RULE 5 WATCH
In addition to giving recent draftees, injured and suspended players an opportunity to log innings and at bats, the Arizona Fall League also gives organizations a chance to evaluate players with regards to filling out 40-man rosters.
According to the collective bargaining agreement, players must be added to the 40-man roster by November 20, 2012 four years after they signed, if they signed at age 19 or older (most college players) or after 5 years, if they signed at age 18 or younger (most high school and Latin American players).
Those that are not added will be subject to the Rule 5 draft, held on Dec. 6 this year. Selected players must remain on the team's 25-man roster for the entire duration of the following season or they are returned to the previous team.
"A lot of our pro scouts and special assistants will be handed lists of players—those that are on the cusp, those that won't be protected," explained a National League executive.
This year, 76 players in the Arizona Fall League will be Rule 5 Draft-eligible unless "protected" or added to their 40-man rosters. Each week, we will preview one of these players.
First though, six AFL players stand out as likely additions due to prospect status within their organization:
1. Jarred Cosart, rhp, Houston Astros 2. Hak-Ju Lee, ss, Tampa Bay Rays 3. Kyle Gibson, rhp, Minnesota Twins 4. Grant Green, if/of, Oakland Athletics 5. Travis Witherspoon, of, Los Angeles Angels 6. Chris McGuiness, 1b, Texas Rangers
Source:
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