PITTSBURGH — The morning after the winter meetings end in Dallas, Texas, the Rule 5 draft takes place. The Pittsburgh Pirates added six prospects to the 40-man roster in order to protect them from the draft. They placed infielders Matt Hague, Jordy Mercer, outfielder Starling Marte, and pitchers Rudy Owens, Duke Welker and Justin Wilson on the 40-man roster. However, the club can face losing some prospects that were left unprotected. Below are the following players that can be drafted in the Rule 5 draft on Thursday, December 8th. The Pirates will pick eighth in the draft.
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)
Andrew Lambo (OF)
Quincy Latimore (OF)
Brian Leach (RHP)
Brett Lorin (RHP)
Diego Moreno (RHP)
Rogelio Noris (OF)
Aaron Pribanic (RHP)
Jhonathan Ramos (LHP)
David Rubinstein (OF)
Hunter Strickland (RHP)
Cole White (INF)
Re-eligible in 2011:
Jose Ascanio (RHP) *
Eric Avila (INF)
Brian Bocock (INF)
Jesus Brito (RHP)
Brad Chalk (OF)
Anthony Claggett (RHP) *
Jeff Clement (INF) *
Michael Crotta (RHP)
Jose Diaz (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 )
Corey Wimberley (OF) *
Tim Wood
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 Francisco 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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
(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.
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.
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 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.
Diaz, 27, recorded 27 saves and posted a 2.62 ERA in 48 combined games with Bowie (Orioles’ AA) and Norfolk (Orioles’ AAA) in 2011. Diaz ranked third among Baltimore farmhands in saves in 2011. Diaz was signed by Baltimore as a minor league free agent on in 2009 and spent first seven seasons in Los Angeles Dodgers system. Diaz signed a minor league deal this offseason.
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.
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 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 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. Watts was resigned to a minor league contract this offseason.
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, lead all organization farmhands with saves (23) while with the Triple-A Indians while being named a post-season All-Star. He posted a 2.84 ERA over 40 games (44.1 innings). Wood also appeared in 13 games with Pittsburgh where he posted a 5.63 ERA in relief. Wood signed a minor league deal this offseason with a non-roster spring training invite.
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: Brendon Baseball Blog
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