There is opportunity in Philadelphia for anyone who can step in and help what was the majors' worst team in 2015 rebound next season. Maybe Tyler Goeddel will be one of those guys.
The Phillies selected Goeddel, a corner outfielder, from the Rays with the first pick in Thursday's Rule 5 draft at the winter meetings in Nashville, Tenn.
Goeddel, who turned 23 in October, was the 41st overall pick in the 2011 draft. Drafted as a third baseman, he shifted to the outfield full-time in 2015 at Double-A Montgomery. He hit .279/.350/.433 with 17 doubles, 10 triples and 12 homers in 123 games while also stealing 28 bases.
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#Phillies have selected OF Tyler Goeddel (Rays) with 1st overall pick in Major League portion of Rule 5 Draft. pic.twitter.com/dfmppCKLWl
— Phillies (@Phillies) December 10, 2015
While the Rays are accustomed to having other teams pluck players out of their farm system, the Yankees might have absorbed the bigger blow Thursday when they lost players at No. 2 and No. 3 in the draft.
The Reds took outfielder Jake Cave second, and the Braves followed by snapping up left-hander Evan Rutckyj.
The Rockies selected Cardinals right-hander Luis Perdomo at No. 4 before the Brewers took A's first baseman Colin Walsh at No. 5.
Oakland then nabbed Mariners outfielder Jabari Blash — who hit 32 home runs between Double-A and Triple-A last season — at No. 6, but reportedly planned to trade him to the Padres.
Players selected in the Rule 5 draft must remain on the major league roster or disabled list next season or be offered back to their previous teams.
It was the second consecutive year the Rays lost a prospect with the first overall pick; last year, the Diamondbacks took catcher Oscar Hernandez, who ended up seeing limited playing time after breaking a bone in his hand during spring training.
The full list of players selected in this year's major league phase is below:
Round 1
1. Phillies: Tyler Goeddel, OF, Rays
2. Reds: Jake Cave, OF, Yankees
3. Braves: Evan Rutckjy, LHP, Yankees
4. Rockies: Luis Perdomo, RHP, Cardinals
5. Brewers: Colin Walsh, 2B, A's
6. Athletics: Jabari Blash, IF, Mariners
7. Padres: Josh Martin, RHP, Indians
8. Orioles: Joey Rickard, OF, Rays
9. Angels: Deolis Guerra, RHP, Pirates
10. Blue Jays: Joseph Biagini, RHP, Giants
11. Cardinals: Matthew Bowman, RHP, Mets
Round 2
12. Phillies: Daniel Stumpf, LHP, Royals
13. Reds: Chris O'Grady, LHP, Angels
14. Brewers: Zack Jones, RHP, Twins
15. Padres: Blake Smith, RHP, White Sox
16. Angels: Ji-Man Choi, 1B, Orioles
