2016 MLB Rule 5 Draft: Minor League phase, rounds two and three

2016 MLB Rule 5 Draft: Minor League Phase, Rounds Two and Three

Here are the results of the minor league phase of the 2016 MLB Rule 5 draft. Unlike the major league phase, these players do not have to be offered back to their original team.

Most will never reach the majors, but occasionally someone can pop up as a useful player. It is a very cheap, no-risk way to add some depth to your farm system.

Round Two

Rays: Jairo Munoz, RHP, Phillies: Age 25, from Dominican Republic, originally in Royals system then signed by Phillies as free agent; threw just eight innings in High-A this year and has long track record of injuries though usually effective when on the mound, 3.26 ERA in 108 career innings, none above High-A; fastball can hit 95.

Diamondbacks: Grant Sides, RHP, Indians: Age 27, 12^th round pick in 2011 out of Samford; 3.36 ERA in 62 innings in Double-A with 69/27 K/BB, just 41 hits; fastball as high as 97 and a good curve but control record erratic; could be quite useful with a bit more command.

Brewers: Matt Ramsey, RHP, Marlins: Age 27, 19^th round pick in 2011 from University of Tennessee, missed all of 2015 and most of 2016 with injury but has excellent performance record when healthy, 2.06 ERA in 148 career innings with 176/66 K/BB; another hard-thrower when healthy, worth tracking.

Angels: Adrian Almeida, LHP, Mets: Age 21, from Venezuela, posted 6.14 ERA in 22 innings in Appalachian League with 29/13 K/BB; flashes plus curveball and 90 MPH fastball but struggles with command, young enough to improve a great deal.

Marlins: Nick Maronde, LHP, Indians: Age 27, third round pick by Angels in 2011 from University of Florida, hot prospect at one time but lost his command when arriving in majors, posted 7.13 ERA in 18 innings with 19/18 K/BB with Angels 2012-2014; wandering high minors last two seasons, still flashes old ability including 23/3 K/BB and 2.19 ERA in 25 innings in Double-A in ’16; worth a flier.

Astros: Jared Mortensen, RHP, Rays: Age 28, signed as free agent in 2013; Canadian; posted 5.23 ERA with 86/57 K/BB in 72 innings, 53 hits in Double-A; strong strikeout and hit rates but held back by control problems

Yankees: Colten Brewer, RHP, Pirates: Age 24, fourth round pick in 2011 from high school in Texas, posted 4.09 ERA with 66/27 K/BB in 70 innings in High-A; has been clocked as high as 96 but secondary pitches and command within strike zone remain inconsistent; has been a starter primarily but may be better-suited for bullpen; intriguing rehab project.

Mariners: Chuck Taylor, OF, Diamondbacks: Age 23, fourth round pick in 2012 from high school in Texas; hit .261/.354/.391 in 238 at-bats between High-A and Double-A; left-handed batter who draws walks but has never shown enough on-field power or speed to push forward as a prospect.

Tigers: Elvis Rubio, OF, Brewers: Age 22, from Dominican Republic, hit .223/.270/.298 with 107 strikeouts, seven homers in 457 at-bats in Low-A/High-A; strong build at 6-3, 215 but has never produced as expected with serious contact issues.

Orioles: Brian Moran, LHP, Braves: Age 28, seventh round pick by Mariners in 2009 from University of North Carolina; Colin Moran’s brother; soft-tossing lefty with career 3.11 ERA, 369/96 K/BB in 327 innings; missed most of 2016 with injury but an effective Triple-A reliever in past seasons.

Dodgers: Kyle Grana, RHP, Cardinals: Age 25, signed as undrafted free agent in 2013; posted 3.12 ERA with 63/27 K/BB in 52 innings in High-A with just 39 hits; old for the level but has always pitched well, fastball up to 95 and a good curve, but 6-4, 250 pound build stands out; could be very useful if he throws strikes.

Red Sox: Josh Smith, LHP, Pirates: Age 27, 25^th round pick in 2012 out of Wichita State; 6.44 ERA in 57 innings in Double-A with 61/30 K/BB; controls lefties (.130 last year) but right-handers mash him (.370).

Rangers: Zach Bird, RHP, Braves: Age 22, ninth round pick by Dodgers in 2012, traded to Braves in big Alex Wood/Bronson Arroyo/Hector Olivera trade in 2015; was considered a strong prospect until complete collapse in 2016 (8.87 ERA, 34/39 K/BB in 48 innings in High-A); young enough to rebound if healthy; no risk move here by the Rangers.

Round Three

Diamondbacks: Daniel Lockhart, SS, Cubs: Age 24, 10^th round pick in 2011 from high school in Georgia; scrappy lefty hitter batted just .226/.273/.318 between High-A and Double-A; viable glove up the middle but has not hit well in two years.

Angels: Mario Sanjur, C, Tigers: Age 20, from Panama, hit .221/.294/.253 in 95 at-bats in New York-Penn League; good defensive catcher but hasn’t hit higher than .230 at any stop and has no power. Backstop depth.

Marlins: Alex Yarbrough, 2B, Angels: Age 25, fourth round pick in 2012 from University of Mississippi, hit .267/.307/.365 in Double-A; when drafted he was considered a very talented pure hitter but his bat stalled in the high minors when the strike zone got away from him; reliable glove at second base but lacks range for other positions.

Rangers: Fernando Miranda, RHP, Braves: Age 22, from Mexico, posted 4.87 ERA with 70/39 K/BB in 81 innings for Tigres de Quintana Roo in Mexican League on loan from Braves system; reports are sparse but is said to have a good change-up and fastball somewhere in low-90s.