The Rangers have protected four prospects from the Rule 5 draft. Doesn’t seem like a big deal, unless you think Delino DeShields is a decent find.
It was last December that the Rangers snagged the center fielder from the Astros, who decided not to protect him a month earlier. DeShields, of course, was one of the best surprises of the 2015 season, batting lead-off, winning Rookie of the Year and making Leonys Martin expendable.
In other words, yes, Rule 5 decisions now become extremely important later.
To that end, the Rangers protected top prospects in outfielder Nomar Mazara and pitchers Connor Sadzeck, Yohander Mendez and Jose LeClerc by adding them to the 40-man roster.
To make room on that roster, the Rangers sent pitcher Spencer Patton to the Cubs for infielder Frandy De La Rosa. The infielder, only 19, has spent three seasons in the Chicago organization as a switch-hitting 2nd baseman/shortstop.
After his public split with organization icon Nolan Ryan, I know general manager Jon Daniels has more than his share of critics. But from hiring Manager of the Year Jeff Banister to stealing DeShields from the Astros, I’d say he had a pretty snazzy 2015 as well.
A native Texan who was born in Duncanville and graduated from UT-Arlington, Richie Whitt has been a mainstay in the Metroplex media since 1986. He’s held prominent roles on all media platforms including newspaper (Fort Worth Star-Telegram, Dallas Observer), radio (105.3 The Fan) and TV (co-host on TXA 21 and numerous guest appearances, including NBC 5). He lives in McKinney with his wife, Sybil, and two very spoiled dogs.
