First 5 Rule 5 Picks

Just like tax time, rule 5 decision time is coming fast. There were 18 players selected in this year's rule 5 draft. Will they make the roster, or returned to their old team? Well, that's what I'm going to explore in this post. I will give you a run down, in order of being drafted, of why the rule 5 picks will or will not make their club.

1. Tim Lahay, RHP, Cubs. Lahay was taken in the draft by the Rays, then traded to the Cubs. This 6'5" pitcher has a sinker that would strike out Ichiro, if it has been groomed right. At Wrigley, it has to serve him well that he is a ground ball pitcher. Sweet Lou was quoted saying, "We'll see what happens. One thing in his favor, we'll probably end up carrying 12 pitchers. That gives us an extra pitcher to look at." I would say he has a 50/50 chance of making the club.
   
2. Evan Meek, RHP, Pirates. Meek was taken from Tampa, and has a fastball constantly in the mid-90's. Although Meek has never pitched above High-A ball, he has exactly the "stuff" the Pirates are looking for to develop. Since the Pirates aren't planning on contending this year, don't count out a roster spot for Evan Meek.
3. Randor Bierd, RHP, Orioles. Bierd is coming over from Detroit, bring his average fastball and above average breaking stuff with him. Last year he came back from elbow surgery with a strong season with the double-A, Erie Sea Wolves. He has had a strong spring so far. Even the manager, Dave Trembley likes him. "He's passes every test so far, he really has," Trembley said.
4. Jose Capellan, LHP, Reds. "He is a long shot to make it," says Reds manager, Dusty Baker. When I saw this quote, I was shocked. Because even though the Reds have decent pitching, their bullpen isn't amazing, and I thought Capellan would have a spot, since I really like what he's got. But don't expect him on the Reds this year.

5. Carlos Guevara, RHP, Padres. The Marlins took him from Cincinnati, then traded him to the Pads. Guevara doesn't have an overpowering fastball, but he throws a screwball! He had a great strikeout rate of 1.4 K's/IP. I like him, but with San Diego's deep bullpen and their other rule 5 pitcher, I do not think he'll make it.

This is a series of four posts, this was the first, I will do five picks each post, except for the last one, that one will have three. More to come!