Angels Add 2 Players in Rule 5 Draft

Every year during the Winter Meetings, MLB stages its Rule 5 Draft. The draft is a way for players in other organizations to get poached by new teams, and hopefully find a faster track to the majors.

The Angels were among many teams looking to improve its roster by adding players in this year's draft. Although they stood pat during the major league phase, they made two selections — former Yankees prospect Eric Wagaman and Boston Red Sox pitcher Ryan Miller — in the minor league portion of the Rule 5 draft.

Any player who meets the same eligibility requirements of the MLB Rule 5 Draft who is not added to their organization’s 38-man Triple-A roster can be selected by another team in the minor league phase of the draft.

Players who are taken in the minor league phase do not need to be added to the drafting team’s 40-man or active roster. They can be assigned to any minor league affiliate by their new club.

Eric Wagaman

Wagaman is an intriguing acquisition. A young corner infielder from Mission Viejo, Wagaman has also spent some time playing in the outfield with the Yankees' Double-A affiliate, the Trenton Thunder.

Last season Wagaman had his best year in professional baseball, slashing .320/.382/.500. He hit five home runs, 16 RBIs, seven doubles and struck out just 27 times in 122 at-bats.

At 26, Wagaman figures to have a chance to repeat his success with Triple-A Salt Lake in 2024.

Ryan Miller

After excelling as a long reliever in two seasons at Clemson, Miller was drafted by the Arizona Diamondbacks in the sixth round of the 2018 draft. Since then he's had an interesting journey.

The right-hander was released (along with many other minor leaguers affected by the COVID-19 pandemic) in May 2020. He spent the 2021 season in indy ball and was picked up by the Yankees midway through the 2022 season, but saw his time cut short due to injuries. He was claimed in the 2022 minor league Rule 5 draft by the Red Sox and made 41 appearances for their Double-A affiliate in 2023.

Primarily serving as a relief pitcher, Miller has a career minor league record of 14-12 with an ERA of 4.26 in 105 games. Last season, he logged career highs in innings pitched (60.1) and strikeouts (67).

Any player who meets the same eligibility requirements of the MLB Rule 5 Draft who is not added to the organization’s 38-man Triple-A roster can be selected by another team in the minor league phase of the draft.

Players like Taylor who are taken in the minor-league phase of the draft do not need to be added to the drafting team’s 40-man or active roster, and can be assigned to any minor league affiliate by their new club.