Braves Select LHP Evan Rutckyj in Rule Five Draft

The Atlanta Braves today selected left-handed pitcher Evan Rutckyj (pronounced RUT-ski) in the Major League phase of the Rule Five Draft from the New York Yankees.

Rutckyj, 23, split the 2015 season between High-A Tampa and Double-A Trenton in the Yankees system, combining to post a 3-2 record and a 2.63 ERA (18 ER/61.2 IP) over 36 relief appearances. He fanned 82 batters in 61.2 innings of work, and his mark of 12.0 SO/9.0 IP was second best among all Yankees farmhands (minimum 60.0 IP). Additionally, he struck out 31 of the 76 left-handed batters he faced on the season (41%).

The 6-foot-5, 210-pound southpaw owns a 31-25 career record spanning 129 appearances over six minor league seasons, including 47 starts. In 377.0 career innings, he has allowed 173 earned runs and 373 hits while striking out 365 batters. He garnered Florida State League Mid-Season All-Star honors in 2015 after going 2-2 with a 2.45 ERA (12 ER/44.0 IP) over 25 games with Tampa to open the season.

A native of Windsor, Canada, Rutckyj was originally selected in the 16th-round of the 2010 June free agent draft by the Yankees out of St. Joseph's Catholic High School in St. Thomas, Ontario.

2015 marks the second consecutive year Atlanta has made a selection in the Major League phase of the Rule Five Draft after selecting right-handed pitcher Dan Winkler from the Colorado Rockies last season.