Wednesday’s News & Notes

24 Commments

1. Now that Komatsu is back that just leaves Brad Meyers. Any news on his recovery? I think I remember that he felt he was almost healthy at the end of Spring Training, but no word since a couple of practice games he threw then. I’m curious what the rules / protocols are if he gets to the point where he thinks he is healthy enough to play. Can the Yanks just stash him on the DL until next year (to keep flexibility) regardless of what he thinks? Or does he have any recourse (e.g., does the union even represent minor league players). Obviously, any complaining he might do could depend on which team he would prefer to be with. Also, if he does get healthy, is he allowed a 30 day rehab cycle in the minors as a Rule 5 player?

   1. A: Last I heard, he was having surgery (again).
      A: If a Rule 5 pick is not active for at least 90 days during the regular season, he’s eligible for the next Rule 5 draft.
      A: No, this is why getting added to the 40-man is such a big deal for players – whole new set of rules applies, not to mention a huge jump in salary
      A: Yes, as a member of the 40-man roster, an injured player can rehab up to 20 days (position) or 30 days (pitcher)

      Like all Rule 5 picks, the odds are that he’ll return to his original organization. Without knowing the exact surgery that was performed, I can’t speculate as to any sort of timetable for return, and as we saw yesterday with Chad Tracy, the estimate given is often laughably inaccurate.

      1. Since we’re on the topic, I’m assuming that Elvin Ramirez was eligible again for the Rule 5 draft in 2012, since he remained on the DL the entire year?

         Either way, it doesn’t seem to have hurt his development. So far he’s pitched 25.2 innings across AA and AAA. He has 32 Ks, 8 BB, just 12 H and only 2 ER in that span. Pretty impressive. Wish we could have worked out a deal with the Mets….

         1. Yes, which is why injured players make up the bulk of the players exposed to the Rule 5.

   2. The Yankees moved Meyers to the 60-day DL to make room on their 40-man for Ryota Igarashi.

2. With the Chiefs, which players (pitchers) qualify in the Rule 5 Draft?

   1. for the rule 5 draft, any guys whos first year was 09 that were drafted/signed at 19 and older. 08 for guys signed at the age of 18 and younger. guys whos first season was 06 will be minor league free agents at the end of the year(or guys who have been previously released)

      1. So for the Chiefs, here is how there roster breaks down as of today

         Erik Arnesen-MiLB FA
         Mitch Atkins-MiLB FA
         Austin Bibens-Dirkx-MiLB FA
         Adam Carr-MiLB FA
         Zach Duke-MiLB FA
         Jeff Fulchino-MiLB FA
         Waldis Joaquin-MiLB FA
         John Lannan-Arb eligable
         Pat Lehman- Rule V(first time)
         Yunesky Maya-Team Control
         Hassan Pena- Rule V
         Tanner Roark-Rule V
         Mike Schultz- MiLB FA
         Atahualpa Severino- Team Control
         Cory VanAllen- MiLB FA
         Josh Wilkie- MiLB FA
         Zech Zinicola- MiLB FA
         Rafael Martin- Team Control
         Jeff Howell- MiLB FA
         James Skelton- MiLB FA
         Seth Bynum- MiLB FA
         Jarrett Hoffpauir- MiLB FA
         Josh Johnson- MiLB FA
         Tyler Moore- Team Control
         Jim Negrych- MiLB FA
         Carlos Rivero- Team Control
         Mark Teahen- MiLB FA
         Brett Carroll- MiLB FA
         J.R. Higley- Rule V
         Erik Komatsu- Rule V
         Jason Michaels- MiLB FA
         Xavier Paul- MiLB FA

         1. What does “team control” mean? And out of the ones under that who has the best outlook for further years, success?

            1. Team control roughly equates to seven seasons, with year 1 being the year they were drafted, then six more years. Guys that were drafted in 2006 are now in their final year of “team control,” for example. This refers strictly to the minors because as mentioned elsewhere, everything changes once a guy gets put on the 40-man roster.

            2. Team control means that they are one the 40 man roster, with the exception of Martin who isnt yet eligible for the Rule V draft(signed 2010)

            3. If Martin is the exception for “Team Control” (not on 40 man roster) but is not yet eligible for the Rule V (when would he be?), where does he stand? Does Martin (someone similiar, considering age, year signed, performance) have a long term future with this team?

            4. Martin is an interesting exception as an IFA (International Free Agent) but it’s probably safe to say he’s hit his ceiling. He’s not Rule 5 eligible until after next season, but he’ll also be on the edge of 30 at that point.

         2. Wow, thanks Jeff.

            1. FYI, The Nats Draft Tracker (link in the upper right of the page under “Resources”) lists the Rule 5 eligibility year for each of the players that the Nats have drafted — a handy resource that’s available whenever you need.

3. Not to be a downer, but as we approach June, a look at the performances to date shows the system really having a down year. I know injuries have slowed or prevented some of top prospects from showing their true talent (Goodwin, Rendon, Purke), but let’s face it, only Skole, Rosembaum, Brown, and Martinson, have really stood out. And of these four, one is 26, two are or will turn 23 and in A-ball, and the other is starting to come back down to earth after a great start (Rosenbaum). Others like Meyers, Ray and Taylor are having up and down seasons and others that I thought would take the next step are not (Kelso,Hood,Walters, Keyes, Oduber, Perez, Hague). In fact, they may be even regressing. I know it’s still early, but any thoughts on the state of farm system so far?

   1. Some individual performances have stood out in the Eastern League so far. Stolen bases Kobernus 1st, Rahl tied 3rd, Perez tied 5th. RBI Rahl tied 6th. Runs Rahl 7th. HR Pahuta and Rahl tied 11th. Slg % Rahl 12th. Average Valdez 13th. Total Bases Pahuta 9th Rahl 11th.

      All of these come while playing in a pitcher friendly park (size) and in a lineup with very little protection or help. While Kobernus has led off a good deal Pahuta usually bats 4th and Rahl 5th or 6th. There is usually people in front of those two with poor OBP.

      Hood and Perez have been in over their heads for much of the season and Valdez has a hollow average. With Johnson and Leon gone the line up has been weak and the wins have been fewer.

   2. I think five starts is too soon to tell on Robbie Ray — I’ve only seen him a couple of times and it’s already an improvement. Freitas has cooled off from red-hot to merely smokin’ (easy boys, I thought about making a comp to some womenfolk then thought better of it) while Taylor is going through the usual growing pains. Same goes for Meyer.

      I’m not surprised that with the draft just around the corner, not to mention with the poor first outing from Purke today, that DC’s roots as a football town would show. Yesterday we got a great look at the next wave and the past puffery (“This guy will be in DC in two years”) gets brought up in the context of some poor performances of late. (Before you call me a hypocrite, yeah, I’m thinking my initial enthusiasm for Ricky Hague may have been a little over the top).

      This offseason I did mention that I felt like this upcoming draft will be a seminal one because it’s the first one in several seasons that the Nats are picking from the middle of the pack instead of in the Top 10. I also believe that after several years of being heavily tilted towards college seniors, the Nats need to start diversifying their portfolio and going after some HS and JuCo guys. All things easier said than done, and of course, I defer to the likes of Brian Oliver and my guest columnist Sean Hogan when it comes to the draft.

4. Under “team control” is there any exceptions? Age, for example? Are they almost guaranteed to be on the 40-man roster? Can they get let go before the seven years or must they finish 7 years regardless?

   1. No, no, and no — especially with the new CBA that has outlawed putting guys on the 40-man from Day One. A handful of guys will get drafted this June only to be let go in December. Bear in mind each June there are up to 40 new guys added to the system, so there’s always going to be roughly a couple of dozen guys released over the course of a calendar year.

      1. The players that are on “team control” right now could they be released at the end of the season? What happens when these player (if) they get released, do they go into Rule 5 Draft, FA, independent??

         1. They could get released today. If so, a fraction will re-sign with another organization. Another slice will hook on in the indys, but most of them will be done w/ pro baseball.

            1. It doesn’t matter when they signed? They wont keep them around for a couple of years to try them out, train them? What if they just Signed 2010, for example.Basically, this guys are the ones that have to prove the most to stick around. Pressure.

            2. Yes, the ‘cycle of life’ in a microcosm. Most of these guys released are basically done, with the death of their careers at (for most) a very young age.
               I often think it’s better that my arm never let me pitch past high school; it has to be so much more painful at 22,23 or 24 to be told the life you want to live is over.

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