“No one has ever dominated a Rule 5 draft like A.J. Preller and the San Diego Padres just did. But then, maybe no one has ever tried,” J.J. Cooper of Baseball America wrote in December. “The Rule 5 draft is an opportunity for teams to take a chance on a high-risk developmental prospect or find a low-cost, low-ceiling addition to the 25-man roster.”
A.J. Preller opted for the former route, picking players who had never advanced beyond low Single-A and ignoring the resulting ridicule from MLB pundits. He chose, in order, right-handed pitcher Miguel Diaz, catcher Luis Torrens and shortstop Allen Cordoba.