Which Players Did Your Team Add To Its 40-Man Roster?

Players shielded from Rule 5 are at least peripherally in organization's future plans

By Matt Eddy, Conor Glassey and J.J. Cooper
December 6, 2012


The Rule 5 draft highlights players who major league organizations did not deem worthy of inclusion on 40-man rosters, whether because they lack a carrying tool, they're too far away from the majors or because of poor makeup or work ethic.

But where does that leave the 130 players who did make their way onto 40-man rosters ahead of the Nov. 20 deadline? After all, they're the ones deemed to be big league material. They'll be drawing big league paychecks. They'll be attending big league spring training.

So to give those players their due, we present all 40-man additions (alpha by team) along with a best attribute that got them protected and a key number to monitor as you follow them this season.

Org	Pos	Player	Age	Level	Best Attribute
ARI	RHP	Chase Anderson	25	Double-A	Plus changeup in any count
Key Number: 2.86 ERA, lowest in Southern League for pitchers with 100+ IP
ARI	RHP	Charles Brewer	24	Triple-A	Durability & control
Key Number: 26 HR allowed, most in PCL this season
ARI	CF	Keon Broxton	22	Triple-A	Plus athlete; longshot chance for 5 tools
Key Number: 4—consecutive years OPS has increased
ARI	LHP	Eury de la Rosa	22	Double-A	Cutter to attack lefties
Key Number: .178 average allowed to LHB at Double-A
ARI	RHP	Eric Smith	24	Double-A	Sinker induces groundballs
Key Number: 1.83 career groundout/flyout ratio
ATL	C	Christian Bethancourt	21	Double-A	Double-plus arm & agility behind plate
Key Number: 39 CS%, in line with career rate
ATL	RHP	David Hale	25	Double-A	Plus fastball delivered with deception & run
Key Number: 1.9 SO-to-BB ratio points to future in relief
ATL	RHP	Aaron Northcraft	22	High-A	Life on fastball & changeup
Key Number: 9.5 SO/9, best among Carolina League starters
ATL	RHP	Cory Rasmus	25	Double-A	Plus changeup with fade
Key Number: 50 games in first year in pen after injury-plagued 2011
ATL	RHP	Zeke Spruill	23	Double-A	Plus low-90s sinker, control & durability
Key Number: 161.2 innings, most in the Southern League
BAL	LHP	Mike Belfiore	24	Double-A	Fastball/slider mix for matchup role
Key Number: .160 AVG—EL lefties went 8-for-50 with 19 whiffs
BAL	2B	Jonathan Schoop	21	Double-A	Strength & bat speed to hit for power
Key Number: 14 home runs, a career high
BOS	C	Dan Butler	26	Triple-A	60 arm used to gun down 33% of basestealers
Key Number: 5—number of catchers on Boston's 40-man roster, including Butler
BOS	RF	Alex Hassan	24	Triple-A	Plate discipline
Key Number: .391 career on-base percentage in minors
BOS	C	Christian Vazquez	22	Double-A	Solid catch-and-throw skills
Key Number: 4—times he's been named best defensive catcher for Red Sox
BOS	RHP	Allen Webster	22	Double-A	70 fastball that touches 96 mph
Key Number: 129—days between two home runs allowed in 2012
BOS	RHP	Alex Wilson	26	Triple-A	A fastball that tops out at 98 mph
Key Number: .316 average allowed to lefty batters
BOS	RHP	Steve Wright	28	Triple-A	Hard knuckleball in style of R.A. Dickey
Key Number: 2.44 ERA ranked second in EL
CHC	RHP	Trey McNutt	23	Double-A	Solid-average fastball bumps 93 mph
Key Number: 32nd-round find in 2009
CHC	3B	Christian Villanueva	21	High-A	Slick glove at hot corner
Key Number: .283 career average in minors
CHC	2B	Logan Watkins	23	Double-A	Swift, aggressive baserunner
Key Number: 76 walks, second-most for Cubs minor leaguers
CHC	RHP	Robert Whitenack	24	High-A	Finds zone with three pitches
Key Number: 5.96 ERA in high Class A in 2012
CHW	CF	Jared Mitchell	24	Triple-A	Flashes five average tools; master of none
Key Number: 31% of PA ended with strikeouts at Birmingham in 2012
CHW	C	Josh Phegley	24	Triple-A	Has shown swing, feel to hit for average
Key Number: 96 games caught as he moves further from health scare
CHW	RHP	Andre Rienzo	24	Triple-A	Plus fastball touches 94 mph
Key Number: 3 levels in 2012 as he worked around drug suspension
CHW	LHP	Santos Rodriguez	24	Triple-A	Tailing fastball touches 95 mph
Key Number: 8.7 SO/9 indicates power stuff even righties don't hit
CHW	RHP	Charlie Shirek	27	Triple-A	Throws strikes with four pitches
Key Number: 1.5 BB/9, the best rate among International Lge starters
CIN	RHP	Carlos Contreras	21	High-A	Three plus pitches at his best
Key Number: 9.3 SO/9, mostly at low Class A
CIN	RHP	Daniel Corcino	22	Double-A	Plus fastball up to 95 mph
Key Number: 3.01 ERA ranked second in Southern Lge
CIN	LHP	Ismael Guillon	20	Low-A	Plus changeup has outmatched young hitters
Key Number: 3.7 BB/9 rate signifies progress
CIN	RHP	Curtis Partch	25	Double-A	Sits 94-98 mph with boring action
Key Number: .922 OPS allowed to Double-A lefty batters
CIN	RHP	Josh Ravin	24	Double-A	Plus fastball, avg curveball with inconsistent results
Key Number: 6 BB/9 in 467 career innings
CIN	RF	Yorman Rodriguez	20	Low-A	Plus run, power & arm, but shaky hit & makeup
Key Number: 3-to-39 BB-to-SO at high Class A before demotion
CLE	CF	Tim Fedroff	25	Triple-A	Solid outfield glove
Key Number: .316 average ranked third among Indians' farmhands
CLE	RHP	Trey Haley	22	Double-A	70 fastball at times reaching 97 mph
Key Number: 2.6 K-BB ratio, a personal best
CLE	LHP	T.J. House	23	Double-A	Three average pitches
Key Number: 3.0 BB/9, a reduction of one per 9 versus career
CLE	RHP	Chen Lee	26	Triple-A	Plus fastball
Key Number: 7 innings prior to Tommy John surgery in 2012
COL	SS	Cristhaian Adames	21	High-A	Plus glove & arm
Key Number: 21—he's still young enough to enhane bat
COL	RHP	Joe Gardner	24	Double-A	Sinker induces groundballs
Key Number: 2.0 groundout/airout ratio for career
COL	RF	Tim Wheeler	24	Triple-A	Power potential
Key Number: 2—home runs hit on heels of 33 HR season
DET	SS	Dixon Machado	20	High-A	Excellent defense & arm
Key Number: Two homers in high Class A first since 2009
DET	RHP	Melvin Mercedes	22	High-A	Lively 94-96 mph fastball, biting slider
Key Number: 6.4 SO/9 for career hard to reconcile with stuff
DET	RHP	Bruce Rondon	21	Triple-A	Hits 100 mph regularly
Key Number: 1.51 ERA, 65 saves from 2010-present
HOU	RHP	Jose Cisnero	23	Triple-A	Live fastball, up to 95-96 at times
Key Number: 9.6 SO/9 in 489 career innings
HOU	RHP	Jarred Cosart	22	Triple-A	very live FB, sits 94-98 at times
Key Number: Just 17 HR allowed in 355 career IP
HOU	CF	Robbie Grossman	23	Double-A	Plate discipline
Key Number: .379 career OBP
HOU	RHP	Chia-Jen Lo	26	High-A	Has touched 94 mph, returned from TJ
Key Number: 47 IP the last three years
HOU	LHP	Brett Oberholtzer	23	Triple-A	4-pitch LH strikethrower
Key Number: 320+ IP the last two years combined
HOU	RHP	Ross Seaton	23	Triple-A	Strike-thrower had best K & BB rates of career
Key Number: 169 innings, he hasn't missed a start in 3 years
HOU	SS	Jonathan Villar	21	Double-A	Double-plus range; plus arm & run
Key Number: strikes out in 27 percent of ABs in 2012 at AA
KC	LHP	Chris Dwyer	24	Triple-A	Curveball draws some 70 grades
Key Number: 4.99 career ERA
KC	RHP	Juan Gutierrez	29	Triple-A	Plus fastball
Key Number: 150—games in majors
KC	LHP	Donnie Joseph	25	Triple-A	Fastball up to 95 mph
Key Number: 11.9 SO/9 for career
KC	LHP	John Lamb	22	Rookie	Best command in system prior to TJ
Key Number: 48 innings—total for past two seasons combined
KC	LHP	Justin Marks	24	Triple-A	Average control of average stuff
Key Number: 4—extra-base hits allowed to lefthanders in 2012
KC	LHP	Mike Montgomery	23	Triple-A	Plus changeup a consistent out-pitch
Key Number: 2010, the last year with an ERA under 5.00
LAA	RHP	Ryan Brasier	25	Triple-A	Double-plus fastball bumps 97 mph
Key Number: 8.3 SO/9 as reliever in Triple-A
LAA	LHP	Brandon Sisk	27	Triple-A	Average secondary stuff for specialist role
Key Number: 9.8 SO/9 ranked 4th among PCL relievers
LAA	CF	Travis Witherspoon	23	Double-A	Plus speed, range & arm
Key Number: 83 percent SB success rate in minors
LAD	RHP	Steve Ames	24	Double-A	Solid-average fastball at 92-94 mph
Key Number: 76—second-most walks in Florida State Lge
LAD	RHP	Matt Magill	23	Double-A	Plus fastball
Key Number: 168—most strikeouts in Southern League
MIA	RF	Kyle Jensen	24	Double-A	Power
Key Number: 24—Third-most home runs in the Southern League this year
MIA	LHP	Edgar Olmos	22	Double-A	Velocity up to 96 mph
Key Number: 5.18—Career BB/9
MIA	RF	Marcell Ozuna	22	High-A	Power
Key Number: 24—Most home runs in the Florida State League in 2012
MIA	C	Kyle Skipworth	22	Double-A	Power; catch-and-throw skills
Key Number: 6th, as in just five players taken ahead of him in '08 draft
MIL	RHP	Nick Bucci	22	High-A	Solid four-pitch mix
Key Number: 10, number of starts due to shoulder injury
MIL	RHP	Hiram Burgos	25	Triple-A	Feel for pitching, three fringe offerings
Key Number: 1.16 WHIP at Double-A and Triple-A
MIL	LF	Khris Davis	24	Triple-A	Good power to all fields
Key Number: .522 SLG in 32 games at Triple-A
MIL	2B	Scooter Gennett	22	Double-A	Contact, line-drive hitting approach
Key Number: 156 hits, second in Southern League
MIL	CF	Josh Prince	24	Double-A	Solid speed & range for converted SS
Key Number: 41 steals, No. 2 to Billy Hamilton in Southern Lge
MIN	RHP	Kyle Gibson	25	Triple-A	flashes plus FB, SL & CHG
Key Number: 28 SO in 23 IP in AFL, ranked 3rd in AFL
MIN	RHP	B.J. Hermsen	22	Double-A	Command
Key Number: 1.7 BB/9 in 477 IP; tops out at 91-92 mph
MIN	CF	Aaron Hicks	23	Double-A	Plus athlete with 70 arm
Key Number: .379: career OBP
MIN	C	Josmil Pinto	23	Double-A	Power; solid catch-and-throw skills
Key Number: career-high 14 HRs in 2012
MIN	SS	Danny Santana	22	High-A	Switch-hitting fast-twitch middle INF
Key Number: .739 OPS in FSL, best year of career
MIN	LHP	Caleb Thielbar	25	Triple-A	Touches 90-91, SL & CHG
Key Number: .240 — avg against by LH hitters
MIN	RHP	Mike Tonkin	23	High-A	FB up to 97
Key Number: 12.6 K/9 in 2012
MIN	RHP	Tim Wood	30	Triple-A	92-94 mph fastball; slider up to 87
Key Number: 8.6 SO/9 & .213 AVG in best Triple-A campaign
NYM	RHP	Greg Burke	30	Triple-A	Minor lge FA sign throws from sidearm slot
Key Number: .477 OPS allowed to Triple-A righties
NYM	RHP	Gonzalez Germen	25	Triple-A	Best changeup in system
Key Number: 2.5 BB/9 at three levels in 2012
NYM	LHP	Darin Gorski	25	Double-A	Throws three pitches & durable
Key Number: 19 homers allowed to Double-A righties
NYM	RHP	Hansel Robles	22	Short-season	Locates low-90s fastball and trusts changeup
Key Number: 1.11 ERA, 0.78 WHIP both led NY-Penn Lge
NYM	SS	Wilfredo Tovar	21	Double-A	Slick fielder who started to hit a bit in 2012
Key Number: 70 points, the positive difference in OPS from 2011
NYM	RHP	Zack Wheeler	22	Triple-A	Mid-90s heat gets on hitters quick
Key Number: 149 innings after a pair of injury-shortened efforts
NYY	LHP	Manny Banuelos	21	Triple-A	A fastball up to 96 when healthy
Key Number: 24 innings in 2012 before being shut down with elbow pain
NYY	LF	Ramon Flores	20	Double-A	Hitting ability
Key Number: 156—most hits in the Florida State League in 2012
NYY	RHP	Brett Marshall	22	Double-A	Plus fastball
Key Number: 120 SO in 2012 ranked 6th in the Eastern League
NYY	RHP	Jose Ramirez	22	High-A	Plus fastball
Key Number: 3.19 ERA in 2012
NYY	LHP	Francicso Rondon	24	Triple-A	Plus fastball
Key Number: 80 strikeouts, third most of any Yankees minor league reliever
NYY	LHP	Nik Turley	23	Double-A	Plus curveball
Key Number: Led the FSL with a 2.89 ERA in 2012
OAK	LF	Grant Green	25	Triple-A	Versatility
Key Number: 5—number of positions played in Triple-A (SS, 3B, 2B, CF & LF)
OAK	RHP	Arnold Leon	24	Triple-A	Average fastball
Key Number: 39—average number of innings since 2008
OAK	LF	Shane Peterson	24	Triple-A	Speed and defense
Key Number: .379 career OBP in the minor leagues
OAK	RHP	Michael Ynoa	21	Short-season	Projection
Key Number: 39 career innings since signing for $4.25 million in 2008
PHI	CF	Zach Collier	22	High-A	Athleticism
Key Number: 8—career home runs
PHI	RHP	Ethan Martin	23	Double-A	70 fastball
Key Number: 147 strikeouts in 2012, fourth-most for Phillies farmhands
PHI	RHP	Trevor May	23	Double-A	Plus changeup
Key Number: 541 strikeouts from 2010-2012 (most in minors)
PHI	RHP	Jon Pettibone	22	Triple-A	Above-average control
Key Number: 2 complete games in 2012
PIT	RHP	Vic Black	24	Double-A	Velo—up to 97 in the Arizona Fall Lge
Key Number: 12.8 SO/9 highest in the Eastern League
PIT	C	Ramon Cabrera	23	Triple-A	Defense
Key Number: .994 fielding percentage in 2012
PIT	RHP	Phil Irwin	25	Triple-A	Command
Key Number: 24 walks allowed in 130 innings
PIT	C	Tony Sanchez	24	Triple-A	Solid defense
Key Number: 4th overall pick in 2009
PIT	RHP	Hunter Strickland	24	Double-A	Control
Key Number: 1.89 career BB/9
SAIN	RHP	Michael Blazek	23	Triple-A	Lively 92-93 mph FB; starter's repertoire
Key Number: 12 homers allowed in 83 innings dings stock
SAIN	RHP	Keith Butler	23	Double-A	Slurvy breaking ball thrown any time
Key Number: .216/.288/.294 line mustered by righty batters
SAIN	RHP	Eric Fornataro	24	Double-A	Fastball sits 95-97 mph
Key Number: .288 SLG by opponents in 2012
SAIN	LHP	Kevin Siegrist	23	Double-A	91-93 mph fastball with good run
Key Number: .179 AVG by lefty batters
SAND	RF	Yeison Asencio	23	Low-A	Feel to hit; formerly known as Yoan Alcantara
Key Number: .323 AVG led the Midwest Lge but it's not pretty
SAND	RF	Jaff Decker	22	Double-A	Solid power, just not in 2012
Key Number: Needs better balance between HR and SO output
SAND	RHP	Adys Portillo	20	Double-A	Big fastball up to 98 mph, power curve
Key Number: 4.4 BB/9—an improved ratio, but room to grow
SANF	RHP	Jake Dunning	24	Double-A	Heavy sinking fastball up to 96 mph
Key Number: .227—average as a SS before converting to mound in 2010
SANF	LHP	Edwin Escobar	20	Low-A	Solid-avg FB with very good pitchability
Key Number: 122—the 7th-most strikeouts in the South Atlantic Lge
SANF	RHP	Chris Heston	24	Double-A	Control and pitchability
Key Number: 4—number of consecutive years he's lowered ERA and raised SO
SANF	SS	Nick Noonan	23	Triple-A	Lefthanded line-drive swing
Key Number: .296 average, ranked 7th highest in Giants system in 2012
SANF	RF	Juan Perez	26	Double-A	60 speed & cannon arm
Key Number: .302 average, ranked 8th in the Eastern Lge in 2012
SEA	3B	Vinnie Catricala	24	Triple-A	Hitting, but bat was hollow this year
Key Number: .381—difference in OPS from 2011 to 2012
SEA	LHP	Anthony Fernandez	22	Double-A	Poised lefty with pitchability
Key Number: 134 strikeouts, third most in stacked Seattle system
SEA	LHP	Bobby LaFromboise	26	Triple-A	88-90 with late slider from sidearm slot
Key Number: .405 OPS versus lefthanders
SEA	RHP	Brandon Maurer	22	Double-A	Fastball up to 97 mph, good secondary
Key Number: 138 innings, a career high
SEA	OF	Julio Morban	20	High-A	Hitting and power potential
Key Number: .583 slugging away from High Desert in 2012
TB	SS	Tim Beckham	22	Triple-A	Premium bat speed, raw power
Key Number: 50 games—suspension served by 2008 first overall pick
TB	SS	Hak-Ju Lee	22	Double-A	Plus shortstop defender & runner
Key Number: Ranked No. 8 prospect in Southern League
TB	LHP	Felipe Rivero	21	Low-A	Plus control of sinker, slider
Key Number: 29 walks in 113 innings
TB	LHP	Enny Romero	21	High-A	Velocity—up to 97 mph from left side
Key Number: 5.4 BB/9 this season, a tick worse than last year
TEX	2B	Leury Garcia	21	Double-A	Best speed, INF arm in stacked system
Key Number: Three—as in 2B, SS & CF positions for max utility
TEX	LHP	Joe Ortiz	22	Triple-A	Hard slider to attack lefties
Key Number: 5-foot-7, the same height as Royals LHP Tim Collins
TOR	SS	Ryan Goins	24	Double-A	Solid defensive tools & leadoff-type bat
Key Number: 158 hits, most in the Eastern League
TOR	C	A.J. Jimenez	22	Double-A	Plus arm strength
Key Number: 3 1/2, the months missed after TJ surgery
WAS	RHP	Erik Davis	26	Triple-A	Rubber arm
Key Number: 3.7 K-BB ratio est. career high after switch to bullpen
WAS	RHP	Nate Karns	25	High-A	Above-average fastball bumps 95
Key Number: 11.5 SO/9 led all qualified minor leaguers