Houston Astros Update: Rule 5 Draft Players

During the Winter Meetings in December, the Houston Astros lost three minor league players: OF Delino Deshields Jr., RHP Jandel Gustave, and LHP David Rollins.

Here’s an update on those three:

Delino DeShields Jr. – Drafted by: Texas Rangers

DDJ was widely considered to be the biggest loss during the Rule 5 draft, and got the most press at the time. He was drafted by the Houston Astros in 2010 as a second baseman who converted to an outfielder. He was playing in AA Corpus Christi last season.

During Spring Training, he batted .268/.302/.488 with 11 hits, including a triple and four doubles, and three stolen bases.

DeShields made the Rangers ballclub for opening day as a reserve outfielder; therefore he will not be returning to Houston. Essentially he made Texas’ roster due to his speed and is considered by some to be a “one-trick pony.” We will be seeing him play against the Astros many times this year.

Congratulations to DDJ for making the cut.

Gustave Jandel – Drafted by: Boston Red Sox, then traded to Kansas City Royals

Jandel is a hard-throwing right handed relief pitcher who played at Low-A Quad Cities last season. He started his career in the Dominican Summer League as a 17-yr old back in 2010.

At the Winter Meetings he was drafted by Boston, and then traded to Kansas City. When KC put him on waivers, the San Diego Padres took a flyer on him. The Padres passed on him, so Jandel was offered back to Houston. He will be going to AA Corpus Christi.

Jandel had decent Spring Training posting a 3.24 ERA/1.20 WHIP in 8.1 innings with seven strike outs, three walks, and a hit batter.

David Rollins – Drafted by : Seattle Mariners

Rollins, a native Texan, is a left-handed reliever who pitched for San Jacinto College before going pro. He played in AA Corpus Christi last year.

Rollins was turning heads in Seattle as he posted a 1.13 ERA/0.625 WHIP with 7 strikeouts in 8.0 innings during Spring Training. Then he tested positive for a banned substance called Stanozolol. He will serve an 80-game suspension and will likely stay with the Mariners for the foreseeable future, and may not return to Houston.

Teams never like to see talent leave and get little compensation in return. Losing DeShields and Rollins may hurt, but seeing that the Astros have a lot of outfield talent, DDJ probably won’t sting too much. As for Rollins, not sure what to say, other than it’s a good thing for the organization that he wasn’t with the club when the news broke about his PED use.

Next: Astros AM: The Jacob Nix Story

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