Astros make two selections in the Minor League phase of the Rule 5 Draft

NASHVILLE, TN - The Houston Astros made two selections in the minor league portion of the Rule 5 Draft today, selecting right-handed pitchers Railin Perez and Carlos Betancourt. The Astros also lost three players in the minor league Rule 5 Draft, as Cleveland selected right-handed pitcher Tyler Brown, New York (AL) selected right-handed pitcher Kervin Castro, and Miami selected outfielder Marty Costes.

Perez, 22, was selected out of the Red Sox system, where he made 32 appearances for Class A Salem this season, posting a 3.70 ERA (23ER/56IP) with 69 strikeouts in 56.0 innings. He’s pitched parts of four seasons in the Red Sox system (2019, 2021-23), making 79 career appearances and posting a 2.82 ERA (51ER/162.2IP), working mostly as a reliever. Perez was originally signed by the Red Sox as an international free agent out of the Dominican Republic in 2018.

Betancourt, 22, was selected out of the Phillies system. He made 39 appearances, including two starts, for Class A Jersey Shore this season, going 5-3 with a 3.69 ERA (32ER/78IP). He posted strong strikeout numbers, fanning 92 hitters in his 78.0 innings of work. Betancourt has pitched parts of five seasons with the Phillies organization (2018-19, 2021-23), appearing in 82 games and posting a 3.62 ERA (69ER/171.1IP). He was originally an internationally signing by Philadelphia out of Venezuela in 2017.