PITTSBURGH — The Rule 5 draft is not until December 8th, but players who are eligible this year have to be added to the 40-man roster by November 18th, which is less than a week away. If you are unfamiliar with the Rule 5 draft, here is a quick rundown on how it works.
- The Rule 5 draft prevents teams from stockpiling too many young players in their minor league system when other clubs could use them at the Major League level.
- The selection in the draft is based on each team’s win-loss record from the year prior. So since the Houston Astros finished last in MLB at 56-106, they get the first overall pick in the draft. Each round starts with the team with the worst record (Houston) and goes in order to the team with the best record (Philadelphia Phillies).
- If a player is chosen in the Rule 5 draft, that player must be kept on the team that selected him 25-man Major League roster for the entire 2012 season. If the selecting team decides to waiver the player, and if he clears, he must be offered back to the original team. Once a Rule 5 draftee spends an entire season on his new team’s 25-man roster, his status remains with the new organization.
For Example, the Kansas City Royals drafted pitcher Nathan Adcock from the Pirates in last years draft. Since he remained on their 25-man roster the entire year, pitching out of the bullpen, his status is with the Royals organization.
- Each draftee costs $50,000. If the player does not stay on the selecting team’s 25-man roster all season, the player must be offered back to his original team at half-price ($25,000).
- So who is eligibe? Those players who are eligible for selection in the Rule 5 draft are not on the 40-man roster and were signed at the age of 19 or older and have been in the organization for four years; or were signed at age 18 or younger and have been in the organization for five years.
The players must be added to the 40-man roster by November 18th, 2011 and the draft takes place this year on December 8th. There are currently five spots open on the 40-man roster.
Pittsburgh has a lot of first-time eligible players this season, so it will be interesting to see who the Pirates protect and which prospects, who left unprotected, could wind up get drafted by another team.
First time eligible players:
Tim Alderson (RHP)
Calvin Anderson (INF)
Michael Colla (RHP)
Tyler Cox (LHP)
Emmanuel De Leon (RHP)
Jeremy Farrell (INF)
Zachary Foster (RHP)
Matt Hague (INF)
Andrew Lambo (OF)
Quincy Latimore (OF)
Brian Leach (RHP)
Brett Lorin (RHP)
Starling Marte (OF)
Jordy Mercer (INF)
Diego Moreno (RHP)
Rogelio Noris (OF)
Rudy Owens (LHP)
Aaron Pribanic (RHP)
Jhonatan Ramos (LHP)
David Rubinstein (OF)
Hunter Strickland (RHP)
Cole White (INF)
Justin Wilson (LHP)
Re-eligible in 2011:
Jose Ascanio (RHP) *
Eric Avila (INF)
Brian Bocock (INF)
Jesus Brito (RHP)
Dusty Brown ( C) *
Brad Chalk (OF)
Anthony Claggett (RHP) *
Jeff Clement (INF) *
Michael Crotta (RHP)
Michael Dubee (RHP)
Miles Durham (OF)
Nelson Figueroa (RHP) *
Brian Friday (INF)
Sean Gallagher (RHP) *
Aaron Heilman (RHP) *
Steven Jackson (RHP) *
Noah Krol (RHP)
Mike Loree (RHP)
Jairo Marquez (C )
Andy Marte (INF) *
Matt McSwain (RHP)
Miguel Mendez (C )
Dan Meyer (LHP) *
Eliecer Navarro (LHP)
Anthony Norman (OF)
Garret Olson (LHP) *
Greg Picart (INF) *
Josh Rodriguez (INF)
Yunesky Sanchez (INF)
Travis Scott (C ) *
Brett Sinkbeil (RHP)
Justin Thomas (LHP) *
Wyatt Toregas (C )
Andy Vasquez (INF)
Kris Watts (C )
Duke Welker (RHP)
Corey Wimberley (OF) *
Tim Wood (RHP)
Tyler Yates (RHP) *
* Eligible for minor league free agency
(First time eligible):
Alderson, 23, went 0-4 with a 4.12 ERA in 42 appearances (one start) with the Double-A Curve in 2011. Prior to the 2010 season, Alderson was ranked by Baseball America as the Pirates No. 7 best prospect in the system but fell out of the Top 30 this year. Alderson was drafted by the San Franciso Giants in the 1st round (22nd overall) in the 2007 draft and was acquired by the Pirates in a trade that infielder Freddy Sanchez to San Francisco in 2009.
Anderson, 24, batted .271 in 60 games with 12 doubles, one triple, 13 home runs, 42 RBI with High-A Bradenton in 2011. Anderson was drafted by Pittsburgh in the 12th round of the 2008 draft. He is currently playing winter ball in Australia with the Adelaide Bait where he’s gone 3-for-17 (.176 avg) with one home run and four RBI over five games.
Colla, 24, sported a 5-11 record with a 3.70 ERA with Double-A Altoona this season. It was the first year since College that Colla had pitched in the starting rotation. Prior to this season, he was used as a reliever in the Pirates Minor League system. Colla finished ninth in the league with a 3.70 ERA, fifth with a 1.17 WHIP and third in batting average against among starters (.226). Colla has been pitching in the Arizona Fall League this off-season (with six other Pirates prospects) where he’s allowed seven earned runs on nine hits over 14.0 innings with 10 walks and nine strikeouts. Colla was selected by Pittsburgh in the 14th round of the 2008 draft.
Cox, 25, made 22 appearances from the bullpen of the High-A Bradenton Marauders. Cox posted a 2-0 record with a 2.60 ERA over 27.2 innings while holding opponents to a .175 avg. Cox was drafted in the 35th round by Pittsburgh in 2008.
De Leon, 20, posted a 3.28 ERA and five saves over 21 games (24.2 innings) with the State College Spikes in 2011. De Leon was signed as an international free agent by Pittsburgh in 2007.
Farrell, 25, batted .260 with 18 doubles, one triple, five home runs and 38 RBI in 80 games with Double-A Altoona this season. Farrell was drafted in the 8th round of the 2008 draft by Pittsburgh. He is currently playing winter ball in the Puerto Rican League where he’s gone 4-for-18 (.222 avg) with a double and four RBI in five games.
Foster, 24, posted a 3.70 ERA over 40 appearances in relief (56.0 innings) combined with Low-A West Virginia and High-A Bradenton. The Pittsburgh native was signed by the Pirates in the 49th round of the 2008 draft.
Hague, 26, appeared in 141 games with Triple-A Indy, where he finished the season ranked first in the International League in hits (165), third in total bases (244) and sixth in batting average (.309). Hague’s 165 hits were the most by a member of the Indy Indians since D.T. Cromer had 166 back in 1999. Hague was ranked by Baseball America prior to the 2011 season as the Pirates 25th best prospect in the system and was drafted by Pittsburgh in the 9th round of the 2008 draft. Hague is currently playing winter ball in the Dominican for the Toros del Este. He’s batting .319 with one double, two homers, 11 RBI in 19 games.
Lambo, 23, started the season at Triple-A Indy but was demoted to Double-A Altoona after batting just .184 in 60 games. Lambo finished the season with the Curve batting .274 with 17 doubles, eight home runs and 41 RBI. Lambo was ranked prior to the 2011 season by Baseball America as the Pirates No. 11 best prospect. He was drafted by the Los Angeles Dodgers in the 4th round of the 2007 draft. The Pirates acquired Lambo (along with pitcher James McDonald) in the trade that sent closer Octavio Dotel to the Dodgers in 2010.
Latimore, 22, batted .239 with 32 doubles, one triple, 15 home runs, and 59 RBI in 128 games with Double-A Altoona in 2011. Latimore was drafted by Pittsburgh in the 4th round of the 2007 draft and was ranked prior to the 2011 season as the Bucs No. 21 best prospect by Baseball America.
Leach, 25, posted a 7.93 ERA over 32 games (62.0 innings) combined with Double-A Altoona and High-A Bradenton. Leach was drafted in the 28th round of the 2008 draft by Pittsburgh.
Lorin, 24, went 7-6 with a 2.84 ERA over 25 games (17 starts). Lorin walked 19 while striking out 99 over 117.1 innings. Lorin was drafted in the 5th round by the Seattle Mariners in 2008 and was acquired by the Pirates (along with first baseman Jeff Clement and pitchers Nathan Adcock and Aaron Pribanic) for shortstop Jack Wilson and pitcher Ian Snell in 2009.
Marte, 23, was named the Eastern League Rookie of the Year, mid-season and post-season Eastern League All-Star, won the Eastern League batting title, was named the Eastern League Player of the Week from August 8-14th, the Altoona Curve’s Most Valuable Player of the Year and was a participant in the 2011 XM Futures Game. Marte also set a new Altoona Curve single-season franchise record with a league-best 178 hits this season. He finished the season with a .332 average, with a career-high 12 home runs, 50 RBI and scored 91 runs. Marte was named by Baseball America as the Pirates No. 4 best prospect prior to the 2011 season.
Mercer, 25, batted .255 with 30 doubles, two triples, 19 home runs, 69 RBI, 79 runs and nine stolen bases combined with Double-A Altoona and Triple-A Indianapolis. Mercer was drafted by the Pirates in the 3rd round of the 2008 draft and was ranked as the Pirates No. 22 prospect by Baseball America prior to the 2011 season.
Moreno, 25, made 41 appearances from the ‘pen combined with High-A Bradenton and Double-A Altoona in 2011. He posted a 3.63 ERA with five saves over 44.2. Innings with 18 walks and 45 strikeouts. Moreno was drafted as an international free agent in 2006.
Noris, 22, batted .212 with 14 doubles, four triples, nine home runs, 50 RBI and 40 runs in 91 games with Low-A West Virginia. Noris is currently playing winter ball in the Mexican league where he is has gone 5-for-32 (.156 avg) with two doubles, a home run and six RBI.
Owens, 23, posted a 9-7 with a 5.05 ERA in 21 starts (112.1 innings) with Triple-A Indianapolis in 2011. A down year for the Pirates No. 7 best prospect by Baseball America. He’s coming off a solid campaign with Double-A Altoona last season where he posted a 12-6 record with a 2.46 ERA. Owens finished the season early after being placed on the disabled list on August 5th with arm fatigue. Owens participated in the Fall Instructional League in Bradenton where he got his arm back in shape. Owens was drafted by Pittsburgh in the 28th round of the 2006 draft.
Pribanic, 25, posted a 10-9 record with a 3.88 ERA over 28 games (27 starts) with Double-A Altoona in 2011. Pribanic was drafted by the Seattle Mariners in the 3rd round of the 2008 draft. The Pirates acquired the right-hander in the Jack Wilson/Ian Snell trade. Pribanic was ranked as the pirates No. 28 best prospect by Baseball America prior to the 2011 season.
Ramos, 22, went 4-3 with a 3.46 ERA in 28 games (six starts) combined with Low–A West Virginia and High-A Bradenton in 2011. Ramos is currently pitching in the Venezuelan League this winter where he’s tossed 2.1 scoreless inning with three hits, two walks and two strikeouts.
Rubinstein, 24, batted .247 with 41 runs, 13 doubles, five home runs, 42 RBI and eight stolen bases in 94 games with High-A Bradenton in 2011. Rubinstein was drafted by Pittsburgh in the 11th round of the 2008 draft.
Strickland, 23, did not play during the 2011 season due to arm issues. Strickland dropped out of the Pirates Top 30 list for the 2011 season after being ranked as the No. 19 best prospect in 2010. Strickland was drafted in the 18th round of the 2007 draft by the Boston Red Sox and was acquired by Pittsburgh in a trade for first baseman Adam LaRoche.
White, 26, batted .286 with 36 runs, 19 doubles, two triples, eight home runs and 40 RBI in 80 games combined with Low-A West Virginia and High-A Bradenton. White was drafted in the 42nd round of the 2008 draft.
Wilson, 24, went 10-8 with a 4.13 ERA over 30 games (21 starts) with Triple-A Indy in 2011. Wilson had a down year after posting a 3.09 ERA in 2010 with Double-A Altoona and finished the season in the bullpen with Indy. Wilson was drafted by Pittsburgh in the 5th round of the 2008 draft and was ranked by Baseball America prior to the 2011 season as the Pirates No. 15 prospect.
(Re-eligible in 2011):
Ascanio, 26, posted a 2-3 record with a 4.91 ERA in 30 games (five starts) with Triple-A Indianapolis this season. Ascanio walked just 15 while striking out 50 batters in 47.2 innings of relief. The right-hander is currently pitching in winter ball in the Venezuelan League where he has made three appearances allowing three runs on five hits over 7.2 innings.
Avila, 21, batted .216 with 44 runs, 14 doubles, one triple, four home runs, 31 RBI and nine stolen bases over 116 games with Low-A West Virginia in 2011. Avila signed as an international free agent in 2006.
Bocock, 26, batted .241 with three runs, one double, and one RBI in 14 games with Triple-A Indianapolis in 2011. Bocock was drafted by the San Francisco Giants in the 9th round of the 2006 draft. The Pirates acquired Bocock after he was out righted off the Philadelphia Phillies 40-man roster in September.
Brito, 23, posted a 3.27 ERA with one save over 17 games (33.0 innings) with the State College Spikes in 2011. Brito was acquired by the Cleveland Indians in exchange for infielder Brian Bixler in 2009.
Brown, 29, batted .285 with 17 doubles, seven home runs, 28 RBI in 54 games with Triple-A Indy in 2011. Brown also had a short stint in Pittsburgh this season where he batted .107 in 11 games. Brown was signed by Pittsburgh as a minor league free agent prior to the 2011 season. Brown was drafted in the 35th round of the 2000 draft by the Boston Red Sox.
Chalk, 25, .244 with 24 runs, seven doubles, five triples, 36 RBI and four stolen bases over 97 games with Double-A Altoona in 2011. Chalk was drafted in the 2nd round of the 2007 draft by the San Diego Padres and was acquired in the Triple-A phase of the 2010 Rule 5 draft.
Claggett, 27, posted a 3.54 ERA in 46 games combined with Double-A Altoona and Triple-A Indy this season. Claggett held opponents to a .209 average over 68.2 inning of relief while picking up two saves with the Curve. Claggett is currently pitching in the Venezuelan League where he made five starts. Claggett is 0-2 with a 6.64 ERA over 20.1 innings with nine walks and eight strikeouts. Claggett was drafted by the Detroit Tigers in the 11th round of the 2005 draft.
Clement, 28, had off-season knee surgery and appeared in 31 games combined with High-A Bradenton and Triple-A Indy in 2011. Clement went 25-for-94 (.266 avg) with nine doubles, one home run and 12 RBI. Clement was drafted in the 1st round (3rd overall) of the 2005 draft by the Seattle Mariners. He was acquired in 2009 in the Jack Wilson/Ian Snell trade.
Crotta, 27, made the big league club team out of Spring Training and appeared in 15 games with the Pirates where he allowed 11 runs on 20 hits with five walks and seven strikeouts over 10.2 innings (9.28 ERA). Crotta was sidelined with right elbow posterior inflammation and only appeared in 11 games with Triple-A Indy where he posted a 5.40 ERA. Crotta was drafted by Pittsburgh in the 15th round of the 2006 draft.
Dubee, 25, posted a 3.78 ERA over 47 games with six saves combined with Double-A Altoona and Triple-A Indy. Dubee was signed by the Philadelphia Phillies in the 18th round of the 2006 draft. The Pirates acquired Dubee from in a trade with the Chicago White Sox in 2009 for Andy Phillips.
Durham, 28, .221 with 42 runs, 20 doubles, five triples, four home runs, 43 RBI and nine stolen bases combined with Double-A Altoona and Triple-A Indy in 2011. Durham was drafted by Pittsburgh in the 22nd round of the 2006 draft.
Figueroa, 37, signed a minor league contract with Pittsburgh after being released by the Houston Astros in late August. In three starts with the Pirates, Figueroa allowed eight runs on 20 hits over 18.0 innings with four walks and 14 strikeouts. Figueroa is currently pitching in the Puerto Rican League, but has not yet made an appearance.
Friday, 25, batted .238 with 31 runs, 14 doubles, one triple, three home runs, 22 RBI and six stolen bases in 67 games with Triple-A Indy. Friday was drafted by Pittsburgh in the 3rd round of the 2007 draft. Friday was ranked as the Pirates No. 28 best prospect prior to the 2010 season but dropped off the list this year.
Gallagher, 25, made 23 starts (29 appearances) with Triple-A Indy. He went 5-12 with a 5.11 ERA over 132.0 innings. Gallagher walked 65 while striking out 98 batters. Gallagher was drafted by the Chicago Cubs in the 5th round of the 2004 draft. He was acquired by the San Diego Padres for cash considerations in 2010.
Heilman, 33, signed a minor league contract with the Pirates after being released by the Philadelphia Phillies in August. He made seven appearances at Triple-A where tossed 8.2 innings of scoreless relief.
Jackson, 29, made 24 appearances with Triple-A Indy where he went 4-2 with a 3.96 ERA. Jackson walked 15 and struck out 15 over 36.1 innings of relief. Jackson was drafted by the Arizona Diamondbacks in the 10th round of the 2004 draft. He was acquired (along with pitchers Daniel McCutchen, Jeff Karstens Ross Ohlendorf and outfielder Jose Tabata) for outfielder Xavier Nady and pitcher Damaso Marte in 2008.
Krol, 27, posted a 4.45 ERA over 55.2 innings of relief and 24 saves for the Double-A Altoona Curve in 2011. Krol was drafted by the Detroit Tigers in the 17th round of the 2007 draft.
Loree, 27, signed with Pittsburgh out of Independent Ball in late August. He made just four appearances with Double-A Altoona where he allowed one run on six hits over 7.2 innings. Loree walked three and struck out 13. Loree was drafted by the San Francisco Giants in the 50th round of the 2007 draft.
Marquez, 23, batted .256 with five doubles and seven RBI in 30 games combined with Low-A West Virginia and High-A Bradenton in 2011. Marquez signed as an international free agent in 2007.
Marte, 28, batted .202 with 32 runs, 15 doubles, seven home runs and 37 RBI in 97 games with Triple-A Indy. Marte is currently playing winter ball in the Dominican where he’s gone 6-for-22 (.273 avg) with two doubles and two RBI. Marte signed as a non-drafted free agent by the Atlanta Braves in 2000.
McSwain, 26, went 5-1 with a 3.35 ERA over 36 games (three starts) combined with High-A Bradenton and Double-A Altoona in 2011. McSwain signed as a non-drafted free agent in 2006.
Mendez, 23, I converted to a pitcher from a catcher in 2011. He posted a 3.80 ERA over 23.2 innings with the GCL. Mendez was signed as a non-drafted free agent by Pittsburgh in 2005.
Meyer, 30, made 14 appearances with Triple-A Indy, his last coming on June 9th. Meyer allowed 16 runs on 17 hits over 19.1 innings with 18 walks and 12 strikeouts. Meyer was drafted by the Atlanta Braves in the 1st round (34th overall) in the 2002 draft.
Navarro, 24, went 6-2 with a 4.01 ERA over 27 games (nine starts) combined with Low-A West Virginia and High-A Bradenton in 2011. Navarro walked 19 and struck out 85 batters over 89.2 innings.
Norman, 27, batted .267 with 16 runs, six doubles, four triples and 12 RBI in 40 games combined with Triple-A Indy and Double-A Altoona in 2011. Norman was drafted by the Los Angeles Angels in 2007.
Olson, 28, made 15 starts (24 appearances) for Triple-A Indy where he went 4-3 with a 3.03 ERA. Olson made the club out of spring training and made four appearances with Pittsburgh before being optioned to Indianapolis. He allowed one run on two hits over 4.1 innings with one walk and four strikeouts. Olson was drafted by the Baltimore Orioles as the sandwich pick (between 1st and 2nd rounds) in 2005.
Picart, 26, appeared in 56 games with Double-A Altoona where he hit .218 with two doubles, a home run and 14 RBI. Picart is currently playing in the Puerto Rican League this off-season and was a non-drafted free agent by Pittsburgh in 2004.
Rodriguez, 26, was selected in last years Rule 5 draft from the Cleveland Indians. He played in seven games with Pittsburgh in 2011 where he went 1-for-12 with a RBI and a walk. He was placed on waivers and offered back to the Indians in late April. Later in the 2011 season, the Pirates traded for Rodriguez and he finished the season in Double-A Altoona where he hit .267 with 23 runs, six doubles, seven home runs and 30 RBI.
Sanchez, 27, batted .299 with 13 runs, six doubles, two home runs and 18 RBI in 42 games with Double-A Altoona in 2011. Sanchez was signed as a non-drafted free agent in 2006.
Scott, 26, appeared in just 13 games this season. Combined with High-A Bradenton and Double-A Altoona, Scott went 6-for-44 (.136 avg) with a triple and two RBI. Scott is currently playing in the Australian League for the Canberra Cavalry and was drafted in the 20th round by the Seattle Mariners in 2005.
Sinkbeil, 26, is a former first round draft pick by the Florida Marlins in the 2007 draft. Sinkbeil spent the season combined with High-A Bradenton and Double-A Altoona where he made 13 starts (24 appearances). He went 2-7 with a 4.82 ERA over 84.0 innings with 23 walks and 60 strikeouts.
Thomas, 27, made 63 appearances in relief where he posted a 3.89 ERA. Thomas allowed just four homers all season over 69.1 innings. He walked 24 and struck out 59. Thomas was drafted in the 4th round of the 2005 draft by the Seattle Mariners.
Wyatt, 29, batted .133 in 22 games with Triple-A Indianapolis last year with three doubles, eight RBI and four walks. Wyatt had a short stint in the Majors with the Pirates in 2011. He had four at-bats over three games where he went hitless with a strikeout. Wyatt was re-singed to a minor league deal by the Pirates in early November.
Vasquez, 24, batted .268 with 66 runs, 15 doubles, 13 triples, five home runs and 39 RBI over 113 games with Low-A West Virginia in 2011. Vasquez was signed by Pittsburgh as a non-drafted free agent in 2006.
Watts, 27, batted .237 with 12 doubles, three home runs and 16 RBI in 83 games combined with Double-A Altoona and Triple-A Indy in 2011. Watts was drafted by the Pirates in the 16th round of the 2006 draft.
Welker, 25, posted a 2.76 ERA over 62.0 innings combined with High-A Bradenton and Double-A Altoona in 2011. Welker was drafted by Pittsburgh in the 2nd round of the 2007 draft.
Wimberly, 28, batted .238 with five doubles, three triples, 11 RBI and six stolen bases in 56 games with Triple-A Indy. Wimberly was drafted by the Colorado Rockies in the 6th round of the 2005 draft. He was acquired from the Oakland Athletics for right-hander Ryan Kelly in December of 2010.
Wood, 29, finished second among all Pittsburgh farmhands with 23 saves –a career-high– while posting a 2.84 ERA in 40 games with Triple-A Indianapolis. Wood made 13 appearances with the Pirates from June 10 to July 1. He allowed five runs on eight this over 8.0 innings of relief with eight walks and two strikeouts. Wood was designated for assignment in August and claimed by the Texas Rangers, where he finished the 2011 season. However, Wood elected free-agency after the season and signed a minor league deal with the Pirates with an invite to spring training.
Yates, 34, did not pitch this season with Pittsburgh. Yates missed most of the 2009 season and all of 2010 after having Tommy John Surgery. He was finally healthy this spring, and threw with the Pirates in Bradenton but suffered a torn flexor tendon in his elbow and underwent season-ending surgery.
Photo credit: MILB
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