Phillies Rule 5 Draft Prospect Watch List
Raudel Lazo, RP – Miami Marlins
Lazo is the Marlins 28th ranked prospect as a relief pitcher who has done very well for himself in the minor leagues. Last year in Triple-A New Orleans the Cuban defector pitched 24 games with a 1.78 ERA and 27 strikeouts in 30.1 innings. He is said to have a fastball in the mid-90s with a decent changeup and slider.
During the 2015 season, Lazo made just five appearances out of the Marlins bullpen. He struck out five batters, while giving up five hits, two runs, a home run, and two walks.
Prior to the start of the 2016 season, Lazo was placed on the disabled list with a shoulder sprain. He has already undergone two Tommy John surgeries, and may need to rebuild his mechanics.
While the whole body of work may not be apparent, the Phillies could use a strong lefty in their bullpen this year. At 27-years-old, Lazo is growing out of the prospect stage of his professional career, and needs to show something at the next level.
However, between the injuries and inconsistencies, Lazo is a low-end optino to be selected by the Phillies in the Rule 5 Draft next month.
Jake Cave, OF: New York Yankees
Cave is no stranger to the Rule 5 Draft after being taken by the Reds last year behind Tyler Goedel. He was ultimately returned to the Yankees organization after failing to break the Reds Opening Day roster.
A 23-year-old outfielder, Cave was a sixth round pick by the Yankees in 2011 out of high school in Virginia. He played 116 games between Double and Triple A in 2016, hitting a combined .268 with 114 hits, eight home runs, and 26 doubles.
Currently, Cave is listed as the Yankees 24th best prospect by MLB.com. His scouting report points to him not having one outstanding tool, but multiple very good ones. Teams like his ability to hit for average, while bringing speed and potentially some unlocked power.
If selected by the Phillies, Cave could potentially compete for the right field job in spring training. The competition is wide open with Roman Quinn and Aaron Altherr, so there is a possibility the Phillies hold onto him.
Trey Nielsen, RHP: St. Louis Cardinals
Primarily a third baseman in college, Nielsen was moved to the mound by St. Louis despite recent Tommy John surgery. The organization’s 30th round pick in 2013, Nielsen has flashed a very good fastball with enough sink to force a lot of ground balls.
Last season he was primarily a starter in Double-A, pitching 122 innings for Springfield. He had 81 strikeouts, but his 38 walks are cause for concern. Towards the later point of the season he made one start in Triple-A, where he allowed only two hits through 5.1 innings.
Many project Nielsen to move to the bullpen and be a set-up man going forward. The Phillies could afford to throw Nielsen out of their bullpen to induce ground balls to end an inning. Nielsen is a legitimate option for a Phillies team looking for arms anywhere they can get them.
Tyler Smith, INF: Seattle Mariners
Termed as a hard-nose player, Tyler Smith provides versatility as someone who can play third, short, and second. In 114 games for the Mariners Triple-A affiliate, Smith hit .268 with 20 doubles and five home runs.
As the Mariners 30th ranked prospect, Smith represented the organization in the Arizona Fall League in 2015. He hit .231 in 20 games with six walks and three stolen bases.
Off the field, Smith is praised for his work ethic and leadership. At just 25-years-old, he could become a valuable piece to the Phillies bench, and possibly compete for time at second base.
Dwight Smith Jr, OF: Toronto Blue Jays
A bat with some serious power, Dwight Smith could be an interesting addition for the Phillies in 2016. Toronto drafted Smith in 2011 with a first-round supplemental pick (53rd overall) and have been impressed with his development.
Son of former major leager Dwight Smith Sr., the Blue Jays prospect hit 15 home runs in Double-A last season. Not only does he provide power, but speed is a plus with Smith. Three seasons ago he stole 25 bases, followed by 15 and 12 in his last two.
Most impressive is his ability to be patient at the plate. Last year he walked 45 times following a season where he walked 47.
Smith could compete for the Phillies right field job, and probably get a handful of starts in the beginning of the season. His ability to get on base and create runs with his legs and bat make him another strong candidate to be drafted by the Phillies.
Jacob May, OF: Chicago White Sox
Speed is the name of the game for the White Sox #12 prospect Jacob May. In four seasons with the White Sox organization, May has stolen 118 bases, including 38 back in 2015. Scouts give his speed a grade of 70, which is rated as well above-average.
May is a natural center fielder who can switch-hit fairly well. Through his four minor league seasons May has hit .273 with nearly 400 hits.
Despite sounding similar to Odubel Herrera and Roman Quinn, the Phillies could take a flier on May and work him in to either center or possibly left field depending on Kendrick and second base.
Picking May would be more of a best player available option rather than need, but the Phillies are purely collecting talent at this stage of their rebuild.
Sam Bragg/Dylan Covey, RP: Oakland Athletics
Bragg represented the A’s organization in the Fall League this month, and was given the title of a “rising star” through the tournament. Primarily a bullpen arm, Bragg pitched in 36 games in Double-A. He struck out 68 batters in 65 innings, showing more than nine strikeouts per walk and inning.
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This pick by the Phillies could turn into a very good arm in their major league bullpen in 2017. The bullpen needs a lot of help, and Bragg could be the power arm they need.
Bragg’s teammate Dylan Covey is another member of the A’s organization who could be drafted by the Phillies.
Covey was previously the Brewers first-round pick in 2010, but opted not to sign after being diagnosed with diabetes.
Selected in the fourth round by Oakland a couple of years later, Covey has a major league arm that will throw fastballs, changeups, sliders, and a curveball. An oblique injury slowed down Covey last year, limiting him to 29.1 innings as a starter.