Rule 5 draft…..now and then
Is there another Odubel Herrera out there?
Two winter meetings ago the Phillies selected Herrera in the Rule 5 draft from the Rangers organization. He’s turned into a solid every day centerfielder and one of the major building blocks for the Phillies.
This year’s draft is coming up next week, Thursday to be specific, the morning of the final day of baseball’s winter meetings in National Harbor, MD. The Phillies will have the eighth pick in the first round. The Phillies are making their list and checking it twice.
Mike Ondo is the Phillies’ Director of Pro Scouting. His office is located in the baseball administration wing on the Hall of Fame Club level at Citizens Bank Park. He’s been reading reports from his pro scout staff, minor league managers and coaches and Phillies personnel involved in the Venezuela, Dominican Republic, Puerto Rico and Mexico winter leagues. Two years ago, the Phillies got a good report on Herrera out of Venezuela at this time of the year.
Supplementing scouting opinions are reports from the analytical department which is also based in the baseball administration wing. Goal is to use every available resource in evaluating players, whether it is for the draft, waiver claims, free agent signings or trades.
As of this morning the Phillies 40-man roster is at its maximum. That doesn’t mean the Phillies will pass when it comes their turn. They can remove a player to make room.
For a complete history of the Rule 5 draft and the best Phillies selections check out the story in www.phillies.com/alumni.
Draft Phun Fact
Fans can follow the round-by-round selections live on mlb.com and the MLB Network starting at 9 a.m. on Thursday, December 8. Not too long ago, the draft took place in the confines of a hotel ballroom with minimal media coverage.
Ryan On Board
Yesterday, GM Matt Klentak announced the hiring of former Twins GM Terry Ryan as a special assignment scout. Ryan has spent 31 years with the Twins, first as a scouting director and then the GM for 19 years. His career began in 1980 as the Midwest scouting director for the Mets before joining the Twins.
“While we have made significant investments in our analytical endeavors over the past year, it is important to remember that quality talent evaluation is essential to making quality baseball decisions,” Klentak said. “We are thrilled to welcome Terry to the Phillies.”
Ryan is the fourth former GM in the Phillies baseball operations, joining Pat Gillick, Ed Wade and Dallas Green.
Organization All-Stars
Sam Dykstra has posted an interesting story on MiLB.com about the Phillies. “This offseason, MiLB.com is honoring the players — regardless of age or prospect status — who had the best seasons in their organization. We’re taking a look at each team to determine the outstanding seasons in Minor League Baseball.
“If you’ve been paying attention to this website over the past couple of months, you know the Phillies enjoyed an impressive year across the Minor Leagues.”
His Phillies team:
C Jorge Alfaro
1B Rhys Hoskins
2B Josh Tobias
SS K.C. Serna
3B Mitch Walding
OF Dylan Cozens
OF Jose Pujols
OF Andrew Pullin
DH Darin Ruf
RHP Ben Lively
LHP Elnier Garcia
RHR Victor Arano
You can read all about it here.
More Franzke
Ryan Lawrence of ThePhillyVoice.com did a Q&A with Scott Franzke following the announcement that the Phillies radio voice has a new, five-year contract extension.
Want to read it, just go here.
Under The Radar
(During baseball’s offseason, will preview some of the Phillies minor league players who are under the radar. These young prospects are not listed on the MLBpipeline.com list of top 30 prospects but are still considered potential big leaguers).
OF Mark Laird . . . 23 years old . . . B-L, T-L . . . 6–2, 180 . . . Birthplace: Monroe, LA . . . Selected by the Phillies in the 9th round of the 2015 June draft, one of seven LSU players drafted in the first nine rounds; signed by Mike Stauffer. Hit .323 with 24 SB that spring. LSU teammate of Aaron Nola in 2014 . . . 2015: Began pro career at Williamsport, hit .285 in 52 games, 27 BB, 24 SO. New York-Penn League All-Star . . . 2016: A back injury delayed his return to the field until July 10 when he joined Williamsport. After hitting .358 in 19 games, promoted to Lakewood on August 4. Had 19 multi-hit games out of 50 total games. Ended season hitting in 17 of his last 18 games, boosting his average from .277 to a season-ending .353.
