Looking ahead to the Rule 5 draft with Baseball America's J.J. Cooper

NASHVILLE - The Orioles have the No. 15 pick in tomorrow's Rule 5 draft here. We've come to expect the O's to make a pick in this draft - last year they selected two players - and this year should be no different. Expect the O's to make a pick.

Since some teams will pass, there should not be 14 players taken before the Orioles select. In recent years they have added Ryan Flaherty, T.J. McFarland and Jason Garica in the Rule 5.

No one has been more clued in on this draft than J.J. Cooper of Baseball America, who was has written preview stories like this one. He believes it is a good move by the Orioles to be so active in this draft.

"It is $50,000 and if the guy doesn't stick, you offer him back and get $25,000," Cooper said. "When we talk about payrolls right now, that is nothing. If you have the roster spot and there is even someone you kind of like, there is no reason not to take a chance. It doesn't work out every year. The Orioles have had success with it and I've had multiple front office execs say, 'There are guys that are pretty interesting this year.' "

Last year was historic for the Rule 5 in that 10 of the 14 players taken stuck with their clubs all year (that number could grow to 11), including Garcia. They included players that became big for their teams like Delino DeShields Jr. of the Rangers and Odubel Herrera of the Phillies.

Cooper is well aware that trying to predict this draft is very, very difficult. But he did throw out a few names that could intrique the Orioles if they are around when they pick. Cooper mentioned three outfielders and two pitchers.

"Teoscar Hernandez from the Astros is a guy coming off a bad year but a very toolsy player. Can play center field and, really, you take a guy like that and you hope you get another Odubel Herrera. You probably don't, but you can take that chance.

"Wuilmer Becerra of the Mets was in low Class A last year and is having a really good winter ball. That is a giant jump - low Class A to the big leagues - you are stashing him somewhat like Jason Garcia who was in low A ball before the Orioles took him. Becerra is our No. 10 prospect in the Mets organization. I understand in some ways why they left him unprotected, but that is a guy you can watch for. Tyler Goeddel of the Rays is a guy who was a third baseman, now he's an outfielder. Had a pretty solid year offensively. Maybe he could fit in a backup role.

"On the pitching side, there are a thousand hard-throwing pitchers with a little bit of control trouble. Reymin Guduan, left-hander for the Astros, throws 100 mph. Everyone would be interested in having a 100 mph lefty. He probably would be tough to stick with the control a question.

"Alberto Tirado, is a player the Phillies picked up at the trade deadline. He has two absolutely filthy pitches. When he is on, he could help a bullpen right now. But, again, control troubles make that a bit of a tough keep."