The Rule V draft is a hit and mostly miss proposition for teams, and because
of that the Diamondbacks were almost completely uninvolved.
The Diamondbacks drafted only one player, and had already worked out a deal
with the Tampa Bay Devil Rays to trade that player, 6'7" right handed
pitcher Angel Garcia for cash considerations.
The D'Backs secured the first pick in the draft as a result of having the
worst record in baseball in 2004. Published reports indicate the club did
not feel there was a player in the draft worth the $50,000 price tag a selection
in the Rule V draft carries. The Devil Rays meanwhile are high on Garcia,
and traded up, giving the D'Backs $100,000 (plus the $50,000 draft pick price)
so secure the #1 pick, and land Garcia.
Players taken in the Major League portion of the Rule V draft must remain on
the big league club's roster for the entire season following the draft, or offer
the player back to the original club for $25,000. While the D'Backs might
have been in the Rule V market a month ago, with the addition of veteran players
like Troy Glaus and Russ Ortiz the D'Backs did not feel their roster would have
room for a player who might not be ready for the big leagues.
The Rule V draft is of most use to teams who feel their farm systems are
lacking in depth. The Diamondbacks also elected to pass on the opportunity
to select any players in either the Triple-A or Double-A phases of the draft,
not surprising considering the Diamondbacks' farm system is full of prospects.
Luckily for the D'Backs only one player was taken from them, Hi-A center
fielder Doc Brooks, by the Washington Nationals who was selected in the Double-A
phase of the draft. Brooks had a very solid year at Lancaster, hitting
.332 with an on-base percentage of .401 and seven stolen bases in 2004.
While the D'Backs liked Brooks he was third in line for them at the center field
position, behind Luis Terrero and Marland Williams, both of whom were protected
from the draft by being placed on the Diamondbacks' 40-man roster.