The Rule 5 draft is today, and the Phillies select…..

Rule 5 Draft

You know they will take someone. I’m not sure I’ll have time to do a detailed writeup today as the events unfold, but I will definitely update this space to reflect the player(s) we take and those we lose. So, check back later and use this spot to discuss the Rule 5 draft.

Update –> The Phillies did not make a selection in the major league phase, and Jiwan James was not selected. Both items are a surprise.

Glad Jiwan is sticking around, and hopefully his bat takes a big step forward in 2012.

The Cubs selected RHP Lendy Castillo, who it feels has been in the Phillies org forever. He’s never really been on the radar in terms of guys who could make an impact, and the Cubs will likely try to stash him as the long man in their pen.

Update 2 –> The Phillies didn’t make a selection in the minor league phase, but did lose Travis Mattair, Andy Loomis, and Francisco Diaz. Best of luck to them in their new orgs.

72 thoughts on “The Rule 5 draft is today, and the Phillies select…..”

    2. Baseball America is saying Leandro Castro, not Lendy Castillo (who as far as I can tell wasn’t even in the organization after 2010.)

      Like

  4. Lendy Castillo by the Cubs? He has decent stats, but he’s an A- relief pitcher. Can’t imagine he can stick a year on a 25 man roster.

    Like

  5. Even though he’s talented, Leandro Castro is not far enough along in development to stick at a major league level, especially on a contender. He’ll be offered back.

    Like

  7. I guess it says something about Lendy Castillo’s status as a prospect that the people on this board think he’s actually Leandro Castro! Maybe Theo Epstein knows something we don’t, but all in all I’m profoundly relieved that Jiwan James is going to be playing in Reading next year.

    Like

    1. And for those asking for clarification, all the beats writers say it’s Castillo on twitter.

      Like

  10. Twelve selections, eight pitchers. Use to be, one could get excited over the Rule 5 draft, with the procedural/rule changes a few years ago, it is an after thought.

    Like

  11. Im not sure if anyone remembers but a couple months ago I posted that I think Lendy Castillo might get picked. I’ll look for that post later today.

    Like

    1. I don’t know why you would bother doing that. Bragging on the internet isn’t exactly worth your time.

      Like

  14. Not sure if we will ever see anymore Hamiltons, Santanas, Ugglas, Victorinos coming out of the Rule 5 ….thank you MLB….next CBA the MLBPA should push to lessen the restrictions on Rule 5 players and give long-time minor leaguers more of a chance.

    Like

  15. Am I missing something here, Why would the cubs select a low A guy, who many people who follow the Phillies don’t know, in the majors phase? Would it make more sense to wait until the AAA or AA? Can’t imagine he was in high demand.

    Like

  16. It’s kind of funny how MLB.com list the players old team as a AAA team assuming that is where they came from. Castillo hasn’t come close to Lehigh Vally.

    Like

    1. I think that if the player was not on a AAA roster, he could be selected in the minor league phase of the draft, and would not have to be taken in the major league phase that requires him to remain on the selecting team’s active roster all season.

      Like

        1. That’s it, they were not on the AAA roster, they were on the AA roster, which is why they could be selected in the AAA portion of the draft from a AA roster.

          Like

  17. here’s the full results:
    Major League Phase:
    Lendy Castillo, RHP, by Chicago Cubs
    AAA Phase:
    Andy Loomis, LHP, by Baltimore Orioles
    Travis Mattair, SS (sic) by Cincinatti Reds
    Francisco Diaz, C by Pittsburgh Pirates.

    The reason Lendy Castilo was not held for selection in the minor league phase is that he was protected on the AAA roster, which means he could only have been selected in the MLB phase.

    Loomis, Mattair , and Francisco Diaz were not protected on the AAA roster, and since I figure they did not have enough eligible players to fill the 38 man roster limit, I figure it means they really did not want these players and would rather have had the around $12,500 draft fee.

    Like

  18. I think Castillo sticks, it will be easy to hide him. Pitcher with FB touching 96 and a breaking ball can be useful. It is a pity because he could probably move quickly in our system but there is no way that the Phils should have protected him. Good find Epstein, not a huge loss but a pity.

    Like

  19. Still seems like a stretch that he could go from low a to the majors and stick for an entire season. Not doubting his stuff, just seems like a stretch.

    Like

    1. He’ll be the 12th pitcher on the roster. Just use him in blowout losses and low leverage situations. If the Cubs aren’t in contention, he’ll be pretty easy to hide.

      Like

    2. That would raise the followup question, Why what? Why was he not protected? or why was he taken?
      Not protected, that might provoke in some the whole “not good enough” thing, but think a little deeper look, at (I project Mattair would have been 3B at Reading) and the Reading Infield might be: Jeremy Barnes can play 3B, and for MI you got Cesar Hernandez, Troy Hanzawa , and Albert Cartwright. So, maybe, if they think like that, they will clear some logjam, and be able to play these guys as they should.

      As to why he was taken. I found it interesting that the Reds selected him as a SS. Maybe they think he can play there, and his batting if not improved would not impede him as much.

      Like

      1. Mattair needed a change of scenery but taken as a SS? He’s a big guy. 6’5″ 210 lbs or better. He quit baseball for a year to become a College Basketball power forward. I think he’s been a 3B all of his career with the Phils.

        He plays a good 3B. It’s the bat that’s questionable. In any event, good luck to all those chosen.

        Like

          1. The draft (audio portion) was carried live over the Internet on mlb.com and whatever The Reds said when they drafted him is what should go on the write-up. It might be possible to go back and check the tape. Teams are careful about the positions they announce players at.

            Like

  21. I’m glad James wasn’t taken, and it seems like Castillo might be returned. Under the new rules I am guessing about half of the guys taken will stick with their new teams in one way or another.

    Like

    1. I’m happy as well, but there was really little risk in him being selected anyway.

      I’m assuming Rule 5’ers receive the MLB minimum provided they stick with their team the entire season. I wonder what a guy like James would be thinking when seeing his name as a Rule 5 candidate. After all, he would stand to get a pretty hefty raise

      Like

      2. In AA James would get standard salary (which I seem to recall is usually in the $50k range), so a Rule V selection gets you a ~$350,000 pay raise for 1 year (provided you stick).

        Like

  22. Anybody that thinks it is a surprise Jiwan James was not taken does not know baseball.

    Jiwan James = D’Arby Myers

    Like

  23. I think the Phillies would have protected James if they thought he would be ready with just 3 more seasons in minors. If he makes it, he’s going to be an older rookie, like Mayberry.

    Like

  24. I’m surprised not a single pitcher was taken, unless the team has some other plans for the bullpen.

    Like

    1. Why would people expect James to be taken as he has not played at or above the AA level and would need regular playing time to develop. The noise about a full season as an OF defensive specialist and pinch runner doesn’t add up. Other teams are not that bad off.

      Castillo , on the other hand, Minor League career 111 Innings pitched, 111 strikeouts, with I recall around 42 walks and 3 HR’s in that time. That comes out to he has enough command to have a chance to stick. They say throws 97 and has some breaking balls also. I think the Epstein/Hoyer cabal knows what might stick on the Cubs better than outsiders. Teams don’t draft players for them not to stick, as there is no reason to give another team at least $25,000 or maybe $50,000 for nothing. So all that “Castillo- he get returned fo’ sho'” deal, don’t see it.

      And Castillo did not start as an OF, he started off as a SS.

      Like

      1. oops… thanks for the heads up on Castillo at shortstop, I’ll fix the post. My main beef with Castillo is his lack of experience against any sort of competition. He played Lakewood last year, and impressive as he was, that’s a long ways away from the NL Central (even without Pooholes)

        Like

      2. I see. Those of us thinking James, (you know, the guy on the prospect lists, who we’ve all heard of and debated about, that guy) was the biggest risk of being Rule V’d were just being stupid.

        Rather, we should have known it would be the Low-A reliever with 100 pro innings under his belt. That was the real percentage pick there.

        Yet another prediction from the Phuturephillies.com’s own Nostradamus, I’m sure.

        You do see how that position is ludicrously inconsistent, no?

        Like

        1. I did not say anything about Lendy Castillo being drafted beforehand. I thought it was a surprise , but he’s the one who got drafted. Will leave it to Epstein/Hoyer to decide what might stick on their team, and like said above, the pick wasn’t made with the idea of giving Philly a free $25-50,000 . Fact is , Castillo is the only guy to have a chance from Philly to stick as a Rule 5 pick now.

          James, said they should not protect him, because teams are not looking to carry an inexperienced OF like that , just for defensive replacement, pinch runner , and all, when they need regular playing time to develop properly. Don’t think any other Class A OF’s were selected either.

          Now, a pitcher, If they have good stuff and can put the ball where they are supposed to, even if right out of HS, they should be able to pitch right away. Not having to go through different levels of hitters, because they don’t adjust to hitters, hitters adjust to them. Of course alot depends on the mental faculties. Leave it to the Epstein/Hoyer/Ventura and friends to sort all that out. That’s how I see it.

          Like

      3. I guess Castillo is no sillier a pick than Herndon. A reliever is probably the easiest to stash. Still, the vast majority of Rule 5 draftees are returned.

        Like

      1. it’s really a site error, there’s supposed to be a white box around the actual text (exactly like here). but we have been thinking of getting rid of it, we probably will. Thanks for the critique!

        Like

  26. Castillo’s numbers are inflated. Everybody throws 97 arter they are drafted. Bull. I don’t think it is necessary to throw a jive reference out there.

    Like

    1. Castillo was never drafted, he signed as a Dominican non-drafted free agent on New Year’s Eve 2006. Same day, and maybe same time as former Phillie minor leaguer and Dominican Suilman LeBron. Phillies sign Two Dominican SS’s on the same day. Maybe they were drunk. (Note: both later converted to Pitchers).

      Like

      1. Oh yeah, that 97 thing, I was sure I put they say on there, and the 97 represents the high mark , and they also say ranges from 92-97. I think I might have seen Castillo for Williamsport and I believe he was capable of getting up that high and in that range. They’ve had numerous players that can get up there, at times.

        Like

  27. What exactly happens to the players taken in the AAA and AA phase of the draft? Do they have to stick on the AAA and AA teams all season?

    Like

  29. The Phillies have signed Dave Bush, Steven Lerud and David Purcey to minor league contracts, the team announced. All three players will be invited to Major League spring training camp as non-roster players.

    Bush, 32, signed a minor league deal with Philadelphia last August and posted decent numbers in four starts for Triple-A Lehigh Valley. Bush is an eight-year Major League veteran, playing for the Blue Jays, Brewers and Rangers during his career.

    Lerud, a catcher, has played eight seasons in the Pirates and Orioles’ farm systems with a career OPS of .665. He has spent the majority of this time in Double-A ball, briefly cracking the Triple-A level in 2010.

    Purcey, drafted 16th overall by the Blue Jays in 2004, was well-traveled in 2011, going from Toronto to Oakland and finally to Detroit in a six-week span. The left-hander has a 5.38 ERA in 87 career Major League games, 21 of them starts.

    Like

  30. Excuse me Marf, Castillo was just drafted in the rule 5. He gets up to 97 once in a game and he throws 97. Come on, if you scouted a player like that. how in the hell would you deferenciate between players. If you don’t use a avg you have nothing. Report probably reads 92-94 hits 97 occasionally. Don’t pick you don’t get picked. I think everyone here knows he wasn’t drafted in the june draft.

    Like

  31. Wow, Dennis you are on top of things. Pursey is one of those signing’s you go ,what… He had a 5+ era and 3.47 against lefties. Besides teaching him to throw a change, which they do for everyone. What can you do for him.

    Like

Comments are closed.