ORLANDO, Fla. (AP) — Colorado selected right-hander RJ Pettitte from Detroit’s 40-man major league roster on Wednesday with the No. 1 pick among 13 unprotected players in the Rule 5 draft.
The 26-year-old Pettit, who was drafted by the Tigers in the 14th round of the 2021 amateur draft, has made 45 appearances with two starts this year for Double-A Erie and Triple-A Toledo, compiling a 10-2 record with a 2.44 ERA. He struck out 79 and walked 22 in 66 1/3 innings.
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Pettit went 21-15 with a 3.40 ERA, 14 saves in five starting seasons, and 182 relief appearances in five minor league seasons.
Players signed under the age of 19 face draft risk if they do not make the 40-man roster after their fifth season. Players who are 19 or older at the time of their first professional contract are exposed after their fourth season.
Teams pay $100,000 to draft players to the major league portion. These players must remain on the major league roster through next season or receive clear waivers and return to their original organization for $50,000.
Only teams without a full 40-man roster will be able to make selections.
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Others selected were right-hander Jedikson Patz (Colorado, from Boston), right-hander Griff McGary (Washington, from Philadelphia), catcher Daniel Susak (Minnesota, from Athletics), catcher Carter Baumler (Pittsburgh, from Baltimore), right-hander Ryan Watson (from San Francisco Athletics), right-hander Matthew Proshad (from Miami, St. Louis), right-hander RHP Rodri Muñoz (Houston, Cincinnati), RHP Payton Palette (Cleveland, Chicago White Sox), RHP Spencer Myers (Toronto, San Francisco), RHP Cade Winquist (New York Yankees, St. Louis), RHP Zach McCamble (Philadelphia, Miami) and RHP Alexander Alberto (White Sox, Tampa Bay).
An additional 55 players were selected for the 3A phase.
Eight of the 15 major league prospects last December remained with their new teams, including Toronto right-hander Angel Bastardo, who spent the entire season on the injured list while recovering from Tommy John surgery.
Right-hander Sean Smith was selected as the first overall pick by the Milwaukee-Chicago White Sox in December last year and was selected as an All-Star. He started 29 games for the White Sox, going 7-8 with a 3.81 ERA. The White Sox’s record of 60-102 was the worst in the American League.
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Catcher Liam Hicks, drafted by Miami out of Detroit, hit .247 with 45 homers and 45 RBIs for the Marlins while serving as catcher 49 times, starting 23 times and as designated hitter 20 times.
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AP MLB: https://apnews.com/MLB
