Mets Select Two Pitchers In Rule 5 Draft

Thursday saw the conclusion of the Winter Meetings and the start of this year’s Rule-V Draft.  In the AAA portion, the Mets selected 28-year old pitcher Jonathan Velasquez.  Originally a member of the Philadelphia Phillies organization, he spent the last three seasons pitching in the independent Atlantic League and Canadian/American League.

May 4, 2012; Kansas City, MO, USA; A stack of baseballs and a glove before a game between the New York Yankees and the Kansas City Royals at Kauffman Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Peter G. Aiken-USA TODAY Sports

Right-handed Jonathan Velasquez made 61 relief appearances last season for the Camden River Sharks of the Atlantic League.  He posted a 6-2 record, with a 1.95 ERA, and a 1.140 WHiP.  In 73.2 innings pitched, Jonathan limited batters to 58 hits and just 2 home runs, walked 26, and fanned 82 batters.  It is also worth noting he pitched for former major league catcher, and current Camden manager Ron Karkovice.

In his first professional season affiliated with Philadelphia in 2009, Jon Velasquez started 24 games, and made 28 appearances.  He posted an 11-8 record, with a 3.79 ERA.  In 140 total innings pitched, split between the South Atlantic League and the Florida State League, he allowed 133 hits, walked 44, fanned 100 batters, and had a 1.264 WHiP.  In 2010, Jon was converted into a relief pitcher.  He posted a 3-9 record, with 6 saves, and a 3.19 ERA in 45 appearances.  In 87.1 innings pitched, he allowed 68 hits and walked 35 for a 1.179 WHiP, while striking out 77 batters.

With the 10th overall selection in the major league portion, the Mets selected right-hand pitcher Seth Rosin, 25, away from Philadelphia.  Originally drafted by the San Francisco Giants in the 4th round of the 2010 amateur draft, Rosin recently completed his first season at the AA-level for Reading of the Eastern League.  He appeared in 26 games, and made 23 starts, posting a 9-6 record, and a 4.33 ERA.  In 126.1 innings pitched, he allowed 120 hits and walked 35, for a 1.224 WHiP, while striking out 96 batters.

The Mets then turned around, and traded Seth Rosin to the Los Angeles Dodgers, for cash considerations and a player to be named later.  Per Rule-V Draft stipulations, Rosin must stick on the Dodgers’ 25-man roster or disabled list all season or be offered back to his original club — in this case, the Phils — for $25,000.  The Mets paid $50,000 to draft him for the Dodgers, who compensated New York for their trouble.

The Mets lost three players in the minor league portion – pitchers Carlos Vasquez, Martires Arias, and James Fuller.

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