Latest news with #Rule5Draft
Yahoo
7 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Cleveland Guardians Pitcher Nic Enright Earns First Career Save While Undergoing Cancer Treatment
NEED TO KNOW Cleveland Guardians rookie pitcher Nic Enright earned his first career MLB save on Monday night Enright is also in the midst of treatment for Hodgkin lymphoma 'I've gone through a lot of adversity," Enright told reporters after the game, reflecting on the career highlightCleveland Guardians pitcher Nic Enright's hallmark year became even more memorable Monday night. Enright, 28, earned the first save of his Major League Baseball career after helping his team hold on to a 7-6 win over the New York Mets on Monday, Aug. 4, as he continues to juggle cancer treatments with baseball amid his storybook rookie season. 'What a cool night,' Guardians manager Stephen Vogt reflected after the game, according to 'His first career save. He was outstanding. Nic is such a great kid, what he has been through in his personal life, nothing is going to rattle him.'Vogt told reporters he took the scene in as the final out landed in right fielder Nolan Jones' glove, ending the game and giving Enright his monumental career moment."He was almost crying on the field just now," Vogt said, according to ESPN. "If you read his story, it's pretty inspirational." Enright was drafted by the Guardians in 2019 after a successful college career at Virginia Tech. The Richmond, Va., native was claimed by the Miami Marlins in 2022 during the MLB's annual Rule 5 Draft, but was diagnosed with Hodgkin lymphoma just 19 days later. Enright began immunotherapy treatments in 2023, according to ESPN, and faltered on the mound in Miami's minor league system, soon getting released and rejoining Cleveland where he began to rebuild towards his dream of making the MLB. Something clicked for the relief pitcher in 2024, notching an eye-catching 1.06 ERA with Cleveland's top minor league club and earning himself a shot at the MLB in early 2025. He made his major league debut with the Guardians in May and has since proved to be a reliable presence for the team's otherwise tumultuous bullpen with a 2.01 ERA over 19 appearances. But none of them compared to Monday night. 'I've gone through a lot of adversity — just everything that has gone on,' Enright said after earning the save, according to crediting his wife Erin for helping him get through treatment in recent years. 'I reflect on those moments. I think that helps being able to slow the game down because it hasn't exactly been a red-carpet rollout for my career trajectory.' Enright is scheduled to receive his final cancer treatment in November, shortly after the 2025 MLB season comes to a close, according to ESPN. Read the original article on People
Forbes
20-07-2025
- Sport
- Forbes
White Sox All-Star Shane Smith Enjoying ‘Pretty Wild' Rookie Season
Chicago White Sox pitcher Shane Smith signs autographs before the MLB baseball All-Star Home Run ... More Derby, Monday, July 14, 2025, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Brynn Anderson) Shane Smith says it is 'pretty wild' what has happened to his baseball career over the last eight months. The right-hander was left unprotected by the Milwaukee Brewers for the Rule 5 Draft at the MLB Winter Meetings in December. The Chicago White Sox drafted Smith, paying the $100,000 draft fee on a pitcher only known by a handful of fans. Rule 5 picks must spend the entire season on the drafting team's roster or else be offered back to their previous organization for $50,000. Rarely do Rule 5 players make an immediate impact in the major leagues, and many fail to stick in the big leagues. Shane Smith Makes All-Star Game History Smith, though, made history this past Tuesday night. He became the first pitcher to ever appear in an All-Star Game in his first season after being a Rule 5 selection. Pitching for the American League, Smith retired one of the two batters he faced in a game that the National League eventually won in a swing-off at Truist Park in Atlanta. Smith admits he was a little nervous, not just because it was his first All-Star Game. It was also his first relief appearance of the year after making 18 starts in the first half of the season, going 3-7 with a 4.26 ERA. 'There's definitely a different buzz to it, especially coming out of the bullpen,' Smith said. 'It's kind of like a quick phone call, you get some butterflies, and it's like, you've got to warm up fast because you're going to be in the game here in about eight or 10 minutes. You don't have days' notice, like you do when you're making a start, so there are definitely more butterflies for that one than for a regular one. My heart was pumping.' Smith became just the second player to appear in an All-Star Game in his first season following the Rule 5 Draft after Miami Marlins second baseman Dan Uggla in 2008. That bit of history was not lost on Smith while soaking in the All-Star festivities, including getting a chance to have long talks with AL Central rivals Tarik Skubal of the Detroit Tigers, the Kansas City Royals' Kris Bubic, and the Cleveland Guardians' Steven Kwan. Shane Smith Went Undrafted It was heady stuff for a pitcher who went undrafted in 2021 after Tommy John elbow surgery ended his college career at Wake Forest. That he made it to the All-Star Game after the White Sox took a chance on him made Smith especially proud to represent the organization. 'I think it just shows when you get into pro ball, you think the team that you (signed) with is the team you're going to debut with when you get to the major leagues, but, for me, it wasn't the case,' Smith said. 'I think anybody who's in a similar position to me or what I was in, if you keep working and keep making sure you're doing the right things, then good things can happen, whether it's an All-Star Game or whatever. You still can get an opportunity, and the White Sox gave me that. ATLANTA, GA - JULY 15: Shane Smith #64 of the Chicago White Sox pitches during the 95th MLB ... More All-Star Game presented by Mastercard at Truist Park on Tuesday, July 15, 2025 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Daniel Shirey/MLB Photos via Getty Images) 'I'm just really, really focusing on making sure to do everything the right way, whether it's in the games or throwing bullpens between starts, training. I'm just trying to make sure I take my best foot forward.' Extra Rest for Shane Smith There has been concern that Smith is fatigued after pitching 86 2/3 innings so far this season after working 94 1/3 innings last year in the minor leagues. The 25-year-old is 0-4 with an 11.29 ERA in his previous five starts after going 3-3 with a 2.37 ERA in his first 13 starts. Smith will get some built-in rest as he was placed on the 15-day injured list on Saturday with a sprained left ankle. He was hurt Thursday during an off-day workout at Pittsburgh's PNC Park in advance of a three-game series between the White Sox and Pirates. The White Sox were conservative with left-hander Garrett Crochet in the second half of last season when he never pitched more than four innings in any start. Crochet was traded to the Boston Red Sox in the offseason and pitched for the AL in the All-Star Game. 'We're going to take it one rotation cycle at a time as far as what it means for (the starting pitchers') usage as far as what it means for our best chances to win a game, what it means for their long-term health,' White Sox manager Will Venable said. 'We're just constantly evaluating those things. Everything is on the table when it comes to a potential solution.' Regardless of how much Smith pitches the rest of the season, the White Sox have already received value from him. 'It kind of tells you how special Shane is, with his ability to come in here and get comfortable and perform like he has is incredible and says a lot about him as the person and the individual, and it says a lot about our organization,' Venable said of Shane Smith. 'It's a great story.'
Yahoo
18-06-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Dodgers receive pitching help after Angels big move
The post Dodgers receive pitching help after Angels big move appeared first on ClutchPoints. The Los Angeles Dodgers made a quiet but meaningful move to bolster their pitching depth, reclaiming left-handed pitcher Garrett McDaniels after a recent Los Angeles Angels roster move. The 25-year-old was designated for assignment earlier this week and returned to the Dodger Blue under MLB Rule 5 Draft rules — a process that requires a team to offer back a Rule 5 selection if they can't keep him on the active roster. Advertisement The Angels' big move came on Friday when they promoted top infield prospect Christian Moore ahead of their series against the Orioles. Moore, 22, made his MLB debut by starting at second base and hitting ninth in the lineup. His promotion forced a roster crunch, leading to McDaniels being DFA'd. The former Tennessee slugger — who set a school record with 34 home runs last year — had been tearing up the minors with a .279 average, 5 homers, and a .796 OPS across Double-A and Triple-A. According to a post from The Athletic's Fabian Ardaya on X, formerly known as Twitter, McDaniels was officially returned to the Dodgers on June 14 after clearing waivers. 'The Angels returned LHP Garrett McDaniels to the Dodgers. They'd selected him in the Rule 5 draft but he was DFA'd recently.' McDaniels, who originally signed with the Dodgers in 2022, had a difficult time adjusting to MLB hitters in his short stint with the Angels. In 10.2 innings across 10 appearances, he posted a 5.91 ERA with 8 walks and 6 strikeouts. His 74.3% ground ball rate stands out, but his control issues limited his reliability out of the bullpen. Despite the struggles, McDaniels remains an intriguing long-term arm. The Dodgers pitching depth has been tested this year, and while McDaniels won't slot in immediately, his return gives the team a controllable left-hander who can be refined in the minors. With veterans like Clayton Kershaw healthy again and prospects like Justin Wrobleski emerging, McDaniels can now work without pressure — or eventually become part of a trade package as the deadline nears. Advertisement The Angels' aggressive push with Moore cost them a Rule 5 project. The Dodgers were more than happy to scoop him back up. Related: Dodgers make major decision on IL pitcher before Giants game Related: Teoscar Hernandez recaptures 2024 form with 2nd-straight home run game
Associated Press
16-06-2025
- Sport
- Associated Press
Smith and Vasil look like two Rule 5 hits for the rebuilding Chicago White Sox
CHICAGO (AP) — Shane Smith pitched a total of 10 1/3 innings during his college career at Wake Forest. He had a shoulder operation as a freshman, and his sophomore year was shut down by the COVID-19 pandemic. Then he had elbow surgery. At that point, even Smith began to wonder if baseball was going to work out for him. 'My dream of playing professional baseball, to say it didn't waver would probably be lying,' he said. 'But I knew there was an avenue somehow.' There sure was. Smith has turned into a pleasant surprise for the last-place Chicago White Sox after he was selected by the team in the Rule 5 draft. The White Sox also have Mike Vasil, another 25-year-old Rule 5 right-hander who was claimed off waivers from Tampa Bay in March. The Rule 5 draft provides an opportunity for players left off big league team's 40-man rosters after several minor league seasons. Teams pay $100,000 to select a player in the major league portion. The players must stay on the active 26-man major league roster all season or else clear waivers and be offered back to their original organization for $50,000. Between 10 and 20 players are selected in the big league Rule 5 draft most seasons, but most don't actually stick with their new clubs. Even fewer develop into All-Star-worthy contributors. Hall of Fame outfielder Roberto Clemente and two-time Cy Young Award winner Johan Santana are two of the most famous Rule 5 success stories. So far, it looks as if Smith and Vasil are going to stick with the rebuilding White Sox — quite an accomplishment for an organization from one Rule 5 draft. Smith has a 2.37 ERA in 68 1/3 innings over 13 starts, and Vasil has a 1.99 ERA in 45 1/3 innings over 20 appearances, all but two in relief. 'Obviously Mike and I are, I think, putting our best foot forward as of now,' Smith said. 'The biggest thing we can do is just keep it going, keep doing the same stuff.' Smith or Vasil very well could represent the last-place White Sox at next month's All-Star Game in Atlanta. Dan Uggla with the Florida Marlins in 2006 is the only player to be named an All-Star in the season after he was selected in the Rule 5 draft, according to Sportradar. Being a Rule 5 player is a unique situation in that first year, but Vasil said he doesn't think about it very often. 'I've spent my whole life trying to get here,' he said. 'So I think it's already hard enough, don't put more pressure on yourself.' The 6-foot-5 Vasil was selected by the New York Mets in the eighth round of the 2021 amateur draft out of the University of Virginia. He was picked by Philadelphia in the Rule 5 draft in December and then traded that same day to the Rays for cash. The White Sox are Vasil's fourth organization since the end of last season. 'It's a lot,' he said. 'But I think for me, at the same time, I guess you could say you feel wanted by a lot of different teams.' Vasil began the season in Chicago's bullpen, recording a 1.89 ERA in his first 18 appearances. He got his first career win when he pitched 2 1/3 scoreless innings against Houston on May 4 and his first save when he got three outs at Cincinnati on May 14. But Vasil's six-pitch arsenal — highlighted by an effective sinker and sweeper — makes him a strong candidate for the rotation. He pitched four shutout innings in his second start at Texas on Saturday. 'Not something that's unfamiliar for me,' he said of starting. 'I started all my minor league career, so in terms of routine I probably know this one a little bit better than my relief one right now.' Smith went right into Chicago's rotation during spring training — an unusual spot for a Rule 5 player. Since 2016, Luis Perdomo, Brad Keller and Mitch Spence are the only pitchers who made at least 20 starts in the majors in the season after they were selected in the big league phase of the Rule 5 draft. Keller began the 2018 season in Kansas City's bullpen before moving into the rotation in late May. He finished his rookie year with a 9-6 record and a 3.08 ERA in 20 starts and 21 relief appearances. 'I think you definitely pull for all the Rule 5 guys because I feel like, not to say this in a bad way, but Rule 5 guys kind of get a bad rap, right?' said Keller, a key reliever for the Chicago Cubs. 'It's like they're like nobody's got a chance. That's not true. Some organizations are in different situations where they can't protect guys that they want to.' Smith had been in Milwaukee's organization since he signed with the Brewers as an undrafted free agent in 2021, just weeks after he had Tommy John surgery. He had a 3.05 ERA in 32 appearances over two minor league stops last season, finishing the year with Triple-A Nashville. Smith has a big four-seam fastball that gets into the high 90s, to go along with a good slider and curveball. But the biggest key to his success this year has been the development of a nasty changeup that really came together in the offseason after years of work. Fortunate timing for Smith and the White Sox. 'For a guy that hasn't really pitched above Double-A, he had some innings in Triple-A, but to come here and pitch the way that he does, it just speaks to his ability and his confidence and also speaks to the group of players and staff here to support him,' general manager Chris Getz said. 'Shane is doing really well and we expect him to have a really productive, healthy season for us.' ___ More AP baseball:
Al Arabiya
16-06-2025
- Sport
- Al Arabiya
Smith and Vasil Look Like Two Rule 5 Hits for the Rebuilding Chicago White Sox
Shane Smith pitched a total of 10 1/3 innings during his college career at Wake Forest. He had a shoulder operation as a freshman, and his sophomore year was shut down by the COVID-19 pandemic. Then he had elbow surgery. At that point, even Smith began to wonder if baseball was going to work out for him. 'My dream of playing professional baseball–to say it didn't waver would probably be lying,' he said. 'But I knew there was an avenue somehow.' There sure was. Smith has turned into a pleasant surprise for the last-place Chicago White Sox after he was selected by the team in the Rule 5 draft. The White Sox also have Mike Vasil, another twenty-five-year-old Rule 5 right-hander who was claimed off waivers from Tampa Bay in March. The Rule 5 draft provides an opportunity for players left off big league teams' forty-man rosters after several minor league seasons. Teams pay $100,000 to select a player in the major league portion. The players must stay on the active twenty-six-man major league roster all season or else clear waivers and be offered back to their original organization for $50,000. Between ten and twenty players are selected in the big league Rule 5 draft most seasons, but most don't actually stick with their new clubs. Even fewer develop into All-Star-worthy contributors. Hall of Fame outfielder Roberto Clemente and two-time Cy Young Award winner Johan Santana are two of the most famous Rule 5 success stories. So far, it looks as if Smith and Vasil are going to stick with the rebuilding White Sox–quite an accomplishment for an organization from one Rule 5 draft. Smith has a 2.37 ERA in 68 1/3 innings over thirteen starts, and Vasil has a 1.99 ERA in 45 1/3 innings over twenty appearances, all but two in relief. 'Obviously, Mike and I are, I think, putting our best foot forward as of now,' Smith said. 'The biggest thing we can do is just keep it going, keep doing the same stuff.' Smith or Vasil very well could represent the last-place White Sox at next month's All-Star Game in Atlanta. Dan Uggla, with the Florida Marlins in 2006, is the only player to be named an All-Star in the season after he was selected in the Rule 5 draft, according to Sportradar. Being a Rule 5 player is a unique situation in that first year, but Vasil said he doesn't think about it very often. 'I've spent my whole life trying to get here,' he said. 'So I think it's already hard enough; don't put more pressure on yourself.' The six-foot-five Vasil was selected by the New York Mets in the eighth round of the 2021 amateur draft out of the University of Virginia. He was picked by Philadelphia in the Rule 5 draft in December and then traded that same day to the Rays for cash. The White Sox are Vasil's fourth organization since the end of last season. 'It's a lot,' he said. 'But I think for me at the same time, I guess you could say you feel wanted by a lot of different teams.' Vasil began the season in Chicago's bullpen, recording a 1.89 ERA in his first eighteen appearances. He got his first career win when he pitched 2 1/3 scoreless innings against Houston on May 4 and his first save when he got three outs at Cincinnati on May 14. But Vasil's six-pitch arsenal–highlighted by an effective sinker and sweeper–makes him a strong candidate for the rotation. He pitched four shutout innings in his second start at Texas on Saturday. 'Not something that's unfamiliar for me,' he said of starting. 'I started all my minor league career, so in terms of routine I probably know this one a little bit better than my relief one right now.' Smith went right into Chicago's rotation during spring training–an unusual spot for a Rule 5 player. Since 2016, Luis Perdomo, Brad Keller, and Mitch Spence are the only pitchers who made at least twenty starts in the majors in the season after they were selected in the big league phase of the Rule 5 draft. Keller began the 2018 season in Kansas City's bullpen before moving into the rotation in late May. He finished his rookie year with a 9–6 record and a 3.08 ERA in twenty starts and twenty-one relief appearances. 'I think you definitely pull for all the Rule 5 guys because I feel like, not to say this in a bad way, but Rule 5 guys kind of get a bad rap, right?' said Keller, a key reliever for the Chicago Cubs. 'It's like they're like, 'Nobody's got a chance.' That's not true. Some organizations are in different situations where they can't protect guys that they want to.' Smith had been in Milwaukee's organization since he signed with the Brewers as an undrafted free agent in 2021, just weeks after he had Tommy John surgery. He had a 3.05 ERA in thirty-two appearances over two minor league stops last season, finishing the year with Triple-A Nashville. Smith has a big four-seam fastball that gets into the high nineties to go along with a good slider and curveball. But the biggest key to his success this year has been the development of a nasty changeup that really came together in the offseason after years of work. Fortunate timing for Smith and the White Sox. 'For a guy that hasn't really pitched above Double-A–he had some innings in Triple-A–but to come here and pitch the way that he does, it just speaks to his ability and his confidence and also speaks to the group of players and staff here to support him,' general manager Chris Getz said. 'Shane is doing really well, and we expect him to have a really productive, healthy season for us.'
