Joe can you give us a quick explaination of rule 5 eligible.
After so many years of minor league experience you either have to be put on the 40 man roster or become rule 5 draft eligible. This is a different draft then the amateur draft which is the rule 4 draft.
This draft exposes everyone in the minor league system that is eligible and not on the 40 man roster. The key is once you draft someone in order to keep the pick you have to keep them on the 25 man roster. If you don't you have to offer them back to the team they selected them from.
Its a way to help guys who have been blocked in an organization to get to the major league level. And its hard to predict who gets selected, Johan Santana and Josh Hamiliton are among past Rule 5 draft picks. But many are selected and placed in the bullpen. Thielbar is a lefty relief pitcher which means that there is an outside chance if he pitches well in the AFL that he could be selected.
Rule 5 is in place so teams don't hold pro ready players in the minors when they could be playing in the majors for a different team.
Not completely related, but interesting, Michael Jordan batted .252 in the Arizona Fall League.
“I used to be with it. But then they changed what it was. Now what I’m with isn’t it, and what’s it seems scary and wierd. It’ll happen to you.” — Abe Simpson
The Twins announced their September call-ups and Caleb Thielbar was not among them. He shouldn't feel bad, just for being in the discussion among Twins' fans and journalist should be a great honor for a guy pitching in St. Paul last year. The Twins didn't call up too many though either. Anthony Slama and his 1.24 ERA as well as others.
He'll go to the Az fall league starting in October. Hopefully get him another 10-12 Innings pitched. get him close to 90IP on the year. Hopefully earning an invite to the major league spring training next year.
On Thielbar: Caleb Thielbar, LHP: The reliever began the season at Class A Fort Myers and ended up at Class AAA Rochester. Another lefty who throws in the low 90's with a good breaking ball, but he attacks hitters. He walked just five batters between Fort Myers and New Britain before running into more resistance at Rochester, but he's one to watch next season as the Twins could use another lefty reliever.
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