D-backs select Hernandez and Crabbe in Rule 5 Draft

SAN DIEGO - The Arizona Diamondbacks (@dbacks) selected catcher Oscar Hernandez (Tampa Bay Rays) in the Major League phase of the Rule 5 Draft, and right-handed pitcher Tim Crabbe (Cincinnati Reds) in the Triple-A phase, as announced by D-backs Senior Vice President & General Manager Dave Stewart.

"We are excited about getting a young catcher that has tremendous upside," said De Jon Watson, D-backs Senior Vice President, Baseball Operations. "He has tremendous hands, an above-average arm and his game-calling is extremely sound. Our scouts were very impressed when we saw him against our Minor League clubs, and believe he has an opportunity to help us at the Major League level."

Hernandez, 21, entered the 2014 season ranked by Baseball America as Tampa Bay's 24th-best prospect. He appeared in 94 games with Single-A Bowling Green and hit .249 (90-for-362) with 18 doubles, 9 home runs and 63 RBI. Additionally, Hernandez threw out 41.0 percent (25-of-61) attempted basestealers, which would have ranked second in the Midwest League if he had qualified.

The Venezuela native was named to the 2013 New York-Penn League midseason All-Star Team, and has batted .275 (286-for-1,040) with 45 home runs and 201 RBI in 292 games over 5 Minor League seasons in the Rays' organization (2010-14).

Hernandez was signed by Tampa Bay as a Minor League free agent on Aug. 14, 2009.

Crabbe, 26, appeared in 30 games (12 starts) with Triple-A Louisville in 2014, going 5-7 with 2 saves and a 4.13 ERA (43 ER in 93.2 IP). He posted a 3.18 ERA (12 ER in 34.0 IP) in his 18 relief appearances, and allowed just 5 runs over his last 11 games overall (2.08 ERA; 21.2 IP).

Crabbe, who graduated from Sabino High School in Tucson, Ariz., was a member of Team Italy in the 2013 World Baseball Classic. In 6 Minor League seasons in the Reds' organization, he was 31-45 with 3 saves and a 3.84 ERA (281 ER in 658.2 IP) in 146 games (113 starts).

Crabbe was selected by Cincinnati in the 14th round of the 2009 First-Year Player Draft from Westmont College in Santa Barbara, Calif.

The D-backs' 40-man roster is now at 40.