Shane Victorino was selected by the San Diego Padres from the Los Angeles Dodgers in Major League Baseball's Rule 5 draft yesterday. Padres pick Victorino
in Rule 5 baseball draft
By Al Chase
achase@starbulletin.comThis is a big break for the Maui resident who was offered football and baseball scholarships by Hawaii as a high school senior.
Victorino, the 19th selection in yesterday's draft, was a sixth-round choice by the Dodgers out of St Anthony in 1999.
Yesterday's action was not a complete surprise for Victorino.
"There was some indication that I might be picked, but not from the Padres," said Victorino, who is taking a break from his three-times-a-week hitting workout at Iron Maehara Stadium.
"My agent had talked with several teams, including the Cubs. In fact, he told me the Cubs wanted me as part of the Eric Karros trade, but the Dodgers wouldn't give me up."
But the Dodgers did not protect the 5-foot-9 center fielder.
Players who have more than three years of professional experience and are not protected on an organization's 40-man roster are eligible for the Rule 5 Draft. The drafting team pays the former team $50,000.
The selected player must remain on the 25-man (major league) roster for the entire upcoming season or be put on waivers. If put on waivers but not claimed by any other team, the Rule 5 draftee remains on the 25-man roster or is offered back to his original club for $25,000.
Victorino was anxious Sunday night, wondering what yesterday might bring, whether there would be a significant change in his baseball career.
"I finally decided what is going to happen will happen and went to sleep. Bill Bavasi, the Dodgers director of player development, called at 6:30 a.m. and said he had good news and bad news," said Victorino. "I wasn't sure what that meant. Then he said good news for you, bad news for us. The San Diego Padres just picked you in the Rule 5 draft.
"This is a tough thing to think about at the moment. It's a dream you always wanted to happen to you and now I have the opportunity to do it."
Victorino has been with the Dodgers for four seasons. He hit .258 for Jacksonville in the Class-AA Southern League last year and has a career .269 batting average. The past two years he has stolen 47 bases for Wilmington in the Class-A South Atlantic League and 45 for Jacksonville.
Dodgers minor league officials have always liked Victorino's defensive abilities and his speed. They felt he was ready for a new challenge offensively and sent him to the Arizona Fall League, where he hit .330.
Victorino said he will approach workouts prior to spring training the same way he has in the past. He understands the implications of being a Rule 5 pick. He can spend 2003 in the major leagues.
"The Padres' assistant GM (Fred Uhlman Jr.) called and said they are glad to have me aboard. He said I would have the opportunity to work hard and get my at-bats during the spring. Hopefully, I'll be the fourth outfielder," said Victorino.
