Credit: Rhona Wise-USA TODAY Sports
The Mets were active in Thursday’s annual Rule 5 draft, taking right-hander Luis Oviedo from the Indians in the major league portion before shipping him to the Pirates for cash considerations, and taking multiple minor leaguers in the minor league phase of the draft. One such player was outfielder Drew Ferguson from the Astros. While not the Astros center fielder Mets fans have been hoping for, Ferguson adds some needed depth to a Mets system that is essentially devoid of outfielders at the upper minor levels.
The Astros took Ferguson in the 19th round of the 2015 draft out of Belmont University as a senior sign. Now 28, the right-handed hitter has spent time in Triple-A every year since 2017 but has not yet gotten a taste of the big leagues. Most recently, in 2019, Ferguson slashed .281/.395/.440 at Round Rock with 11 homers and 27 stolen bases in 34 attempts. Ferguson was selected by the Giants in the major league portion of 2018’s Rule 5 draft, but was returned to Houston the following spring.
Listed at 5’11, 180 lbs, Ferguson does not have a particularly impressive athletic body nor does he have a particular tool that opens eyes. The tools are average across the board with the exception of below-average in-game power. His best tool is his speed, which benefits him the most out in center field. There is some swing and miss in the swing as well, as he punched out 105 times in 402 at-bats in 2019, but was able to walk 68 times too.
The Rule 5 draft, in either portion, is rarely something to get excited upon. Ferguson fills a role that the Mets needed to fill: that of a fourth outfielder-type who they can stash in Syracuse. Though the event of Ferguson’s addition to the major league roster would probably indicate injuries to key players above him on the depth chart, his presence on the depth chart helps nonetheless. This organization is without many true center fielders at the highest levels, including at the major league level. That’s Ferguson’s biggest plus. He can play center and play it well.
