Phillies Rule 5 Draft Preview

The Rule 5 draft is this Wednesday. It is the capstone event of the Winter Meetings for the real sickos out there, but the event itself is often nothing due to the fact that the threat of it forces teams to actually make roster decisions on it. The last few years the Phillies have been aggressive in not protecting their own prospects and in drafting others. In the 2022 draft they took Noah Song and attempted to see if they could make his unique situation work for them, and then went on to select 7 players in the minor league phase, stocking AA and AAA with solid depth options. This year might be different for a few reasons, but we will see.

Who Could the Phillies Select?

I don’t know if the Phillies take anyone, I would, but I don’t know if they do. I think they have plenty of interesting bullpen arms, but if there is a guy with stuff they like, I could see them taking them. The other option is a bit more of a long shot because of where they are picking and the pickings. I would look at a AAA corner outfield bat that might compete with Jake Cave and what else they have. Someone like a Justin Dirden, but there are some other bat out there. Essentially looking for a guy that in the spring might show up and be a major leaguer for you for free.

Who Could the Phillies Lose?

Notable Prospects:

• LHP Samuel Aldegheri – Aldegheri had a great season between Clearwater and Jersey Shore, and has a 4 pitch mix and solid control. He profiles as a back end starter with a little more upside. He is unlikely to provide major league utility to a team and lacks the upside to get nothing for a year.
• RHP Jean Cabrera – Cabrera has a bit more raw velocity than Aldegheri and may profile better in a relief role, but ultimately is more of a back end starter type.
• OF Carlos De La Cruz – De La Cruz has enormous raw power and is a fascinating athlete with more upside than many players who will be available. He is still raw for a 24 year old and is unlikely to help a team in 2024.

Others of Interest/Utility:

• IF/OF Matt Kroon – Kroon is sort of similar to Matt Vierling with his ability to play all three outfield positions and corner infield positions. He has good exit velocities and contact abilities. He may be able to plug directly onto a major league bench.
• RHP Dominic Pipkin – Pipkin has dealt with injuries and ineffectiveness for years. He moved to the bullpen full time in 2023 and his velocity jumped. His secondary pitches and command still need refinement, but the velocity jump makes him interesting.
• RHP Noah Skirrow – Skirrow throws low 90s and mixes in a cutter, curveball, and changeup. He has been more of a depth starter or bulk reliever.
• RHP Andrew Schultz – Schultz has not control, but he has a ton of arm strength.
• LHP Taylor Lehman – Lehman is a tall left handed reliever with a low 90s fastball and cutter, and big sweeping curveball. In 2024, lefties hit .121/.281/.136 off of him.
• RHP Tyler McKay – McKay is a tall sinker-changeup reliever who will also throw a slider. Control was shaky in AAA, but he can get lefties and righties out.
• LHP Jordi Martinez – Martinez’s stuff didn’t jump out of the bullpen, but he is a lefty reliever with a mid 90s fastball and a full starter’s pitch mix.

Interest Minor League Phase Players

We won’t know the protection lists, so this is highly speculative of players the Phillies could leave exposed and would be interesting if they were.

• RHP Giussepe Velasquez – Velasquez is out for the year with Tommy John, but he is a 20 year old with interesting pitching traits a team could try and stash for later.
• SS Casey Martin – Martin is never going to hit enough to justify his draft position. He did however have not a terrible year in hi-A (AA was a different story). He can pick it at short and can run and hit for power. Sort of a minor league utility/org guy.
• OF Baron Radcliff – Also unlikely to ever hit, but has as much raw power as anyone in baseball.
• RHP Eduar Segovia – Segovia missed most of the last two years due to injuries, but when healthy he has an interesting fastball and plus slider.
• OF Leandro Pineda – Pineda looks the part, but his numbers have never fully backed it up. He had a great second half and is only 21 so it is unlikely the Phillies leave him available.
• 1B Rixon Wingrove – Wingrove is a large left handed hitting first baseman. He has been power, but a lot of swing and miss, and is heading into his age 24 season.
• RHP Starlyn Castillo – Castillo is now in his second year of eligibility and in his second year back from Tommy John he could not make it out of the complex. He has a mid 90s fastball, and his curveball is still a big swing and miss pitch. He still also does not throw strikes.
• 2B Scott Kingery – I have no idea what salary Kingery makes in 2024, but I suspect he will once again be available to anyone who wants him.