Rule 5 Basics

By Josh Boyd
December 12, 2001

Keith Reed Photo: Steve Moore

BOSTON--The Rule 5 draft is not exactly creating a buzz amid the trade rumors floating around the lobby at the Sheraton--the host hotel for the Winter Meetings--but Baseball America faithful are as interested in why the Phillies didn't protect Miguel Ascencio as they are about Jason Giambi's contract.

Several intriguing prospects highlight what one scouting director referred to as a "mediocre list" of major league Rule 5 eligibles. There's no shortage of live-armed pitchers available including Ascencio, Rene Miniel (Red Sox), Jorge Sosa (Mariners) and Edison Reynoso (Yankees).

One scout said teams could really use the Rule 5 to their advantage if they have done their homework during the season. "They can catch lightning in a bottle," he said. It's rare, but the risk factor is low. Players selected in the major league phase cost $50,000 each.

If they aren't kept on the selecting club's 25-man big league roster throughout the following season, they must first clear waivers and then be offered back to their original team for $25,000.

Last year's first overall pick Scott Chiasson projects as a potential closer/setup man for the Cubs with his mid-90s heat, and he wouldn't be the first strong-armed righty-turned-closer plucked out of the Rule 5. The Marlins selected Matt Mantei from the Mariners in 1994 and after four injury-plagued seasons, he emerged as one of baseball's premier closers.

The Rule 5 draft also yields veteran journeymen like Rich DeLucia and Ed Vosberg, who are major league-ready. Most picks tend to be projects, and most who survive the season on the 25-man roster are pitchers.

This year's draft takes place Thursday at 9 a.m. The following is a list of interesting prospects eligible for the major league phase:

Adam Roller, rhp, Yankees
The Yankees exposed several power-armed prospects, but Roller could be the closest to the majors. He dominated the high Class A Florida State League with his 91-95 mph heavy sinking fastball last season to the tune of a 2-3, 1.20 record and 23 saves. Roller allowed 42 hits and 15 walks in 68 innings while punching out 75. He's a two-pitch pitcher with command, though his hard slider could use more bite and depth. Righthanders Edison Reynoso, who signed for $900,000 earlier this year, and Julio DePaula, or lefty David Martinez are highly regarded Yankees prospects who could attract attention as well.

Miguel Ascencio, rhp, Phillies
Ascencio emerged in 2001 at high Class A Clearwater after three uninspiring seasons in the lower rungs of the Phillies system. The 21-year-old Dominican went 12-5 with an FSL-best 2.84 ERA, 124 hits and 123 strikeouts in 155 innings. His improvement has been attributed to improved mechanics, which he showed the ability to consistently repeat throughout the season. He still struggled with command, walking 70, but he could draw interest from a team who could hide him in the pen for a year. The Phillies lost righthander Derrick Turnbow to the Angels two years ago.

Jeremy Hill, rhp, Royals
Hill was converted from catcher to the bullpen after hitting .229 with 14 home runs over the course of five seasons. The initial results were encouraging. Hill dominated low Class A Midwest League hitters with a 93-95 mph fastball that sometimes threatened triple digits. He went 0-2, 1.51 and surrendered 22 hits in 48 innings for a miniscule .138 average against. Hill struck out 66 and walked 25 before finishing his first season on the mound in high Class A Wilmington's bullpen, where he registered 13 more strikeouts in 12 innings. Hill was making progress on a hard slider to complement his gas in instructional league.

Nick Roberts, rhp, Astros
Roberts easily gets lost in the shuffle in an Astros farm full of pitching prospects, but his stuff may not be ignored by other organizations when it comes time to pick on Thursday. Roberts, 25, has posted a 29-15 record since he was drafted in the seventh round out of Southern Utah State in 1999. He went 10-1, 2.95 at low Class A Lexington before earning a promotion to Double-A Round Rock for his final seven starts. Not overpowering, he has command of four pitches, including an 88-92 mph late moving fastball, curveball, slider and change. He boosted his stock with an excellent showing in the Arizona Fall League.

Rene Miniel and Franklin Francisco, rhp, Red Sox
The Red Sox opted to protect seven first basemen, Izzy Alcantara, Tony Clark, Brian Daubach, Juan Diaz, Luis Garcia, Calvin Pickering and Dernell Stenson instead of a pair of power arms in Miniel and Francisco. Neither righty has pitched above low Class A Augusta, where they spent the 2001 season, but both have power arms. Miniel, 20, moved into the rotation last season and earned Augusta's pitcher-of-the-year honors after spending three seasons in the bullpen with mixed success. He pitches in the 91-93 mph range and regularly touches 94-95. His power curveball is in the early stages of developing into a consistent plus offering, but his changeup and command need work. While Miniel is wiry, the bulky Francisco evokes Armando Benitez comparisons. Pitching out of the pen in Augusta, Francisco went 4-3, 2.91 with 90 strikeouts in 68 innnings. His 90-94 mph fastball and plus 80-mph curveball helped him limit South Atlantic League opponents to a .168 average.

Keith Reed, of, Orioles
One of the biggest surprise omissions when 40-man rosters were announced, Reed was an Orioles first-round pick in 1999 and emerged as the organization's No. 1 prospect following the 2000 season. A gifted natural athlete, Reed is still young to baseball after spending most of his amateur career playing basketball. Reed, 23, split last season between Class A Frederick, Double-A Bowie and Triple-A Rochester, but they are taking a calculated risk by leaving him off their roster because he is still so raw. His tools and sleek 6-foot-4, 215-pound body could have some team convinced they can get develop his bat. He needs another 500-plus at-bats in the minors, so a year at the end of a bench in the minors will hinder his development.

Jorge Sosa, rhp, Mariners
The Mariners swiped Sosa away from the Rockies last year in the Triple-A phase of the Rule 5 draft and converted the former outfielder (he hit .222 in 811 career at-bats) to the mound. Sosa flirted with 100 mph in extended spring training before making his pro pitching debut in short-season Everett. In 21 appearances, the 23-year-old went 3-1, 1.69. The Northwest League is eons from the majors, but his 98-mph electric fastball could help him get by at any level as he learns the finer points of pitching.

David Lundquist, rhp, Padres
Lundquist rejuvenated his career when he signed with the Padres in February 2001. After logging 21 innings for the White Sox in 1999, his career took him through Aberdeen in the independent Atlantic League before the Padres rediscovered his power arm. Coming off of shoulder surgery, Lundquist went 4-7, 3.11 in Triple-A Portland before landing a job in the Padres bullpen late in the season. The 28-year-old righthander was pumping 95 mph in his first big league appearance and he touched 97 in Triple-A. An improved slider also helped Lundquist find his way back to the majors and could help him attract serious attention with another club next spring.

Others prospects of note: Darnell McDonald, of, Orioles; Brent Hoard, lhp, Twins; Franklin Gracesqui, lhp, Blue Jays; Manny Acosta, rhp, Yankees; Lamont Mathews, of, Dodgers; Felix Escalona, 2b, Astros; Mike Nannini, rhp, Astros; Justin Reid, rhp, Pirates; Tommy Marx, lhp, Tigers; Michael Neu, rhp, Reds; Lee Evans, c, Pirates; Jimmy Deschaine, ss/3b, Cubs; Kevin Hooper, 2b, Marlins; Corey Thurman, rhp, Royals; Mario Valenzuela, of, White Sox; Joel Peralta, rhp, Angels; Domingo Valdez, rhp, Rangers; Matt McClendon, rhp, Braves; Al Garza, rhp, Indians.