2036.06 - The Long Beach Independent - Rule 5 Review

[Lane]

SURFERS RESCUE TRIO OF CASTOFFS

December 16, 2035
Long Beach, CA

The annual Rule 5 draft took place today, and the Long Beach Surfers selected three players. As a reminder, these players must remain on the major league roster (or DL) for the entirety of the 2036 season, lest they be offered back to their original team for a nominal fee. It's widely known by now that the Surfers need help in the bullpen, so let's see if they had that in mind during the draft.

Round 1, Pick 14

RHP Hector Gallegos from the Twin Cities River Monsters

The team didn't waste any time, and selected an apparently major league ready reliever with their first pick. Gallegos, 22 was a fourth round draftee by TWC in the 2031 BBA amateur draft. He throws a low to mid 90s fastball and in combination with a wipeout slider, OOTP OSA rates him as 9/7/5 vs. RHB. It's likely that he was available due to his struggles against LHB, but as you all know, the Surfers are not shy about relievers with significant splits. We anticipate that Gallegos has an excellent shot to stick in the pen all year as a righty specialist.

Round 2, Pick 14 (44 overall)

LHP Cooper Estes from the Phoenix Talons

You may recognize Cooper from such things as being the son of the legendary Gary Estes. Unfortunately for Cooper and the BBA as a whole, he's not been gifted with quite the same skills as his father. Though he throws a nasty changeup like Gary, apparently the elder Estes either forgot, or was not able to teach his son how to throw strikes. OOTP OSA currently rates Cooper as having 2 control with 4 potential. That's to go along with 9 stuff and 6 movement. Cooper will definitely get a shot at making the club during spring training, but we estimate he's no more than a longshot to break camp with the Surfers.

Round 3, Pick 14 (74 overall)

LHP Ivan Flores from the Jacksonville Hurricanes

Flores, 22 is a lefty with a deep arsenal, but he's had trouble putting it all together. He also struggles a bit with walks and home runs, which is never a good combination. Furthermore, he's currently recovering from a fractured coracoid, a very rarely injured bone in the shoulder. This pick is puzzling, but barring a setback in his recover, Flores should be ready to prove himself in spring training. We think he's got even less of a shot at the team than Estes. A puzzling pick indeed.

[recte44]

I was so tempted to take Estes but just couldn’t do it.

[Lane]

I was so tempted to take Estes but just couldn’t do it.

I figured you'd be all over it. At least to try him out! I'm so desperate for relief arms right now he may just stick.

[RonCo]

If nothing else, Gallegos is going to be valuable.

[Lane]

If nothing else, Gallegos is going to be valuable.

Yeah, Gallegos is pretty awesome for 14th pick in the Rule 5

[recte44]

Estes was 8/7/7 when drafted.