Cowtipper
12-13-2008, 12:43 PM
LAS VEGAS - The Diamondbacks selected catcher James Skelton from the Detroit Tigers in the Rule 5 draft, raising the possibility that they might carry three catchers next season.
They will have to keep Skelton, who has only 85 at-bats above Class A, on their major-league roster all season or offer him back to Detroit for half of the $50,000 selection price.
Skelton, 23, is a .292 hitter with a .416 on-base percentage in 867 career minor league at-bats. He is not considered a polished defender, and his size (5-11, 165 pounds) has been reason for skeptics to doubt his big-league potential.
"It's a pretty unique opportunity I think to acquire a guy who has plus offensive skills behind the plate," Diamondbacks executive Jerry Dipoto said.
http://www.azcentral.com/arizonarepublic/sports/articles/2008/12/11/20081211dbsidecatcher1212.html
They will have to keep Skelton, who has only 85 at-bats above Class A, on their major-league roster all season or offer him back to Detroit for half of the $50,000 selection price.
Skelton, 23, is a .292 hitter with a .416 on-base percentage in 867 career minor league at-bats. He is not considered a polished defender, and his size (5-11, 165 pounds) has been reason for skeptics to doubt his big-league potential.
"It's a pretty unique opportunity I think to acquire a guy who has plus offensive skills behind the plate," Diamondbacks executive Jerry Dipoto said.
http://www.azcentral.com/arizonarepublic/sports/articles/2008/12/11/20081211dbsidecatcher1212.html