2007 Rule V Draft

I am always intrigued by the Rule V Draft. It is where minor league ballplayers get the opportunity to make it to the big leagues. Major league clubs choose Rule V selectees for $50,000, players chosen must stay on the major league roster for the full season, or offered back to their original club for $25,000. I don’t think these numbers have changed in some time. These prices seem to be throwback prices in today’s multi million dollar industry.

Tim Lahey was the first player taken in this year’s Rule V Draft. He was selected by the Tampa Bay Rays from the Minnesota Twins organization, and sold to the Chicago Cubs. The Twins converted Lahey to relief pitcher after selecting the Princeton catcher in the 20th round. Last year Tim appeared in 50 games in Double A, posting an 8-4 record, with a 3.45 ERA.

Next up the Pittsburgh Pirates selected former Minnesota Twin farm hand Evan Meek from the Tampa Bay Rays. Evan Meek is a righthand specialist reliever who struckout 69 batters over 67 innings at Double A, and then enjoyed success in the AFL.

Randor Bierd in in 6’4″ relief pither out of Santo Domingo of the Dominican Republic. He was with the Detroit Tigers before being chosen by the Baltimore Orioles. Bierd has electric stuff, striking out 245 batters in a little over 239 innings pitched throughout his minor league career. Randor enjoyed success last season as a relief pitcher, being converted from a starter.

The Chicago White Sox might have lost a good one in Fernando Hernandez. Hernandez was selected by the Oakland A’s. Fernando allowed no runs in 12 appearances in the AFL, after striking out 84 men in just over 85 innings in Double A in 2007.

Something clicked last season for 23 year old former first round pick Matt Whitney who blasted 32 home runs in high A. The Cleveland Indians lost this slugger to the Washinton Nationals. Injuries have delayed his progress to the show, but he can make an impact if he can stay healthy.

Former Cleveland Indians farm hand Brian Barton was selected by the St. Louis Cardinals. The speedy outfielder has posted numbers throughout his minor league career, a .316 average, and a very impressive .416 OBP.

These are some of the players chosen in this year’s Rule V Draft. You’d be wrong if you thought, nobody ever makes it as a Rule V selection. Just last year Josh Hamilton & Joakim Soria were taken, Dan Uggla a couple of year’s back, and once upon a time Johan Santana was chosen by the Minnesota Twins from the Houston Astros.