Cubs Rule 5 Recap

As usual, none of my Rule 5 predictions were even close. Most of the targets I thought the Cubs would consider with the 2nd pick weren't even selected by any other teams. I feel a little better since only 4 of top 20 rule 5 prospects on the MLB.com were selected. It's a crap shoot. Anyway, here is a brief scouting report on the Cubs Rule 5 selection, RP Hector Rondon, and an overview of who the Cubs lost.

Hector Rondon  
Throws: Right, Position: RP Age:24
Height: 6' 3", Weight: 180 lb.

Rondon is a former top 10 prospect of the Indians who has struggled to stay healthy the last three years. Rondon made it to AAA in 2010 before his season was derailed with TJ surgery, so before his injury at least he was close to big league ready. Reports have Rondon throwing in the high 90s in winter league ball with good movement so barring another injury, Rondon should be ready to go in spring training and has a good shot to break camp with the Cubs as a power bullpen arm. Here is a scouting report from Scouting Book:
 
A relatively unknown pitcher hidden in the Cleveland system, righthander Hector Rondon uses his darting 93mph fastball and MLB-ready breaking ball heavily, and both are highly effective when he commands them... which is most of the time. He stumbled in an injury-riddled 2010, however, and reinjured his elbow again in 2011. He's being rebuilt this spring, and should begin rehab work in late summer. We won't know if he really has anything left until winter, 2012. (ScoutingBook.com)

I figured the Cubs would select a power arm, but had never heard of Rondon before today. From the reports I've read I'm happy with the pick and excited to see him pitch. On a sad note here is a list of players  the Cubs lost in the Rule 5 draft (majors & minors):

Straling Peralta (Diamondbacks)
Throws: Right, Position: SP Age:22
Height: 6' 4", Weight: 180 lb.

This hurts. Peralta is a high ceiling SP prospect with mid 90s heat and a + slider as his out pitch. He pitched well this year in low A (3.44 ERA, 7.9 K/9) but wasn't dominant and low A is a long way from the bigs. I'm hoping he's far enough away that he doesn't stick on the D-Backs roster, but with 2 + pitches he could be good enough out of the bullpen to stick as a long relief / mop-up guy.

Minor League Rule 5 draft: The double & triple A sections of the draft are basically used for teams to fill organization depth. 

Matt Cerda (Cardinals) - A utility infielder with a great eye (.394 OBP) and little else. Certa has no power (3HR) and little speed (4STL) but can play anywhere in the infield and is a grinder. He'll probably end up making the Cardinals and being an annoying Skip Schumaker type. Just because it's the Cardinals.

Michael Burgess (OF) - A power hitting outfielder with contact issues, Burgess actually cut down his strikeouts considerbaly in 2012 (111 to 56) but it effected his power as his homers dropped from 20 to 10 (90 less ABs). The Cubs are short on power hitting OF prospects, but I don't predict Burgess ever making it to the show.

Alvido Jimenez (RP) -  Put up good numbers in rookie league ball as a reliever (2.64 ERA, 8.8 K/9) but it's his 3rd year in the league and he's already 21. Never heard of him before today.