Every Rule 5 Draft pick in Marlins history
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MIAMI -- The Marlins have traditionally been active in the annual Rule 5 Draft, just as they were in 2020, when they selected right-hander Paul Campbell from the Rays' Triple-A roster.
Miami has viewed the Rule 5 Draft as a way to infuse talent into the organization. Here’s a look at all the players the Marlins have selected in the Major League phase of the Rule 5 Draft over the years.
2020: Rays RHP Paul Campbell
Ranked by MLB Pipeline as the Rays' No. 24 prospect at the time, Campbell is a 25-year-old with a history of strong Minor League performance. In 2019, he went 13-8 with a 3.67 ERA in 144 2/3 innings.
2019: Nationals RHP Sterling Sharp
The right-hander was part of Miami’s bullpen at the start of the shortened 2020 season, and he threw 5 1/3 innings in four games. But he got caught up in roster numbers and was returned to the Nationals on Aug. 27.
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2018: Astros RHP Riley Ferrell
After dealing with a bout of right biceps tendinitis in Spring Training, Ferrell was returned to the Astros in June 2019.
2017: Astros RHP Elieser Hernandez; A’s RHP Brett Graves
Hernandez proved to be an excellent find, making the leap from Class A Advanced to the big leagues. Graves threw 33 1/3 innings for Miami in 2018.
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2014: Cubs LHP Andrew McKirahan
After making his claim to be on Miami’s Opening Day roster in 2015, McKirahan was acquired by the Braves off waivers days before Opening Day. He pitched 27 1/3 innings of relief for Atlanta that season, but he served an 80-game suspension for violating MLB’s drug policy. He eventually dealt with left elbow injuries.
2012: Dodgers OF Alfredo Silverio; Rays LHP Braulio Lara
A right elbow injury landed Silverio on the 60-day injured list, and he missed all of 2013. He was outrighted after the season. Lara never made it to the Majors.
2008: Yankees LHP Zach Kroenke
The Marlins returned the lefty to the Yankees. He eventually reached the big leagues, pitching in seven games (10 2/3 innings) for the D-backs from 2010-11.
2007: Reds RHP Carlos Guevara
Traded to the Padres for cash considerations the day after the Rule 5 Draft, Guevara threw 12 1/3 innings for San Diego in 2008, his lone MLB season.
2005: D-backs 2B Dan Uggla; Dodgers LHP Mike Megrew
The Marlins’ most impactful Rule 5 pick was Uggla, who belted 154 home runs in five big league seasons with Miami. He was a two-time All-Star second baseman during his time in Miami. Megrew, a hard-throwing lefty with command issues, was returned to the Dodgers and never reached the big leagues.
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1999: Astros LHP Johan Santana
A move the organization certainly would want back. With the No. 2 pick in the 1999 Rule 5 Draft, the Marlins selected Santana. The lefty was then traded to the Twins for Indians right-hander Jared Camp, who was taken at No. 1 by Minnesota in the same Rule 5 Draft. Camp never reached the big leagues, while Santana became a two-time Cy Young Award winner.
1998: Astros LHP Alberto Blanco
Blanco pitched in seven Minor League seasons, but he never made it to the big leagues.
1994: Mariners RHP Matt Mantei; Yankees LHP Matt Dunbar
Mantei was part of the Marlins’ bullpen from 1995-99, logging 19 saves. He pitched 10 seasons in the big leagues. Dunbar threw seven innings in 1995, his lone stint in the Majors.
1993: Mets RHP Steve Long
Long was returned to the Mets and pitched six Minor League seasons.
1992: Expos RHP Stan Spencer; Giants LHP Mike Myers
Spencer was in the Marlins’ system until 1995, and he pitched 23 big league games for the Padres from 1998-2000. Myers logged two innings in two games for the Marlins in '95. The lefty went on to have a 13-year MLB career.