Rule 5 Preview, Part 2

Picking up where we left off yesterday (sorry, but this time of year, whenever I can break up a post idea to keep the site fresh, I’m gonna do it), Baseball America has listed its potential targets for the Rule 5 draft.
I’m passing along the 21 non-Nationals named, grouping them by type…

Blaine Hardy, LHRP (Royals) — Turns 25 in March, features an average slider that’s deceptive due to a short-arm delivery. Pitched mostly at AA in ’11 with 1.109 WHIP in 39⅔ IP before making like a narc at biker rally in 29IP at Omaha (1.966).

Brandon Sisk, LHRP (Royals) — Unlike Hardy, Sisk went from AA to AAA and did even better, dropping his WHIP form 1.047 to 1.000 on the nose, despite a rise in his walk rate (2.2 to 4.5). Features average FB and CU and a “fringy” CV. Turns 27 in July 2012.

Joseph Ortiz, LHRP (Rangers) — Just turned 21 (August), Ortiz’s best offering is a slider which is tough on lefties (.200/.243/.308 in the Carolina League) considering the low plane that the 5’7″ southpaw works with.

Trevor Reckling, LHSP (Angels) — A drop in velocity (from 91-94 to 86-89) is BA’s explanation for his exposure but has a deceptive delivery and a killer curve that could make him a LOOGY project. Turns 23 in May 2012.

T.J. McFarland, LHSP (Indians) — A solid starter in his days at Kinston (11-5, 3.13 in ’10) that features a sinker, slider, and change but rarely cracks 90. Keeps the ball the ball on the ground (2.5:1 GO/AO in ’11 for AA Akron). Turns 23 in June 2012.

Diego Moreno, RHRP (Pirates) — High-90s FB to complement a sinker/slider but has durability concerns (never thrown more than 50IP as a pro), not to mention the 25-y.o. Venezuelan has just 14IP at AA.

Bryce Stowell, RHRP (Indians) — An elbow injury, which shortened his ’11 to 38⅔IP and dropped his velocity from high 90s to mid-90s and fringy secondary pitches are the “yeah, buts” for this just-turned-25-y.o. that BA thinks could be a setup man.

Johan Yan, RHRP (Rangers) — A converted infielder, this recently turned 23-y.o. Dominican throws from a sidearm angle to deal low-90s two-seamers and sliders. Limited AA exposure (26⅔ innings) but BA considers his ceiling as a setup man.

Brett Lorin, RHSP (Pirates) — Had hip surgery in 2010 but put in 117⅓ IP for Hi-A Bradenton. A sinker/slider/command pitcher without AA experience but has the size (6’7″, 245) that most folks covet.

Ryan Searle, RHSP (Cubs) — Dominant at Hi-A (1.59 ERA, 1.165 WHIP) but less so at AA (3.51 ERA, 1.465), this 22-y.o. Aussie has had both command and attitude problems. Throws classic repetoire (FB/CH/CV/SL) but has had trouble vs. LHBs (.336 OBA).

Justin Fitzgerald, RHSP (Giants) — Turns 26 in March, and has moved up the ladder steadily. A college closer but has started the past two seasons at Hi-A and AA, using a cutter, slider, change. Mostly worked in 87-91 range, but could occasionally hit 94/95.

Caleb Brewer, RHSP (Braves) — A roll-the-dice candidate per BA, given his career 5.7BB/9 and his mid-90s FB and sharp low-80s SL. Turns 23 in February but has just 21IP above Low-A — four starts for the Lynchburg Hillcats (5.14ERA, 1.857WHIP).

Dae-Eun Rhee, RHSP (Cubs) — Missed most of ’09 with TJ surgery but is coming off two consecutive 100+ IP seasons in the FSL with strong ratios (8.25K to 3.0BB) and utilizes the aforementioned classic arsenal. Turns 23 in March 2012.

Abraham Almonte, OF (Yankees) — A switch-hitting Dominican speedster (30SB in ’11) who lost most of ’10 to injury. Has yet to play in AA but is considered defensively advanced. Doesn’t turn 23 until June 2012.

Eduardo Sosa, OF (Yankees) — A 20-y.o. Venezuelan that, like Almonte, has the legs and glove to be stashed on a deep A.L. bench and then returned to the minors for further development.

Jiwan James, OF (Phillies) — Drafted as a pitcher, but converted to hitting when shoulder problems arose. At one point Philadelphia’s #9 prospect, BA says he’s a tools guy learning to develop skills.

Jordan Danks, OF (White Sox) — Yes, he’s John Danks brother. Has spent the past two seasons at AAA Charlotte putting up a modest .251/.329/.400 line and could be drafted to be a platoon OF, though he’s a defense-first player despite 6’4″, 210 size.

Ryan Flaherty, UT (Cubs) — Could be this year’s Michael Martinez due to his comp as a LH version of Mark DeRosa with his five-position defensive skills and .809 OPS in 450 games. Turns 26 next July.

Justin Henry, UT (Tigers) — Zero power but another can-play-anywhere type (has played every position but catcher) and gets on base (career .373 OBP). Turns 27 next April.

Drew Cumberland, MI (Padres) — Spent 2011 on the DL with bilateral vestibulopathy (a.k.a. vertigo) Allegedly he’s been given medical clearance to resume playing. Prior to his spin, er, stint on the DL, he put up a .350/.385/.430 line over 75 games in 2010. Turns 23 in January.

Beamer Weems, SS (Padres) — A defense-first SS with a strong arm and good hands, but bats from the right side without plus speed = harder to carry him as a reserve. Turns 25 in July.