Alfredo Silverio Lost to Marlins in Rule 5 Draft

As we all twiddled our thumbs and awaited word on the Zack Greinke standstill, the Rule 5 Draft was proceeding Thursday. The Dodgers lost outfield prospect Alfredo Silverio to the Miami Marlins. In turn, the Dodgers did not select anybody at the Major League level of the Rule 5 Draft.

The Marlins swooped in and drafted former top prospect Alfredo Silverio from the Dodgers. Photo: Jerry Lai-USA TODAY Sports

Silverio, who was often compared to a young Raul Mondesi, missed out on the entirety of the 2012 season after he was seriously injured in a car accident in the Dominican Republic in January. He suffered from a bad concussion, and he had to undergo Tommy John surgery on his throwing elbow in May due to injuries suffered in the crash.

The Marlins must keep Silverio at the Major League level for the entire 2013 season, otherwise they must offer him back to the Dodgers for half the price they paid for him or $25,000. I believe the Marlins are able to put Silverio on their disabled list until he is healthy enough to play.

Silverio began his professional career with the Dodgers in the Dominican Summer League back in 2006 after being signed by the Dodgers at the young age of just 16. The now 25-year old outfielder, played 132 games for the AA-Chattanooga Lookouts in 2011. His breakout season saw him finish with a .306 batting average, 16 homeruns, 85 RBIs, 42 doubles, and 18 triples. His downside is that he strikes out a lot. He collected 91 strikeouts in 2011 while walking 30 times. After his strong season with the Lookouts, the Dodgers added Silverio to the 40-man roster in order to protect him from the last Rule 5 Draft. November 4th of this year, he was outrighted to AAA-Albuquerque and thus removed from the 40-man roster making him susceptible to this year’s Rule 5 Draft.

The Marlins took a chance on Silverio, and I feel he could work out well for them once he’s 100% healthy. He can play all three outfield positions, and he has been described as a five-tool player in the past. Right before Silverio’s career threatening accident in January, I took a closer look at the promising prospect: A Glimpse into the Future: Alfredo Silverio.

Silverio once said:

"“I want to play in the Majors with the Dodgers, LA is my dream.”"

We wish Silverio the best in his journey to the Majors, it’s just too bad it might not be for the Dodgers.

The Dodgers did pick up two players in the AAA portion of the draft today. They chose

Hector Nelo is one of two minor league players the Dodgers chose today in the Rule 5 Draft. Photo: Eric Hartline-USA TODAY Sports

infielder Elevys Gonzalez from the Pirates’ minor league system and a right-handed pitcher Hector Nelo from the Nationals.

Gonzalez is a 23-year old switch-hitting infielder. Last season he split time between the Pirates’ Advanced-A and AA minor league affiliates where he combined to hit .206 with 6 homeruns and 35 RBIs in 95 games.

26-year old Hector Nelo pitched for the AA-Harrisburg Senators last season. He had a 1-6 record with a 2.73 ERA and 63 strikeouts in 52 2/3 innings pitched.