Phillies select outfielder, pitcher in Rule 5 Draft

The Phillies made two selections in this year's Rule 5 Draft, claiming an outfielder and a relief pitcher.

Arizona Diamondbacks outfielder Ender Inciarte was the team's pick in the major league portion of the draft, with the 15th overall selection. The 22-year-old native of Maracaibo, Venezuela spent time in Single-A and Double-A in 2012. Over the course of the year, he recorded a combined .307 batting average with 28 doubles, 10 triples, 47 RBI, 82 runs scored and 46 stolen bases.

Originally signed as an amateur free agent by the Diamondbacks on May 25, 2008, Inciarte, a native of Maracaibo, Venezuela, has batted .283 with 81 doubles, 23 triples, 135 RBI, 260 runs scored and 111 stolen bases in 456 career games.  He was named Midwest League Player of the Week on April 23, 2012, and was selected as a Midwest League midseason All-Star in 2011.

In the minor league portion of the draft, the Phillies also selected left-handed pitcher Brendan Lafferty from the Kansas City Royals organization.

Lafferty is a 26-year-old native of Riverside, Calif. He made 43 relief appearances for double-A Northwest Arkansas in 2012, recording a 4.77 ERA and 71 strikeouts in in 60 1/3 innings.

The Phillies know about Lafferty already. They selected the UCLA product in the 47th round of the main Major League Baseball Draft in 2004, but the two sides did not agree to a deal.

While not every Rule 5 Draft pick makes it to the majors, the Phillies have a history of success in the event. Past selections include Todd Pratt, David Herndon, and most famously Shane Victorino.