Dodgers: LA Loses 2 Players in Minor League Rule 5 Draft
While Major League Baseball is suspended for now due to the lockout, the minor league offseason is still in full swing. The minor league Rule 5 Draft came and went with the Dodgers selecting 3 players with a lot of potential to add to their still strong farm system. However, that didn’t come without taking any losses as the organization lost two minor leaguers.
According to Insider Rowan Kavner, the Dodgers lost left-handed pitcher Nelfri Contreras and shortstop Carlos Santiago. Contreras was taken by the St. Louis Cardinals in the fourth round while Santiago was taken in the fifth round by the Miami Marlins.
The Dodgers took RHP Jon Duplantier with their last pick. Former Dbacks pitcher with 6.70 ERA in 19 career MLB outings.
They lost LHP Nelfri Contreras (who pitched in single-A last year) to St. Louis and infielder Carlos Santiago (who played in rookie ball last year) to Miami
— Jack Harris (@Jack_A_Harris) December 8, 2021
What did they lose?
Contreras, the 22-year old Dominican southpaw, spent last season with the Single-A Rancho Cucamonga Quakes and posted a 3-1 record with a 3.80 ERA and a 1.59 WHIP. He owns a 4.19 ERA with 132 strikeouts across 139 2/3 careers innings in the minors. As for Santiago, the 20-year-old out of Venezuela posted a .168/.237/.542 slash line with 5 home runs and 25 RBI in his first taste of professional baseball with the rookie-level ACL Dodgers.
The Dodgers farm system has taken a hit in recent years, yet they can still absorb minor losses such as these. The addition of Carson Fulmer, John Duplantier, and Kekai Rios should offset the subtractions from the Rule 5 Draft. Maybe Contreras and Santiago become stars in the making or at the very least serviceable big leaguers, or maybe, they just become depth in another organization and the Dodgers don’t regret letting them go.
Unlike the Major League Rule 5 Draft, the Cardinals and Marlins don’t have to add either player to their 40-man roster and instead can assign them to any level in the minors.
NEXT: Diego Cartaya Turning Heads as One of Baseball’s Best Prospects
