Assessing the Performance of the 2023 Rule 5 Draft Picks This Season

Carson Coleman (RHP) – Texas Rangers (via Yankees)

The Rangers chose Carson Coleman, fully aware that he wouldn’t be pitching for them in 2024 due to his Tommy John surgery in April 2023. The team saw value in using their Injured List to accommodate his recovery period. As indicated, Coleman possesses significant pitching talent. His fastball, in particular, is considered above-average, and it’s clear that the Rangers' front office is eager to see him perform on the mound in Arlington in the future.

This post by Cristian Crespo appeared first on Just Baseball.

Stay ahead of the game and elevate your sports betting experience with SportsGrid.

Matt Sauer (RHP) – Kansas City Royals (via Yankees)

Matt Sauer, another pitcher taken from the Yankees in this year's Rule 5 Draft, was selected by Kansas City. Like Spence, Sauer entered the season poised to serve as an effective swingman for the Royals, ready to step in for spot starts as needed.

However, Sauer's uneven performances prompted the Royals to designate him for assignment on May 21.

This development opens a window for us to explore what happens when a Rule 5 selection is removed from the roster. The Royals now have four days to trade Sauer, during which he must remain on the acquiring team’s major league roster, just as he did with the Royals. Failing that, he faces the same uncertainty he is currently experiencing.

If a trade does not materialize within the four days, Sauer will be placed on outright waivers, where any team can claim him, though he must remain on their roster. This requirement persists even with a change of teams.

Should he pass through waivers unclaimed, the Yankees will have the option to reclaim him into their organization. If they choose to do so, the Royals would receive $50K from the Yankees as compensation.

Anthony Molina (RHP) – Colorado Rockies (via Rays)

Anthony Molina also secured a spot on the Opening Day roster in his new team’s bullpen. Given his position with the Rockies, it seemed likely that Molina would make the roster. However, his start in the Major Leagues was less than ideal.

His debut was mixed, as he allowed six runs on six hits and a walk in just 1/3 of an inning. With the Rockies focused on building for the future, Molina will continue to receive chances to establish himself in the big leagues.

Despite maintaining an ERA above seven, the former Rays prospect remains on the Rockies’ Major League roster.

Shane Drohan (LHP) – Chicago White Sox (via Red Sox)

The selection of Shane Drohan was intriguing, and his journey with the White Sox has been equally notable. Drohan missed all of spring training due to an injury, leading the White Sox to place him on the 60-Day injured list as he recovered from left shoulder nerve decompression surgery.

Currently still in rehabilitation, Drohan remains shielded from the usual Rule 5 draft stipulations. This protection allows the White Sox additional time to assess his potential role within the organization. Unless there's a significant change, he is expected to remain with the team.

Nasim Nuñez (SS/2B) – Washington Nationals (via Marlins)

The Nationals' decision to pick Nasim Nuñez in the Rule 5 Draft was somewhat puzzling. Throughout his tenure with the Marlins, Nuñez was recognized primarily for his defensive skills and above-average speed. However, his batting performance never met the Marlins' expectations, leading them to leave him unprotected in the draft. The surprise in the Nationals choosing him stemmed from their willingness to use a spot on their 26-man roster for a player mainly suited for defensive substitutions or as a pinch runner later in games.

As the season unfolds, Nuñez's role has materialized as anticipated. With the Nationals' promising young shortstop, CJ Abrams, emerging as a key figure in the team's future, it was clear that Nuñez's opportunities to play would be limited.

Download the SportsGrid App

Stay Ahead of the Game and Elevate Your Sports Betting Experience with SportsGrid. Download the SportsGrid App from the Apple Store and Google Play Store.

Ryan Fernandez (RHP) – St. Louis Cardinals (via Red Sox)

Ryan Fernandez impressed during spring training with the Cardinals, earning a spot on the Opening Day roster.

Although his major league debut was delayed, Fernandez has since delivered a strong performance. As of May 21, he boasted a 3.20 ERA with 24 strikeouts over 19.2 innings. This has been a positive development, especially after early concerns about his potential to remain on the Cardinals' roster due to initial mismanagement. Given the Cardinals' long-standing need for pitching, their decision to pick a pitcher in the Rule 5 Draft should hardly have been surprising.

As the Cardinals work to stabilize and define their team identity, Fernandez appears to have secured his place in their bullpen.

Justin Slaten (RHP) – Boston Red Sox (via Rangers – traded to BOS by Mets)

Draft day was quite the adventure for Justin Slaten.

Initially selected by the New York Mets, Slaten was quickly traded to the Boston Red Sox, where he has become a standout performer for a Boston pitching staff that has exceeded preseason expectations.

In 26 innings, Slaten has maintained an ERA just over three, complemented by a sub-2 FIP and a ground ball rate exceeding 50%. His effective use of a three-pitch arsenal—a cutter, sweeper, and four-seam fastball—has been evenly distributed throughout the 2024 season, capturing the Red Sox’s interest in acquiring him. The Red Sox's pitching development team has significantly enhanced their staff's overall performance, contributing to the team's impressive season. As one of the Red Sox's top relievers, Slaten has solidified his role within the organization for the foreseeable future.

Deyvison De Los Santos (3B) – Cleveland Guardians (via Diamondbacks)

Despite their success and consistent winning this year, the Guardians' decision to return De Los Santos to the Diamondbacks was surprising. During spring training with the Guardians, he managed an OPS of .545 over 44 plate appearances, which did not convince Cleveland to reserve a spot for him on the 26-man roster. It's worth noting that De Los Santos had not advanced beyond Double-A in his career thus far, although his power was quite promising. Concerns about his high strikeout rates historically had been noted, but he had made noticeable improvements in reducing those numbers.

As of May 21, De Los Santos had been recently promoted to Triple-A Reno, following an impressive stint in Double-A Amarillo where he posted a 1.122 OPS and hit 14 home runs.

Stephen Kolek (RHP) – San Diego Padres (via Mariners)

After pitching seven scoreless innings in spring training, Stephen Kolek secured a spot to join the Padres in Seoul for their opening MLB regular season game. Despite a shaky start, Kolek has mostly found his footing in the San Diego Padres bullpen. The Padres, known for their high expectations and bold moves like the early trade for Luis Arráez, set a competitive tone.

Kolek’s performance, with a 4.50 ERA over 22 innings, places him on the fringes of the roster, especially since his last six appearances resulted in five earned runs over 6.2 innings. While it’s unlikely the Padres will release Kolek, the possibility of the team making a strategic decision to enhance their playoff prospects by parting ways with him cannot be entirely discounted.

Carson Coleman (RHP) – Texas Rangers (via Yankees)

The Rangers chose Carson Coleman, fully aware that he wouldn’t be pitching for them in 2024 due to his Tommy John surgery in April 2023. The team saw value in using their Injured List to accommodate his recovery period. As indicated, Coleman possesses significant pitching talent. His fastball, in particular, is considered above-average, and it’s clear that the Rangers' front office is eager to see him perform on the mound in Arlington in the future.

This post by Cristian Crespo appeared first on Just Baseball.

Stay ahead of the game and elevate your sports betting experience with SportsGrid.