Top MLB Prospects Left Exposed to Being Stolen in 2015 Rule 5 Draft

Some real gems have come out of the Rule 5 draft over the years, from Roberto Clemente being selected by the Pirates in 1954 to Johan Santana joining the Twins in 1999 and numerous others in between.

This year's Rule 5 draft is scheduled for 10 a.m. ET on Thursday, as it will once again represent the final major event of the annual winter meetings. 

For those unclear on the exact specifications on who is eligible for the Rule 5 draft, here's Jonathan Mayo from MLB.com's quick explanation:

• Players first signed at age 18 must be added to 40-man rosters within five seasons or they become eligible to be drafted by other organizations through the Rule 5 process. 

• Players signed at 19 years or older have to be protected within four seasons.

• Clubs pay $50,000 to select a player in the Major League phase of the Rule 5 Draft. If that player doesn't stay on the 25-man roster for the full season, he must be offered back to his former team for $25,000.

This past season may not have seen any Hall of Fame-caliber talent changing teams, but in terms of depth, it may have been the best Rule 5 draft class of all time.

In total, 10 of the 14 players selected in last year's draft stuck with the team that selected them. Here's a look back at the notable contributors from that group:

• 1B Mark Canha, OAK (.741 OPS, 16 HR, 70 RBI, 61 R, 1.1 WAR)
• CF Delino DeShields, TEX (.718 OPS, 10 3B, 83 R, 25 SB 1.1 WAR)
• RP Sean Gilmartin, NYM (50 G, 3-2, 2.67 ERA, 8.5 K/9, 1.1 WAR)
• RP J.R. Graham, MIN (39 G, 1-1, 4.95 ERA, 7.5 K/9, -0.4 WAR)
• CF Odubel Herrera, PHI (.762 OPS, 30 2B, 64 R, 16 SB, 3.8 WAR)

While a similar contribution from this year's crop of Rule 5 picks is unlikely, there are certainly some players capable of making an immediate impact and others worth stashing due to their long-term potential.

Here's a quick look at 10 potential impact prospects left exposed to the 2015 Rule 5 draft process.

OF Wuilmer Becerra, New York Mets

2015 Stats

Level	AB	BA/OBP/SLG	H	2B	HR	RBI	R	SB	BB/K
A	449	.290/.342/.423	130	27	9	63	67	16	33/96

Scouting Report (via MLB.com)

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Big and physical, Becerra has the chance to fit the mold of a prototypical athletic right fielder. An average runner who is better under way, he can use his long strides to cover ground in right field, and his easily above-average arm works well from the corner.

His raw power also fits the profile well, and the adjustments he made in 2014 provide some signs he might just hit enough to tap into that power. There is some length to his swing, and he needs to continue to refine his approach, but he appears to be moving in the right direction.

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Analysis

The New York Mets acquired Wuilmer Becerra along with Noah Syndergaard and Travis d'Arnaud in the trade that sent R.A. Dickey to the Toronto Blue Jays prior to the 2013 season.

Signed to a seven-figure bonus out of Venezuela, Becerra spent his first three pro seasons in the rookie league but made the jump to Single-A Savannah this past season and more than held his own.

The 21-year-old has as high a ceiling as any hitter in this year's crop of potential Rule 5 picks, but seeing as he's yet to play above Single-A the Mets may be able to sneak him through as a team would be asking a lot of him to make the jump to the majors.

RHP Zack Jones, Minnesota Twins

2015 Stats

Level	G/GS	W-L	ERA	WHIP	BB	K	IP	BAA
A+/AA	45/0	5-4	4.18	1.277	28	68	51.2	.204

Scouting Report (via MLB.com)

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Jones has the velocity to be dominant, missing bats basically with just a fastball. It's a pitch he throws in the upper 90s with movement. While he struggles to command it, he found the strike zone enough to collect two saves and help Ft. Myers win the Florida State League championship in 2014. He didn't give up a run in 11 AFL games that fall, though he walked more than he struck out. Jones needs to develop a second pitch. His slider hasn't come around as hoped, and there has been some talk of trying a cutter or some other kind of offspeed pitch.

If Jones can find a secondary offering to offset the velocity of his fastball, he could work his way back into future bullpen conversations.

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Analysis

Jones turned 25 years old on Dec. 4, so he's on the older end of the prospect scale.

However, he has the big-time arm teams tend to target as bullpen options in the Rule 5 draft, as MLB.com gives him a 75-grade fastball.

His 5.0 BB/9 career walk rate and 6.00 ERA in 27 appearances after making the jump to Double-A could scare teams off, but you can't teach elite fastball velocity and he possesses just that.

OF Teoscar Hernandez, Houston Astros

2015 Stats

Level	AB	BA/OBP/SLG	H	2B	HR	RBI	R	SB	BB/K
AA	470	.219/.275/.362	103	12	17	48	92	33	33/126

Scouting Report (via MLB.com)

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Hernandez stands out for his athleticism and power-speed combination. If he can develop more feel at the plate, he has the potential to become a five-tool player. To do so, he'll need to refine his pitch recognition and cut down on his strikeouts after whiffing in a quarter of his plate appearances during his first two years of full-season ball.

Hernandez has a strong arm and is a capable center fielder. He is still physically maturing, though, and if he loses a step as he fills out, he could end up in a corner.

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Analysis

His 2015 numbers may not jump off the page, but Teoscar Hernandez has a chance to make a real impact as a power-speed threat and a solid defensive center fielder.

Splitting the 2014 season between High-A and Double-A, he hit .292/.362/.535 with 37 doubles, 21 home runs, 85 RBI and 33 stolen bases.

The lack of production in the upper levels of the minors makes him a question mark, but there's no question Hernandez has the tools to make a serious impact at the big league level if the 23-year-old continues to develop.

LHP Reymin Guduan, Houston Astros

2015 Stats

Level	G/GS	W-L	ERA	WHIP	BB	K	IP	BAA
A/A+/AA	35/0	4-6	5.52	1.555	33	59	45.2	.220

Scouting Report (via MLB.com)

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Few left-handers in the Minor Leagues can throw harder than Guduan, who sat in the mid 90s and reached 100 mph as a starter. Now that he has become a full-time reliever, he regularly works in the upper 90s.

Now that he has moved to the bullpen, Guduan operates almost exclusively with his fastball and mid-80s slider. He'll flash a plus breaking ball, but it lacks consistency. He's doing a better job of avoiding contact this year but still is having trouble throwing strikes on a regular basis.

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Analysis

Hard-throwing lefties are always a hot commodity in the Rule 5 draft, and Reymin Guduan certainly fits the bill as he can touch triple digits with his fastball.

He was hit hard as a starter in 2014, posting a 1.805 WHIP and 10.8 H/9 with a .286 batting average against, so his full-time move to the bullpen this past season seemed like an inevitability.

Command is still the big question mark, as walked 33 batters in 45.2 innings this past season, but the pure stuff is there for him to be an impact relief arm. It's simply a matter of whether a team is willing to use up a roster spot in 2016, because he likely won't be more than a mop-up reliever at the big league level this coming season.

1B Balbino Fuenmayor, Kansas City Royals

Brace Hemmelgarn/Getty Images

2015 Stats

Level	AB	BA/OBP/SLG	H	2B	HR	RBI	R	SB	BB/K
AA/AAA	360	.358/.384/.589	129	28	17	66	62	1	12/59

Scouting Report (via MLB.com)

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If Fuenmayor gets to the big leagues, it will be his huge power that takes him there. He probably won't post high batting averages and on-base percentages, but he has found more success since toning down what had been an all-or-nothing approach.

While Fuenmayor has a strong arm and broke into pro ball as a third baseman, he's strictly a first baseman. He's a well below-average athlete and runner who's a shaky defender.

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Analysis

Originally signed by the Toronto Blue Jays in 2006, Balbino Fuenmayor failed to advance beyond the Single-A level before being released at the end of the 2012 season.

He spent the 2013 and 2014 seasons bouncing around independent league ball and opened some eyes when he hit .347/.383/.610 with 30 doubles, 23 home runs and 99 RBI in 377 at-bats for Quebec in the Can-Am League.

The Kansas City Royals took a flier on him this past season, and he wound up earning a spot in the starting lineup at the Futures Game. He'll go as far as his bat takes him, and he's already 26, but Fuenmayor is someone who could provide some right-handed pop in a first baseman/designated hitter role.

LHP Sam Selman, Kansas City Royals

2015 Stats

Level	G/GS	W-L	ERA	WHIP	BB	K	IP	BAA
AA	41/0	3-5	5.27	1.740	42	69	56.1	.262

Scouting Report (via MLB.com)

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Selman throws harder than most left-handers, and once he switched to relief he returned to throwing his fastball at 93-95 mph and touching 97 like he had in his debut. His hard slider can be a plus pitch at its best, though it can be unreliable at times too. He never has shown much feel for his changeup and likely will scrap it in his new role.

Selman has a lot going on in his delivery, which adds deception that makes him hard to hit but also makes it difficult to control and command his pitches on a regular basis. If he can develop even average strike-throwing ability, he could be a bullpen force.

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Analysis

A second-round pick in the 2012 draft, Sam Selman went 9-3 with a 3.55 ERA and 80 strikeouts in 76 innings of work during his junior season at Vanderbilt

After his first full pro season in 2013 where he went 11-9 with a 3.38 ERA and 128 strikeouts in 125.1 innings at High-A Wilmington, he struggled in 2014 and made the full-time move to the bullpen this past season as a result.

If he does in fact scrap his changeup and simply focuses on being a fastball/slider pitcher out of the pen, his stuff should continue to play up, and he could wind up emerging as a significant contributor this coming season.

OF Jake Cave, New York Yankees

Elsa/Getty Images

2015 Stats

Level	AB	BA/OBP/SLG	H	2B	HR	RBI	R	SB	BB/K
AA/AAA	529	.278/.339/.359	147	25	2	39	72	17	46/106

Scouting Report (via MLB.com)

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Cave flashes all-around ability and draws praise for his constant hustle. He barrels balls and isn't fazed by breaking pitches, so he should hit for average, provided he tightens his strike-zone discipline. There's some question as to whether he can get to average power because most of his pop goes to the gaps, and he homered just nine times in his first 248 pro games.

If Cave doesn't hit for more power, he might be more of a tweener than an everyday player. He's a solid runner and a competent center fielder. His arm isn't as strong as it was in high school but gives him a fourth average-or-better tool.

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Analysis

He may profile more as a fourth outfielder long term, but Jake Cave has a chance to make a legitimate contribution at the big league level in 2016 thanks to his relatively polished all-around game.

Cave was a two-way player in high school, and with a fastball in the mid-90s some scouts actually liked him better as a pitcher. Nonetheless, he's steadily progressed through the Yankees system as an outfielder and is now on the cusp of reaching the majors.

He's homered just 11 times in 1,727 career plate appearances and doesn't have elite speed either, but a solid walk rate (7.7%) and good contact skills (19.7% strikeout rate) should still allow him to contribute offensively.

RHP Alberto Tirado, Philadelphia Phillies

2015 Stats

Level	G/GS	W-L	ERA	WHIP	BB	K	IP	BAA
A+	40/0	5-3	2.68	1.345	53	77	77.1	.198

Scouting Report (via MLB.com)

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Tirado throws his fastball in the low to mid 90s and is capable of touching 98 mph. His slider and changeup both show promise, though both pitches remain inconsistent.

Tirado never has thrown many strikes as a professional. His wildness and smaller frame may make him better suited to be a reliever in the long run, and Toronto moved him to that role in high Class A in 2015.

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Analysis

Alberto Tirado ranked as the No. 8 prospect in the Toronto Blue Jays system prior to the 2014 season, according to Baseball America, after posting a 1.68 ERA, 1.262 WHIP and 44 strikeouts in 48.1 innings as an 18-year-old in the Appalachian League.

However, he struggled making the jump to full-season ball in 2014, and he made the full-time move to the bullpen in 2015.

The Blue Jays shipped him to Philadelphia along with right-hander Jimmy Cordero at the deadline in exchange for outfielder Ben Revere, but the rebuilding Phillies opted to leave him unprotected this winter.

The 20-year-old still has a lot of work to do improving his command, but his live arm and late-inning upside could be reason enough for a team to take a chance and stash him for the year.

OF Jabari Blash, Seattle Mariners

Lenny Ignelzi/Associated Press

2015 Stats

Level	AB	BA/OBP/SLG	H	2B	HR	RBI	R	SB	BB/K
AA/AAA	406	.271/.370/.576	110	24	32	81	79	8	59/123

Scouting Report (via MLBTradeRumors)

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Pros: Power, athleticism, a high walk rate, upper-minors success, and plus defense.

Cons: A big whiff rate that could get out of hand in the majors.

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Analysis

Jabari Blash is the only player on this list who doesn't rank among his team's top 30 prospect, according to MLB.com, which is why his above scouting report comes from MLBTradeRumors instead.

However, he could turn out to be this year's version of Mark Canha as a power-hitting prospect who has little left to prove in the minors.

Blash has tallied double-digit home runs each season since 2011, but he set new career highs across the board offensively this past year.

He thrived after making the jump to Triple-A, posting a .995 OPS with 22 home runs and 47 RBI in 197 at-bats, as he ranked seventh in the PCL in home runs despite playing just 56 games at that level.

At 6'5" and 225 pounds he certainly has a power hitter's build, and as long as he can keep his strikeouts under control after whiffing at a 25.8 percent clip this past season he has a chance to make a real impact offensively.

RHP Luis Perdomo, St. Louis Cardinals

Mark Cunningham/Getty Images

2015 Stats

Level	G/GS	W-L	ERA	WHIP	BB	K	IP	BAA
A/A+	23/22	6-12	3.98	1.350	37	118	126.2	.273

Scouting Report (via MLB.com)

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Perdomo possessed an 86-88 mph fastball when he signed, but he has gotten much stronger and now works at 93-95 mph and touches 97. He has a hard breaking ball that's more of a slider than a curveball and can climb into the mid 80s. He also has feel for throwing a changeup, enhancing his chances of remaining a starter as he advances.

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Analysis

One of of two players eligible for the Rule 5 draft to participate in the Futures Game this past season, along with Balbino Fuenmayor of the Kansas City Royals, right-hander Luis Perdomo may have the highest ceiling of any potential selection.

Currently ranked as the No. 11 prospect in the St. Louis Cardinals system, per MLB.com, he's come a long way since signing out of the Dominican Republic in 2010.

After posting a 4.25 ERA and striking out 57 hitters in 72 innings of work over three minor league levels in 2014, he was one of the breakout prospects of 2015.

He struggled a bit after making the jump to High-A, pitching to a 5.13 ERA and 1.405 WHIP over 26.1 innings of work, but the uptick in his stuff has been eye-opening nonetheless.

With the potential to be a solid starter down the road and the power stuff to potentially help in the bullpen right now, the 22-year-old may be the most intriguing arm in this year's crop of potential Rule 5 picks.

All stats courtesy of Baseball-Reference.com unless otherwise noted.