Chris Kline has the first Rule 5 draft preview up at Baseball America. Of the names he mentions as draft possibilites, the ones that catch my interest are
- Randor Bierd, a 24-year old RHRP from the Tigers - probably going to be the most hyped guys out there as a solid arm out of the pen with future possibilities in a starting rotation
- Samuel Deduno, a 24-year old RHSP from the Rockies - this is more based on the Rockies Dominican pitching pipeline than anything else
- Jamie D’Antona, a 25-year old 3B/CA from the Diamondbacks - I suggested him as an option last year as well. He could serve as a corner IF backup as well as #3 catcher. Think of him as Robert Fick with more of an upside.
- Leyson Septimo, a 22-year old LHRP (being converted from an OF) from the Diamondbacks - this one is another gut feel. If he is hitting triple digits and given Mike Rizzo’s presence/input/recommendation, he could be a gamble worth investing in.
Additionally, the 2007 Rule 5 draft order is the same as what will be the 2008 MLB First Year Player Draft order. Only teams with an open 40-man spot can select a player, I went through MLB.com and figured out who was where ont he 40-man
- Rays (40) updated … Percival signed
- Pirates (40)
- Royals (41?)
- Orioles (36)
- Giants (38)
- Marlins (37)
- Reds (40)
- White Sox (40)
- Nationals (38)
- Astros (35)
- Rangers (40)
- Athletics (39)
- Cardinals (40)
- Twins (38)
- Dodgers (38)
- Brewers (40)
- Blue Jays (40)
- Braves (41?)
- Cubs (39)
- Mariners (39)
- Tigers (40)
- Mets (36)
- Padres (35) updated … Sledge released
- Phillies (39)
- Rockies (37)
- Diamondbacks (40)
- Angels (40)
- Yankees (40) updated … Posada re-signed
- Indians (40)
- Red Sox (37)
Removing the teams with 40 (and the Braves and Royals who for some reason are 41), that leaves the following 15 teams (11/30 Update: the Nationals now select 4th) :
- Orioles (36)
- Giants (38)
- Marlins (37)
- Nationals (38)
- Astros (35)
- Athletics (39)
- Twins (38)
- Dodgers (38)
- Cubs (39)
- Mariners (39)
- Mets (36)
- Padres (36)
- Phillies (39)
- Rockies (37)
- Red Sox (37)
Ryan Sullivan | 29-Nov-07 at 10:32 am | Permalink
Brian-
If you (hypothetically) had the first pick in this Rule 5 draft, who would you take for the Nats?
Also, what seems to be the knock on D’Antona? He seems like a nice bench piece at the very least and his numbers are pretty solid.
Brian Oliver | 29-Nov-07 at 10:53 am | Permalink
I’m still trying to dig up the available lists for other teams (most of what I have right now is spotty). Using Kline’s list as a menu, Bierd seems to have the stuff and size (6′4″ 190) to be an interesting gamble. Deduno might be a higher upside gamble but Ross Detwiler would call Deduno slight (6′1″ 160).
As for D’Antona, not sure what the knock on him is. Maybe scouts see him as a four-A player at best. My thoughts are that if you are going to roster someone like Robert Fick (utility corner guy/emergency catcher) then why not go with the cheaper guy who will likely give you comparable numbers if not better.
Louis J. | 29-Nov-07 at 11:58 am | Permalink
Not much from which to choose. I don’t see the Nats taking anybody. Instead, they’ll probably sign some 2nd tier free agents for the final two roster spots. There is the outside chance that Andruw Jones does not get what Boros wants and he’ll sign a 1 yr deal with some team to demonstrate that he still has “it”. Boros did this with Jeff Weaver last year. Kasten may be interested in Jones and I yr salary expenditure.
Jamie D’Antonia has always interested me. He’s a power hitter who at least could be a bench player and RHH/PH. He can fill-in at 3B/1B and, only in an emergency, he can give you an inning or two as a catcher. I don’t know why no team is interested in him.
Dick | 29-Nov-07 at 1:27 pm | Permalink
BA had a pretty good list yesterday. Would love to get Brian Barton from the Tribe!
Louis J. | 29-Nov-07 at 3:11 pm | Permalink
Dick
We already have a Brian Barton type (a scholar and CF w/speed and power potential and age 25). His name is Justin Maxwell (age 24).
Brian Oliver | 29-Nov-07 at 3:19 pm | Permalink
Louis
I would not necessarily be opposed to them grabbing Barton assuming (1) it means the end of the Logan/Langerhans experiment and (2) it allows the Nationals to provide Maxwell a full season in Harrisburg to continue developing.
But, all of that being said, I don’t imagine Barton is anywhere on the Nationals’ radar for the reason you mentioned
Terry B | 29-Nov-07 at 3:32 pm | Permalink
Guys,
I’m sure I’ll get to see Maxwell this summer, at least for a while, but Brian Barton is a stud. And it’s probably just a numbers thing in the Indians organization that he is going to be left unprotected. He has a lot of physical gifts and seems to be the type of guy that gets along with his teamates.
There is a always a place, in every organization, for talent.
TB
Louis J. | 29-Nov-07 at 5:14 pm | Permalink
Terry B
I like Barton and wouldn’t mind having him in Columbus but will the Nats use up a 25-man roster spot for a rookie CF. They are looking for more punch but Barton is an OBP man. The most doubles he ever hit was 18 and most HR was 12. Instead, I rather have switch-hitting Abraham Nunez as the #4 outfielder added to the 25-man roster.
Dick | 29-Nov-07 at 7:49 pm | Permalink
Louis:
Take Barton, leave Barton, I don’t care! Just upgrade from Nook. As I said yesterday, I want to be convinced that Maxwell isn’t another Escobar, too. Also, I’m with Brian that Maxwell needs at least a couple of months in AAA to prove August wasn’t a fluke.