Non-Soria Rule V guys

Toothpick — Tue, 22 Jul 2008 02:26:14 -0000

Watching Tejeda and Gobble's four-walk relief efforts tonight reminded me of the major league debut of Miguel Asencio, the one-time Royals Rule V draftee.

On 4/6/02, Asencio started the eighth inning of a game the White Sox led 9-0. He walked the only four batters he faced. On 16 pitches.

He didn't get a chance to chip away at his infinite ERA until April 17, when he was allowed to pitch the bottom of the ninth against the Twins with the Royals up 16-3. He recorded a scoreless, walkless inning, retiring David Ortiz on a popup along the way.

While Asencio lasted only 42 games in his career, he was far from KC's worse Rule V acquisition. Rich Thompson was the worst MLB player I've ever seen. He got one at-bat in his career and grounded into a double play. I once had a chance to see him working with Jeff Pentland, doing hitting drills in the tunnel behind the KC dugout. Lots of trickling grounders. I couldn't figure out what Thompson was doing there. Figured maybe he was the fastest guy ever and he was going to run for Ken Harvey every night. I could see Pentland pining for his star pupil, Sammy Sosa.

Any other Rule V memories? Endy Chavez? D.J.? Sisco was fun for awhile.

SB Nation User Blog: Toothpick

Non-Soria Rule V guys