Tracking the Rule Fivers

[Nate Colbert]

Royals may go with 8-man bullpen in part to hold onto Jandel Gustave.

[MusicMan]

Royals may go with 8-man bullpen in part to hold onto Jandel Gustave.

The Royals should seriously toy with abandoning starting pitchers.

[Duman]

DeShields holds no grudge against pitcher who hit him in the face.  They might be teammates this year.

In other news, some say DeShields is likely to be a huge tool

He's the favorite to win the backup job in center field and could be a huge tool off the bench too because of his speed. He had 54 steals in 114 games last season and has cracked the 50-steal mark in each of the last three seasons.

[VirtualBob]

In other news, some say DeShields is likely to be a huge tool

News?

[Nate Colbert]

Breaking ball a work in progress for David Rollins in Mariners camp.

[Nate Colbert]

Bad beginning for DDJ:

Delino Deshields had a very bad first audition to be the backup center fielder. He butchered a fly ball that got over his head in center, missed the ricochet after it one-hopped the wall and took a tumble. On a catch he did make, he nearly overran the ball. And then he struck out to end the game, coming nowhere near any of the pitches he swung at.

[chuck]

Bad beginning for DDJ:

I'm shocked to hear this. I really am. Shocked.

[Knoxbanedoodle]

Bad beginning for DDJ:

Maybe he just really likes the Astros minor league system...

[Nate Colbert]

Lotsa competition in Mariners camp for the 2nd bullpen lefty spot but David Rollins has started off well.

[Duman]

DeSheilds leaves game with injured leg

[Uncle Charlie]

DeSheilds leaves game with injured leg

I can't see DDS making it, even if he were to start on the DL.

What I can see is Shawn Krest displaying laziness in his writing.

[Reuben]

I can't see DDS making it, even if he were to start on the DL.

What I can see is Shawn Krest displaying laziness in his writing.

You mean "Infielder" Delino DeShields?

[chuck]

You mean "Infielder" Delino DeShields?

You can put quotation marks around anything having to do with baseball as it applies to that guy save pinch runner for which, ironically, he was lifted.

[Uncle Charlie]

You mean "Infielder" Delino DeShields?

That, along with the picture (astros hat and an old one at that) and the use of the roman numeral in the Rule 5.  I wouldn't point it out if it was someone on a blog, but this guy got paid as a professional writer to put together that blurb

[austro]

That, along with the picture (astros hat and an old one at that) and the use of the roman numeral in the Rule 5.  I wouldn't point it out if it was someone on a blog, but this guy got paid as a professional writer to put together that blurb

Something to keep in mind when you run across stuff like this (or just general fuck-up-ery in any part of life): almost all of the people you went to high school with actually got jobs somewhere doing something. On any given day, you're going to bump into a few of those folks.

[juliogotay]

Before pulling up lame Friday, DeShields had two hits in the game, one a bunt, reaching first in 3.68 seconds. The Dallas News article explained that for a RH hitter reaching first in 4.0 seconds is considered "flying". Trout has been timed at 3.53.

[Nate in IA]

Something to keep in mind when you run across stuff like this (or just general fuck-up-ery in any part of life): almost all of the people you went to high school with actually got jobs somewhere doing something. On any given day, you're going to bump into a few of those folks.

SFN!  If that were worth something..

[Nate Colbert]

From a report on yesterday's Mariners/Dodgers game:

Player of the game
David Rollins continues to impress as he competes for the second left-hander spot in the bullpen. Rollins was called on in the fourth inning with two outs and a runners on second and third to face Andre Ethier. Rollins struck out Ethier looking to end the threat. He then pitched a 1-2-3 fifth inning, striking out Yasiel Puig.

[juliogotay]

From a report on yesterday's Mariners/Dodgers game:
 

I'm thinking we won't be getting Rollins back.

[Uncle Charlie]

I'm thinking we won't be getting Rollins back.

Just remember, it's a long year.  If roster situations get tight, who knows what will happen.

[Reuben]

Just remember, it's a long year.  If roster situations get tight, who knows what will happen.

AND it's Spring Training, AND the M's have pressure to make the playoffs this year. I'm rooting for the guy, but it's hard to see him sticking all year.

[Nate Colbert]

Lotsa competition in Mariners camp for the 2nd bullpen lefty spot but David Rollins has started off well.

More regards Rollins.

[Nate Colbert]

Peter Gammons ‏@pgammo  7 hours ago
http://www.seattletimes.com/sports/mariners/lefty-david-rollins-quietly-making-case-for-ms-bullpen-spot/ … via @seattletimes  Scouts keep asking:who in Houston evaluated Rollins?

[jbm]

I'm not one to normally jump to the defense of this front office, but that Gammons comment is pretty full of shit.  Firstly and most importantly, Rollins hasn't done shit yet in the majors.  If he makes the Mariners, miserably fails and gets cut, is Gammons gonna also tweet "Scouts are wondering who in Seattle evaluated Rollins."  Secondly, he wasn't that great in the minors.  Thirdly, it only makes sense to compare him to those who were kept on the 40 man.  Maybe those guys are still better than an improved Rollins.

[Mr. Happy]

I'm not one to normally jump to the defense of this front office, but that Gammons comment is pretty full of shit.  Firstly and most importantly, Rollins hasn't done shit yet in the majors.  If he makes the Mariners, miserably fails and gets cut, is Gammons gonna also tweet "Scouts are wondering who in Seattle evaluated Rollins."  Secondly, he wasn't that great in the minors.  Thirdly, it only makes sense to compare him to those who were kept on the 40 man.  Maybe those guys are still better than an improved Rollins.

Consider. The. Source. It's  fucking Whitey. Nuf said.

[Nate Colbert]

The good and the bad (mostly bad) of DDJ:

CF Delino DeShields tried to steal third with Adrian Beltre at the plate and was caught by the pitcher.

DeShields later turned a routine single into a double by reading the outfielder’s reaction well.

DeShields was thrown out trying to steal in the bottom of the ninth after reaching on a dropped third strike.

CF Delino DeShields came up a good four feet short on a dive for a ball in center field that ended up going for a triple.

[juliogotay]

The good and the bad (mostly bad) of DDJ:

DDS is the one I would not be excited to get back.

[VirtualBob]

DDS is the one I would not be excited to get back.

Prepare to be unexcited.

[Jacksonian]

Prepare to be unexcited.

Though the Astros have to agree to take him back.

[Nate Colbert]

Evan Drellich ‏@EvanDrellich  4 minutes ago
Source: Royals have placed Jandel Gustave on waivers.

Any team that claims him subject to the same rules (must keep him on the 25-man roster all season). If not claimed on waivers, then gets offered back to the Astros.

[pots]

Any team that claims him subject to the same rules (must keep him on the 25-man roster all season). If not claimed on waivers, then gets offered back to the Astros.

Wow kind of shocked at this.  He seemed to be doing okay. 

[Mr. Happy]

Wow kind of shocked at this.  He seemed to be doing okay. 

I saw him toss about ten days ago. He had zippo command of his heater.

[JimR]

I saw him toss about ten days ago. He had zippo command of his heater.

Lakey saw him while we were out there. said 96-97.

[Uncle Charlie]

Wow kind of shocked at this.  He seemed to be doing okay. 

It may just have come down to a numbers game for KC.  Here is an article about it posted today: http://www.royalsreview.com/2015/3/23/8275799/the-royals-roster-battle-for-the-25th-man

As for DDS he seems to struggle to adjust to levels.  At both Lex and Lancaster he had to spend more than a year.  The first go was a bad one then followed up by a good full year.  Myabe he starts back in Corpus (assuming the Astros take him back at half the price).

We are unlikely to see David Rollins back, at least to start the year.  He's got a 1.13 ERA, .172 BAA, 0.63 WHIP and has really only had 1 mediocre outing with the other 6 being perfect

[Mr. Happy]

Lakey saw him while we were out there. said 96-97.

I saw an A ball pitcher at best. No command of his fast ball, and I saw no quality secondary pitches.

[Reuben]

I saw an A ball pitcher at best. No command of his fast ball, and I saw no quality secondary pitches.

Well, he is an A-ball pitcher.

[juliogotay]

Gustave I would like back.

[Nate Colbert]

A bit more about the baserunning mistakes by DDJ from last night (scroll down to #5).

[JimR]

I saw an A ball pitcher at best. No command of his fast ball, and I saw no quality secondary pitches.

you and Mr. Lakey disagree.

[juliogotay]

Sparks was very high on Gustave. He mentioned on the telecast over the weekend how much he hated to see him leave the organization after he saw him last spring. And that was before he was released from KC

[VirtualBob]

Sparks was very high on Gustave. He mentioned on the telecast over the weekend how much he hated to see him leave the organization after he saw him last spring. And that was before he was released from KC

Yes.  It would be nice to see him back and coming out of the pen in Corpus (or maybe even Fresno).

[juliogotay]

Yes.  It would be nice to see him back and coming out of the pen in Corpus (or maybe even Fresno).

He still needs to clear waivers though and he may not. If you look at his numbers last year at QC he looks like he needs more time in A-ball.

[pots]

He still needs to clear waivers though and he may not. If you look at his numbers last year at QC he looks like he needs more time in A-ball.

At least KC didn't stash him in their pen for the year which seemed like their initial plan (the 8 man bullpen article that was printed)

[Duman]

He still needs to clear waivers though and he may not. If you look at his numbers last year at QC he looks like he needs more time in A-ball.

Yes but whoever would select him off waivers would have to keep him on the MLB roster the whole year too.  It is still likely he is headed back to Houston.  I don't see any other org who has the depth in their pen to stash him for a year.

[juliogotay]

Yes but whoever would select him off waivers would have to keep him on the MLB roster the whole year too.  It is still likely he is headed back to Houston.  I don't see any other org who has the depth in their pen to stash him for a year.

I agree that is the likelihood.

[Mr. Happy]

Well, he is an A-ball pitcher.

My point was that he is not ready for the show. That's why the Royals did what they did. They can contend and need a full bull pen.

[Nate Colbert]

Gustave has been claimed by the Padres.

[Uncle Charlie]

Gustave has been claimed by the Padres.

So he made it through the entire AL and then about half of the NL before being claimed.  If the Pads can't keep him I can't imagine too many others (those with better records last year) will.

[VirtualBob]

So he made it through the entire AL and then about half of the NL before being claimed.  If the Pads can't keep him I can't imagine too many others (those with better records last year) will.

I think the process starts over again, but I agree that teams passing this time around are unlikely to change their minds.

[Uncle Charlie]

I think the process starts over again, but I agree that teams passing this time around are unlikely to change their minds.

Yes..process starts over.  I should have been more clear about that and instead implied what you stated more clearly.

[Nate Colbert]

Evan Grant of the DMN says it's looking "more and more likely that the club will keep Rule 5 pick Delino DeShields as a backup center fielder".

[Nate Colbert]

Bob Nightengale ‏@BNightengale  19 minutes ago
David Rollins, the #Mariners Rule 5 pick from #Astros, popped for 80 games for PEDs.

[juliogotay]

Well that may explain the great spring showing.

[VirtualBob]

Well that may explain the great spring showing.

Very disappointing.

[Nate Colbert]

Seems like that's way too crowded a bullpen for Gustave to have any chance making the team unless the Padres start dealing some folks.

[BizidyDizidy]

How does that work for Rule V purposes

[juliogotay]

Seems like that's way too crowded a bullpen for Gustave to have any chance making the team unless the Padres start dealing some folks.

And it's not consistent with their actions this off-season of win-now.

[Nate Colbert]

Rangers GM Jon Daniels on DDJ:

“The speed is obvious,” Daniels said. “But to me there is more to it. I think his arm has played ‘up.’ I think there is strength in his swing, it’s short and through the ball. If we felt that the speed is all there was to it, it might be different.”

[Nate Colbert]

From the other day:

Jandel Gustave made his first Padre appearance and pitched a scoreless inning, getting into the high 90s with his fastball. He allowed one hit but got a strikeout and a double play grounder. Said Black: “It’s a good live arm, it’s a hard slider with a velocity fastball. We’ll see.”

And then there was this tweet earlier tonight from the Padres beat writer for the San Diego newspaper (re-tweeted by Drellich):

Dennis Lin ‏@dennistlin  4 hours ago
Sounds like the Padres might be able to work out a trade w/the Astros so SD can keep RHP Jandel Gustave, but that's still seen as unlikely.

[juliogotay]

From the other day:

And then there was this tweet earlier tonight from the Padres beat writer for the San Diego newspaper (re-tweeted by Drellich):

Maybe the Astros should be trying to work out a deal to bring Gustave back?

[Nate Colbert]

TR Sullivan ‏@Sullivan_Ranger  19 minutes ago
Carlos Peguero is headed for Triple A so Delino Deshields is apparently on the team as bench player.

[pots]

One more reason to hate the Rangers

[jbm]

"Fuck the Rangers" is always in order, but their desperation (my impression) regarding DDJ should be viewed as a positive by Astros fans.

[Uncle Charlie]

"Fuck the Rangers" is always in order, but their desperation (my impression) regarding DDJ should be viewed as a positive by Astros fans.

Completely agree.  After losing Yu, the city seemed deflated and this indicates the team may feel that way too.  DDJ can run fast and has bat potential, but this isn't going to help him develop....not that the Rangers care about that ultimately.  Greater than 50% chance they'll try to put him through waivers at some point.

[juliogotay]

Completely agree.  After losing Yu, the city seemed deflated and this indicates the team may feel that way too.  DDJ can run fast and has bat potential, but this isn't going to help him develop....not that the Rangers care about that ultimately.  Greater than 50% chance they'll try to put him through waivers at some point.

I agee. It's a long season and Pinch Runners are usually associated with winning teams looking for that last thing to put them over the edge. Herb Washington anyone? But it really does speak to their lack of talent at the OF position. Only time will tell if they can put out three ML OFers every day. If he sticks, DDS may be playing everyday by August just to see what he's got.

[BUWebguy]

Rangers picked up a second Rule 5 player on waivers today (former Baylor ace Logan Verrett, from the Orioles):
http://www.star-telegram.com/sports/mlb/texas-rangers/foul-territory-blog/article17220383.html

How often does a team make it all the way through a season with multiple Rule 5 picks?

[Duder]

The last time that comes to mind is when the Astros rostered Marwin and Rhiner Cruz for an entire season.

[Nate Colbert]

Houston Astros ‏@astros  5 minutes ago
Officially, RHP Jandel Gustave, who was selected in the 2014 Rule 5 draft, has been returned to the #Astros organization.

ETA:

Assigned to CC per various tweets (no complaints from him I'm sure about skipping The Hangar).

[juliogotay]

Yipppeee!

[VirtualBob]

Yipppeee!

+1

[Reuben]

Nice. I wonder if he'll pitch exclusively out of the 'pen this year in an attempt to accelerate his path to the majors/40-man rosterability.

[Nate Colbert]

The last time that comes to mind is when the Astros rostered Marwin and Rhiner Cruz for an entire season.

You're right of course. Gerry Fraley of the DMN gets it wrong in this article when he says the 2003 Brewers were the last to do it.

[Ron Brand]

You're right of course. Gerry Fraley of the DMN gets it wrong in this article when he says the 2003 Brewers were the last to do it.

That's because the Astros only existed long enough to be strongarmed into the American League. Now they're gone again.

[Nate Colbert]

Mike Curto ‏@CurtoWorld  36 minutes ago
David Rollins w/ scoreless IP in first app of 2015. 2 hits, 1 walk, 89-92 on scoreboard radar gun. M's have two weeks to make a decision.

First rehab assignment. His PED suspension is over July 4 when the Mariners will have to put him on the active roster.

[JimR]

ETA:

Assigned to CC per various tweets (no complaints from him I'm sure about skipping The Hangar).

saw him in ST. throws bullets.

[juliogotay]

saw him in ST. throws bullets.

I think he made the TL All-Star team.

[Nate Colbert]

I think he made the TL All-Star team.

Yes, he did.

[Nate Colbert]

Mike Curto ‏@CurtoWorld  2 hours ago
LHP David Rollins w/ two scoreless IP. He has not allowed a run in 7 games, 9.1 IP. M's have to call him up or return him to HOU on Saturday.

[VirtualBob]

Noticed that DDJr was playing at RR last night.  Rehab?  Something else?

[jbm]

It was rehab.