1995 Rule V Draft Preview
1:22 AM Posted by Sabermetric Baseball Sim
St. Louis, MO -
Major League Baseball's Rule V Draft was created to prevent teams from stockpiling too many prospects in their minor league systems who other teams would play in the majors.
Players are eligible to be drafted in the Rule V Draft if they are not on their team's 40-man roster and have at least five seasons of professional experience. Each pick costs $50,000 and must stay on the new team's 25-man roster all season.
Teams may add players to their 40-man roster all the way up until the December 1st draft day in order to protect them from the draft. However, with a roster crunch throughout the league, it appears several good players will be available in the draft this winter.
Here's an overview of the top 10 players who are currently eligible for the draft:
1. Alan Benes, SP, St. Louis Cardinals
Arguably the top pitching prospect in the Cardinals' system, Benes will likely be protected in the days leading up to the draft. However, after an unimpressive 5.37 ERA in 65.1 IP at AAA this season, it's possible St. Louis might try to sneak him through.
2. Shawn Estes, SP, San Francisco Giants
A quality finesse lefty who posted a 2.73 ERA in 99.0 IP at AAA, Estes would definitely appear to be Major League ready for the Giants or a team that's lucky enough to draft him.
3. Kris Benson, SP, Florida Marlins
Acquired as part of the blockbuster Trevor Hoffman trade, Benson still hasn't thrown a single pitch above A-ball. Scouts like his ability to throw three quality pitches with good stuff, control, and movement, so it's possible a team would take a flier on his great potential.
4. Bill Mueller, 3B, San Francisco Giants
Mueller's .827 OPS helped the Richmond Flying Squirrels win the AA League Championships. Scouts predict he will develop into one of the top #2 hitters in baseball, with above average potential in contact hitting, batting eye, and avoiding strikeouts.
5. Jarrod Washburn, SP, California Angels
Washburn piled up 206.1 IP at AA this season, but teams feel his incredible endurance will keep this from making him an injury risk. Consistent LH starting pitching is always in demand, so there will definitely be teams interested in Washburn if he is not protected.
6. Dmitri Young, LF, St. Louis Cardinals
Young posted a .923 OPS in 360 AB at AA, and a .811 OPS in 241 AB at AAA. He's probably not quite ready for the majors, but a team might find a bench spot for him if it means they can acquire his big bat without giving up any players in return.
7. Aaron Boone, 3B, Cincinnati Reds
Already a star defensive 3B, Boone added offense to his resume with 23 HR and 101 RBI at AA this season. The Reds appear ready to let starting 3B Chris Sabo walk in free agency, so they might be planning to make Boone their new 3B for next season.
8. Mike Lieberthal, C, Philadelphia Phillies
The Phillies are loaded with catching depth, but Lieberthal is probably the most Major League ready player on this list. Lieberthal plays average defense at catcher, with a well-balanced overall offensive package.
9. Brian Tollberg, SP, San Diego Padres
Tollberg was rocked with a 6.09 ERA at AA, and isn't close to ready for the majors even at age 23. However, he still shows great potential and with starting pitching thin across the league, someone might be interested in making him their long reliever for a year.
10. Jose Cruz Jr., CF, Cincinnati Reds
Acquired from the Mariners in the Paul O'Neill trade, Cruz can already play great defense at all three OF positions with good speed. He'd be a major asset to any team as a utility OF, so he's almost a certainty to be drafted if he's left unprotected. Cruz's bat isn't quite as Major League ready as his glove and speed, but scouts predict he will eventually hit for power with a good batting eye.
Major League Baseball's Rule V Draft was created to prevent teams from stockpiling too many prospects in their minor league systems who other teams would play in the majors.
Players are eligible to be drafted in the Rule V Draft if they are not on their team's 40-man roster and have at least five seasons of professional experience. Each pick costs $50,000 and must stay on the new team's 25-man roster all season.
Teams may add players to their 40-man roster all the way up until the December 1st draft day in order to protect them from the draft. However, with a roster crunch throughout the league, it appears several good players will be available in the draft this winter.
Here's an overview of the top 10 players who are currently eligible for the draft:
1. Alan Benes, SP, St. Louis Cardinals
Arguably the top pitching prospect in the Cardinals' system, Benes will likely be protected in the days leading up to the draft. However, after an unimpressive 5.37 ERA in 65.1 IP at AAA this season, it's possible St. Louis might try to sneak him through.
2. Shawn Estes, SP, San Francisco Giants
A quality finesse lefty who posted a 2.73 ERA in 99.0 IP at AAA, Estes would definitely appear to be Major League ready for the Giants or a team that's lucky enough to draft him.
3. Kris Benson, SP, Florida Marlins
Acquired as part of the blockbuster Trevor Hoffman trade, Benson still hasn't thrown a single pitch above A-ball. Scouts like his ability to throw three quality pitches with good stuff, control, and movement, so it's possible a team would take a flier on his great potential.
4. Bill Mueller, 3B, San Francisco Giants
Mueller's .827 OPS helped the Richmond Flying Squirrels win the AA League Championships. Scouts predict he will develop into one of the top #2 hitters in baseball, with above average potential in contact hitting, batting eye, and avoiding strikeouts.
5. Jarrod Washburn, SP, California Angels
Washburn piled up 206.1 IP at AA this season, but teams feel his incredible endurance will keep this from making him an injury risk. Consistent LH starting pitching is always in demand, so there will definitely be teams interested in Washburn if he is not protected.
6. Dmitri Young, LF, St. Louis Cardinals
Young posted a .923 OPS in 360 AB at AA, and a .811 OPS in 241 AB at AAA. He's probably not quite ready for the majors, but a team might find a bench spot for him if it means they can acquire his big bat without giving up any players in return.
7. Aaron Boone, 3B, Cincinnati Reds
Already a star defensive 3B, Boone added offense to his resume with 23 HR and 101 RBI at AA this season. The Reds appear ready to let starting 3B Chris Sabo walk in free agency, so they might be planning to make Boone their new 3B for next season.
8. Mike Lieberthal, C, Philadelphia Phillies
The Phillies are loaded with catching depth, but Lieberthal is probably the most Major League ready player on this list. Lieberthal plays average defense at catcher, with a well-balanced overall offensive package.
9. Brian Tollberg, SP, San Diego Padres
Tollberg was rocked with a 6.09 ERA at AA, and isn't close to ready for the majors even at age 23. However, he still shows great potential and with starting pitching thin across the league, someone might be interested in making him their long reliever for a year.
10. Jose Cruz Jr., CF, Cincinnati Reds
Acquired from the Mariners in the Paul O'Neill trade, Cruz can already play great defense at all three OF positions with good speed. He'd be a major asset to any team as a utility OF, so he's almost a certainty to be drafted if he's left unprotected. Cruz's bat isn't quite as Major League ready as his glove and speed, but scouts predict he will eventually hit for power with a good batting eye.
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