Cardinals Getting Ready For Rule 5 Draft

Allen Craig

 The Cardinals completed some roster housekeeping on Wednesday, adding eight players to their 40-man roster in advance of next month's Rule 5 Draft.

Now officially protected from the Rule 5 are pitchers Tyler Norrick, Adam Ottavino and Francisco Samuel, catcher Bryan Anderson, first baseman Mark Hamilton and outfielders Allen Craig, John Jay and Darryl Jones. Players selected in the First-Year Player Draft in 2006 (for college draftees) or 2005 (for high school selections) must be added to the 40-man roster this week to avoid being exposed to the Rule 5 Draft.
Among the more notable additions were Craig and Ottavino. Craig was named the organization's Minor League Player of the Year following a big season at Triple-A Memphis. He is likely to compete for a spot on the Major League active roster in the spring. Ottavino was the Cardinals' first-round pick in the 2006 Draft.
With the additions, the Cardinals now have 34 players on their 40-man roster.
The Rule 5 Draft takes place on Dec. 10, the final day of baseball's annual Winter Meetings in Indianapolis. Last year, St. Louis lost right-handed reliever Luis Perdomo in the Rule 5 after acquiring Perdomo the previous summer for former top prospect Anthony Reyes.