In what may be the most telling sign to date that the Valencia front office is going to launch its rebuild in 2062, the Stars were extremely active in the Rule 5 draft. While they last one player, Valencia picked up 7 players. While trying to keep even 3 of the 7 of those players (none of which have even played AAA), that would be a lot of holes left in a roster of a contending team.
Below is the list of players involved:
Lost
Mariano Diaz (to Des Moines) - The 21 year-old left fielder did have a successful 2061 hitting 347 in A ball with a .391 on-base percentage resulting in a WAR of 1.3 Mariano has a 7 contact rating and an overall rating of 40 with a potential of 45.
Gained
1B Juan McCurry (from Nashville) - Juan hit .255 with a .320 on-base percentage in 2061 while with the Short Season A ball club. The 21 year old has the el Diablo contact/power/eye rating of 6/6/6. Juan;s overall rating is cuurentlt at 30 but scouts feel like it could go up to 55 before things are all said and done. Do not be surprised if he stays around for the entire 2062 season.
SP Manny Hernandez (from Calgary) At 24 years old, this righty is perceived to be a groundball pitcher with a 93-95 mph fastball. He pitched in AA last season with an ERA of 3.46 and a WHIP of 1.24. He has an overall and potential starting rating of 40 as a starter. Given Valencia's tendency of flipping starters to relievers and the fact that Manny has 6 pitches in his arsenal, do not be surprised if Manny is converted to a reliever.
2B Jumah bin Nadim (from Madison) - The 22 year-old has a 35/45 rating but only hit .196 in S A last season. Barring a crazy spring training, look for Jumah to be returned.
RF Ryan Cason (from Montreal) - At 21 years old, Ryan has a potential rating of 50 and is currently at 30. Ryan hit .270 with a .371 on-base percentage for the Montreal Short Season A club. Ryan is projected to have a 5/7/5 set of ratings in Contact/Power/Eye when he matures. Do not be surprised if he stays with Valencia this season.
1B Artemis Kaklamanakis (from Nashville) For these next two picks, Valencia decided they wanted to lead the league going into spring training with the most first basemen with names over 15 letters long. For Artemis, at 22 years of age, he has overall/potential ratings of 35/50. Artemis hit .240 with a .344 on-base percentage and 13 homers at the A level. The jury is out on this one.
1B Vishwahand Sruthi (from Vancouver) Also in A ball last year, Vish hit .306 with a .341 on-base percentage. It is unlikely that both of these guys will stay with the club in any scenario.
CF Clive Ablett (from Louisville) With a 25/45 set of ratings and a .213 average in S A last season, Clive is currently considered to be at the bottom of the Rule 5 list in Valencia.
