

2014 Stats (A+/AA): 60 G, 235 PA, .261/.319/.360, 17 XBH, 29 RBI, 7.2 BB%, 16.6 K%

 

Baron, a first-round draft pick out of high school in 2009, stands out for his superb defense behind the plate, as his excellent catch-and-throw skills and plus-plus arm strength have helped him throw out 46 percent of attempted base stealers over six seasons in the minor leagues. The 24-year-old will never offer much offensively—he’s a career .221/.268/.335 hitter in 1,589 plate appearances—though he did take a step forward in 2014 with a .261/.319/.360 batting line in 235 plate appearances and reached Double-A for the first time in his career.

 

 

Rafael De Paula, RHP, San Diego Padres

 

2014 Stats (A+): 28 G/25 GS, 131.2 IP, 4.92 ERA, 1.443 WHIP, .265 BAA (12 HR), 3.8 BB/9, 9.9 K/9

 

Acquired at the trade deadline from the Yankees in the Chase Headley deal, De Paula, 23, posted a 4.92 ERA and 145/55 K/BB ratio over 131.2 innings this season between High-A Tampa and High-A Lake Elsinore. The 6’2” right-hander has a big-time fastball that registers in the mid- to upper-90s, but he’s struggled with his control at times and seems destined for a long-term bullpen role.

 

 

Kaleb Cowart, 3B, Los Angeles Angels

 

The 2010 first-round pick has combined for a .222/.286/.312 batting line in over 1,000 plate appearances at Double-A Arkansas over the last two seasons, and he officially stopped switch hitting along the way. Sadly, the 22-year-old increasingly looks like a lost cause on both sides of the ball, but the Angels will give him one more season to bounce back before moving him to the mound.

 

 

Drew Vettleson, OF, Washington Nationals

 

The Rays drafted Vettleson with the No. 42 overall pick in 2010, envisioning him as a power/speed right fielder at maturity. However, the 23-year-old never developed as expected and amassed only 26 home runs and 45 steals in 314 games over three seasons in the Rays system, which prompted the club to trade him to Washington before the 2014 season. Vettleson held his own with a .715 OPS and 27 extra-base hits over 83 games at Double-A Harrisburg, though injuries limited him to only 83 games.

 

 

Jed Bradley, LHP, Milwaukee Brewers

 

The No. 15 overall pick in the 2011 draft, Bradley began last season back at High-A Brevard County after back-to-back dismal performances at the level in 2012 and 2013. The 24-year-old left-hander finally enjoyed some success in his third tour of the Florida State League, posting a 2.98 ERA in 60.1 innings, and ended up spending the final three months of the season at Double-A Huntsville. However, Bradley struggled in the Southern League with a 4.55 ERA in 87 innings, while opposing hitters raked against him at a .307/.377/.472 clip.

 

Bradley’s greatest strength is his ability to neutralize left-handed batters, as they collectively batted .196/.266/.238 against him last season and struck out 31.7 percent of the time in 158 plate appearances. If he’s popped in the upcoming Rule 5 draft, it’ll likely be for his potential in a specialized bullpen role.

[southsider2k5]

They don't have an open roster spot unless they make another move.

[ChiSox59]

They don't have an open roster spot unless they make another move.

 

Thought Robertson signing brought it to 39?

[Dick Allen]

Thought Robertson signing brought it to 39?

And the Robertson signing isn't official yet. They said it would be a couple of days. Seems to me they have their eye on someone, either in this draft or some sort of trade.

[Chisoxfn]

Graham / De Paula both sound like intriguing options for our bullpen.

[ChiSox59]

For those curious, here is a link to a whole bunch of profiles on eligible players.

 

http://www.baseballamerica.com/minors/nota...e-rule-5-draft/

[NorthSideSox72]

After the Shark trade, the Sox have two open 40-man slots, now right? Sort of unclear on that right now.

 

I could see them going for an arm to help the bullpen. Remember too, the Sox picked up 2 guys in the AAA/AA portions last year as well, so they may be active at that level if not MLB.

 

[Buehrle>Wood]

McKirahan sounds like a good option for the 2nd lefty but his splits are apparently not typical for one. Dang.

 

 

Ryan O'Rourke: .105/.159/.123 facing 74 lefties in AA last year. Yeah let's go with him.

 

 

Patrick Shuster #1 pick last year is available again. I'd like him too.

[Buehrle>Wood]

Do we have anyone available other than Jared Mitchell? Not that he'll get picked.

[witesoxfan]

DeShilelds Jr sounds really intriguing. I could 100% see him as a guy the White Sox target.

[GreenSox]

maybe a bullpen pitcher.

Maybe an OF- right now J Danks makes the roster and it wouldn't take much to do better than that.

 

The Sox won't be able to just reserve a spot for someone they think will be ready in 2 years like they did last year though.

[NorthSideSox72]

Do we have anyone available other than Jared Mitchell? Not that he'll get picked.

The highest level guys that are exposed are very, very low risk for being taken in the MLB phase. Mitchell at the top, followed by guys like RHP Braulio Ortiz (big time fastball but never above AA and can't hit a barn door from 5 feet), RHP Mike Recchia (who has only a half season in AA and has no plus pitches), etc. No one anyone would pick barring a huge surprise.

 

I'd personally be fine if Mitchell was drafted anyway. He may benefit from a change of scenery, he's shown no signs of life in years in this system, and it makes room for guys who I have more confidence in.

 

[oldsox]

Valera looks interesting.

[Dick Allen]

maybe a bullpen pitcher.

Maybe an OF- right now J Danks makes the roster and it wouldn't take much to do better than that.

 

The Sox won't be able to just reserve a spot for someone they think will be ready in 2 years like they did last year though.

I would think if they do pick someone, it would have to be a pitcher.

[Eminor3rd]

DeShilelds Jr sounds really intriguing. I could 100% see him as a guy the White Sox target.

 

I BELIEVE I've read he's like a 20 makeup guy that scouts think will never reach his ceiling. Possibly why he's unprotected.

[TheFutureIsNear]

We absolutely should take someone. Worst case scenario is that it's a $25,000 loss....I mean will anybody really care if we have to drop Raul Fernandez off of the 40 man roster to create space?

 

http://www.baseballamerica.com/minors/nota...e-rule-5-draft/

 

I would either go the KW route and grab a guy that throws 100 and see what happens or Ryan Rouke from the Twins makes sense for a really cheap 2nd lefty in the pen.

 

Taken from the above article....

 

"O’Rourke’s overall numbers say stay away: 2-4, 4.02 with Double-A New Britain with 51 strikeouts and 16 walks in 40 innings. But O’Rourke was awesome against lefthanded hitters (.105/.159/.123 with 42 strikeouts among the 74 lefthanded hitters he faced) and awful against righthanded hitters (.326/.398/.573). Those numbers aren’t a one-year fluke. O’Rourke struck out 53 of the 137 lefthanded hitters he faced the previous two seasons and held them to a sub .450 OPS. He does it with a below-average fastball (87-90 mph) and a slurvy breaking ball that he can tighten up or slow down to vary the size, speed and break. It’s easy meat for a righthanded hitter, but it’s a baffling assortment for lefties."

[chitownsportsfan]

Uh you have to keep the pick on the 25 man active roster I believe at least 110 or so days. You can't just draft a guy and stash him in aa or something he will get offered back.

 

That rules out pretty much anyone other than a near mlb ready reliever. Maybe a utility guy. Deshields will probably be long gone by 8.

[ChiSox59]

Uh you have to keep the pick on the 25 man active roster I believe at least 110 or so days. You can't just draft a guy and stash him in aa or something he will get offered back.

 

That rules out pretty much anyone other than a near mlb ready reliever. Maybe a utility guy. Deshields will probably be long gone by 8.

 

 

Uhhh...not sure who the first bolded part was directed at, but I highly doubt anyone around here doesn't understand that.

 

 

As for the 2nd bolded part, FWIW Luhnow has stated that he'd be shocked if Deshields was taken. Probably doesn't mean much, but still interesting. I personally agree that he'll be gone in the top 5.

[NorthSideSox72]

If you take a player in the MLB portion, you have to keep them in the majors or on DL the entire season, and there are strict limits to the DL length. Whomever you pick needs to be on the 25-man roster the full year, or you lose 25k and give them back. Not that 25k is a problem, but it is more an issue of degrading your roster if all you want to do is hide someone.

 

In Nieto's case, the team had a very real need. And that pick was still a mistake IMO, he was obviously not ready, though he wasn't quite as bad as I thought he'd be. The worst part was he basically lost a year of development, while not providing anything on the roster that existing players in the system couldn't have done just as well.

 

If they grab someone, it is because they think they have a legit shot to help the club, likely an arm.

 

[Chisoxfn]

If you take a player in the MLB portion, you have to keep them in the majors or on DL the entire season, and there are strict limits to the DL length. Whomever you pick needs to be on the 25-man roster the full year, or you lose 25k and give them back. Not that 25k is a problem, but it is more an issue of degrading your roster if all you want to do is hide someone.

 

In Nieto's case, the team had a very real need. And that pick was still a mistake IMO, he was obviously not ready, though he wasn't quite as bad as I thought he'd be. The worst part was he basically lost a year of development, while not providing anything on the roster that existing players in the system couldn't have done just as well.

 

If they grab someone, it is because they think they have a legit shot to help the club, likely an arm.

It wasn't beneficial for Nieto but It was beneficial for us. We have a guy now in our organization that we could give extended playing time down in AAA who can take a lot of what he learned from his playing time last year. Was he prepared for the majors, no, but was he able to learn a lot, I would certainly hope so. Last year this club was in a perfect position to make that sort of move and in retrospect I'm very glad they did.

 

This time I find it less likely, unless they see a guy that they think they could pencil in to the back end of the pen and let grow. Worse case, Coop can't work some of his magic in spring training and you give him back to another team. You basically pay $25K to get a free flyer on a guy.

[southsider2k5]

If you take a player in the MLB portion, you have to keep them in the majors or on DL the entire season, and there are strict limits to the DL length. Whomever you pick needs to be on the 25-man roster the full year, or you lose 25k and give them back. Not that 25k is a problem, but it is more an issue of degrading your roster if all you want to do is hide someone.

 

In Nieto's case, the team had a very real need. And that pick was still a mistake IMO, he was obviously not ready, though he wasn't quite as bad as I thought he'd be. The worst part was he basically lost a year of development, while not providing anything on the roster that existing players in the system couldn't have done just as well.

 

If they grab someone, it is because they think they have a legit shot to help the club, likely an arm.

 

Getting a potential starting catcher for 50k in a rebuilding year is never a mistake.

[GreenSox]

In Nieto's case, the team had a very real need. And that pick was still a mistake IMO, he was obviously not ready, though he wasn't quite as bad as I thought he'd be. The worst part was he basically lost a year of development, while not providing anything on the roster that existing players in the system couldn't have done just as well.

I guess you're altruistic. But for me, he wouldn't have been developing with the Sox, so I'm glad we took him. 14 was a lost year before the season started - they basically gave Konerko a courtesy spot on the roster, so why not use another spot. It did put a lot of pressure on Flowers though.

[thxfrthmmrs]

It wasn't beneficial for Nieto but It was beneficial for us. We have a guy now in our organization that we could give extended playing time down in AAA who can take a lot of what he learned from his playing time last year. Was he prepared for the majors, no, but was he able to learn a lot, I would certainly hope so. Last year this club was in a perfect position to make that sort of move and in retrospect I'm very glad they did.

 

This time I find it less likely, unless they see a guy that they think they could pencil in to the back end of the pen and let grow. Worse case, Coop can't work some of his magic in spring training and you give him back to another team. You basically pay $25K to get a free flyer on a guy.

 

So it WAS beneficial for Nieto? He was able to learn about life at the big leagues, learn from big league players and coaches, and what it takes to stay in the majors. It wasn't beneficial for the team in that he didn't provide much value for us.

Edited December 10, 2014 by thxfrthmmrs

[chitownsportsfan]

The poster above me didn't know it...

[ChiSox59]

The poster above me didn't know it...

 

Ahhh, sorry, I thought it was directed at me.

 

In any event, I didn't get that vibe from his post. Nevermind