Rule 5 options...

[ClosetBrewerFan]

As for us selecting anyone...I doubt it. We are trying to win games. We don't have space to waste.

I'm not so sure. We could very easily treat the Rule 5 draft like a waiver claim. A waiver claim is $20k and a rule 5 pick is $50k, but you can recoup $25k by offering the player back to the team you drafted him from. In both cases, it is a cheap way to obtain a player. We would keep the player on the roster only if they are performing. If not, its a low cost risk. Why not try a Schrock or a Clifton to see if they could stick in Spring? We dont have to use the Rule 5 draft to hide a player that is not ready yet.

[tonyei31]

If we could unload Thames I wouldn't be opposed to drafting Josh Ockimey. Outside of that I don't see anyone worth taking a risk on.

[Eye Black]

A reminder that these players were eligible and went undrafted in last year’s Rule 5 draft (article from Baseball America). Hard to believe a few of those players went from Rule 5 eligible to having significant value in less than a year.

 

Max Muncy, 1B/2B, Dodgers

Josh James, RHP, Astros

Dereck Rodriguez, RHP, Giants

Franmil Reyes, OF, Padres

Ryan O’Hearn, 1B, Royals

Jeff McNeil, 2B, Mets

Niko Goodrum, 2B, Tigers

 

As far as this year’s Rule 5 draft below are some links that provide interesting lists with short synopsis of the players available this year (and the last link looks at the return rate for Rule 5 selections).

 

 

Baseball America’s 2018 MLB Rule 5 Draft Preview (Updated 12/11)

 

MLB.com Top Names to Watch Ahead of the Rule 5 Draft

 

MiLB.com Toolshed: 2018 Rule 5 Draft preview

 

2080 Baseball Rule 5 Draft Preview (Pt. 2): Starting Pitchers

 

2080 Baseball Rule 5 Draft Preview (Pt. 3): Relief Pitchers

 

2080 Baseball Rule 5 Draft Preview (Pt. 4): Catchers

 

2080 Baseball Rule 5 Draft Preview (Pt. 5): Infielders

 

Minor League Ball’s 9 intriguing prospects left unprotected heading into the Rule 5 Draft

 

Royals Review Rule 5 draft candidates: The Pitchers

 

Royals Review Rule 5 draft candidates: The Position Players

 

Orioles Hangout Rule 5 Preference List

 

Talking Chop Thoughts (and names) for the Rule 5 Draft

 

Fish Stripes 2018 MLB Rule 5 Draft: Marlins Targets

 

What Percentage of Rule 5 Picks are Returned

 

 

My personal favorites are Richie Martin and Riley Ferrell, but it seems like an outstanding crop of players available this year. While not all of these players will be drafted, it might be advantageous for the Brewers to work out post Rule 5 draft trades for the players they like that go undrafted.

[amt2138]

I always enjoy the idea of taking players from teams that struggled with player development and see if putting them in your system gets them the tools they need. This is kind of why I think somebody might steal Gatewood from the Brewers tomorrow even though he plays a position that is hard for a Rule 5 guy to make it all season in. The Brewers have really struggled with guys developing their hit tool in our system and is a major factor in the Haines hiring.

 

So looking at other teams Tyler Jay was a guy that jumped out at me. I remember watching him at Illinois and he was an absolute stud. I'm fairly certain that he put up a 0 ERA in relief for Team USA in that summer as well. I can't say I followed his Twins career much but I remember a guy that was 93-97 with a solid change and a + curve. The Twins lost a former second round pick, former college stud in Nick Burdi last year in the Rule 5 and have completely cleaned house and are starting over on the player development side, so getting a guy who had a boat load of talent coming into it that maybe wasn't developed properly could be a great way to steal some talent.

 

Unfortunately (it's actually a really good thing) the Brewers are not exactly in a position to waste a roster spot on a guy like this.

[nate82]

 

So looking at other teams Tyler Jay was a guy that jumped out at me. I remember watching him at Illinois and he was an absolute stud. I'm fairly certain that he put up a 0 ERA in relief for Team USA in that summer as well. I can't say I followed his Twins career much but I remember a guy that was 93-97 with a solid change and a + curve. The Twins lost a former second round pick, former college stud in Nick Burdi last year in the Rule 5 and have completely cleaned house and are starting over on the player development side, so getting a guy who had a boat load of talent coming into it that maybe wasn't developed properly could be a great way to steal some talent.

 

Unfortunately (it's actually a really good thing) the Brewers are not exactly in a position to waste a roster spot on a guy like this.

 

Jay is someone I would take in the rule 5 draft as I believe he has the stuff to get MLB hitters out.

 

He maybe another Hader type.

[Outlander]

While it would be very difficult for the Brewers to keep a guy on the 25 man roster they do have the 40 man space so wouldn't be surprised if they bring one to camp if they are intrigued by a player.

[PDCBalla]

I'm gonna be really disappointed to see Gatewood go if he does get selected. I think he's going to be a really good player.

[TURBO]

I'm gonna be really disappointed to see Gatewood go if he does get selected. I think he's going to be a really good player.

 

same!

 

I hope we can hang onto him, but I have my doubts.

 

The only think that saves us is that I can't see a team putting him on the 25 man roster for the entire season, he's not ready for a MLB gig yet imo.

[SRB]

I'd be surprised to see the Brewers pick anybody unless there's a quality LOOGY lurking out there. Tyler Jay seems like the LHP with the strongest prospect pedigree.

[A Swing and A Drive]

2B Max Schrock could be this year's Jeff McNeil. Their career minor league numbers are very similar.

 

Brewers should take a long look at him, IMO.

[Eye Black]

J.J. Cooper of Baseball America believes that A’s middle infielder Richie Martin is going to be the first selection of the Rule 5 draft. The first pick belongs to the Orioles.

 

Cooper also said he has heard more teams than normal are going to be trading up to make selections (which often get announced as being made by the team in original draft slot, but after the draft we find out about the trade which is typically for cash). The Rule 5 draft eligible talent pool seems very good this year.

 

Below is the draft order and in parentheses is the team’s current # of players on their 40-man roster. The draft is today (12/13) at 11:00am Central Time.

 

The 2018 MLB Rule 5 draft order:

 

1. Baltimore (38)

2. Kansas City (38)

3. Chicago White Sox (38)

4. Miami (38)

5. Detroit (38)

6. San Diego (40, full roster)

7. Cincinnati (37)

8. Texas (35)

9. San Francisco (35)

10. Toronto (38)

11. New York Mets (36)

12. Minnesota (40, full roster)

13. Philadelphia (37)

14. Los Angeles Angels (37)

15. Arizona (37)

16. Washington (37)

17. Pittsburgh (39)

18. St. Louis (40, full roster)

19. Seattle (36)

20. Atlanta (39)

21. Tampa Bay (40, full roster)

22. Colorado (39)

23. Cleveland (39)

24. Los Angeles Dodgers (40, full roster)

25. Chicago Cubs (36)

26. Milwaukee (36)

27. Oakland (37)

28. New York Yankees (40, full roster)

29. Houston (39)

30. Boston (39)

[JosephC]

No surprise to see so many people projecting Richie Martin to be the first pick.

 

Dodger prospect Drew Jackson is the only player out there that I would have real interest in if I was sitting in Stearns chair. There are the obvious questions surrounding if he will hit enough, but his arm, athleticism and defensive versatility make me think he could be a useful player if the Brewers suffer a couple injuries in spring training. Only thing that makes him a really hard fit is that he's a righty bat, and the Brewers need more lefty candidates (both at the plate and on the mound IMO).

[PDCBalla]

Tom @Haudricourt

34s

Doesn't sound like #Brewers will make pick in MLB portion of Rule 5 draft. We shall see.

[cesser000]

Brewers did not make a pick

[Ron Robinsons Beard]

Brewers did not make a pick. No Brewer players were drafted either. Means Gatewood and Olczak are still Brewer property.

[pacopete4]

Did we miss out on anyone that people thought would help us?

[clancyphile]

Brewers did not make a pick. No Brewer players were drafted either. Means Gatewood and Olczak are still Brewer property.

 

Dodged bullets, but missed an opportunity...

[Eye Black]

Did we miss out on anyone that people thought would help us?

He went before the Brewers selection anyway, but this left-handed reliever pointed out on Twitter earlier today would have at least been interesting... Travis Bergen

[Ron Robinsons Beard]

Brewers did not make a pick. No Brewer players were drafted either. Means Gatewood and Olczak are still Brewer property.

 

Dodged bullets, but missed an opportunity...

 

An opportunity for what? With the way the Brewers cycle through the back portion of their 25-man in order to keep guys fresh and play matchups, I can't think of a team where the Rule 5 possibly makes less sense than the Brewers.

[JosephC]

Did we miss out on anyone that people thought would help us?

 

IMO no. I liked Martin (went #1), Jackson (went #13) and maybe would have taken a flyer on Romano (went #3). Those were the only three players I liked for Milwaukee and all were off the board.

 

If the Brewers were a rebuilding team, I might have taken Michael Beltre (Reds outfielder)...but there is no way I would have carried him on a roster for a contender. Just too much of a project at this point.

 

I'm kind of viewing Houser as the Brewers rule 5 pick. They will be forced to keep him on the roster, and I'm fine with just giving him at least 4 to 6 weeks on the 25-man because I like what I've seen of him. Hopefully he will perform and prove to be a legitimate major leaguer.