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As had been rumored, the Padres struck a deal with the Twins to ensure they got their main target in the 2016 Rule 5 Draft. Minnesota had the first overall pick in the draft, which they used to select right-handed pitcher Miguel Diaz from the Brewers organization on behalf of San Diego. The 22-year old has been used both as a starter and in relief all five years of his minor league career. Last year was his first in Single-A ball after two years each in the entry-level Dominican Summer and Arizona Leagues. His 8.7 K/9 rate last season was in line with his career 8.5 mark, and his walk rate of 2.8 was up a tick from 2015's 2.2, but better than his overall 3.4.
This was not the last we heard from AJ Prellar this morning. The Padres were quite active in the Rule 5 Draft, much as they were last season. In the 2015 edition, San Diego walked away with four players, selecting two outright and trading for two others. Right-handed relievers Josh Martin and Blake Smith were eventually returned to their original teams before Opening Day while Luis Perdomo and Jabari Blash opened the season with the club. Perdomo stuck on the roster all season, showing leaps and bounds of growth, and Blash passed through waivers back to the Mariners, who promptly dealt his rights back to the Padres, permitting San Diego to send him to AAA. This year they got Diaz along with shortstop Allen Cordoba, who they took from the Cardinals with the third overall pick, and reportedly the Reds' pick, catcher Luis Torrens.
At this moment it's unknown how the Padres will be compensating the Twins, and whether or not Cordoba will be involved. Stay tuned.
As @JonathanMayo reports, Twins are expected to trade first pick of the Rule 5 Draft to the Padres. They selected Miguel Diaz No. 1.
— Rhett Bollinger (@RhettBollinger) December 8, 2016
In short, Diaz throws heat, but other pitches are question marks. Mid-to-upper 90s fastball with slider as a second pitch.
— AJ Cassavell (@AJCassavell) December 8, 2016