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5 outfielders the Phillies might take a chance on in the Rule 5 Draft

There are several outfielders the Phillies could choose from in this year's Rule 5 Draft at the MLB Winter Meetings.

By Matt Grazel |
Dec 7, 2022; San Diego, CA, USA; A detailed view of the podium before the Rule 5 draft during the
Dec 7, 2022; San Diego, CA, USA; A detailed view of the podium before the Rule 5 draft during the / Orlando Ramirez-USA TODAY Sports
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The MLB Winter Meetings began on Dec. 4 in Nashville, Tenn., and the Rule 5 Draft will take place on Dec. 6. The Philadelphia Phillies have the 24th selection, and there are plenty of outfielders that will be available.

During last year's Rule 5 Draft, Philadelphia selected Noah Song from the Boston Red Sox. Song had been serving in the military and had limited experience in the minor leagues. The Phillies designated him for assignment at the end of July last season. After going unclaimed on waivers, they sent him back to Boston per league rules.

What outfielders might the Phillies choose in the Rule 5 Draft? Here are some options that could be worth considering.

Wilfred Veras, Chicago White Sox

Wilfred Veras comes from a lineage of players who spent time in the Major Leagues. His father, Wilton, previously had a brief playing career (1999-2000) playing third base for the Boston Red Sox. He spent time playing in the minor league systems for both the Red Sox and the Milwaukee Brewers.

The young outfielder's uncle is former third baseman Fernando Tatis, Sr. The former infielder played for the Texas Rangers, St. Louis Cardinals, Montreal Expos, Baltimore Orioles, and New York Mets. San Diego Padres shortstop/right fielder Fernando Tatis, Jr. is Veras' cousin.

The 21-year-old Veras, the No. 21 ranked prospect in the Chicago White Sox minor league system, spent last season in High-A with the Winston-Salem Dash. He had a slash line of .277/.316/.438 with a .754 on-base plus slugging percentage (OPS) in 92 games for Winston-Salem. He finished with 25 doubles, 11 home runs, and 63 RBI.

He also spent time in Double-A with the Birmingham Barons for a second consecutive year. During 2022, Veras played in 12 games for Birmingham and had a .267/.313/.533 slash line with a .846 OPS. In 38 contests with the Barons this season, he finished with a .309/.346/.533 line, had 14 doubles, six home runs, and 30 RBI.

Veras' estimated time of arrival to the Majors is during the 2025 season. Due to appearing in more games at Double-A last year, he could begin next year there and play a fair amount of the season with the Barons before debuting at Triple-A by the end of 2024.

Hudson Haskin, Baltimore Orioles

Hudson Haskin, the No. 17 prospect for the Baltimore Orioles, is a part of a loaded farm system for the club. The 24-year-old spent the 2022 season with the Aberdeen Ironbirds, Bowie Baysox, and Norfolk Tides. He only played in 33 games in 2023 due to a hamstring injury and surgery to correct a hip impingement.

In 2022, he was effective at Double-A for the BaySox. Haskin played in 109 games and finished with a .264/.367/.455 line and a .822 OPS. His development was halted due to the injuries he sustained this year, so he is hoping for a healthier and more productive season in 2024.

NEXT: Three more outfielders the Phillies might consider in the Rule 5 Draft.

Justin Dirden, Houston Astros

The No. 14 prospect in the Houston Astros' farm system, Justin Dirden spent all of last season in Triple-A with the Sugar Land Space Cowboys. In 2022, he began the year with Houston's Double-A team, the Corpus Christi Hooks before playing with the Space Cowboys.

Dirden exceeded tremendously in 2022 with the Hooks; he had a slash line of .324/.411/.616, a 1.027 OPS, 32 doubles, 20 home runs, and 73 RBI in 92 games. The 6-foot-3 outfielder finished out the season with the Space Cowboys and had a .242/.305/.398 line, an OPS of .703, eight doubles, four home runs, and 28 RBI in 32 contests.

This season with Sugar Land, Dirden had a .231/.314/.396 slash line, a .710 OPS, 12 doubles, 10 home runs, and 42 RBI in 84 games. The 26-year-old, who can play all the outfield positions, missed some time with a hamstring injury in 2023.

Alberto Rodriguez, Seattle Mariners

The Seattle Mariners prospect had a solid 2023 campaign, beginning the year in High-A with the Everett AquaSox. Alberto Rodriguez, Seattle's No. 18 prospect, played in 72 contests with the team and had a .306/.393/.580 line, with a .973 OPS, 30 doubles, 11 home runs, and 58 RBI.

He finished 2023 in Double-A, playing 46 games with the Arkansas Travelers. Rodriguez had a slash line of .291/.361/.385, a .746 OPS, eight doubles, three home runs, and 27 RBI. He can play both left and right field and has value as a designated hitter due to his offensive capabilities.

Grant McCray, San Francisco Giants

Jonathan Mayo of MLB.com wrote that the soon-to-be 23-year-old outfielder is another player who could be selected in the Rule 5 Draft.

Grant McCray did well in 2022 with the San Jose Giants (Single-A), compiling a .291/.383/.525 line and a .908 OPS in 106 games. He spent 14 contests with the Eugene Emeralds (High-A) and put up a .269/.387/.423 slash line along with an OPS of .810.

McCray spent this season with the Emeralds and had a .255/.360/.417 line and a .777 OPS in 127 games played. Mayo notes his 29.3 percent strikeout rate in 2023 could prevent him from being picked but that his 37 home runs and 95 steals since 2022 could work in the outfielder's favor of being selected.

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