LA Angels: 3 prospects gained and 2 prospects lost in Rule 5 Draft

The Rule 5 Draft is always hectic and the Angels were at the forefront of it.

Every December, the Rule 5 Draft takes place. While many players who are selected never become contributors at the major league level, there are many success stories who have. Some of the greatest names to ever be taken in the Rule 5 Draft include long-time ace Johan Santana, Phillies outfielder and former Halo Shane Victorino, and even power-hitting second baseman Dan Uggla. There are genuine major league contributors to be had and who is to say the Angels didn’t gain one today?

While most of the names selected are likely players you have never heard of if you do not follow the Angels’ minor league system intently, there is a lot of intrigue.

For those who are unfamiliar with the Rule 5 Draft, there is a major league portion where players who are unprotected by their original teams — players that are not placed on the 40-man roster before the deadline — as well as minor league portions. Those minor league portions are referred to as the Triple-A phase and the Double-A phase, although the Double-A phase is usually passed on.

In this year’s Rule 5 Draft, the Angels saw one of their players get selected first overall in the major league portion of the draft, representing a huge organizational loss. The Angels also lost a left-handed pitcher who they received in the Zack Cozart trade. In addition to those two losses, the Angels picked up three players — one in the first round of the major league portion of the draft, one in the first round of the Triple-A phase, and one in round two of the Triple-A phase.

All in all, these men could make an impact on the Halos as an addition or a subtraction. Let’s take a look at all five of the players that are heading to the Angels are being shipped elsewhere.