Suitcase Simpson – The Legend … Joey Bats – The Reality<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n Suitcase Simpson – his nickname was more about shoes than suitcases.<\/p><\/div>\n Harry \u201cSuitcase\u201d Simpson<\/strong> began his professional baseball career with the Philadelphia Stars of the Negro National League in 1946 \u2013 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.\u00a0 Legend, however, does not mirror reality. Simpson actually picked up the \u201cSuitcase” moniker during his time the Philadelphia Stars based on his size-13 feet \u2013 which reminded a sportswriter of a cartoon character (from the comic strip Toonerville Folks<\/em>) 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:\u00a0 Over his MLB career, Simpson hit .266, with 73 home runs and 381 RBI. He did lead the AL in triples twice \u2013 and his best year was 1956, when he hit .293, with 22 doubles, a league-leading eleven triples, 21 home runs and 105 RBI. <\/em><\/span><\/p>\n Jose Bautista – Rule Five Draftee Joey Bats lived up to the “Suitcase” Simspon legend in 2004.<\/span><\/p><\/div>\n Why is BBRT looking back on the Suitcase Simpson \u201clegend.\u201d Because for Blue Jays\u2019 All Star Jose Bautista<\/strong>, reality does mirror legend. In his\u00a0 first season in the major leagues, Bautista was on the roster of as many major league teams as Simpson was in his entire career \u2013 and this all ties back ot the ultimate topic of this post: \u00a0MLB\u2019s Rule Five Draft.<\/em> Here\u2019s \u201cJoey Bats\u201d (yes, that\u2019s Bautista\u2019s 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\u00a0 played in the Pirate\u2019s minor league system until 2003. In those three seasons,\u00a0 he played in 349 games, hitting .287, with 24 home runs and 100 RBI \u2013 never rising above High A ball. The Pirates left Bautista unprotected in the 2003 Rule Five Draft\u00a0 \u2013 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 \u2013 and the Orioles placed him on waivers.\u00a0 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 \u2013 Bautista\u2019s original team).\u00a0 The Pirates kept him on the major league roster for the remainder of the season (40 more at bats) \u2013 making Bautista the first (and still only) player to be on five different Major League rosters in one season. How did Joey Bats<\/em> do in his post Rule Five Draft season \u2013 five major league rosters, four major league teams played for, 64 games, 88 at bats, a .205 average, zero home runs and two RBI. \u00a0From that highly traveled start, this Rule Five draftee grew up to be a Blue Jay and one of the AL\u2019s most feared power hitters.\u00a0 It didn\u2019t 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\u00a0 past six seasons, he has hit .268, with 227 (of his career 286) home runs and driven in 582 (of his career 793) runs.\u00a0 That earns Jose Bautista BBRT\u2019s rating as the third most successful (career-wise) Rule Five draftee ever. (The top five are listed later in this post.)\u00a0 Now, here\u2019s the segue \u2013 MLB\u2019s Rule Five Draft is what this post is all about.<\/strong> <\/em>Read on if you are interested past and present Rule Five Draft results.<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p><\/blockquote>\n The MLB Rule Five Draft<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n On December 10, Major League Baseball held its annual Rule Five Draft.\u00a0 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.\u00a0 This post will focus the results of the Rule Five Draft in a five-by-five format. BBRT will look briefly at:<\/p>\n Let\u2019s start with a look at the first five players (in the order picked) taken in this December\u2019s Rule Five Draft.<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n Goeddel was originally drafted in the first round of the 2011 draft by the Rays. The 6\u20194\u201d, 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).\u00a0 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\u2019s solid 2015 season and the success of Philllies\u2019 2014 Rule Five pick Odubel Herrera and my money is on Goedell sticking with Philadelphi<\/em><\/strong>a. Goeddel is the younger brother of Mets\u2019 reliever Erik Goeddel.<\/p>\n The now 23-year-old Cave taken originally was taken by the Yankees in the sixth round of the 2011 Major League Draft.\u00a0 Cave\u2019s career was set back when he suffered a fractured knee cap in his first minor league game.\u00a0 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. \u00a0\u00a0In 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.<\/strong> \u00a0At 6\u2019, 200-pounds, the Reds likely are hoping Cave begins to show at least modest power.<\/p>\n The 6\u20195\u201d, 213-lb. Rutckyj (pronounced RUT-ski) was taken in the 16th<\/sup> round of the 2010 draft.\u00a0 Since that time, he has shown potential as a power pitcher. In 2015 \u2013 playing for the High A Tampa Yankees and Double A Trenton Thunder \u2013 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.\u00a0 With Atlanta\u2019s bullpen needs and the rarity of power lefties, BBRT figures major league announcers will spend the full 2015 season mispronouncing Rutckyj\u2019s name.\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n 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\u20192\u201d, 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) \u2013 going a combined 6-12, 3.98 in 22 starts, fanning 118 and walking 37 in 126 2\/3 innings. He\u2019s shown good stuff in five minor league seasons, including a mid-90s fastball and tight slider.\u00a0 Still, he\u2019s 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\u2019ll 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.<\/strong><\/p>\n The now 26-year-old Walsh was signed by the Cardinals (out of Stanford University) as a 13th<\/sup> round pick in the 2010 major league draft.\u00a0 After four seasons in the Cardinals\u2019 organization (Rookie League through AA and Fall League), he was released and signed with the A\u2019s for 2014.\u00a0 While in the Cardinals\u2019 organization, Walsh hit .267, with 31 home runs, 172 RBI and 31 steals \u2013 while playing six different positions. Walsh upped his game after signing with the A\u2019s.\u00a0 In 2014 \u2013 at High A, Double A and Triple A \u2013 he hit a combined .290, with four home runs and 32 RBI.\u00a0 Last season, at Double A Midland (Texas League), the switch-hitting Walsh hit .302-13-49 with seven steals. Versatility may be Walsh\u2019s ticket to a 2016 stay with the Brewers \u2013 a switch hitter who plays multiple positions can be a handy asset on the bench.<\/strong> It will all depend on how well he hits this coming spring.<\/p>\n A few other Rule Five draftees BBRT thinks have a decent chance to stick in the major leagues this coming year:<\/p>\n Josh Martin, right-handed pitcher \u2013 taken by the Padres (from the Indians)<\/strong><\/p>\n At 6\u20195\u201d, 230-pounds, Martin is an imposing presence on the hill \u2013 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. \u00a0The Padres need bullpen help and a good spring could earn Martin a spot in the pen.<\/p>\n Joey Rickard, outfield\u00a0 – taken by the Orioles (from the Rays)<\/strong><\/p>\n The Orioles are looking for outfield help and Rickard has solid credentials.\u00a0 In 2015, he hit .321, with 23 steals at High A, Double A and Triple A.\u00a0 Lacking in power, just two home runs last season, he still brings plenty to the table as a spare outfielder.<\/p>\n Dan Stumpf, left-handed pitcher – taken by the Phillies (from the Royals)<\/strong><\/p>\n In four minor league seasons, Stumpf \u00a0has gone 20-23, with a solid 3.21 ERA and 306 strikeouts in 311 1\/3 innings.\u00a0 As noted earlier, the Phillies are rebuilding and the 24-year-old Stumpf could be a fit.<\/p>\n How the Rule 5 Draft Works<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n 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.<\/span><\/p>\n Which players eligible to be drafted?<\/strong>\u00a0 Players not on their parent team\u2019s 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\u2019s 40-man major league roster are protected from the draft.)<\/span><\/p>\n Which teams can draft players?<\/strong>\u00a0 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.<\/span><\/p>\n What does it cost?<\/strong> The team that selects a player in the Rule Five Draft pays $50,000 to the team from which he was selected.<\/span><\/p>\n What happens to the player?<\/strong> The drafted the player must remain on his new team\u2019s 25-man major league roster for the entire next season, and must be \u201cactive\u201d (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.<\/span><\/p>\n Can a drafted player be traded?<\/strong>\u00a0 Yes.\u00a0 However, the new team must still abide by the Draft terms (kept on major league roster, active at least 90 days).<\/span><\/p><\/blockquote>\n Now, how about a look at the 2014 Rule Five Draft\u2019s top five 2015 \u201csuccess\u201d stories \u2013 based on their 2015 seasons.<\/em>\u00a0<\/strong> <\/span><\/p>\n Keep in mind, the Rule Five Draft consists of players whose parent franchises chose not to protect on their 40-man rosters. Baseball America<\/em> 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 \u2013 again, not in draft order, but in terms of 2015 performance.<\/p>\n Herrera was a middle infielder (2B-SS) for his six minor league seasons \u2013 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.\u00a0 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\u2019s 2015 performance makes him the real deal and the real steal of the 2014 Rule Five Draft.<\/p>\n 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.\u00a0 In 2015, he started 85 games in center field and 25 in left field for Texas.\u00a0 He hit .261 with two home runs, 37 RBI and 25 steals.<\/p>\n 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 \u2013 hitting .285, with 68 home runs and 303 RBI in 496 games. With the A\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n Gilmartin was drafted by the Braves (out of Florida State University, where he was an All American) in the first round (28th<\/sup> 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\u00a0 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 \u2013 posting a 3.71 ERA.\u00a0 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.<\/p>\n 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\u2019 minor League system \u2013 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).<\/p>\n Okay, so we\u2019ve seen that you don\u2019t have to be a star to be counted among the Rule Five success stories.<\/p>\n Now let\u2019s look at some players who were left unprotected \u2013 and became not only Rule Five draftees, but also went on to career greatness.\u00a0<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n As you will see, their success was not necessarily immediate.\u00a0 Finding (and developing) true \u201cgems\u201d 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\u00a0 BBRT\u2019s top five players all time who went unprotected \u2013 and changed teams – in the Rule Five Draft.<\/p>\n![\"Suitcase](\"https:\/\/baseballroundtable.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/12\/simpson.jpg\")
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