PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. -- The Nationals have received Rule 5 draft pick Jeff Kobernus back from the Tigers, re-stocking their farm system with the highly regarded second baseman.Kobernus had been trying to make Detroit's Opening Day roster as a utilityman and had received more playing time than almost anyone else in the Tigers' camp. But he hit just .220 (11-for-50) with a .291 on-base percentage and was likely beaten out by outfielder Matt Tuiasosopo (who homered twice against the Nationals this week) for the final spot on the Opening Day bench.
Per Rule 5 draft regulations, the Tigers were required to pass Kobernus through waivers and then give the Nationals the option of re-acquiring him (in exchange for $25,000 of the original $50,000 spent to draft him). General manager Dave Dombrowski told reporters he attempted to work out a trade with counterpart Mike Rizzo, but the Nationals wanted the 24-year-old back in their organization.
A second-round pick in the 2009 draft out of Cal-Berkeley, Kobernus hit .282 with 42 stolen bases in only 82 games last season at Class AA. He'll report to Nationals minor-league camp tomorrow and is expected to open the season back at Harrisburg.
The Nationals are still waiting to learn the fate of their other prospect taken away in December's Rule 5 draft, left-hander Danny Rosenbaum, who is attempting to make the Rockies' Opening Day roster.
21 comments:
As pleased as I am to get him back, I sorta wish he could have had the experience of playing for the Tigers before returning,the way Erik Komatsu did. The difference, I guess, is that Kobernus has a much better chance of getting to the bigs and staying some day, whether with the Nats or someone else. I hope he tears it up this year, and the Nats give him September time or trade him to a team that will.
+1/2St.
Good news for us. How has Rosenbaum looked this spring? Anybody know?
I guess I'll look him up.
OK, in two words regarding Daniel Rosenbaum: so, so. Would Rizzo get him back if the Rockies put him on waivers, and he clears?
http://colorado.rockies.mlb.com/team/player.jsp?player_id=572095#gameType='S'§ionType=career&statType=2&season=2013&level='ALL'
My question is this - Does Koberus now have an additional option or would we go through the same situation next year if he is not placed on the 40 man roster.
I know Kobernus is disappointed, but this fortifies the farm system, giving the Nats another quality middle-infield prospect and good speed along with Eury Perez and Billy Burns.
Poor Kobernus. We have too many quality middle infielders for him to have a realistic shot. And I doubt if Rizzo will protect him in the future. Maybe Mike can work a trade with the Tigers in the off-season for a younger prospect. They obviously like him, but not enough to make a place for him on their 25-man roster.
I thought the Nats lost other Rule 5's besides Kobernus and Rosenbaum
Joe, the Rocks have been using Danny as a reliever.
I'm a little surprised. From what I had read, the Tigers liked Kobernus. I guess the Tigers didn't have anything we needed.
NatsLady, the Tigers did like Kobernus just not enough to take up a bench spot.
Why are we getting excited about a guy who's hit .220 in Spring Training, gotten on base less than 30 percent of the time, and played mostly in the later innings against other AA/AAA players?
Why would we be excited about getting back a guy who couldn't pitch for the Rockies, who had the most gawd-awful pitching staff in the majors last year (probably since the 1930 Phillies)?
Rizzo will take 'em back because he needs mortar between the bricks at Syracuse and H'burg, but that's all they are.
No, I think that they were realistically minor leaguers who need more time to develop. The fact that the Tigers considered keeping him is a testament to Kobernus. He hsa talent and the potential to be a big leaguer. As a member of the Nats' system, he has the potential at the very least to be a future trade chip, because he has proven interest from a quality big league club.
We are excited because both players markedly improve the quality of high-level depth in the farm system.
We are excited because Kobernus and Rosenbaum have been exposed to major league camps, as well as competition. This is priceless. It's not just the AFL on steroids. It's a chance to see how pros like Torii Hunter, Jason Verlander and Todd Helton conduct themselves and go about their business.
If we think it's far-fetched that we would need Kobernus at the major league level, think back to last year. Who would have imagined that we'd be down FOUR catchers with injuries to Flores, Ramos, Leon and Solano?
I would feel much better about the pitching depth if the prodigal Rosenbaum returned. Chris Young is likely to leave for a major league gig. Good luck to Chris.
Rizzo has acknowledged that the Nats have a one-year gap in their starting pitching depth. By next year Karns and Solis will be ready to step in -- but not yet. For now we're looking at Ohlendorf, Maya and Perry. I'd sure like to add Danny Rosenbaum to the spot-start options.
If nothing else, the depth opens up further trade options down the line.
MLBTR notes that the Nats have released 10 minor leaguers, several of whom stalked at Potomac.
Bringing back Kobernus and Rosenbaum ups the talent at the higher levels and strengthens the organization. I'm all for it.
Of course I meant Justin Verlander and players who "stalled" at Potomac.
Blasted autocorrect.
I'm with you, NJ, but at the same time I believe that there's a good reason why we didn't protect either of them to start with...
There's no shame in ignorance. Think of it as an opportunity to educate rather than to shame. That is all.
It's a gamble on protecting players in Rule 5. You usually get them back unless the team really missed out.
The Rockies are trying to use Rosenbaum as a reliever which the Nats weren't considering. Remember if the Rockies move forward with him it has to be for the whole season.
We will see.
Natsjack, why put someone down when you have an opportunity to enlighten all of us?
Probably over half of those wide eyed youngsters that will be sent to Potomac and Hagerstown are "mortar between the bricks." Of course, they don't know it yet
Rosenbaum is an effective left-handed starter that would be in the Syracuse AAA rotation as major league depth this season. Of course the Rockies want to find a way to keep him. I'm not sure he would pass through waivers.
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