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Phillies Prospects: Evaluating Who Could Be Selected in Rule 5 Draft

By John Town

Oct 18, 2016; Mesa, AZ, USA; Scottsdale Scorpions pitcher Miguel Nunez of the Philadelphia Phillies against the Mesa Solar Sox during an Arizona Fall League game at Sloan Field. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 18, 2016; Mesa, AZ, USA; Scottsdale Scorpions pitcher Miguel Nunez of the Philadelphia Phillies against the Mesa Solar Sox during an Arizona Fall League game at Sloan Field. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports /
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Outfielder Jose Pujols

Jose Pujols has all the power that Carlos Tocci lacks. The TBOH No. 26 prospect finally converted his raw power to in-game power as he smashed 24 home runs in his first full professional season with Low-A Lakewood. While his home run power was overshadowed by Rhys Hoskins‘ and Dylan Cozens‘ monster seasons in Double-A Reading, Pujols’s power development was a huge step in the right direction.

Note how I said this season was Pujols’s first full season. The Phillies signed Pujols back in 2012 for $540,000, and he spent three years in the rookie leagues upon becoming a professional. As I mentioned with Tocci, international prospects are often Rule 5 eligible earlier on in their development.

Pujols was stuck in the short-season leagues because of his lack of contact ability. He struck out more than 28% of the time in all of his minor-league seasons and more than 30% in all but one. Pujols posted the highest batting average of his career this season at .241.

Pujols is a complete and utter longshot to be selected in the Rule 5 draft. While he is a Top 30 prospect, he would have no chance against major-league pitchers. Adding Pujols to the 40-man roster would have been a waste since he has essentially no risk of being selected.

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