Upperdeck Season 45 Rule Five Draft Recap

 

10.  Russell Branson-CF-Houston  The 9^th player taken in the Rule 5 was the lanky switch hitting CF’er. He only made 3 starts but was a solid fielder and a decent bat off the bench when called upon. He may very well wind up in AAA next season but his ability to steal might also be called on again.

9. Charlie Wooten-SP-Houston   Another Houston pick (24^th Overall-3^rd by Andyr104) Wooten was not very good, but did provide 131 innings. Finishing with a 6-9 record and a 6.51 ERA.  Best starts was in the final month when he went 7 innings giving up 2 runs on 5 hits while striking out 5.

8. TitoHaniger-RP-Milwaukee  Taken 12^th in the draft Haniger was a useable bullpen arm. He only pitched 28 innings but kept his ERA to a 4.88 and WHIP of just 1.16.  Most of his appearances lasted less then one inning and I cant imagine that will change going forward due to a low durability and stamina

7. Jacob Satou-SS-Sacramento   #6 was a guy who should have been a better fielder then his #’s show. 31 errors and 8 negative plays. He projects to be a very good defensive player and with what looks like a solid bat might end up being a good overall player. Hit 9 homers and stole 8 bases and should be good for 15/15 type seasons going forward.

6. Eugenio Pimentel-RF-Philadelphia  At #4 clark grabbed a solid Corner Outfield type. While he only hit 6 homers and stole 5 bases, it was in limited playing time (237 AB’s). Could very well be a 20 homer guy in the future and with his solid arm he will become a good option in RF or LF.

5. Al Terrero-SS-Philadelphia  Back to back Philly picks here, this one was #15. Al is a dynamic fielder who probably needs a bit more polishing (8+ plays, but 25 errors in just over half a season). Only hit .199 for the season with 7 homers. Probably best suited for a platoon role.

4. Elian Despaigne-RP-Pawtucket Taken right after Terrero at #16 Despaigne had an effective season out of the bullpen for Pawtucket. 56 games and 56 innings while sporting a 4.98 ERA and a 1.46 WHIP. I can see his career lasting awhile as long as he doesn’t start asking for too much money.

3. Rudy Bigley-RF-Colorado Springs- svick smartly selected at #2 a very fun offensive player. Bigley only hit 7 homers but stole 14 bases in just 307 AB’s while playing a flawless RF making 2 plus plays and collecting 3 assists.  Playing in Colorado for a few seasons it will interesting to see if he can continue to grow his game.

2. Mookie Glover-SS-Det  Mookie was the 1^st player selected and had the best offensive season of all the Short Stops drafted.  In just 257 AB’s he hit 9 homers with a solid 265AVG and a 743 OPS.  Not a great fielder he did only make 11 errors at SS in about half a season.

1. Benji Roque-CLO-Pawtucket  The 5^th player taken is the only one up for Rookie of the Year. He saved 23 games while making 70 appearances and having a solid 3.65 ERA. While used mostly as a closer he might be better suited as a multiple inning type relief pitcher.