Rule 5: Who Could Go?
The Rule 5 Draft is this morning, the anticlimactic denouement to the 2012 Winter Meetings.
As written last month, it’s nearly certain that the Nationals will not be taking anybody in the major-league phase, which is rather typical for first-division/contenders. Instead, there’s a chance that a couple of farmhands may be taken as they were a year ago.
However, there’s a difference between players selected and actually being gone for good. Both picks last year — Brad Meyers and Erik Komatsu — were eventually returned.
Here’s another pass at who might get taken, filtered through the lens of the most common categories of players selected in the MLB phase:
| Relievers | 4th OF | Utility IF |
| Pat Lehman | Destin Hood | Jeff Kobernus |
| Paul Demny | ||
| Pat McCoy | ||
| Rob Wort |
Of this group, only Lehman has AAA experience, which makes him the most likely to get selected, followed by Kobernus. But both are longshots in the big picture. There’s probably a better chance of the Nationals having players taken in the AAA and AA phases (and vice-versa), but as written previously, it’s impossible to even guess who because the protected lists are not publicly released.
Luke, I’m a little more nervous about this than you. I think Meyers development was delayed by all the Yankee b.s., when everyone knew they were not going to stash him for any length of time.
Here’s hoping this year is painless. Relievers are the easiest to stash for a bottom team like the Astros & Marlins.
Rosenbaum and Kobernus taken by Rockies and Red Sox respectively.
Well, Rosenbaum to the Rockies. To steal Brian Oliver’s line, “Rosenbaum in Coors? That’s going to end well.” Any chance he sticks the entire year?
Its up to him. Does he pitch like Milone or like Lannan? If he pitches like Lannan he won’t last.
per Sickle’s site, Rosenbaum and Kobernus gone in MLB draft, McGeary in AAA phase and Nelo in AA.
I may be misinterpreting the level but all those name listed.
fyi, an old prospect Michael Burgess selected from Cubs
Looks like Kobernus, Rosenbaum, Nelo, and McGreary.