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In case you were, you know, sleeping last night, Jim Callis put out this tweet last night:
Late tweeting this? Confirmed #Padres have swapped places w/#Astros in Rule 5 draft later this morning, SD now picks first -- likely a P.
— Jim Callis (@jimcallisMLB) December 12, 2013
So the San Diego Padres get left-handed pitcher Patrick Shuster and the Astros get....
No one.
The Padres passed with the 12th selection and the Astros then passed in the second round of the Rule 5. It looks like the Astros will be getting cash as part of the Anthony Bass, or maybe there's a player to be named later after the draft.
If you're disappointed the Astros didn't take anyone, you can find solace in the fact that the Astros didn't lose anyone. No Carlos Perez gone, no JD Martinez. And that, with the 40-man roster at 38, they intend to sign two more free agents or make a trade.
In the Class-AAA phase of the Rule 5 draft the Astros selected Ravel Santana of Class-AA Trenton out of the Yankees system.
Santana did not play in 2013 and has not played above Class-A ball, however, before the 2012 season he was considered the Yankees number nine prospect, by Marc Hulet of Fangraphs.
Here's what Hulet had to say:9. Ravel Santana, OF
BORN: May 1, 1992
EXPERIENCE: 3 seasons
ACQUIRED: 2008 international free agent
2010-11 TOP 10 RANKING: OffSantana is an intriguing raw athlete but there have been unconfirmed rumors that injury recovery could cost him significant playing time in 2012. Most reports, though, have him almost fully recovered from a broken ankle and ligament damage that he suffered in August 2011. Just 19, he had an outstanding offensive season in Rookie ball and posted a wRC+ of 160 (meaning he created 60% more runs than the average player at that level). Santana struck out a bit too much but he showed impressive power (.272 ISO) and hit for average (.296). He even showcased some patience with a walk rate of 9.2 BB%. Prior to his injury, Santana was a plus base runner and had outstanding range in center field so it will be interesting to see how well he rebounds. He also has a plus arm. He should open 2012 in extended spring training before moving up to the New York Penn League.
A quick search of the internets indicates that Santana has struggled to stay healthy so far in his young career.
The Astros also selected left-handed pitcher Carlos Vazquez off the Mets' Class-AA roster.
Vazquez, 22, Has a 3.20 ERA in his professional career that includes time in the Mexican league. Last year he posted a 2.93 ERA in 30 2/3 innings between high-A in the Florida league and the Mexican league.
In the Class-AAA phase the Astros lost Enderson Franco to the Tampa Bay Rays.
Franco has spent the last four years at rookie level ball. Last year he posted a 5.05 ERA and a 3.95 FIP.
In the Class-AA portion of the draft the Astros selected Blaine Sims from the Braves system.
Sims will be 25 before the 2014 starts. Last year between rookie ball and high-A he posted a 8.44 ERA in 53 1/3 innings. As Evan Drellich of the Houston Chronicle notes, Sims is a knuckleballer, so ignore the age.
Check out Sims' MLBFarm page.
And that's it for today's thrilling Rule 5 action. Only 364 more days until next year!
