For anyone not familiar with the Rule 5 Draft click on the link right after this sentence and it will give you an in depth summary on how it works.
http://www.wtsp.com/sports/mlb/story.aspx?storyid=161370
Now with that being said lets take a look at who the Nationals picked up in the Rule 5 draft.
Elvin Ramirez- 23 year old right handed pitcher from the Mets
Ramirez is a power pitching fire-baller who can regularly hit 97 and 98 on the radar gun and hit 100 on the gun this winter in the Dominican Republic.
He has had control issues which is not completely uncommon with young power pitchers however though after sending 3 scouts to watch him pitch in the Dominican league this winter they feel he has improved on his control. In the Dominican league this winter he walked only 4 batters in 20 and 2/3 innings while striking out 26.
Ramirez will more than likely find himself a spot in the Nationals bullpen for the 2011 season
Brian Broderick- 24 year old right handed pitcher from the Cardinals
Led all Cardinals minor league pitchers in wins over the 2010 season having combined for 14 wins while pitching at the A+ and AA levels. He had a rough go at the A+ level but impressed while pitching in AA ball having put up an 11 and 2 record with a 2.77 era
Broderick is a control pitcher with a low 90s sinking fastball who forces a lot of ground outs. He will compete this spring for a possible spot in the back end of the Nationals starting rotation. The Nats have a number of pitchers that will be competing for the 4th and 5th spots so he is far from guaranteed spot in the rotation but he definitely has a good shot at making the team.
Michael Allen- 23 year old right handed pitcher from the Twins
Out of the three he has struggled the most so far having posted a 6.75 era this season over 50.2 innings of relief pitching in A+ and AA ball.
As of now I think he is the least likely to make the team come the start of the season. The Nationals will give him a look but he will really have to step it up and impress if he hopes to earn a spot on the team.