The Giants were all over the Rule 5 draft today. Here are the players the Giants chose, and the ones who got away.
Gained
Luis Perdomo rhp (from the Cardinals)
Matt Yourkin lhp (Marlins)
Perdomo is a 24–year-old who All-Starred in Single-A this year before a promotion to Double-A and a trade from Cleveland to St. Louis. Seems he throws hard (lots of strikeouts) with shaky control (lots of walks). He’s now on the 40–man roster and must make the 25–man roster in the spring or else go back to the St. Louis system. Expect the latter, not the former. Every Rule 5 pick is a long shot. (Here’s Baggs’ scouting report.)
Yourkin was taken in the minor-league portion and doesn’t have to be added to the 40–man roster. He also has a local angle. He’s from Napa and went to college at St. Mary’s.
Lost
Ben Copeland of (to the Athletics)
Elio Sarmiento c (to the Rangers)
Kyle Haines 2b (to the Phillies)
The most significant loss is Copeland, a top draft pick in 2005 who put up nice on-base numbers all the way up the ladder.
A couple other notes:
* The quote that’s gotten a lot of attention is that the Giants made it “abundantly clear” they wouldn’t trade Jonathan Sanchez. Note that it came from an MLB.com writer who cited “a Rangers source.” It also came in the context of Jorge Cantu. To me, this is far from proof that the Giants won’t trade Sanchez this winter.
* Baggs, again kicking serious Chronicle ass, notes that Merkin Valdez is going under the knife again. He might be ready for opening day, the Giants said, but any arm surgery for a pitcher is potentially a serious setback. Definitely do not pencil him into your 2009 projections.
* Lost in his rant was Sabean’s assertion that Kevin Pucetas is a candidate for 5th starter next spring. The idea has floated to the surface before. It would be quite a jump for Pucetas, his highest level being High-A ball. He’s done well at the lower levels so far by walking few and keeping the ball in the park. He just turned 24, so maybe he’s as ready as he’ll ever be. It seems more likely, though, that he’ll start in AA or AAA and be a call-up option if he pitches well.
