Winter Leagues Coverage | Update on La Liga de Beisbol Profesional Roberto Clemente

(Photo Credit: Yamaira Muñiz via Twitter)

     Due to the significant damage sustained across the entirety of the island of Puerto Rico, the LBPRC Board of Directors have agreed to a an abbreviated itinerary for the 2017-2018 winter league season.

     According to league President Héctor Rivera Cruz during a press conference, the season will no longer begin on November 15th, 2017 as previously scheduled. Instead, league play will now begin on January 6th, 2018 as a 21 game schedule. Teams will play single games on Thursdays and Fridays at 1:30 PM, and 7 inning doubleheaders on Saturdays and Sundays starting at 1:00 PM with the 2nd game starting twenty minutes after the first. Due to significant damage to Roberto Clemente Stadium, the Gigantes De Carolina will not play this season.

    The team that finishes in 1st place will gain an automatic spot into the championship game. The teams that finish 2nd and 3rd will participate in a one game sudden death with the winner moving on to play the 1st place team. All games will be played during the day in order to limit the amount of power draw that each game requires as to not interrupt recovery efforts. In addition, all games will be FREE to the public as a way to give back to the community. Under this abbreviated schedule, the league is expected to finish either January 30th or 31st, 2018.

     Due to the significant late start to the season and the fact that the other 3 Caribbean League regular seasons will already be completed, players committed to Puerto Rico based teams will be allowed to play in other Caribbean leagues, but will be required to return by January 1st. In addition, they will only be able to participate for Team Puerto Rico in the Caribbean Series once it begins on February 2nd, 2018.

   Mets Players who will be affected by this situation include, but are not limited to, Chasen Bradford, Phillip Evans, Nabil Crismatt, T.J. Rivera, and Seth Lugo.

Christopher Soto - Is T.J. Rivera......Daniel Murphy 2.0 ?

   T.J Rivera was an unheralded, undrafted free agent coming out of Wallace Community College/Troy University who no one really knew about when he graduated in 2011. However, a call from former Mets catcher Mackey Sasser, who was TJ's coach at WCC, recommended that the Mets should still sign him anyway. Six years later, that "tip" has developed into one of the best "pure hitters" on the Mets current roster.

     This shouldn't surprise us though.....throughout Rivera's entire MiLB career he has always had an excellent ability to put the bat on the ball. He was always near or above a .300 batting average and never struck out more than 73 times in any MiLB season. So why did he go undrafted? A) He's always been kind of a butcher in the field, he is a player who is gifted with the bat...but not the glove and B) Probably has something to do with his inability to play baseball at 1 place. TJ started his college career at Fairleigh Dickinson University, then transferred to Wallace Community College, and then transferred again to Troy University. All 3 of which are not really known for producing MLB caliber talent outside of Craig Kimbrel and Derek Holland from WCC.

     While the average fan may be surprised about his performance thus far.....those of us that are in the know and follow the minor leagues knew he was capable of this. As of matter of fact....every time I think of TJ Rivera......I think of Daniel Murphy when he was in his first few seasons with the Mets. Both were not really thought of as "prospects," both had minimal HR power but could hit the ball all over the field, and both were butchers with the glove.

     As they say though...."In God We Trust...All Others Bring Statistical Evidence." So let's take a look at this from a statistical standpoint....

     Not only is TJ Rivera similar to Daniel Murphy....he could actually be BETTER than him (during his time as a Met). Throughout their career paths, TJ has shown slightly better bat to ball skills and slightly more extra base hitting ability, albeit, Murphy completely skipped AAA whereas Rivera spent almost a year and a half there.

     At the end of the day.....the Mets MAY or MAY NOT have something here in TJ Rivera. He could be the solid contributor at 2B that this club needs to replace pending free agent Neil Walker. Either way, the Mets need to use the rest of 2017 to find out. As with Murphy back in 2011, when he was a utility player, the Mets need to move Rivera to 2B full time, allow him to focus on 1 position and see if he flourishes like Murphy did in 2012 while not killing them defensively. 

Winter League Results 1.27.2016 | Magallanes Pushed to Brink of Elimination, Santurce 1 Game Away from Repeating

Mexican Pacific League Playoffs
Championship Series
- Season Complete.
[Venados de Mazatlan Wins 2015-16 Championship]


Venezuela Professional Baseball League Playoffs
Championship Series
- Navegantes del Magallanes 1 - 6 Tigres de Aragua [Tigres lead Series 3-2]

• DH Jairo Perez: 0 for 4

Dominican Baseball League Playoffs

Championship Series
- Season Complete.
[Leones del Escogido Wins 2015-16 Championship]

Roberto Clemente Professional Baseball League Playoffs
Championship Series
- Cangrejeros de Santurce 3 - 2 Indios de Mayaguez [Santurce Leads Series 3-2]

• DH Johnny Monell: 0 for 5
• 3B T.J. Rivera: 1 for 4

Winter League Results 1.26.2016 | Leones del Escogido Win Dominican League Championship, Mayaguez Shut Down by Santurce Bullpen in PR Championship

Mexican Pacific League Playoffs
Championship Series
- Season Complete.
[Venados de Mazatlan Wins 2015-16 Championship]


Venezuela Professional Baseball League Playoffs
Championship Series
- No Games Scheduled [Series Tied 2-2]



Dominican Baseball League Playoffs

Championship Series
- Tigres del Licey 4 - 8 Leones del Escogido  [Leones del Escogido Win Series 5-1]

Roberto Clemente Professional Baseball League Playoffs
Championship Series
- Indios de Mayaguez 3 - 4 Cangrejeros de Santurce  [Series Tied 2-2]

• DH Johnny Monell: 0 for 4, RBI, BB
• 3B T.J. Rivera: 0 for 5

Winter League Results 1.24.2016 | Another Injury for Xorge Carrillo, Tigres Avoid Sweep In DR Championship, Barbosa Shuts Out Santurce

Mexican Pacific League Playoffs
Championship Series
- Aguilas de Mexicali 0 - 2 Venados de Mazatlan [Mazatlan Leads Series 3-1]

• C Xorge Carrillo: 0 for 1, K
• Trying to figure out why Carrillo was pulled from the game after the 3rd inning. Very possible that he was ejected for arguing after he was called out on strikes.
• UPDATE: The Inning prior to his last AB, Mazatlan DH Carlos Munoz collided with Carrillo trying to score from 2nd on a single to RF. Carrillo held onto the ball for the out and took his next AB but had to be removed from the game afterwards.

Venezuela Professional Baseball League Playoffs
Championship Series
- Navegantes del Magallanes 4 - 5 Tigres de Aragua [Navegentes Lead Series 2-1]

• LF Jairo Perez: 1 for 4, BB 

Dominican Baseball League Playoffs

Championship Series
- Leones del Escogido 6 - 7 Tigres del Licey  [Leones del Escogido Lead Series 4-1]

• RHP Rafael Montero: 0.1 IP, 1 K

Roberto Clemente Professional Baseball League Playoffs
Championship Series
- Cangrejeros de Santurce 0 - 1 Indios de Mayaguez

• 3B T.J. Rivera: 1 for 4
• PH Johnny Monell: 0 for 0, BB
• LHP Andrew Barbosa: 6.0 IP, 4 H, 1 BB, 3 K, Win(3-1)

Winter League Results 1.18.2016 | Carrillo Hurt In 16 Inning Series Finale, Montero's Swing and Miss Stuff Appears, Rough Day for Barbosa

Mexican Pacific League Playoffs
Semi-Finals
- Venados de Mazatlan 2 - 1 Yaquis de Obregon  [Mazatlan Wins Series 4-3]
- Mayos de Navojoa 3 - 4 Aguilas de Mexicali  [Mexicali Wins Series 4-3] 

• C Xorge Carrillo: 0 for 1, HBP [Carrillo had to leave the game due to the HBP. Hopefully we will hear more about his condition over the next few days.]

Update: Big shout out to Michael Mayer of MetsMinors.net who was able to find video of the what happened on Youtube. If you are squeamish I would not recommend watching. Reports are indicating that he suffered a broken nose.

Venezuela Professional Baseball League Playoffs
Semi-Finals
- No Games Scheduled

• [Tigres lead series 3-2] 
• [Caribes lead series 3-2]

Dominican Baseball League Playoffs

Sudden Death Match [Winner Plays Tigres del Licey in Championship]
- Leones del Escogido 7 - 2 Toros del Este

• RHP Rafael Montero: 1.0 IP, 2 K [K'd Nationals bench player Tyler Moore and Detriot top prospect Steven Moya. Both Swinging K's]
• LHP Dario Alvarez: 0.1 IP [Faced AAA batter Carlos Peguero and induced infield grounder]

Roberto Clemente Professional Baseball League Playoffs
Round Robin Stage [Pool Play Ends 1/20/2016]
- Cangrejeros de Santurce 4 - 1 Indios de Mayaguez

• 3B/2B T.J. Rivera: 0 for 4, K
• LHP Andrew Barbosa: 4.2 IP, 10 H, 4 ER, 3 K

Winter League Results 1.12.2016 | Nice Day for Jairo Perez in Venezuela, Andrew Barbosa Continues Superb Performance in Puerto Rico

Mexican Pacific League Playoffs
Semi-Finals
- No Games Scheduled


Venezuela Professional Baseball League Playoffs
Semi-Finals
- Tigres de Aragua 1 - 8 Tiburones de La Guaira  [Tiburones lead series 1-0]
- Caribes de Anzoategui 4 - 8 Navegantes del Magallanes  [Navegentes lead series 1-0]

• LF Jairo Perez: 3 for 5, 2 R

Dominican Baseball League Playoffs
Round Robin Stage [Pool Play Ends 1/17/2016]
- No Games Scheduled

Roberto Clemente Professional Baseball League Playoffs
Round Robin Stage [Pool Play Ends 1/20/2016]
- Indios de Mayaguez 3 - 0 Cangrejeros de Santurce

• 3B TJ Rivera: 1 for 3, R, BB
• LHP Andrew Barbosa: 6.0 IP, 2 H, 1 BB, 5 K, Win(2-0)
• [Since signing with Mets, Barbosa has 17.1 IP with Mayaguez posting a 0.52 ERA with a 0.877 WHIP and a 22% K rate] 

T.J. Rivera Starts a 8 run Rally for Mayaguez

Mexican Pacific League Playoffs
1st Round
- Aguilas de Mexicali swept Charros de Jalisco (4-0)
- Caneros de los Mochis 3 - 4 Yaquis de Obregon [Obregon wins series 4-2]
- Mayos de Navojoa 5 - 4 Venados de Mazatlan [Navojoa wins series 4-2]



Venezuela Professional Baseball League Playoffs
First Round
- Tiburones de La Guaira 5 - 6 Caribes de Anzoategui  [Tiburones lead series 3-2]
- Tigres de Aragua 1 - 7 Bravos de Margarita  [Bravos lead series 3-2]

• PH Wuilmer Becerra: 0 for 1

- Navegantes del Magallanes 2 - 5 Leones del Caracas  [Navegantes lead series 3-2]

• LF Jairo Perez: 1 for 4, 2 K, Throwing Error(1)
• SS Asdrubal Cabrera: 1 for 5, RBI(2)

Dominican Baseball League Playoffs
Round Robin Stage [Pool Play Ends 1/17/2016]
- No Games Scheduled

Roberto Clemente Professional Baseball League Playoffs
Round Robin Stage [Pool Play Ends 1/20/2016]
- Indios de Mayaguez 11 - 1 Criollos de Caguas

• 3B T.J. Rivera: 2 for 5, R, 2B, 2 RBI(2), K
• PH Arnaldo Berrios: 0 for 1
• C Johnny Monell: 0 for 1, BB

Winter Leagues 1.5.2016 Results | Mexicali Sweeps Jalisco, Another Good Day for Becerra, Huchingson Comes Up Big in Relief, Barbosa Shuts Down Santurce Offense

Arizona Fall League

Completed. Final Game was November 19th

Mexican Pacific League

Completed. Final Game was December 29th

Mexican Pacific League Playoffs
1st Round
- Yaquis de Obregon 15 - 7 Caneros de los Mochis
- Venados de Mazatlan 1 - 3 Mayos de Navojoa
- Aguilas de Mexicali 7 - 4 Charros de Jalisco

• C Xorge Carrillo: 1 for 3, R, SB Allowed, Throwing Error(1)

Venezuela Professional Baseball League
Completed. Final Game was December 30th

Venezuela Professional Baseball League Playoffs
First Round
- Tiburones de La Guaira 9 - 5 Caribes de Anzoategui
- Tigres de Aragua 11 - 12 Bravos de Margarita

• RF Wuilmer Becerra: 3 for 5, R, 2B, RBI(1) 

- Navegantes del Magallanes 3 - 11 Leones del Caracas

• LF Jairo Perez: 0 for 3, 3 K
• SS Asdrubal Cabrera: 2 for 5, R, 2B, RBI(1), K

Dominican Baseball League

Completed. Final Game was December 21st

Dominican Baseball League Playoffs
Round Robin Stage
- Estrellas de Oriente 2 - 11 Leones del Escogido
- Tigres del Licey 3 - 2 Toros del Este

• CF Alejandro De Aza: 0 for 4, BB, 2 K
• LHP Chase Huchingson: 0.1 IP, Hold(3) [Retired switch hitter Cristhian Adames with Bases Loaded]
• RHP Jenrry Mejia: 0.1 IP, 1 H, 1 BB, Hold(1)

Roberto Clemente Professional Baseball League

Completed. Final Game was December 30th

Roberto Clemente Professional Baseball League Playoffs
Round Robin Stage
- Cangrejeros de Santurce 0 - 2 Indios de Mayaguez

• 3B T.J. Rivera: 0 for 2, 2 R, 2 BB
• LHP Andrew Barbosa: 5.0 IP, 1 H, 2 BB, 3 K, Win(1)

Winter League Results 1.3.2016 | Carrillo Steals a Bag, LOOGYs Come Up Big in DR, De Aza's Bat Finally Wakes Up

Arizona Fall League

Completed. Final Game was November 19th

Mexican Pacific League

Completed. Final Game was December 29th

Mexican Pacific League Playoffs
1st Round
- Caneros de los Mochis 6 - 1 Yaquis de Obregon
- Mayos de Navojoa 2 - 6 Venados de Mazatlan
- Charros de Jalisco 2 - 5 Aguilas de Mexicali

• C Xorge Carrillo: 1 for 3, R, SB(1), Passed Ball, Runner Thrown Out

Venezuela Professional Baseball League
Completed. Final Game was December 30th

Venezuela Professional Baseball League Playoffs
First Round
- Caribes de Anzoategui 8 - 9 Tiburones de La Guaira
- Leones del Caracas 0 - 2 Navegantes del Magallanes

• LF Jairo Perez: 1 for 4, 2 K

- Bravos de Margarita 3 - 4 Bravos de Margarita

• RF Wuilmer Becerra: 0 for 3

Dominican Baseball League

Completed. Final Game was December 21st

Dominican Baseball League Playoffs
Round Robin Stage
- Tigres del Licey 2 - 1 Leones del Escogido

• LHP Chase Huchingson: 1.2 IP, 1 K

- Estrellas de Oriente 8 - 4 Toros del Este

• RF Alejandro De Aza: 2 for 4, R, 2B
• LHP Dario Alvarez: 1.0 IP, 2 K

Roberto Clemente Professional Baseball League

Completed. Final Game was December 30th

Roberto Clemente Professional Baseball League Playoffs
Round Robin Stage
- Indios de Mayaguez 0 - 1 Cangrejeros de Santurce

• 3B T.J. Rivera: 1 for 3, BB

Winter League Results 12.30.2015 | Rough Day in Double-Header for Cabrera, Another Strong Relief Outing for Huchingson

Arizona Fall League

Completed. Final Game was November 19th

Mexican Pacific League

Completed. Final Game was December 29th

Venezuela Professional Baseball League (Last Game Scheduled for 12/30/2015)

- Caribes de Anzoategui 4 - 2 Leones del Caracas

• DH Asdrubal Cabrera: 0 for 4, 3 K 

- Cardenales de Lara 5 - 6 Leones del Caracas

• DH Asdrubal Cabrera: 1 for 4, R, K
• DH Jairo Perez: 1 for 3, R, 2B, RBI(39), K

Dominican Baseball League

Completed. Final Game was December 21st

Dominican Baseball League Playoffs
Round Robin Stage
- Leones del Escogido 6 - 7 Leones del Escogido

• RF Alejandro De Aza: 2 for 4, R, K
• RHP Rafael Montero: 0.2 IP, 1 H

- Estrellas de Oriente 2 - 4 Tigres del Licey

• LHP Chase Huchingson: 1.0 IP, 1 H, Hold(2)

Roberto Clemente Professional Baseball League (Last Game Scheduled for 01/04/2016)

- Cangrejeros de Santurce 15 - 1 Gigantes de Carolina
- Indios de Mayaguez 3 - 4 Criollos de Caguas

• C Johnny Monell: 1 for 4, 2B, RBI(16), K, Passed Ball(5)
• PH T.J. Rivera: 0 for 1

Winter League Results 12.28.2015 | Asdrubal Cabrera Makes VWL debut, Another 5 game Hitting Streak for Becerra, Monell Matches TJ Rivera's RBI total

Arizona Fall League

Completed. Final Game was November 19th

Mexican Pacific League (Last Game Scheduled for 12/29/2015)

- Caneros de los Mochis 1 - 9 Mayos de Navojoa
- Charros de Jalisco 1 - 8 Venados de Mazatlan
- Naranjeros de Hermosillo 3 - 5 Yaquis de Obregon
- Aguilas de Mexicali 1 - 8 Tomateros de Culiacan

• C Xorge Carrillo: 0 for 3, K

Venezuela Professional Baseball League (Last Game Scheduled for 12/29/2015)

- Aguilas del Zulia 7 - 8 Tiburones de La Guaira
- Leones del Caracas 1 - 3 Cardenales de Lara

• DH Asdrubal Cabrera: 0 for 3, K
• DH Jairo Perez: 1 for 3, RBI(38)

- Tigres de Aragua 0 - 6 Bravos de Margarita

• RF Wuilmer Becerra: 1 for 3, Caught Stealing [Hit 2nd HR of season on Saturday]

Dominican Baseball League

Completed. Final Game was December 21st

Dominican Baseball League Playoffs
Game 1
- Leones del Escogido 4 - 0 Tigres del Licey

• LHP Chase Huchingson: 1.1 IP, 2 H, 1 ER, 2 K

Game 1

- Toros del Este 3 - 2 Estrellas de Oriente

Roberto Clemente Professional Baseball League (Last Game Scheduled for 01/04/2016)

- Cangrejeros de Santurce 1 - 2 Indios de Mayaguez

• 1B T.J. Rivera: 0 for 4, K
• RHP Joel Huertas: 1.0 IP, 1 H, 1 K

- Gigantes de Carolina 0 - 9 Criollos de Caguas

• DH Johnny Monell: 1 for 2, R, 2 RBI(14,15), BB

Winter League Results 12.24.2015 | Wuilmer Becerra Making Case for AA in 2016, T.J. Rivera Adds 2 More RBIs

Arizona Fall League

Completed. Final Game was November 19th

Mexican Pacific League (Last Game Scheduled for 12/29/2015)

- Yaquis de Obregon 9 - 4 Charros de Jalisco
- Tomateros de Culiacan 2 - 1 Naranjeros de Hermosillo
- Venados de Mazatlan 6 - 4 Caneros de los Mochis
- Mayos de Navojoa 0 - 1 Aguilas de Mexicali

• C Xorge Carrillo: 0 for 3, K

Venezuela Professional Baseball League (Last Game Scheduled for 12/29/2015)

- Leones del Caracas 0 - 5 Bravos de Margarita
- Navegantes del Magallanes 4 - 3 Tiburones de La Guaira
- Tigres de Aragua 5 - 6 Caribes de Anzoategui

• RF Wuilmer Becerra: 2 for 5, K

- Aguilas del Zulia 0 - 8 Cardenales de Lara

• DH Jairo Perez: 2 for 4, R, 2B

Dominican Baseball League (Last Game Scheduled for 12/21/2015)

Completed. Final Game was December 21st

Side Note: The DWL playoffs will begin Sunday 12/27. Toros del Este will host Estrellas de Oriente and Tigres del Licey will travel to Leones del Escogido. RHP Jeremy Hefner and CF Juan Lagares will be the only Mets not participating in the playoffs

Roberto Clemente Professional Baseball League (Last Game Scheduled for 01/04/2016)

- Criollos de Caguas 0 - 3 Cangrejeros de Santurce

• C Johnny Monell: 0 for 3, BB, Runner Thrown Out

- Indios de Mayaguez 6 - 3 Gigantes de Carolina

• 2B/3B T.J. Rivera: 2 for 5, 2B, 2 RBI(14,15), K

Winter League Results 12.22.2015 | Carrillo and his PR Wins It in the 9th for Mexicali, T.J. "Muscles" Rivera Powers Mayaguez Win

Arizona Fall League

Completed. Final Game was November 19th

Mexican Pacific League (Last Game Scheduled for 12/29/2015)

- Yaquis de Obregon 6 - 4 Charros de Jalisco
- Tomateros de Culiacan 4 - 0 Naranjeros de Hermosillo
- Venados de Mazatlan 7 - 2 Caneros de los Mochis
- Mayos de Navojoa 4 - 5 Aguilas de Mexicali

• C Xorge Carrillo: 2 for 4, 2B, RBI(20), K, 2 SB allowed

Venezuela Professional Baseball League (Last Game Scheduled for 12/29/2015)

- Leones del Caracas 6 - 0 Bravos de Margarita
- Tiburones de La Guaira 7 - 9 Navegantes del Magallanes
- Tigres de Aragua 0 - 1 Caribes de Anzoategui

• RF Wuilmer Becerra: 1 for 4

- Aguilas del Zulia 0 - 9 Cardenales de Lara

• DH Jairo Perez: 0 for 4, BB, K

Dominican Baseball League (Last Game Scheduled for 12/21/2015)

Completed. Final Game was December 21st

Side Note: The DWL playoffs will begin Sunday 12/27. Toros del Este will host Estrellas de Oriente and Tigres del Licey will travel to Leones del Escogido. RHP Jeremy Hefner and CF Juan Lagares will be the only Mets not participating in the playoffs

Roberto Clemente Professional Baseball League (Last Game Scheduled for 01/04/2016)

- Gigantes de Carolina 2 - 3 Cangrejeros de Santurce
- Indios de Mayaguez 6 - 4 Criollos de Caguas

• 2B/3B T.J. Rivera: 2 for 3, 2 R, 2 HR(2,3), 5 RBI(9,10,11,12,13), BB
• C Johnny Monell: 0 for 3, R, 2 BB, SB allowed

12.15.2015 Winter League Results | Becerra Crushing VWL Pitching, Hefner Readjusting to Swing Role, Monell Leading Puerto in Power

Arizona Fall League

Completed. Final Game was November 19th

Mexican Pacific League

- Charros de Jalisco 3 - 7 Naranjeros de Hermosillo
- Mayos de Navojoa 2 - 5 Tomateros de Culiacan
- Yaquis de Obregon 3 - 4 Caneros de los Mochis
- Aguilas de Mexicali 2 - 0 Venados de Mazatlan

• C Xorge Carrillo: 2 for 4, K

Venezuela Professional Baseball League

- Navegantes del Magallanes 1 - 6 Tiburones de La Guaira
- Aguilas del Zulia 1 - 9 Tigres de Aragua

• RF Wuilmer Becerra: 3 for 4, R, RBI(3) [Last 10 Games: .419 AVG, .935 OPS, 6 R, 1 HR, 3 RBI]

- Cardenales de Lara 4 - 7 Caribes de Anzoategui

• DH Jairo Perez: 2 for 5, 2B, 2 RBI(31,32) 

Dominican Baseball League

- Aguilas Cibaenas 4 - 3 Estrellas de Oriente
- Toros del Este 6 - 1 Tigres del Licey

• LHP Chase Huchingson: 0.2 IP, 2 H, 1 ER

- Leones del Escogido 3 - 5 Gigantes del Cibao

• RHP Jeremy Hefner: 2.0 IP, 2 H, 1 BB, 3 K [in relief]

Roberto Clemente Professional Baseball League

- Criollos de Caguas 4 - 7 Cangrejeros de Santurce

• C Johnny Monell: 2 for 5, 2 2B, RBI(13), K [11 Extra Base Hits, .511 SLG, .928 OPS]

- Gigantes de Carolina 4 - 6 Indios de Mayaguez

• 3B T.J. Rivera: 2 for 4, R, 2 RBI(7,8), K

Rule 5 Draft Primer | Today at 10am!

(courtesy of J.J. Cooper of Baseball America)

The Rule 5 Draft is scheduled to take place today at 10am Eastern Standard Time. Any player who signed their initial professional baseball contract at age 18 years old or younger, in 2011 or earlier, and players who signed at 19 or older, in 2012 or earlier, are eligible for this year's Rule 5 draft if they were left off their team’s 40-man roster. Anyone taken in the major league portion of the Rule 5 draft must be kept on the major league roster for all of the 2016 season or be offered back to their original club.

Below is a list of the most intriguting Rule 5 targets as labeled by Baseball America.

Backup Catchers

• Willians Astudillo, Braves (24): A minor league free agent who just signed with the Braves, Astudillo plays a lot of positions poorly. What Astudillo does do is put the ball in play. He struck out 10 times last year in more than 400 plate appearances.
• Taylor Davis, Cubs (26): Davis is a small (5-foot-9) catcher with an average arm who calls a very good game, blocks the ball well and is a quality receiver. He’s never received regular playing time but he hit .309/.361/.444 in Triple-A last year in 259 at-bats.
• Joe Hudson, Reds (24): Hudson is a solid defensive catcher with a very good arm (50 percent caught stealing rate in 2015) and nowhere near the bat to be more than a backup who plays sporadically. He hit .214/.303/.342 at high Class A Daytona.
• Roberto Pena, Astros (23): It’s easy to think of reasons Pena will slide through the Rule 5 draft again like he did last year. He hit only .237/.284/.288 for Double-A Corpus Christi this year and has a .621 career OPS. But Pena possesses the most accurate throwing arm in the minors—he threw out 49 percent of baserunners this year and gunned down 56 percent of baserunners the year before. He also calls a good game is and moves well behind the plate
• Beau Taylor, Athletics (25): Taylor and Pena have very similar profiles. Both are excellent defenders with questionable bats. Taylor threw out 47 percent of basestealers and is very reliable receiver. But he’s never played 100 games in a season and has a sub-.700 OPS in some solid hitting parks.

Toolsy Outfielders

• Aristides Aquino, Reds (21): Aquino is still one of the better outfield prospects in the Reds’ farm system. He has a prototypical right fielder’s body and arm, he has significant power potential and he can run well for a big man. But it’s easy to see why Cincinnati left him unprotected.  Aquino wasn’t ready for low Class A Dayton last year in an injury-plagued full-season debut, so his swing-at-most-everything approach is really not ready for the big leagues.
• Wuilmer Becerra, Mets (21): It’s hard to see how a team could keep Becerra on the big league roster all year, as he’s a still somewhat raw outfielder who played all year at low Class A Savannah. But Becerra, the Mets’ No. 10 prospect, has a chance for five average tools with a chance for above-average power.
• Jeffrey Baez Cubs (22): Baez’s raw approach is simply not ready for the big leagues in any way. But he’s got some power to go with plus speed. He is above-average defensively in left or right field and can play center field in a pinch. 
• Jabari Blash, Mariners (26): Blash was left unprotected and unpicked last year, but the Mariners are taking a risk by leaving the toolsy outfielder available this year. Blash hit .271/.370/.576 with 32 home runs between Double-A and Triple-A this year. Blash doesn’t run as well as he did a few years ago, but he has prototypical right field tools and now he has upper-level minor league production as well.
• Jake Cave, Yankees (23): Cave is more of a well-rounded outfielder than toolsy, but he’s a lefthanded hitting center fielder who could entice a team looking for an inexpensive fourth outfielder. He runs well and has gap power but has lacked the selectivity to produce enough to get protected.
• Tyler Goeddel, Rays (23): Goeddel’s bat seemed to take off somewhat this year after he moved from third base to the outfield. He’s an athletic, if a little slight-framed righthanded hitter with a smooth swing who is above-average in the corners and playable in center field. Coming off a .279/.350/.433 season at Double-A, Goeddel is one of the more polished hitters available in this year’s Rule 5 draft.

Utility Infielders

• T.J. Rivera, 2b, Mets (27): He’s not a particularly sexy pick but Rivera always hits. He has hit .338 combined over the past two years at Double-A Binghamton and Triple-A Las Vegas and he has a career .318 batting average. Combine that with defensive versatility—he’s stretched at shortstop but he can play anywhere in the infield—he’s worth looking at as a potentially inexpensive utility infielder.
• Ronny Rodriguez, 2b/3b, Indians (23): An athletic infielder who slugged .491 last year in his third stint at Double-A Akron despite missing time with a broken hamate, Rodriguez was a shortstop who moved to second in deference to Francisco Lindor. He still gets over to shortstop on a sporadic basis, but he’s much more suited to playing second, third and even a little first base.
• Eric Stamets, ss, Indians (24): If you know what you’re getting, Stamets could be a smart pick for a team lacking in upper-level shortstop talent. Stamets is an above-average shortstop defensively. But the team picking him would also have to accept that he’s unlikely to hit at all. 
• Jacob Wilson, 2b/3b, Cardinals (25): A righthanded hitter with significant power for a middle infielder, Wilson has some defensive versatility as he’s an above-average defender at second and third base with an above-average arm. He can play a little bit of outfield as well, adding to his versatility. He did struggle to make contact this past season, but that power could get him picked.

Hard-Throwing Relievers With Control Trouble

• Jose Adames, rhp, Marlins (22): Adames is coming off a middling year as a starter at high Class A Jupiter but his stuff (a 94-98 mph fastball and plus changeup) give him projection as a reliever, even if his control (4 BB/9) causes concern.
• Austin Adams, rhp, Angels (24): It’s very easy to understand why the Angels left Adams unprotected, even if they had room to spare on the 40-man roster. Adams walked 47 batters in 54 innings this past season. That wasn’t an aberration as he’s walked nearly seven batters per nine innings during his career. But his combination of a 92-93 mph two-seamer, 94-97 mph four-seamer and an exceptional slider also means he misses bats. That plus stuff could still entice a team to take a chance.
• Rafael De Paula, rhp, Padres (24): De Paula has an excellent arm with a mid-90s fastball and a potentially above-average changeup but an inconsistent slider. He was in over his head as a starter but he was much better after a move to the bullpen with a 34-10 strikeout-to-walk ratio in 26 innings after the switch.
• Onelki Garcia, lhp, White Sox (26): Garcia briefly made it to the majors with the Dodgers before they lost him to Chicago in a waiver claim. Garcia pairs a mid-90s fastball with an inconsistent slider. His lack of control has caused issues for him but he misses bats.
• Kaleb Fleck, rhp, Diamondbacks (26): A non-drafted free agent the Diamondbacks swiped after he went undrafted as a junior because he was recovering from Tommy John surgery, Fleck’s fastball has taken off as a pro. He mixes a plus fastball and an average slider, which explains how he’s struck out 11 per nine in each of the past two seasons. Fleck’s control numbers look a little shaky when you look at his walk rate, but he generally is an excellent strike thrower (65 percent strikes in 2015). Away from Reno, Fleck had a 1.16 ERA last season and he was especially tough on righthanders (.215/.285/.278).
• Reymin Guduan, lhp, Astros (23): Armed with a fastball that can touch 100 mph, Guduan is one of the safer bets in this year’s Rule 5 draft to be picked as he’s one of the 10 hardest-throwing lefthanders in the world. Guduan’s fastball/slider combo gives him the building blocks to be an excellent reliever one day, but he has significant control troubles that became more apparent as he climbed the minor league ladder and faced tougher hitters and smaller strike zones.
• Kris Hall, rhp, Athletics (24): Throughout his career Hall has piled up strikeouts thanks to his mid-90s fastball and an above-average breaking ball. He’s coming off his best year as a pro (5-0, 2.50 in 72 innings with Double-A Midland) and he was tough on righthanders (.185/.314/.269 in Double-A). But Hall has always had well below-average control (6.1 BB/9 for his career) and it has gotten no better.
• Zack Jones, rhp, Twins (25): Jones is yet another two-pitch reliever with a 94-98 mph fastball and a plus slider (at its best). Jones’ control is iffy, but his stuff is, like many pitchers in this category, excellent.
• Parker Markel, rhp, Rays (25): Markel has two potentially above-average pitches (94-97 mph fastball and slider) but his control troubles have always gotten in the way. His walk rate has gone up to 4.7 BB/9 IP since he reached Double-A.
• Matt Milroy, rhp, Marlins (25): See Milroy on the right night and it’s easy to project him as being able to help a big league club right now. When he’s repeating his release point and staying on top of his slider he can show a plus fastball and a plus slider. He struck out 33 and walked seven in 22 innings in June and July. But when his release point wanders, his control falls apart and he struggles to get out Class A hitters.
• Felix Pena, rhp, Cubs (25): A starter at Double-A Tennessee this year, Pena can touch 95-96 mph with his four-seam fastball as a starter and gets ground balls with a two-seam fastball that good depth. His breaking ball has improved as well. He struck out 140 batters in 130 innings this year as a starter (9.72 K/9). Pena has fringe-average control as a starter. If picked in the Rule 5 draft, Pena could move into the bullpen where his fastball should gain even a further tick.
• Sam Selman, lhp, Royals (25): Going back to his days at Vanderbilt, Selman has always had a great arm and inconsistent control. A full-time move to the bullpen hasn’t helped fix that issue. Selman held lefthanded hitters to a .211 batting average this year, but it’s hard to project him as a reliable lefty reliever when he allowed a .400 on-base percentage to those same lefties because he allows so many walks. Selman still has an excellent arm but he’s never stitched together three straight months of even fringe-average control.
• Peter Tago, rhp, White Sox (23): A minor league Rule 5 pick last year, Tago responded with a some of the best work of his career. Tago has a mid-90s fastball and a solid breaking ball but struggles to throw strikes.
• Alberto Tirado, rhp, Phillies (20): Tirado qualifies for two categories: he’s a power arm with control troubles and an inexperienced pitcher with a great arm. Acquired in the Ben Revere trade at the deadline, Tirado has an outstanding arm. He’s touched 100 mph at his best and can sit in the high 90s as a reliever. But he also has extreme control problems–he walked more than 10 batters per nine innings in his 16 innings with the Phillies high A Club, even though he also had a sparkling 0.56 ERA.

Solid But Unspectacular Stuff

• Dakota Bacus, rhp, Nationals (24): Bacus has a two-pitch combo that serves him very well. He has a 91-94 mph fastball to go with an at times wipeout slider. Bacus has reached Triple-A despite a modest 6.65 strikeouts per 9 IP ratio.
• Matt Bowman, rhp, Mets (24): There’s not much to like about Bowman’s 5.53 ERA and his .321 average against. But Bowman has a long track record of success before last year. He throws strikes with four average or fringe-average offerings.
• Chris Devenski, rhp, Astros (25): Devenski has the coolest pitch in the Rule 5 draft, as he gets his strikeouts with what he calls his “changeup of death.” Devenski profiles as a spot starter, low-leverage reliever after a very solid season (7-4, 3.01) at Double-A Corpus Christi that he capped with a win in the Triple-A National Championship for Fresno.
• Myles Jaye, rhp, White Sox (23): Jaye succeeds by locating solid average stuff. He can run his fastball up to 94 mph at times, but he’ll also sit in the high 80s for other stretches. He mixes in an above-average changeup and a fringe-average slider, and he can throw all three for strikes. He’s coming off a 12-9, 3.29 season at Double-A Birmingham where he showed durability and generally kept the ball in the park.
• Luis Lugo, lhp, Indians (21): A 6-foot-5 lefthander with four pitches that project as potentially average or better, Lugo has plenty of feel for setting up hitters. What he doesn’t have is the experience to succeed if he was pushed to the big leagues by a Rule 5 selection. Lugo survived (8-10, 4.45) in the Carolina League this year, but the Indians are taking only a modest risk by leaving him unprotected.
• Richard Rodriguez, rhp, Orioles (25): There’s nothing sexy with Rodriguez, but he has a solid-average 90-93 mph fastball and curveball to go with some deception. More importantly, Rodriguez has a solid track record of success. He was solid in three stops last year and has Triple-A experience each of the past two seasons.

Sluggers

• Zach Borenstein, of, Diamondbacks (25): Borenstein is a corner outfielder who hit .314/.394/.511 for Double-A Mobile, doing almost all of his damage against righthanders. Borenstein has a track record of hitting (a .499 career slugging percentage) and he cut his strikeout percentage significantly this year. He’s stretched in right field but is an average defender in left.
• Balbino Fuenmayor, 1b, Royals (26):  Fuenmayor has plus to plus-plus power potential and he’s hit for average despite a swing-at-everything approach. He’s limited to first base defensively and fits best in the American League where he could also DH. Fuenmayor’s injury will make it a little tougher for him to earn a job in spring training, but some team could take a chance on acquiring some significant power cheaply.
• Ronald Guzman, 1b, Rangers (21): Signed for $3.45 million in 2011, Guzman still has loud tools, but a team picking him is going to have to be well aware that Guzman lacks the present skills help a big league club right now. Guzman is limited to first base only, and while he has power potential, it’s yet to show up in games. However, he hit .283 while reaching high Class A in 2015 and had 47 extra-base hits.

Lefty Specialists

• Daniel Stumpf, lhp, Royals (24): In 2013, teams spent a lot of effort trying to find lefty matchup relievers who could fill that niche role. Neither Patrick Schuster and Brian Moran ended up sticking with the teams that picked them. But a team looking for a similar lefty specialist might take a chance on Stumpf. Stumpf’s low 90s fastball and slider are excellent against lefties–he held them to a .151/.272/.236 average (16-for-126 with 17 BB and 40 Ks) in 2015. He struggles much more against righthanders and his control is at times shaky, but he could fit a team looking for a lefty specialist.

12.8.2015 Winter League Results | Jairo Perez Slumping in 2nd Half of Venezuela Season, Hefner K's 3 in his 2nd Start Post Surgery, T.J. Rivera Making Rule 5 Draft Case.

Arizona Fall League

Completed. Final Game was November 19th

Mexican Pacific League

- Charros de Jalisco 10 - 7 Tomateros de Culiacan
- Naranjeros de Hermosillo 6 - 0 Mayos de Navojoa
- Yaquis de Obregon 4 - 1 Venados de Mazatlan
- Caneros de los Mochis 1 - 3 Aguilas de Mexicali

• C Xorge Carrillo: 2 for 4, K, Runner Thrown Out

Venezuela Professional Baseball League

- Aguilas del Zulia 3 - 4 Navegantes del Magallanes
- Caribes de Anzoategui 9 - 2 Tigres de Aragua
- Cardenales de Lara 2 - 4 Bravos de Margarita

• DH Jairo Perez: 0 for 4 [4 for his last 32, .125 AVG, since VWL vs DWL series]

Dominican Baseball League

- Tigres del Licey 4 - 1 Aguilas Cibaenas
- Toros del Este 3 - 2 Leones del Escogido
- Gigantes del Cibao 2 - 3 Estrellas de Oriente

• RHP Jeremy Hefner: 3.0 IP, 4 H, 2 ER, 1 BB, 3 K

Roberto Clemente Professional Baseball League

- Cangrejeros de Santurce 2 - 0 Gigantes de Carolina
- Indios de Mayaguez 8 - 1 Criollos de Caguas

• 2B T.J. Rivera: 2 for 3, RBI(6), BB
• C Johnny Monell: 0 for 3, K
• RF Arnaldo Berrios: 0 for 1, K

12.2.2015 Winter League Results | Flores Goes Yard in DoubleHeader, Jeremy Hefner Looking Healthy in DR, Rough Days for Monell and Berrios in Marathon Game

Arizona Fall League

Completed. Final Game was November 19th

Mexican Pacific League

- Venados de Mazatlan 0 - 4 Charros de Jalisco
- Caneros de los Mochis 0 - 1 Naranjeros de Hermosillo
- Yaquis de Obregon 5 - 9 Tomateros de Culiacan
- Aguilas de Mexicali 4 - 6 Mayos de Navojoa

• C Xorge Carrillo: 0 for 3,  K

  

Venezuela Professional Baseball League

- Leones del Caracas 1 - 7 Caribes de Anzoategui
- Tiburones de La Guaira 1 - 5 Cardenales de Lara

• DH Jairo Perez: 0 for 3, BB, K

- Bravos de Margarita 2 - 6 Navegantes del Magallanes

• 2B Wilmer Flores: 1 for 3, R, HR(1), RBI(1), K

- Bravos de Margarita 3 - 4 Navegantes del Magallanes

• 2B Wilmer Flores: 0 for 2, BB

Dominican Baseball League

- Estrellas de Oriente 4 - 6 Aguilas Cibaenas
- Tigres del Licey 5 - 4 Toros del Este

• CF Juan Lagares: 0 for 3, BB, K

- Gigantes del Cibao 1 - 2 Leones del Escogido

• RHP Jeremy Hefner: 4.0 IP, 4 H

Roberto Clemente Professional Baseball League

- Gigantes de Carolina 1 - 2 Indios de Mayaguez

• 2B T.J. Rivera: 0 for 2, BB

- Criollos de Caguas 4 - 3 Cangrejeros de Santurce (17 Innings)

• C Johnny Monell: 0 for 5, BB, 2 K
• LF Arnaldo Berrios: 1 for 6, 2 R, BB, 3 K
• RHP Jon Velasquez: 1.0 IP, 1 BB

12.1.2015 Winter League Results | 2 Hit Day for Lagares, Off Night for Lara, T.J. Rivera Continues to Hit Hit Hit

Arizona Fall League

Completed. Final Game was November 19th

Mexican Pacific League

- Venados de Mazatlan 6 - 7 Charros de Jalisco
- Caneros de los Mochis 1 - 2 Naranjeros de Hermosillo
- Yaquis de Obregon 5 - 4 Tomateros de Culiacan
- Aguilas de Mexicali 2 - 3 Mayos de Navojoa

• C Xorge Carrillo: 0 for 3, BB, 2 K

  

Venezuela Professional Baseball League

- No Games Scheduled

Dominican Baseball League

- Tigres del Licey 1 - 3 Estrellas de Oriente
- Toros del Este 5 - 4 Gigantes del Cibao
- Aguilas Cibaenas 4 - 5 Leones del Escogido

• CF Juan Lagares: 2 for 4, K, Caught Stealing(1) [Picked Off 1st]
• RHP Rainy Lara: 1.0 IP, 3 H, 2 ER, 1 BB, 1 K 

Roberto Clemente Professional Baseball League

- Gigantes de Carolina 2 - 2 Cangrejeros de Santurce (Suspended: Rain)
- Criollos de Caguas 3 - 1 Indios de Mayaguez

• C Johnny Monell: 0 for 3, BB, K
• LF Arnaldo Berrios: 0 for 4, 3 K
• 2B T.J. Rivera: 2 for 3, BB

11.29.2015 Winter League Results | Jairo Perez Continues Monster Winter, 0-fer for Lagares, T.J. Rivera Stating His Rule 5 Case, Berrios Starts and Impresses

Arizona Fall League

Completed. Final Game was November 19th

Mexican Pacific League

- Charros de Jalisco 3 - 5 Caneros de los Mochis
- Charros de Jalisco 1 - 4 Caneros de los Mochis
- Mayos de Navojoa 5 - 6 Yaquis de Obregon
- Venados de Mazatlan 4 - 3 Aguilas de Mexicali
- Naranjeros de Hermosillo 3 - 4 Tomateros de Culiacan

  

Venezuela Professional Baseball League

- Caribes de Anzoategui 4 - 2 Tiburones de La Guaira
- Leones del Caracas 3 - 8 Tigres de Aragua
- Aguilas del Zulia 3 - 0 Bravos de Margarita
- Cardenales de Lara 2 - 4 Navegantes del Magallanes

• LF Jairo Perez: 1 for 3, R, HR(8), RBI(29), BB

Dominican Baseball League

- Estrellas de Oriente 0 - 2 Gigantes del Cibao
- Leones del Escogido 6 - 1 Toros del Este
- Aguilas Cibaenas 2 - 3 Tigres del Licey

• CF Juan Lagares: 0 for 4, K

Roberto Clemente Professional Baseball League

- Indios de Mayaguez 7 - 1 Cangrejeros de Santurce

• 2B T.J. Rivera: 2 for 4, R, 2B

- Gigantes de Carolina 1 - 3 Criollos de Caguas

• C Johnny Monell: 1 for 4
• LF Arnaldo Berrios: 2 for 2, R, 2B, BB