Between the signings of Aaron Judge and Masataka Yoshida, the first Rule 5 draft in two years took place. It’s an annual tradition that has paid off grand dividends throughout its history.A quick refresher about the process can be found here.
In the Major-League portion of the draft, the Mets picked Zach Greene, a right-handed relief pitcher from the Yankees’ organization. Greene, 26, pitched to a 3.42 ERA in 68.1 IP with the Yankees’ Triple-A team, posting an impressive 12.6 K/9.
He was initially drafted by the Yankees in the 8th round in the 2019 draft, a round that also produced current top prospects Caleb Kilian and Will Brennan. Greene’s stand-out skill lies in his slider, a sweeper that Fangraphs‘ Eric Logenhagen dubbed as a “plus” pitch preseason. His fastball doesn’t pack much punch, sitting in the low-90s, but the flat VAA on the pitch couples well with the aforementioned sweeping slider.
Mets have selected RHP Zach Greene in the MLB portion of the Rule 5 Draft.
Greene spent all of last season at AAA with the Yankees posting a 3.42 ERA, 12.64 K/9, 96 Ks and opponents hit just .199 off him.
— Michael Mayer (@mikemayer22) December 7, 2022
Greene typically pitched more than an inning at a time last season, a trait that could help him stick on the roster given the state of the Mets’ current depleted bullpen. Against lefties, he allowed a .595 OPS, compared to a .731 OPS against righties, another characteristic that works in his favor in making the team.
Might get interesting in Queens this season. Mets Rule 5 pick Zach Greene made his agent @gaetasportsmgt (Matt Gaeta) promise that when he debuts, Matt has to show up to the field in a suit with a Hello Kitty backpack. True story.
— Matt Kardos (@mattkardos) December 7, 2022
The Mets’ last Rule 5 selection before Greene was Luis Oviedo in 2020, Pittsburgh who was eventually traded to the Pirates for cash. Sean Gilmartin, from the Minnesota Twins, was the last Mets pick to stay the entire year on the roster. Sean Gilmartin, the player with three first names, chipped in 57.1 effective frames to the pennant-clinching 2015 club.
Despite speculation that outfielder Jake Mangum and reliever Dedniel Núñez would be picked, both players remained with the Mets.
In the minor-league portion, the Mets selected four players: Wilkin Ramos (Pirates), Agustin Ruiz (San Diego Padres), Jonathan Araúz (Baltimore Orioles), and Mateo Gil (Colorado Rockies) were all picked up by New York. Unlike the big-league portion of the draft, these players do not fall under any roster constrictions and will remain in the system.
New York lost Trey Cobb to the Phillies. Cobb split time between Double-A Binghamton and Triple-A Syracuse. Over 40 appearances, he was 8-6 with three saves, a 3.99 ERA, 1.257 WHIP, 3.6 BB/9, and an 8.5 K/9.
Araúz, a 24-year-old utility man, is one of the more well-traveled names in this year’s entire Rule 5 draft. He’s appeared in the Majors during the last three seasons, earning 196 plate appearances between the Red Sox and the Orioles.
He’s chipped in innings at second base, third base, shortstop, and even threw a frame on the mound. The Mets had a similar player in their farm system in Deven Marrero last season; don’t be too surprised to see Araúz fill a similar role.
Araúz was formerly chosen in the MLB portion of Rule 5 draft in 2020 by the Boston Red Sox.
Gil, 22, adds another utility-man profile to the Mets’ farm system. Over 225 plate appearances with the Rockies’ lower-level clubs, he slashed .246/.316/.424 line with seven round-trippers. His defense is exemplary and has shown advanced contact skills during his time with Colorado. He’s most notably known for being part of the Rockies’ return in the February 2021 trade of Nolan Arenado and is the son of Angels’ first-base coach Benji Gil.
Gil is currently participating in the winter-ball circuit, earning time with the Sulatnes de Monterrey of the Mexican Pacific Winter League. He has six hits in 20 at-bats.
Ramos, 22, is a reliever who pitched to a 5.12 ERA in 51 IP last season with the Pirates’ A-ball club. A 2021 scouting report from Prospects Live notes that while his lanky frame and low spin on his fastball is concerning, his optimal spin axis and young age give hope that he could turn into a Major-League caliber arm.
Ruiz, a 23-year-old outfielder, posted a .733 OPS with the Padres High-A team in 20222. He is currently playing with the Charros de Jalisco, also of the Mexican Pacific Winter League, where he is hitless in seven at-bats. His teammates include former Met Keon Broxton.
