Marlins select four in Minors phase of Rule 5 Draft

LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. -- Nothing major went on for the Marlins during Thursday's Rule 5 Draft, but the organization made some moves in the Minor League phases.

Because their 40-man roster was full, the Marlins were not eligible to participate in the Major League phase.

Although Miami was out of the mix, the organization still faced the possibility of losing a player or two in the Major League phase. Infielder Danny Black, who played for Double-A Jacksonville, was a possibility to be taken, but he was not selected. The Marlins did lose outfielder Kevin Mattison, who was taken by the Brewers in the Triple-A phase.

"We had some inquires about Mattison, so that really wasn't a surprise," said Marty Scott, the Marlins' vice president of player development. "This will be a new opportunity for him because guys have passed him by over here."

Mattison, who has reached the big leagues, appeared in 106 games at Triple-A New Orleans last year, batting .216 with a .293 on-base percentage.

In the Triple-A phase, Miami selected three players -- first baseman Justin Bour off the Cubs' Double-A Tennessee roster, outfielder Brady Shoemaker off the White Sox's Double-A Birmingham squad and third baseman Tony Thompson off Oakland's Double-A Midland club.

The cost for each is $12,000. But Miami also receives $12,000 for Mattison.

The Marlins feel the three players selected in the Triple-A phase offer some power.

"The thing we don't have depth in is pop," Scott said. "We didn't have pop at Double-A last year once the boys made it to the Major Leagues."

In 2013, the Marlins promoted Christian Yelich, Marcell Ozuna and Jake Marisnick from Double-A.

"We didn't have any pop in [Class A] Jupiter, and we didn't have any pop in New Orleans," Scott said. "We got three position players who can all swing the bat."

Thompson, who has power, also was a pitcher in college, and in the Minors, he has thrown some innings in mop-up situations. If he doesn't hit, the Marlins will take a look at him as a pitcher.

The Marlins closed out the Rule 5 Draft by taking right-hander Kelvin Castro off the Yankees' Class A Charleston squad in the Double-A phase. His cost is $4,000.