Rule 5 draft preview

Docwaukee · December 9, 2019

https://www.baseballamerica.com/stories/2019-mlb-rule-5-draft-preview/

some talk about Rojas being the top pick.

Second Base · December 9, 2019

Maybe. I always figured the Rule 5 was for guys left unprotected in AA that throw 96, which is what it's usually for. Having said that, the Angels most successful rule 5 pick to date has to be Ji Man Choi. Many of us felt he was the real deal and could stick in the majors. The Angels never really gave him a fair shake, and after bouncing around for a little bit, he ended up turning into a quality regular at 1B/DH.

I could see something similar with Rojas. He doesn't have Choi's power or plate discipline, but his big advantage is that he could be played all over the field.

But teams are going to see that .275 batting average with the super balls they were playing with in the majors and AAA, and factor in Salt Lake and the PCL at large and probably come to the conclusion that they can give him a shot, but the chances of him hitting enough to stick in the majors is very slim.

But the last couple of Springs, like David Fletcher before him, the kid just comes out and impresses immediately. If he gets picked up and does the same thing next Spring, he's going to be a big leaguer. Even if he isn't picked at all, which seems unlikely, if he treats it up again next Spring, some team might send the Angels a trade proposal for him.

Believe it or not, the team doesn't want to stash a bunch of major league ready players in AAA just to prevent other teams from getting them. There's a real human element to this, where a team would see this kid has an opportunity elsewhere and is too far down our depth chart for us to give it him.

I think if Rojas keeps hitting through next Spring, he will find himself in the majors. It won't be with the Angels, but he will be grateful for the chance they took on him. Without it, a team like the Marlins or whatever, never would've noticed him.