Tampa Bay Rays Mailbag: Examining the Rule 5 Eligibles

Aug 20, 2013; Ft Myers, FL, USA; Charlotte Stone Crabs shortstop Jake Hager (2) tags out Fort Myers Miracle center fielder Byron Buxton (7) as he attempted to steal at Hammond Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

Now a few words on the guys who have almost no chance of being added to the 40-man roster. If you would like to discuss anyone I didn’t mention, feel free to comment.

Granden Goetzman: He still has raw tools and his plate approach has looked better, but he has a .626 OPS at High-A this year.

Jake Hager: Hager still has a chance to be a useful big league player, but he isn’t talented enough to be selected after missing the whole year following left ankle surgery.

Cameron Seitzer: He’s having a good year, but only in his third try at Double-A. He also doesn’t profile well defensively anywhere except for first base.

Joey Rickard: I like Rickard more because of his centerfield defense, but you don’t see a 24 year old with fourth outfielder upside who is repeating Double-A get selected in the Rule 5 Draft. For what it’s worth, he was just promoted to Triple-A, but the answer is still no.

Armando Araiza: Though he is a great defender at the catcher position, he simply can’t hit.

Maxx Tissenbaum: His conversion to catcher is going well, but he also hasn’t hit much this year. At least, unlike Araiza, he has some on-base skills.

Leonardo Reginatto: Reginatto just has that “It” Factor about him that is going to get him to the major leagues for at least one game. I am convinced (and can elaborate in the comments). However, he simply doesn’t hit the ball with enough authority to be picked in the Rule 5 Draft.

Chris Kirsch: Kirsch is a polished lefty who forces groundballs, but he doesn’t have the velocity or the swing-and-miss stuff to be selected.

Jeff Ames/Parker Markel/Matt Lollis/Mark Sappington: All four are Double-A relievers who can bring it or at least could at one point, but they all have enough control problems and general inconsistency that they will go unselected. Ames was just promoted to Montgomery and has looked sharp, and I would be interested to know where his velocity is at these days. Unless he’s hitting triple digits, though, all four of them will stick around.

Isaac Gil: He’s another mid-90’s guy, but he is at High-A and isn’t missing bats.

Next: Wrap-Up