Sunday, March 23, 2008

Meat Market

Jim Molony of MLB.com offers a nice overview on the whereabouts of last December's Rule 5 Draftees. Among the 18 are two familiar names to Red Sox fans:

Jose Capellan, LHP, Reds: The Giants selected Capellan from the Red Sox, then sent him back last week. The Giants placed Capellan on waivers, but he didn't clear them and landed with Cincinnati.

The 21-year-old was 4-3 with a 3.69 ERA in 14 starts in Class A last year, striking out 71 and walking 11. He is one of several candidates for a spot in the Reds' bullpen and has a plus arm, but his lack of experience will make it difficult for the Reds to keep him on the Major League roster.

"He is a long shot to make it," Reds manager Dusty Baker said.

Lincoln Holdzkom, RHP, Phillies: Holdzkom is certainly getting his frequent-flyer miles. The Phillies took him from Boston in the Rule 5 Draft, one year after the Astros had taken Holdzkom from the Cubs before sending him back to Chicago. The Cubs didn't keep him on the roster and the Red Sox claimed him.

A power pitcher with control issues, Holdzkom fared well last year (2.97 ERA in 42 Minor League games). He didn't pitch well enough to convince the Phillies to keep him, and the right-hander cleared waivers last week and became a free agent.

The Red Sox re-signed him, and Holdzkom was optioned to the Minor Leagues on March 13.

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