Rule 5 -- Brewers select LHP Lofgren in Major League Phase

[Mass Haas]

Here is how the Brewers have chosen to line up and protect players prior to Thursday's Rule 5 draft. Sorry, we don't have the formal list of all organizations available at this time. Baseball America may release that later.

 

Players protected at the AAA level are eligible to be plucked in the Major League phase, and you're all familiar with that.

 

Players protected at the AA level are available to be plucked with virtually no restrictions. Look for the Brewers to be active in that phase, they always are.

 

AAA:

 

Pitchers

Burns, Mike

Capuano, Chris (L)

Cody, Chris (L)

Flores, Ruben

Green, Nick

Halama, John (L)

Henderson, Jim

Hinton, Robert

Johnson, David

Jones, Mike

Kintzler, Brandon

Lluberes, Rafael (L)

McClendon, Michael

Pascual, Rolando

Ramlow, Michael (L)

Sandoval, Juan

Wright, Brae (L)

 

Catchers

Arlis, Patrick

Maldonado, Martin

McCraw, Sean

 

Infielders

Almonte, Erick

Justis, Shane

Kjeldgaard, Brock

Koshansky, Joe

Raburn, John

Sanchez, Juan

 

Outfielders

Caufield, Chuckie

Katin, Brendan

Oeltjen, Trent

Redman, Tike

Stern, Adam

 

AA:

Pitchers

Delaughter, Ryan

Holliman, Mark

Romero, Jose (L)

Welch, David (L)

 

Catchers

De La Rosa, Anderson

Hopf, J.R.

 

First Baseman

Errecart, Chris

 

Thoughts on the "minor league phase" first -- that is probably a bit of a favor to 26-year-old LHP David Welch, allowing him to be snapped up by another organization. If the Brewers don't see him in their plans, then it's a nice gesture. Just think, Chris Errecart was as high as # 16 on the Power 50 in June of '08 -- talk about a fade. I could definitely see Jack Z. grabbing LHP Jose Romero -- injury riddled since '07, but once-promising as a first-year pro in '06.

 

On the big league level, perhaps a Mike Jones (Seattle again) or reliever David Johnson? A flyer on Brendan Katin for a weak AL team with some DH at-bats available? Newcomer Trent Oeltjen? Looks like another year where all the Milwaukee kids are well-protected.

[TooLiveBrew]

Would Katin be a decent candidate to get selected? Of course his issue is still patience, but I thought he showed a bit of progress there last season, & his power is definitely legit.

[Hate those Rodents]

I am less "worried" about losing Katin and more worried about losing Cody or Mike Jones. I'd say Cody would have the better shot of being picked and sticking though. You'd have to think a team like Pittsburgh or San Diego might give him a shot.

[wishicouldhit]

I was disappointed to see Cody not protected and surprised that Doug Jones was on the list. My guess is that both of them will be goners

[jimmyjeromehardy7]

surprised that Doug Jones was on the list.

I'm surprised Doug Jones is still pitching at age 52.

 

It would be good for Mike Jones if someone took him to give him a shot at least. If not, hopefully he will have that with the Brewers next year.

[dadofandrew]

Oeltjen seems the most likely, but not very. If Mike Jones is the best a team can do, I wish him the best. There are guys with very good AA/AAA stats who are many years younger, and some kids with great tools in A ball.

[CheezWizHed]

Yeah, Chris Cody surprised me a bit. I would think someone could use him as a LOOGY for a year. MJ is a possibility. I could see someone giving him a shot and giving him back to Milwaukee if he doesn't handle ST well.

 

I agree Katin could be a candidate for your 4th/5th OF.

[jimmyjeromehardy7]

Where does Katin fit in with the Brewers, he spent 2 years at AAA numbers are decent, not great. But never mentioned by anyone when they talk about having no outfield depth. Is he on the radar at all? Thanks for any insight.

[TooLiveBrew]

The fact that he's a low-OBP RHB, while our OF starts three RHB, makes me think he really has no role in MIL for the forseeable future. Especially with Gerut around.

 

He could easily fit in with another team (w/a more LH heavy OF), however. His power will always draw some attention.

[battlekow]

Doesn't sound like the Brewers are going to take anyone, but I'd take a flier on Chuck Lofgren of the Indians. Former top prospect and, as a lefty, could fit into someone's bullpen as a LOOGY.

[jerichoholicninja]

This might not be the place for this question but if a player is selected and returned during the season does he have to go on the teams 40-man and how does his ML time effect his service time?

[dadofandrew]

He has to go on the 40 unless he's sent down and removed, at which point, he'll surely be claimed.

 

Service time is service time.

[brewmann04]

If the Brewers add anyone it have to be a pitcher or a Corner OF.I hope Mke Jones does not get picked been a favorite since he was drafted.

[colbyjack]

I too like Lofgren battlekow, or any potential LH option out of the bullpen. What happened to Lofgren's status as a prospect though? He went from #2 after the 2007 season to unranked (among the top 30) after the '08 season. He's been hanging out in AA and AAA the past few years, so it's not that hard to imagine him making an impact as a specialist if he's given the chance. He definitely was better vs. LH batters last year than RH ones. Is it a case of the Indians not wanting to give up on him as a starter and Lofgren needing a change of scenery?

 

I really liked him coming out of HS, although more as a LH slugging corner OF than as a pitcher. I remember having a conversation about how the Indians should have tried to develop him as a two-way star similar to how the Red Sox handled Casey Kelly last summer.

[LouisEly]

Pop quiz - no cheating! Quick, look at these Huntsville stat lines from last year and tell me who was Mike Jones and who was David Welch (no looking!!):

 

A: 26 years old, 4.03 ERA, 1.411 WHIP, 2.36 BB & 5.03 K/9 innings

B: 26 years old, 4.59 ERA, 1.354 WHIP, 2.5 BB & 6.2 K/9 innings

 

While Mike Jones is a nice story, I don't see how people are afraid to lose him but ho-humming Welch being assigned to AA and almost assuredly losing him to another org for depth. Not saying Welch is great, just saying Jones hasn't really shown anything more than him.

[Invader3K]

battlekow, you must be psychic. They picked Lofgren, according to McCalvy.

[Mass Haas]

Cleveland 2004 4th rounder LHP Chuck Lofgren Career Statistics

2009 Breakdown

[cheezscott]

anyone got a link to see major and minor phase selections by pick???

[Mass Haas]

From Baseball America:

 

Chuck Lofgren is one of the best stories taken. In 2007 he started the Futures Game for the U.S. team in his hometown of San Francisco, and he's a physical, athletic lefthander. He's had massive control issues the last two years and his star obviously has fallen from when he ranked second on our Indians Top 10.

 

MiLB.com:

 

Chuck Lofgren, LHP, Indians: Speaking of possible lefty specialists, Lofgren might fit that bill even though he's spent most of his pro career as a starter. He pitched extremely well in Double-A to start the year, but scuffled a bit over 17 Triple-A starts. But the numbers that might stand out to a team are 19-for-106. That's what left-handed hitters managed against Lofgren, which translates to a .179 average.

[Mass Haas]

Indians Prospect Insider includes a video link -- posted January, 2008, but detailed

[CheezWizHed]

I'm assuming we didn't lose anyone since no one mentioned it?

 

Sounds like our BP might be pretty crowded this year! Options are a good thing.

[Mass Haas]

A more pessimistic portrait -- written in April 2008

[Invader3K]

I forget the specifics on the Rule 5...if he doesn't make the 40 man out of spring training, he goes back to the Indians, right?

[Mass Haas]

I forget the specifics on the Rule 5...if he doesn't make the 40 man out of spring training, he goes back to the Indians, right?

Must be on the 25-man roster all season, not just out of camp. He could be traded, or waived and claimed by another team, prior to being returned to the Indians. Or the Brewers and Indians could work out a trade that would return him to the Indians, then right back to the Brewers, who could assign him to the minors then if he cleared waivers.

[EdgarDiazRocks]

Sounds like our BP might be pretty crowded this year! Options are a good thing.

especially left-handed ones