Suitcase Simpson – The Legend … Joey Bats – The Reality
Suitcase Simpson – his nickname was more about shoes than suitcases.
Harry “Suitcase” Simpson began his professional baseball career with the Philadelphia Stars of the Negro National League in 1946 – and by 1951 was playing in the outfield for the Cleveland Indians. Legend has it that Simpson earned his nickname because he played for so many teams, he never really unpacked his suitcase. Legend, however, does not mirror reality. Simpson actually picked up the “Suitcase” moniker during his time the Philadelphia Stars based on his size-13 feet – which reminded a sportswriter of a cartoon character (from the comic strip Toonerville Folks) named Suitcase Simpson and known for feet the size of suitcases. Harry Simpson actually played for only ten teams in his 14-year professional career (Negro Leagues, Major Leagues, minor leagues, Mexican League). In the major leagues, the one-time All Star (1956 Kansas City Athletics) played for just five teams in eight seasons. BBRT Note: Over his MLB career, Simpson hit .266, with 73 home runs and 381 RBI. He did lead the AL in triples twice – and his best year was 1956, when he hit .293, with 22 doubles, a league-leading eleven triples, 21 home runs and 105 RBI.
Jose Bautista – Rule Five Draftee Joey Bats lived up to the “Suitcase” Simspon legend in 2004.
Why is BBRT looking back on the Suitcase Simpson “legend.” Because for Blue Jays’ All Star Jose Bautista, reality does mirror legend. In his first season in the major leagues, Bautista was on the roster of as many major league teams as Simpson was in his entire career – and this all ties back ot the ultimate topic of this post: MLB’s Rule Five Draft. Here’s “Joey Bats” (yes, that’s Bautista’s nickname) story. In 2000, a 19-year-old Jose Baustista was drafted by the Pirates in the 20th round of the 2000 MLB draft. He played in the Pirate’s minor league system until 2003. In those three seasons, he played in 349 games, hitting .287, with 24 home runs and 100 RBI – never rising above High A ball. The Pirates left Bautista unprotected in the 2003 Rule Five Draft – and thus began perhaps the Rule Five Draft’s strangest odyssey. Drafted by the Orioles, Bautista started the season on the Baltimore roster, but seldom left the bench. In fact, by early June, he had only 11 at bats – and the Orioles placed him on waivers. Bautista was claimed by the Tampa Bay Devil Rays on June 3, but got only 12 at bats between then and June 28, when his contract was purchased by the Kansas City Royals. Within a month (and 25 at bats), the Royals traded Bautista to the Mets, who put him on their major league roster and then (on the same day) included him in a trade with the Pirates (Remember them – Bautista’s original team). The Pirates kept him on the major league roster for the remainder of the season (40 more at bats) – making Bautista the first (and still only) player to be on five different Major League rosters in one season. How did Joey Bats do in his post Rule Five Draft season – five major league rosters, four major league teams played for, 64 games, 88 at bats, a .205 average, zero home runs and two RBI. From that highly traveled start, this Rule Five draftee grew up to be a Blue Jay and one of the AL’s most feared power hitters. It didn’t happen overnight, but since 2010, Bautista has made six All Star teams and led the AL in home runs twice (hitting 54 long balls in 2010). In the past six seasons, he has hit .268, with 227 (of his career 286) home runs and driven in 582 (of his career 793) runs. That earns Jose Bautista BBRT’s rating as the third most successful (career-wise) Rule Five draftee ever. (The top five are listed later in this post.) Now, here’s the segue – MLB’s Rule Five Draft is what this post is all about. Read on if you are interested past and present Rule Five Draft results.
The MLB Rule Five Draft
On December 10, Major League Baseball held its annual Rule Five Draft. BBRT will take a look at the specific rules for the draft later in this post, but basically the Rule Five Draft is designed to open the door to advancement to minor leaguer players/prospects who might otherwise find their opportunity to reach the major leagues delayed by logjams within their current organizations. This post will focus the results of the Rule Five Draft in a five-by-five format. BBRT will look briefly at:
- The top (first) five players taken in the 2015 Rule 5 Draft – who range from: a third baseman turned outfielder who reached career highs in average, home runs and RBI at AA in 2015 to a left-handed pitcher, with a hard to spell name, who walked 21 and struck out 82 in 61 2/3 innings this past season.
- The five most successful players taken in the 2014 Rule Five Draft (based on 2015 major league performance) – including, right at the top, a pair of middle infielders converted to middle outfielders.
- The five most successful (career-wise) players ever taken in the Rule Five Draft – including a member of the 3,000-hit club (who won four batting titles); and a two-time Cy Young Award winner (who was an ERA leader in both the AL and NL).
Let’s start with a look at the first five players (in the order picked) taken in this December’s Rule Five Draft.
- Tyler Goeddel, outfield – taken by the Phillies (from the Rays)
Goeddel was originally drafted in the first round of the 2011 draft by the Rays. The 6’4”, 186-pound, right-handed hitter spent 2012-14 as a third baseman, but was converted to a corner outfielder for 2015. He spent last season with the Southern League (Double A) Montgomery Biscuits, where he showed a combination of power and speed (as well as a strong outfield arm). At Montgomery, Goeddel reached career highs in games (123); average (.279); hits (132); home runs (12); RBI (72); and Runs (68); while also stealing 28 bases. In four minor league seasons, he has put up a .262-31-244 line, with 108 steals. The Phillies, who led the majors with 99 losses last season, are in rebuilding mode. Couple that with the 23-year-old Goeddel’s solid 2015 season and the success of Philllies’ 2014 Rule Five pick Odubel Herrera and my money is on Goedell sticking with Philadelphia. Goeddel is the younger brother of Mets’ reliever Erik Goeddel.
- Jake Cave, outfield – taken by the Reds (from the Yankees)
The now 23-year-old Cave taken originally was taken by the Yankees in the sixth round of the 2011 Major League Draft. Cave’s career was set back when he suffered a fractured knee cap in his first minor league game. He ended up missing the 2011 and 2012 seasons, but came back to perform well at A, High A and Double A in 2013-14. In 2015, Cave split time between the Double A Trenton Thunder (Eastern League) and Triple A Scranton Wilkes-Barre Raiders (International League). He had a solid year, showing good speed, but little power (.279-2-35, with 17 steals in 132 games). Cave has a .285 average over four minor league seasons. Does a lot of small things well, and has a chance to stick as a fourth outfielder. At 6’, 200-pounds, the Reds likely are hoping Cave begins to show at least modest power.
- Evan Rutckyj , pitcher – taken by the Braves (from the Yankees)
The 6’5”, 213-lb. Rutckyj (pronounced RUT-ski) was taken in the 16th round of the 2010 draft. Since that time, he has shown potential as a power pitcher. In 2015 – playing for the High A Tampa Yankees and Double A Trenton Thunder – Rutckyj went 3-2, 2.63, with one save in 36 relief appearances. In 61 2/3 innings, Rutckyj fanned 82 batters, walking just 21. Rutckyj began his professional career primarily as a starter and, for four seasons in that role, put up a 4.53 ERA, with 7.62 strikeouts per nine innings. In two seasons as a reliever, the 23-year-old southpaw has recorded a 3.15 ERA with 11.31 whiffs per nine innings. With Atlanta’s bullpen needs and the rarity of power lefties, BBRT figures major league announcers will spend the full 2015 season mispronouncing Rutckyj’s name.
- Luis Perdermo, pitcher – taken by the Rockies (from the Cardinals)
Perdomo was taken in the Rule Five Draft by the Rockies (not a positive prospect for any hurler), but was quickly traded to the Padres (who offer a more pitcher-friendly ballpark). The 22-year-old, 6’2”, 160-pound Dominican was originally selected by the Cardinals as an International Free Agent in 2010. In 2015, Perdomo pitched for the Class A Peoria Chiefs (Midwest League) and High A Palm Beach Cardinals (Florida League) – going a combined 6-12, 3.98 in 22 starts, fanning 118 and walking 37 in 126 2/3 innings. He’s shown good stuff in five minor league seasons, including a mid-90s fastball and tight slider. Still, he’s never pitched above High A, so a jump to a full season at the major league level does not seem likely. If the Padres do keep the righty, they’ll be betting on the future and likely start him out in the bullpen (see Johan Santana in the section on the best Rule Five picks ever) – a full season at the major league level seems a bit of a stretch.
- Colin Walsh, outfield/second base/ third base – taken by the Brewers (from the A’s)
The now 26-year-old Walsh was signed by the Cardinals (out of Stanford University) as a 13th round pick in the 2010 major league draft. After four seasons in the Cardinals’ organization (Rookie League through AA and Fall League), he was released and signed with the A’s for 2014. While in the Cardinals’ organization, Walsh hit .267, with 31 home runs, 172 RBI and 31 steals – while playing six different positions. Walsh upped his game after signing with the A’s. In 2014 – at High A, Double A and Triple A – he hit a combined .290, with four home runs and 32 RBI. Last season, at Double A Midland (Texas League), the switch-hitting Walsh hit .302-13-49 with seven steals. Versatility may be Walsh’s ticket to a 2016 stay with the Brewers – a switch hitter who plays multiple positions can be a handy asset on the bench. It will all depend on how well he hits this coming spring.
A few other Rule Five draftees BBRT thinks have a decent chance to stick in the major leagues this coming year:
Josh Martin, right-handed pitcher – taken by the Padres (from the Indians)
At 6’5”, 230-pounds, Martin is an imposing presence on the hill – and the past couple of season he has lived upped to that presence. At Double A Akron last season, Martin (in 44 games) went 8-1, 2.27, fanning 80 and walking just 19 in 67 1/3 innings. The Padres need bullpen help and a good spring could earn Martin a spot in the pen.
Joey Rickard, outfield – taken by the Orioles (from the Rays)
The Orioles are looking for outfield help and Rickard has solid credentials. In 2015, he hit .321, with 23 steals at High A, Double A and Triple A. Lacking in power, just two home runs last season, he still brings plenty to the table as a spare outfielder.
Dan Stumpf, left-handed pitcher – taken by the Phillies (from the Royals)
In four minor league seasons, Stumpf has gone 20-23, with a solid 3.21 ERA and 306 strikeouts in 311 1/3 innings. As noted earlier, the Phillies are rebuilding and the 24-year-old Stumpf could be a fit.
How the Rule 5 Draft Works
The rules have changed over the years, but the current format gives good idea of how the draft works to open major league doors to players who might otherwise have been stuck in the minors.
Which players eligible to be drafted? Players not on their parent team’s 40-man major league roster who were: signed when they were 19 or older and have played professionally for four years; or signed at 18, who have played for five years. (Players placed on a team’s 40-man major league roster are protected from the draft.)
Which teams can draft players? Any team with an opening on their 40-man major league roster can draft a player or players. Teams draft in the reverse order of their place in the standings the previous season.
What does it cost? The team that selects a player in the Rule Five Draft pays $50,000 to the team from which he was selected.
What happens to the player? The drafted the player must remain on his new team’s 25-man major league roster for the entire next season, and must be “active” (not on the disabled list) for at least 90 days. If these conditions are not met the player must be offered back to the team from which he was drafted for $25,000.
Can a drafted player be traded? Yes. However, the new team must still abide by the Draft terms (kept on major league roster, active at least 90 days).
Now, how about a look at the 2014 Rule Five Draft’s top five 2015 “success” stories – based on their 2015 seasons.
Keep in mind, the Rule Five Draft consists of players whose parent franchises chose not to protect on their 40-man rosters. Baseball America reports that about one-in-four Rule Five picks stay with their new team for the season immediately following their pick. Given those odds, just staying in the majors for the full year has the potential to put a player on this top five list (fourteen players were chosen in the 2014 Rule Five draft). Here are the top five 2014 Draftees – again, not in draft order, but in terms of 2015 performance.
- Odubel Herrera, outfield – taken with the eighth pick by the Phillies (from the Rangers)
Herrera was a middle infielder (2B-SS) for his six minor league seasons – starting just 11 games in the outfield (405 at second base/132 at shortstop). He showed a solid bat (.297 minor league average) and speed (128 steals). In 2014, at High A and Double A, he hit a combined .315 with 21 steals. The Phillies liked that speed, picking up Herrera in the 2014 Rule Five Draft and converting him to a full-time centerfielder. He responded by playing 147 games, defending capably and putting up a .297 average, unexpected power (eight home runs) and expected speed (16 steals). Herrera’s 2015 performance makes him the real deal and the real steal of the 2014 Rule Five Draft.
- Delino DeShields, Jr., outfield – taken with the third pick by the Rangers (from the Astros)
DeShields, son of 13-year major leaguer Delino DeShields, was a first-round pick (number eight overall) of the Astros in the 2010 MLB draft. In six minor league seasons, he hit .268 with 37 home runs and 241 steals. He played about 75 percent of his minor league games at second base, but the Rangers converted him to a full-time outfielder. In 2015, he started 85 games in center field and 25 in left field for Texas. He hit .261 with two home runs, 37 RBI and 25 steals.
- Mark Canha, first base/outfield taken with the second pick by the Rockies (from the Marlins) and traded to the A’s
Mark Canha was drafted by the Marlins (out of the University of California Berkeley) in the seventh round of the 2010 MLB draft. He showed offensive potential in five minor league seasons – hitting .285, with 68 home runs and 303 RBI in 496 games. With the A’s in 2015, Canha played 124 games and hit .254 with 16 home runs and 70 RBI. Any time you can get 70 RBI out of a Rule Five pick, you can expect to see his name on this list. Oh, and Canha even tossed in seven steals (equaling his minor league high) in nine attempts.
- Sean Gilmartin, left-handed pitcher – taken with tenth pick by the Mets (from the Twins)
Gilmartin was drafted by the Braves (out of Florida State University, where he was an All American) in the first round (28th overall) of the 2011 MLB Draft. In three minor league seasons (Rookie to Triple A and Fall League) for the Braves, Gilmartin went 14-21, with a 4.24 ERA in 314 1/3 innings (with 249 strikeouts and 82 walks). After the 2013 season, Gilmartin was traded to the Minnesota Twins. In 2014, he went 9-7, 3.71 in 26 starts at Double A and Triple A – posting a 3.71 ERA. Gilmartin pitched even better as a reliever for the Mets. In 2015, the 25-year-old appeared in 50 games, going 3-2, with a 2.67 ERA, walking just 18 and striking out 54 in 57 1/3 innings.
- J.R. Graham – taken with fifth pick by the Twins (from the Braves)
Graham was drafted in the fourth round of the 2011 MLB draft (out of Santa Clara University) by the Atlanta Braves. He pitched three seasons in the Braves’ minor League system – moving from Rookie League to AA, compiling a 19-12 record and 3.37 ERA, striking out 240 and walking 83 in 312 1/3 innings. For the Twins, in 2015, he went 1-5, with a 5.58 ERA in 27 games (19 starts).
Okay, so we’ve seen that you don’t have to be a star to be counted among the Rule Five success stories.
Now let’s look at some players who were left unprotected – and became not only Rule Five draftees, but also went on to career greatness.
As you will see, their success was not necessarily immediate. Finding (and developing) true “gems” through the Rule Five Draft demands perspective (the ability to recognize potential), perseverance and patience. (A little blind luck probably helps as well.) So, here are BBRT’s top five players all time who went unprotected – and changed teams – in the Rule Five Draft.
Number One – Roberto Clemente, outfield
Identifying the most successful Rule Five draftee ever was easy – the Baseball Hall of Fame did it form me back in 1973. Roberto Clemente was picked up by the Pirates (from the Dodgers) in the 1954 Rule Five Draft. Clemente was 20 at the time, coming off a .257-2-13 season (in 87 games) at Triple A Montreal (International League). In his first season with the Pirates, Clemente had modest success – .255-5-47 over 124 games. Long-term, he proved a pretty good bargain. Clemente was an All Star in 12 of 18 seasons, all with the Pirates. He compiled a .317 average, 3,000 hits, 240 home runs, 1,305 RBIs – as well as four batting titles, 12 Gold Gloves, the 1966 NL MVP Award and the 1971 World Series MVP Award.
Number Two – Johan Santana, left-handed pitcher
Johan Santana takes the second spot on this list. Signed as a free agent by the Astros in 1995, Santana spent three seasons in the Astros’ minor league system (Rookie League to A level). As an Astros’ farmhand, Santana, still a teenager, went 15-18 with a 5.05 ERA. Left unprotected in the 1999 Rule Five Draft, Santana was picked up by the Minnesota Twins – in a deal that still seems a bit mystifying. The Twins had the first pick that year and drafted pitcher Jared Camp, while the Marlins (with the second pick) took Santana. Then, per an earlier agreement, the Twins sent Camp to the Marlins in return for Santana and $50,000 cash (which covered the cost of the Santana pick). In his first season with the Twins, Santana (working primarily in relief) suffered through a 2-3 record, with a 6.49 ERA – walking 54 and striking out 64 in 86 innings. Santana, in fact, didn’t transition to full-time starter until well into the 2003 season. He ended 2003 with a 12-3 record (3.07 ERA) and his career rising fast (he was the AL 2004 Cy Young Award winner). In Santana’s 12-year MLB career he has been an All Star four times, won two Cy Young Awards, and led his league in ERA and strikeouts three times each. Santana, who has not pitched in the major leagues since 2012 due to injuries, has indicted he will attempt a comeback (he is currently in the Blue Jays’ system) in 2016.
Number Three – Jose Bautista, outfield/third base
See the Bautista story at the top of this post.
Number Four – Darrell Evans, third base
Evans signed with the Kansas City Athletics in 1967 and showed promise in the minor leagues until a shoulder injury hindered both his hitting and throwing. The Athletics, grooming Sal Bando for third base, left Evans unprotected in the 1968 Rule Five Draft and he was claimed by the Braves (who have proven pretty adept at putting quality players at the hot corner … Eddie Mathews, Chipper Jones, Clete Boyer, Terry Pendleton). That first season with the Braves, Evans played in only 19 games – hitting just .231 with no home runs and one RBI. Evans, in fact, didn’t became an everyday player for the Braves until 1972 (Remember – perspective, perseverance, patience). In a 21-season career (Braves, Giants, Tigers), Evans went on to hit .248 with 414 home runs (49th all time) and 1,354 RBI. He also drew 1,605 career walks, twelfth-most all time. A few other notable facts about Evans: In 1973, Evans hit 41 home runs – joining Braves’ teammates Hank Aaron (40 HRs) and Dave Johnson (43 HRs) as the first trio of teammates to top 40 long balls; in 1985 (as a Tiger), Evans led the AL in home runs (40) at age 38; Evans’ MLB career lasted from 1969-1989 and he was an All Star in each year that ended in a three (1973, 1983 – his only two All Star appearances).
Number Five – Bobby Bonilla, outfield
The final spot on this list of the five most successful Rule Five draftees of all time was a tough (and admittedly very debatable) decision – among the contenders (in alphabetical order) were George Bell, Paul Blair, Bobby Bonilla, Josh Hamilton and Shane Victorino. A close call, but BBRT gives the final spot to Bonilla. Bonilla signed out of high school (as an amateur free agent) with the Pirates. The year was 1981 and Bonilla stayed in the Pirates’ system until the 1985 Rule Five Draft (he had suffered a broken leg in an on-field collision in Spring Training that year). The White Sox drafted Bonilla and he hit .269-2-26 in 75 games for the Sox in 1986. In mid-season, the Sox traded Bonilla back to Pittsburgh – and he finished the season at .256-3-43. He went on to a 16-year-career that included six All Star selections, a .279 average, 287 home runs and 1,173 RBI.
So, there is a look at the Rule Five Draft by the “fives” – five from this year, five from last year and five all-time.
I tweet baseball @DavidBBRT
Member: Society for American Baseball Research (SABR); The Baseball Reliquary; Baseball Bloggers Alliance.
