News & Notes: Rule 5 Draft, Players In The Papers

 And this week's stuff...

• Rule 5 Draft, MLB Phase: Pittsburgh used the first pick in the Rule 5 Draft to select RHP Jose Soriano, 22, from the Angels. He had TJ surgery in February and isn't expected to be ready for action until at least May. The Pirates also reeled in RHP Luis Oviedo, 21, from Mets for cash or a PTBNL; New York got Oviedo from the Indians in today's lotto before flipping him. MLB Pipeline rates Oviedo as the organization’s 20th best prospect and Soria as 21st. Those two additions filled the Pirates 40-man roster and have to remain on the active roster or risk being lost.
• In the minor league phase, the Pirates selected Ps Shea Spitzbarth, 26, from the Dodgers organization and Jeffrey Passantino, 25, from the Cubs system. Both are high-strikeout guys who saw some AAA time, and look like depth acquisitions. Claudio Finol, 20, an infielder from the Reds, was also chosen and the project hasn't played above A ball yet. Unlike the MLB phase, these players become members of the Pirates with no preconditions. Robert Kelley of Bucs Dugout takes a look at the trio. 
• Draft stuff: The Bucs were awarded a competitive balance pick in the upcoming draft, the 65th overall pick between the second and third rounds; they also have the first selection every round. The Pirates pool is $14.395M and they can spend up to $14.935M by paying a fine but without losing a pick.

Ke'Bryan Hayes - 2021 Topps Big League

• Sarah Lang of Slang On Sports (through MLB.com) makes the case that the next star at third will be Ke'Bryan Hayes.
• Well, that was quick: The Baltimore Orioles claimed RHP Ashton Goudeau off waivers from the Pirates, which had claimed him just two weeks ago from Colorado before cutting him loose. The move gave the Bucs two openings on the 40-man roster, both of which were used, for the Rule 5 Draft.
• Most popular Bucs on the market? Jon Heyman of MLB Network sez RHP Joe Musgrove and 2B/OF Adam Frazier, while the Post Gazette's Jason Mackey heard that there's been a little Yankee tire-kicking of RHP Jameson Taillon and 1B Josh Bell.
• On the home front: Pitcher Geoff Hartlieb and his wife Alyse announced they are expecting their first child in June.
• The Pirates added five people to their revamped physical performance staff.
• After contraction, the Bucco minor league teams will be the Indy Indians (AAA), Altoona Curve (AA), Bradenton Marauders (A+) and Greensboro Grass Hoppers (A). They lost Charleston's West Virginia Power (future status TBD) and Morgantown's West Virginia Black Bears, which will play in a short-season drafted player's league.

Dick Allen - 1974 Topps

• The Wampum Walloper, Dick Allen, passed away on Monday at age 78. In 15 MLB seasons with the Phils, Cards, Dodgers, White Sox and A's, he hit .292 with 351 HR, 1,119 RBI, 1,099 runs scored and a Top-20 OPS+ of 156. Over his career, he made seven All Star clubs, won a Rookie of the Year (1964) and took home an MVP (1972).
• Adam Wainwright was the winner of the 2020 Roberto Clemente Award.