Rays make just one pick in Rule 5 Draft
Tampa Bay takes right-handed starter Franco off Greeneville Astros' roster
LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. -- The Rays were silent in the Major League phase of the Rule 5 Draft on Thursday morning, but they had some activity during the Triple-A phase.
The Rays did not select a player in the Major League phase, nor did they lose any players.
Once the Triple-A phase of the Draft kicked in, Tampa Bay selected right-hander Enderson Franco from Houston's Rookie-level Greeneville roster.
Farm director Mitch Lukevics said that Franco's fastball was clocked at 95 mph and he has a nice "upside," which prompted the Rays to select him.
Later in the Triple-A phase, Tampa Bay lost catcher Omar Narvaez, who played at Hudson Valley. Lukevics noted that Narvaez was a backup, which made it difficult to protect him.
The Rays did not select a player in the Double-A phase of the Draft, nor did they lose any players.