The Los Angeles Dodgers didn’t make a selection during the Major League portion of the 2019 MLB Rule 5 Draft on Thursday, but were active in the Minor League phase as they took infielder Carlos Sepulveda from the Chicago Cubs.
Sepulveda was the Dodgers’ only pick of the day. The selection — like all others during the Minors portion of the Rule 5 Draft — cost $24,000 and came with fewer restrictions. Sepulveda, and any player taken in the Minor League phases, can be placed on any roster in the Minors and does not have to be offered back to their original club.
Sepulveda made his professional debut with the Cubs organization in 2015 and spent this past year with their High-A Myrtle Beach affiliate. The Mexican native hit .243/.342/.285 with 12 doubles, 36 RBI and had 14 stolen bases over 112 games.
Sepulveda has primarily played second base through his career but also has some experience at shortstop. He currently is considered part of the Triple-A Oklahoma City roster.
While the Dodgers only made one addition in the Rule 5 Draft, they avoided losing any of their prospects. Notably Jordan Sheffield, who was selected in the first round of the 2016 MLB Draft.
Jair Camargo, Parker Curry, Starling Heredia, Nolan Long, Brayan Morales, Jake Peter, Carlos Rincon, Errol Robinson, Cristian Santana, Shea Spitzbarth, Cody Thomas, Leonel Valera and Nick Yarnall were also among those in the Dodgers organization that were eligible for the Rule 5 Draft.
So too were DJ Peters, Zach McKinstry, Mitchell White and Victor Gonzalez, but they were added to the 40-man roster last month to protect against losing them.
Eligible players for the annual Rule 5 Draft are those who signed at 18 years of age or younger and have five seasons of experience in professional baseball. Players signed at 19 or older and have four seasons of experience can also be drafted.
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