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The Houston Astros were ineligible to select a player in the Major League Phase of the Rule 5 Draft. But they were free to make selections in the minor league phase.
The Astros selected catcher Eduardo De Oleo from the Arizona Diamondbacks in the first round and right-handed pitcher Jared Mortenson from the Tampa Bay Rays in the second in the Triple-A phase.
#Astros select two in Triple A phase in the Rule 5 Draft:
— Houston Astros (@astros) December 8, 2016
C Eduardo De Oleo from Diamondbacks; 1st round
RHP Jared Mortenson from Rays; 2nd
From the Astros press release:
De Oleo, 23, split his 2016 campaign across three levels in the Diamondbacks organization, combining to hit .261 (18x69) with two home runs and 15 RBI in 21 games. A native of the Dominican Republic, De Oleo has played in parts of six minor league seasons since signing with the Yankees as an international free agent in 2010.
Mortensen, 28, spent the 2016 season at Double-A Montgomery in Tampa Bay’s organization, posting a 7-7 record and a 5.47 ERA (42ER/72.1IP) in 34 games, including four starts. A knuckleball pitcher, Mortensen compiled 86 strikeouts in his 72.1 innings pitched this season. Mortensen is a native of British Columbia, Canada, and played his collegiate career at Louisiana State University in Shreveport.