Every Rule 5 Draft pick in Rockies history
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DENVER -- The Rockies’ history in the Rule 5 Draft has been full of interesting characters, not to mention a few players who have helped them and other teams.
Over the years, some players -- including right-handed reliever Tommy Kahnle (2013) and infielder Luis A. González ('03) -- have contributed for the Rockies at the big league level. Other times, they have selected players on behalf of another club and made prearranged trades, watching some players blossom.
But it turns out the Rule 5 Draft produces almost as many juicy backstories as Major League players.
Speaking of interesting backstories, the Rockies lost a notable player in the 2013 Rule 5 Draft: Seattle Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson, who had a brief career in Colorado's system before choosing football. The Rangers later brought Wilson to Spring Training camp, mainly as an inspirational figure.
Here is a breakdown of each player the Rockies have selected in the Rule 5 Draft in their history:
2015: Cardinals RHP Luis Perdomo
The Rockies then sent Perdomo to the Padres for cash considerations. Perdomo has since posted a 5.19 ERA in 133 games for San Diego over the past five seasons. In Denver, he is best remembered for throwing a pitch behind Rockies third baseman Nolan Arenado, who charged the mound, in 2018.
2014: Marlins 1B Mark Canha
The Rockies made the pick at the behest of the A's. In exchange, Colorado received reliever Austin House, who pitched in its system through 2018. Canha has been a key contributor for the A's since debuting in '15.
2013: Yankees RHP Tommy Kahnle
Kahnle, a pitcher who the Rockies scouted heavily out of college, struck out 102 in 102 innings for Colorado from 2014-15. He was traded to the White Sox in November 2015, in a deal that brought right-handed reliever Yency Almonte to the Rox.
2012: Nationals LHP Danny Rosenbaum
Rosenbaum was returned to the Nationals at the end of Spring Training 2013. He later pitched in the Red Sox system, and he is currently instructing young players in Union City, N.J.
2005: Dodgers LHP Luis E. González
No, the Rockies weren’t trying to go back to the Luis González well, if there is such a thing. They traded this one to the Mariners for cash considerations.
2004: Dodgers LHP Matt Merricks
Merricks never appeared in the Majors for the Rockies. Injuries shortened his pro career, but after retirement, he turned to instructing young pitchers.
2003: Indians IF Luis A. González
González made the Rockies' roster and batted .292 with 12 home runs and 40 RBIs in 102 games as a rookie in 2003. That year, the players somehow got their hands on a stuffed chipmunk toy that, during a spate of comeback wins, they called “the rally squirrel.” Veterans placed González in charge of caring for it and making sure it was fed sunflower seeds. Whatever works, right? González batted .283 over three seasons for Colorado.
2003: Indians LHP Matt White
White didn’t make the Rockies, but he later had Major League stints with the Red Sox, Mariners and Nationals. However, according to his Wikipedia page, he purchased Cummington, Mass., land that turned out to be “solid Goshen stone, a type of micha syst estimated to be 400 million years old.” The substance’s estimated worth was “around $2.5 billion, minus extradition costs.” Difficulty mining it, however, made cashing in difficult.
2002: D-backs CF Victor Hall
The Rockies immediately traded Hall to the Astros for right-hander Nelson Cruz, who went 3-5 with a 7.21 ERA in 20 games, including seven starts, for the Rockies in ’03.
1994: Indians LHP Kevin Logsdon
Logsdon did not make the active roster in ‘95, but the Rockies were allowed to keep him. He appeared in two games for Triple-A Colorado Springs.
1993: Pirates RHP Marc Pisciotta
Pisciotta was returned to the Pirates at the end of Spring Training 1994. Pisciotta, who as a 12-year-old led a Marietta, Ga., team to the 1983 Little League World Series title, later made it to the Majors with the Cubs (1997-99).