Thursday, December 9, 2010

Rule 5: Get One, Lose One

-- The Bucs took utility guy Josh Rodriguez with the first pick of the Rule 5 draft. The versatile 25 year old (he'll turn 26 in ten days) played every position but pitcher, catcher and first base in 2010 between AA Akron and AAA Columbus.

The Cleveland Indians drafted Rodriguez, who played his college ball at Rice, with a second-round pick in 2006.

Jim Callas of Baseball America calls him an "offensive-minded utility type. Bench fodder, not a potential regular." He does get on base, with a .293/.372/.486 line in 2010 with gap power and the ability to deliver the occasional long ball. He's not very toolsy, and kinda a surprise pick with Pedro Ciriaco on the roster and all the youngsters on the way through the system.

We would have expected them to go for Ryan Adams or Brad Emaus if they were looking for infield help; looks like they're stocking up SS backups for Ronny Cedeno since Jason Bartlett and JJ Hardy both were dealt.

-- The KC Royals took 22 year old RHP Nathan Adcock from the Bucs; he's spent the past two seasons in High A at Lynchburg and Bradenton. He was 11-7 with a 3.38 ERA at for the Marauders, but the Pirates thought they could sneak him through because he hadn't pitched in the upper levels yet.

And it is unlikely that the young and inexperienced Florida State All-Star is ready to stick around for a full MLB season yet, although stranger things have happened.

-- In the minor league portion of the draft, the Bucs took CF Bradley Chalk and C Travis Scott. Chalk, 24, was taken by the San Diego Padres in the 2nd round of the 2007 draft, and played three levels last year. He's speedy with a .340 OBP but no HR power. Scott, 25, also played first base and has appeared in just four games at the AA level for the Angels, but has shown a decent bat and good arm.

No comments: