Jessica Fletcher - contributing reporter
In my years as both a mystery writer and an amateur sleuth, I’ve learned that the smallest overlooked detail can change the course of an entire story. The same could be said for this season’s Rule 5 Draft in our beloved Hardball Stitches league. Quiet transactions and late selections often hide the most intriguing plot twists, and this year was no exception. Some clubs uncovered hidden gems ready to step into the spotlight, while others may find they’ve invited trouble into their clubhouse. Let’s turn back the pages and examine the clues—player by player—to see which moves may become instant classics and which might read more like cautionary tales.
- Nashville - Avisail Urias (SP) - Injured during Spring Training. Healed but still on 60-day DL. Had an 1.85 WHIP and 7.45 ERA in his 15 starts and 16 games with Los Angeles last year. But was that the stretch run where LA was running on 0? Maybe, unconfirmed.
- Colorado Springs - No pick - 58-104 last year and they couldn't find a player that would be an improvement? The team toyed with the 55 win min last season, but battling close to .500 so far in this early season. And let's not forget that they lost 3 players within the top 10 picks of the Rule 5.
- Los Angeles - No pick - Given arm issues over the year, you'd think at least another starter would have made sense, even if a bullpen piece.
- Philadelphia - Luis Cook (LF) - Just 23 years old and currently manning 3B for the Hooligans...fitting, given that's how well he plays the position. But the numbers have been there - near .320 hitter, 7 HR through 33 games.
- Cincinnati - Evan Goldberg (CF) - Seems to be a plus defender in Center but barely has more hits than strikeouts.
- Vancouver - Stolmy Machado (RF) - Back to back picks coming from Colorado Springs. Been solid thus far, near .300 average, 8/11 in steals and has been pretty decent in RF.
- Helena - Anthony McNamara (RP) - Former Diamond In The Rough serving as a SuA for the Highlanders and doing so decently well. 1.35 WHIP, 3.31 ERA, 1/1 in saves through 16 1/3 innings. Has more K then ER.
- Arizona - Sometimes I feel like you gotta kick the Arizona team to make sure it's still alive.
- Charlotte - Gookie Hardy (CF) - yet another Centerfielder and the 3rd Colorado Springs taken; I'm seeing a trend developing. Hardy has no SB, 5 more highs than K - which is 3x as many walks as he has, but hey he's averaging 1 hit a game.
- Louisville - No pick - Rumor has it they were too busy chasing the floozies at the bar and forgot about their pick.
- Scottsdale - No pick - Were they out drinking with Louisville?
- Rochester - Noe Volquez (RP) - Has only seen 7 games thus far this season as a SuB but has been solid out those 10 innings with a .118 OAV.
- New York - Fred Monroe (CF) - Part timer with only 12 games and 42 at-bats. Doesn't have power, speed, or average and has logged more time at DH than in the field. Surely they found a better bump on a log to hit as the DH and that's why he's no longer getting ABs.
- Baltimore - No pick - Has the most Runs scored this season by over 50 runs.
- Tacoma - Dwight Roth (SP) - First SP in the Rule 5 to get a major league start and let's assume the pitcher's park in Tacoma is helping those numbers - 1.39 WHIP, 3.51 ERA. 2.0 K/BB rate.
- Tucson - No pick - Is there something in the water in Arizona, none of the three teams in the state made a Rule 5 pick.
- Fargo - No pick - Getting to some of the playoff caliber teams that don't have needs to fill from the types in the Rule 5.
- Salt Lake City - James Wang (C) - Starting Catcher for the Trappers against Righties and hitting quite nicely at the bottom of the lineup. .373 avg.
- Durham - No pick - Given the way this season has gone, they could have surely used someone at this point in the draft. 14-26 at the quarter season mark. But hey, at least they don't own the worst record in HS.
- Fresno - Buddy Williams (SS) - You'd think a SS drafted in the Rule 5 would at least be getting late innings fielding opportunities, but he has none and only 2 ABs to his name, but hitting 1.000!! Even 1 HR.
- Texas - Paul Barney (2B) - Has a decent average but doesn't appear to be getting any more starts.
- San Antonio - No pick - Not really having the season they expected, currently sitting a few games until .500 but leads the league in Shutouts!
- Mexico City - No elegir - No se que esta haciendo este equipo.
- Montgomery - Adam Orlando (RP) - Surprised he didn't go sooner considering the cost of relief pitchers these days. I'd expect his numbers to go up from his current 1.93 ERA - just look at that 1.57 WHIP for reason #1.
- Chicago - No pick - Heard they were too busy cutting the Ivy with pruning sheers and forgot the Rule 5 draft was going on.
- Buffalo - Audry Rodriguez (P) - Yikes, trying to set a record for worst ERA in league history. Currently resides at 12.27 through 5 games as a MOP.
- Indianapolis - No pick - 2x playoff team doesn't need help from the 5.
- New Orleans - No pick - See above just in a better city.
- Trenton - No pick - See above just in a worse city
- Syracuse - Santiago 'Soledad Salvador Saul' Saenz (SS) - Getting in a little time in the field but I'm told he's an even better cheerleader.
- St Louis - No pick - Hoping to get back to the World Series and doesn't need the help of a guy who wasn't good enough to protect.
- Boston - John Patterson (SS) - Has appeared in most of their games this season and hitting above .300. What's not to like?