Rule V targets

[gunnarthor]

I'm not sure if this has been posted elsewhere, is so, sorry, but here are a couple interesting rule v unprotected players.

 

Atlanta: J.R. Graham.  The pitcher was ranked #93 in BA's top prospect list two years ago.  He got hurt and hasn't thrown a ton of pitches since his return but he had #2 upside, once upon a time.  And he's probably likely to stick in a bullpen if nothing else.

 

Atlanta: Cody Martin.  Twins actually drafted him out of high school but didn't sign him.  He put up pretty solid numbers in AAA last year - 7-8, 3.52 era, 156 ip, 8.2 k/9, 3.2bb/9.  Could be a 5th starter and ready to pitch out of ST.

 

With the Twins dropping Swarzak, I'd bet they grab one of these guys if they can.

 

mlbpipeline has a few other articles on the rule v guys -

http://m.mlb.com/news/article/102304028/pipeline-perspectives-cody-martin-delino-deshields-jr-are-top-unprotected-prospects

 

http://m.mlb.com/news/article/102323126/pipeline-perspectives-henry-ramos-jarlin-garcia-are-best-unprotected-prospects

[nytwinsfan]

Jarlin Garcia: LHP - Marlins:   Baseball America says: "Big arm who would be making a massive jump from low Class A Greensboro to the big leagues; Garcia has earned above-average grades for his fastball and curve. He also finished strong, with a 1.03 ERA in his final 35 innings."  Give him a shot as a LOOGY in relief?

 

Here is more from Jim Callis on Garcia: http://m.mlb.com/news/article/102323126/pipeline-perspectives-henry-ramos-jarlin-garcia-are-best-unprotected-prospects

[gunnarthor]

Good point on Garcia.  Not sure if the Twins would stash him, ala Santana, but he's pretty intriguing.  

 

I wasn't aware but Delino DeShields is available.  He's divided a few scouts but he's put up solid numbers and can play both CF and 2B.  Twins love bloodlines and he fits a need.

[Mike Sixel]

I think DeShields is an option....given the FA OF available. Heck, they rolled with Santana in CF much of last year, why not DeShields this year? He will look like Hicks as a hitter, but he's younger.......and much faster.

 

I think I'd probably take the chance on the young pitchers, put them in the bullpen, and then if you really need to make a deal, to keep them around if you want later in the year. Then send them to AA to re-learn how to be a starter.

[jokin]

I've written about them frequently elsewhere... but if the Twins don't end up with the chance to get one of the high-upside arms being available in their draft slot, two OFers, Henry Ramos of the Red Sox and Delino Deshields of the Astros would be intriguing.

[Nick Nelson]

Thanks for starting this thread. I've been curious about intriguing names that are available in the Rule 5, especially with Swarzak being outrighted to open up a spot. DeShields is very interesting.

[jokin]

I think DeShields is an option....given the FA OF available. Heck, they rolled with Santana in CF much of last year, why not DeShields this year? He will look like Hicks as a hitter, but he's younger.......and much faster.

 

I think I'd probably take the chance on the young pitchers, put them in the bullpen, and then if you really need to make a deal, to keep them around if you want later in the year. Then send them to AA to re-learn how to be a starter.

 

Deshields faster?  Stole over 100 bases in 2012. Just turned 22. And they could possibly trade him back to Houston for one of their many live young arms.

[jorgenswest]

An exhaustive list and player capsules from Baseball America

 

http://www.baseballamerica.com/minors/notable-players-available-rule-5-draft/

[jokin]

An exhaustive list and player capsules from Baseball America

 

http://www.baseballamerica.com/minors/notable-players-available-rule-5-draft/

 

Thanks, very helpful.  This looks like the year to take a chance on someone.

[ashbury]

I'm guessing Martin will get snapped up before the Twins' turn to pick.

 

_{^{/ edit: Now have read the BA article.  Seems big league scouts disagree.   I'll leave the post there anyway.}}

[jorgenswest]

I'm guessing Martin will get snapped up before the Twins' turn to pick.

 

_{^{/ edit: Now have read the BA article.  Seems big league scouts disagree.   I'll leave the post there anyway.}}

I hope so.

 

Like Terry Doyle, his age and experience give him the best shot at helping a team as a number 5 starter next year. Also like Doyle, he doesn't have much upside beyond back end starter. I'd rather they take a chance on an upside guy they have to stash on the roster for a year.

[TheLeviathan]

A lot of intriguing talents on that list, wow.

[Seth Stohs]

DeShields was the first name I noticed too. 

 

We know:

 

1.) He's really fast, 

2.) He's got great blood lines.

3.) He's tough. Check out his picture after getting hit by a fastball in the cheek in April.

[Thrylos]

Not sure that DeShields is MLB-ready.  Had a hard time to make the transition to AA last season, mainly hard time making contact with breaking stuff.  Rosario is more MLB-ready that he is, if they need an outfielder.  Plus there has been some talk about DeShields' "enthusiasm" and "motivation", which was the reason he was dropped from the Astros top prospect lists.  Basically at the MLB level he is below where Jordan Schafer is at this point.   Will he be better in the future?  Sure.  But you have to keep him in the majors and that will hurt the team.

 

For me the most intriguing Rule 5 pick and the one with the highest chance of contributing for an MLB team is Joel Hanrahan (former Pirates' AS closer.)  Out with TJ surgery for parts of 2013 and the whole 2014, just signed a MiLB contract with Detroit but was not added on the 40-man roster, thus available for the taking.  Bit outside the box thinking.

[zenser]

Edgar de la Rosa looks interesting. 

[Thrylos]

Edgar de la Rosa looks interesting. 

 

He does, but as a reliever. But I don't think the Twins will select a guy who has not pitched above high A and play him in the majors.

[jokin]

Not sure that DeShields is MLB-ready.  Had a hard time to make the transition to AA last season, mainly hard time making contact with breaking stuff.  Rosario is more MLB-ready that he is, if they need an outfielder.  Plus there has been some talk about DeShields' "enthusiasm" and "motivation", which was the reason he was dropped from the Astros top prospect lists.  Basically at the MLB level he is below where Jordan Schafer is at this point.   Will he be better in the future?  Sure.  But you have to keep him in the majors and that will hurt the team.

 

For me the most intriguing Rule 5 pick and the one with the highest chance of contributing for an MLB team is Joel Hanrahan (former Pirates' AS closer.)  Out with TJ surgery for parts of 2013 and the whole 2014, just signed a MiLB contract with Detroit but was not added on the 40-man roster, thus available for the taking.  Bit outside the box thinking.

 

I'd prefer a pitcher, for sure.  And if they miss out on the best options, don't forget, there is always the chance that the Twins can trade Deshields back to the Astros for one of their A-level flamethrowers.

 

Deshields might be stashable as the 4th OFer.  He had a very good split against LHP in 2014-  .269/.373/.398/..771  wOBA .359.  And you would have a great pinch runner/late inning replacement guy, at age 22. You might even contemplate platooning Schafer and Deshields.  As far as Deshields' motivation issues, I can't think of anything more motivating than getting an unexpected shot at a major-league roster spot and this would be a case where a Torii Hunter signing would clearly come in handy to help get a kid's mind right.

 

I fully acknowledge that this move would likely hurt the team in 2015, but it appears that the team doesn't seriously intend to compete until 2016, at the earliest.

[Thrylos]

 You might even contemplate platooning Schafer and Deshields.  As far as Deshields' motivation issues, I can't think of anything more motivating than getting an unexpected shot at a major-league roster spot and this would be a case where a Torii Hunter signing would clearly come in handy to help get a kid's mind right.

 

In this case you got:  Schafer, DeShields and Hunter.  3 OFs.  Arcia is a given. So 4.  This means that Hicks and Rosario will be in the minors.  No, thank you.

[jokin]

In this case you got:  Schafer, DeShields and Hunter.  3 OFs.  Arcia is a given. So 4.  This means that Hicks and Rosario will be in the minors.  No, thank you.

 

IMO, Hicks desperately needs to start 2014 in AAA to get his house in order.  Rosario has yet to master AA pitching.  When either of them proves ready, you can move Schafer out, or possibly Deshields back to the Astros for one of those 100MPH Class A pitchers.

[Bark's Lounge]

Deshields might be stashable as the 4th OFer.  He had a very good split against LHP in 2014-  .269/.373/.398/..771  wOBA .359.  And you would have a great pinch runner/late inning replacement guy, at age 22. You might even contemplate platooning Schafer and Deshields.  As far as Deshields' motivation issues, I can't think of anything more motivating than getting an unexpected shot at a major-league roster spot and this would be a case where a Torii Hunter signing would clearly come in handy to help get a kid's mind right.

 

I fully acknowledge that this move would likely hurt the team in 2015, but it appears that the team doesn't seriously intend to compete until 2016, at the earliest.

Like others have mentioned, I am surprised to see DeShields available in the rule 5 draft.

 

I am in agreement with you on your take on this Jokin. I also think that DeShields could really learn a lot from Molitor - with his skill set, I think he is right up Molitor's alley.

 

The more I think about it, if he is available when the Twins pick, they should definitely scoop him up and deal with the probable negative consequences this would cause for the 2015 season. It's a gamble I would take given the Twins current situation.

[Major League Ready]

Is it just me or is the rule V class better than most years?

[jokin]

Is it just me or is the rule V class better than most years?

 

Agreed.

[markos]

Is it just me or is the rule V class better than most years?

I also agree. Lots of arms that seemed worth adding.

[USAFChief]

You can stash a pitcher fairly painlessly in this era of 12 and 13 man staffs...I like DeLaRosa as the last guy in the pen.

 

Keeping a position player who isn't big league ready is tough to do these days, however.

[jokin]

You can stash a pitcher fairly painlessly in this era of 12 and 13 man staffs...I like DeLaRosa as the last guy in the pen.

 

Keeping a position player who isn't big league ready is tough to do these days, however.

 

I think most of us would prefer getting an upside pitcher always.  In the case of De la Rosa, it's baffling, and perhaps a pause for concern?, that a team that has as many holes in its relief corps as the Tigers would expose a guy with this level of stuff- and his upside is seemingly destined for a role in the pen as a major leaguer. (His low K rates indicates he really needs to get "coached up", have we got the coaches in Allen and Eddie to get it done?). 

[Mike Sixel]

They stashed Hicks and schafer......should be room for one more......

[nicksaviking]

Deshields would interest me, but don't the Twins already have a CF/2B with plenty of upside but questionable mental makeup?  I'd have a hard time seeing Ryan picking a guy who's work ethic is in question when he'd have to be in the MLB dugout the entire season to have a chance to keep him.

 

I'd be interested in one of the fireballers.

[Major League Ready]

Deshields, Schafer, and Rosario would be an interesting twist. All three can play CF or LF.   Send Hicks back to AAA and let the three of them battle it out for playing time.  I would like it even better if the signed Rasmus and platooned Deshields and Schafer until Rosario proved he is ready.

[Seth Stohs]

Picking DeShields (or somebody of the ilk) would not be about 2015. It's about the future. He wouldn't likely be the 4th outfielder, he'd be the fifth outfielder and play minimally. He'd likely primarily play as a pinch runner and defensive replacement in 2015. Then he would go back to AA, or maybe AAA, in 2016 and play a ton. 

 

But those above who pointed out that it is harder to stash a position player on the roster now than it would have been 15 years ago, just because of bigger pitching staffs. That said, the Twins have played with a 1 person bench in recent years, so they could do it if they want.

 

I would lean pitcher though. 

 

This class of eligibles does seem to be better than some, but the reality is that 96% of them are just names to us and the 4% that we've heard of certainly have flaws or questions as well. If they can get a future 4th of 5th starter or middle relief type or utility fielder in the Rule 5, that would be good. 

[Twins Twerp]

Picking DeShields (or somebody of the ilk) would not be about 2015. It's about the future. He wouldn't likely be the 4th outfielder, he'd be the fifth outfielder and play minimally. He'd likely primarily play as a pinch runner and defensive replacement in 2015. Then he would go back to AA, or maybe AAA, in 2016 and play a ton. 

 

But those above who pointed out that it is harder to stash a position player on the roster now than it would have been 15 years ago, just because of bigger pitching staffs. That said, the Twins have played with a 1 person bench in recent years, so they could do it if they want.

 

I would lean pitcher though. 

 

This class of eligibles does seem to be better than some, but the reality is that 96% of them are just names to us and the 4% that we've heard of certainly have flaws or questions as well. If they can get a future 4th of 5th starter or middle relief type or utility fielder in the Rule 5, that would be good.

 

If they get a player who ever makes a 25 man roster...it would be a huge win. Only 1 or 2 guys a year stay on the roster all year. The good thing about DeShields would be his versatility. He also played second. I know this guy is the 4% we have heard of, but I would be ok with the pick. If next year is another 90 loss year, why not stash a guy