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Twins Have Had Historic Success with Rule 5 Draft Picks

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The MLB Rule 5 Draft has been a source for hidden gems over the years, and the Minnesota Twins have had their share of success. This year, the Twins chose right-handed pitcher Eiberson Castellano from the Philadelphia Phillies. Over the years, the Twins have succeeded with their picks, including one of the best Rule 5 Draft picks of all time.

What is the Rule 5 Draft?

According to mlb.com, a rudimentary version of the Rule 5 Draft has been around professional baseball since 1892. The Rule 5 Draft is when a team with an open spot on their 40-man roster selects a player who “either have spent four seasons in professional baseball after signing at age 19 or older, or spent five seasons in pro ball after signing at 18 or younger,” as stated on mlb.com. The reverse order of the standings from the previous season decides the draft order. Teams must pay $100,000 to the team they select the player from, and the chosen player must be on the 25-man roster for the whole season. Any player removed from the roster must be offered back to his previous team for $50,000.

Top Twins Rule 5 Draft Picks

Only some teams will choose to select a player at each year’s Rule 5 Draft. In fact, there were only fifteen selections in this year’s draft. Since 1960, heading into the Twins’ first season in Minnesota, they have selected 46 players in the Rule 5 Draft. While not every Rule 5 pick turns out to be an amazing player, the Twins have had some successes over the years, including a Cy Young Award-winning pitcher.

Doug Corbett (1979)

Taken from the Cincinnati Reds, Doug Corbett became an All-Star closer for the Twins in the early 1980s. In 1980, he posted a 1.98 ERA with 23 saves. During this time, the Twins were an extremely young team, building for a future that eventually led to a championship team in 1987. In part of building that team, the Twins eventually traded Corbett in 1982 to the California Angels. One of the players the Twins received in that deal was Tom Brunansky, a key player during that 1987 championship run.

Scott Diamond (2010)

Acquired from the Atlanta Braves, Scott Diamond‘s best season of his career came in 2012 with the Twins. That season, he boasted a 12-9 record, 3.94 ERA, 1.243 WHIP, and a 2.6 WAR.  While his career didn’t last long, it was during this time the Twins were going through a rebuild. Diamond’s ability to anchor the rotation during a challenging season was a shining moment for the team. Despite a last-place finish, Diamond was able to be a positive that season. It proved difficult for him to replicate his 2012 season, and eventually, the Twins released him in 2014.

Shane Mack (1989)

Selected in the 1989 Rule 5 Draft from the San Diego Padres, Shane Mack became an intricate part of the Twins’ 1991 championship run. That season, Mack batted .310, hit 18 home runs, had 74 RBI, and stole 13 bases. His .310 batting average that season was second to Kirby Puckett. In the field, Mack became well-known for his defensive skills. Splitting time between outfield positions, Mack had a reliable presence and a knack for covering ground on the field. While his play during the World Series in 1991 was overshadowed by Puckett’s heroics, Mack was one of the more consistent players during that playoff run, including a .333 batting average during the ALCS.

Johan Santana (1999)

Besides being one of the best pitchers in Twins history, Johan Santana is considered one of the best Rule 5 Draft picks of all time. Initially selected by the Florida Marlins from the Houston Astros during the Rule 5 Draft, after their selection, the Marlins immediately traded him to the Twins for a minor league player. While Santana struggled in his first couple of seasons, in 2003 he finally broke out into the dominant pitcher baseball fans remember him as.

Even though he didn’t start the 2003 season as a starting pitcher, he finished the season with a 12-3 record, 3.07 ERA, 1.099 WHIP, and 169 strikeouts in 158 1/3 innings. This change to dominance led to AL Cy Young Awards in 2004 and 2006. During both of his Cy Young Award-winning seasons, Santana led MLB in strikeouts and WHIP. He also led the American League in strikeouts during the 2005 and 2007 seasons. This generational pitcher was dominant during a renaissance for the Twins, During a period in which Minnesota won multiple division titles, Santana was the ace of the pitching staff, leading them to success.

Draft Legacy

With the Rule 5 Draft occasionally being successful for the Twins, it is important to note the players who have been a part of that success. Santana and Mack will forever be linked to successful Twins teams, with Corbett and Diamond each considered a bright moment during challenging times for the franchise. With this kind of history, Twins fans can be hopeful that Eiberson Castellano will be successful in 2025.

 

Photo Credit: © Jasen Vinlove-Imagn Images

The post Twins Have Had Historic Success with Rule 5 Draft Picks appeared first on Last Word On Baseball.