Cleveland Guardians Select Four Players In 2023 MLB Rule 5 Draft
On Wednesday, Major League Baseball conducted its annual Rule 5 Draft at its annual winter meetings.
The Cleveland Guardians drafted four players to their player development system. They also had three players taken from their player development system by other teams.
Here is a breakdown of the Guardians’ 2023 MLB Rule 5 Draft results.
Major League Phase
Deyvison De Los Santos, 3B
Cleveland’s lone selection in the Major League Phase of the 2023 MLB Rule 5 Draft was third baseman prospect Deyvison De Los Santos.
Prior to his selection, the 20-year-old was rated as the Arizona Diamondbacks’ fifth-ranked prospect, per MLB Pipeline. In three Minor League seasons, ranging from rookie ball through Double-A, he has hit .254 with 339 hits, 50 home runs, 204 RBI, 61 doubles, and an .805 OPS.
This year was his first full season in Double-A. In 113 games with Double-A Amarillo, De Los Santos hit .254 with 115 hits, 20 home runs, 61 RBI, 16 doubles, and a .728 OPS. He also had a .932 fielding percentage in 74 games as a third baseman, and a .992 fielding percentage in 35 games as a first baseman.
Amarillo Sod Poodles Deyvison De Los Santos (13) watches a pitch from the batter's circle in a Texas League Championship game against the Arkansas Travelers, Wednesday night, September 27, 2023, at Hodgetown, in Amarillo, Texas. The Amarillo Sod Poodles won 9-1.
© Carter Pirtle for the Amarillo Globe-News / USA TODAY NETWORK
Minor League Phase
Round 1: Tyler Brown, RHP
The 25-year-old relief pitcher was selected from the Houston Astros’ Triple-A affiliate.
In three Minor League seasons, ranging from rookie ball through Triple-A, Tyler Brown has made 85 appearances (26 starts), going 11-20 with a 5.96 ERA, five saves in seven opportunities, and an average of 9.92 strikeouts per nine innings.
This year was his first season exclusively as a relief pitcher. In 43 combined appearances across Double-A and Triple-A, Brown went 6-4 with a 3.72 ERA, 1.33 WHIP, and an average of 9.05 strikeouts per nine innings, while converting three of four save opportunities.
Brown will return to Ohio, as he was born in Mansfield and attended Olentangy Orange High School.
Round 2: Connor Gillispie, RHP
The 26-year-old starting and relief pitcher was selected from the Baltimore Orioles’ Double-A affiliate.
In four Minor League seasons, ranging from Short Season Class A through Double-A, Connor Gillispie has made 87 appearances (40 starts), going 19-17 with a 4.00 ERA, 1.18 WHIP, and eight saves in 11 opportunities.
This year was his first season in Double-A. In 27 appearances (14 starts) with Double-A Bowie, Gillispie went 7-4 with a 3.89 ERA, 99 strikeouts, 1.15 WHIP, two complete games, and one shutout, while converting both of his save opportunities.
Round 3: John Doxakis, LHP
The 25-year-old relief pitcher was selected from the Tampa Bay Rays’ Triple-A affiliate.
In four Minor League seasons, ranging from Short Season Class A through Triple-A, John Doxakis has made 98 appearances (56 starts), going 21-13 with a 4.56 ERA, 342 strikeouts, and 1.21 WHIP.
This year was his first season as a relief pitcher. In a combined 36 relief appearances across Double-A and Triple-A, Doxakis went 8-3 with a 5.89 ERA, 1.49 WHIP, and an average of 9.00 strikeouts per nine innings, while not converting either of his two save opportunities.
Players Taken
- Single-A relief pitcher Samuel Vasquez (drafted by the Washington Nationals)
- Double-A relief pitcher Thomas Ponticelli (drafted by the Colorado Rockies)
- Double-A first baseman Bryce Ball (drafted by the Philadelphia Phillies)
