Angels Lose Two in Rule 5 Draft
 Bobby Cassevah |
 David Herndon |
The Angels lost two minor league pitchers in today’s Rule 5 Draft. Both spent 2009 in the Arkansas Travelers bullpen.
The Oakland A’s claimed right-hander Bobby Cassevah with the ninth pick in the first round. Selected by the Angels in the 34th round of the June 2004 draft, Bobby was one of two “high-risk, high-reward” amateur pitchers selected that year. Cassevah and 14th rounder Nick Adenhart were both recovering from “Tommy John” elbow ligament surgery. Cassevah had a 3.68 ERA in 57 relief appearances with four saves. He had a 45/37 SO:BB ratio in 73 1/3 innings. After the All-Star Game, his ERA was 5.81.
With the 17th pick in the first round, the Philadelphia Phillies claimed David Herndon, who had a 3.03 ERA in 50 relief appearances with the Travs, notching 11 saves. He had a 35:14 SO:BB ratio in 65 1/3 innings. Herndon was selected by the Angels in the fifth round of the June 2006 draft.
It should come as no surprise that both pitchers were originally scouted and signed by Tom Kotchman.
As noted in yesterday’s blog, the claimant team must protect the drafted player on the 25-man roster all next year or offer him back to the Angels for half-price, i.e. half of $50,000.
The Phillies have made a habit of claiming Angels players in recent years.
In December 2006, they claimed catcher Ryan Budde, but returned him to the Angels in April 2007. He made his Angels debut later that year.
In December 2008, the Phils selected pitcher Robert Mosebach. “Moose” returned him to the Angels at the end of spring training, and he made his major league debut with the Halos on July 25.
By the way, Mosebach was another Tom Kotchman signing.
FutureAngels.com 