Baltimore Orioles: Does the Rule 5 Draft hurt players that are selected?

The Rule 5 Draft held after the Winter Meetings concluded yesterday and the Baltimore Orioles selected two infielders: Richie Martin and they acquired Drew Jackson

With the Baltimore Orioles selection of Richie Martin, it seems like they might go with him at shortstop and keep Jonathan Villar at second base in 2019, unless another addition is made during the offseason or if an injury happens.

My one question about the Rule 5 Draft is this: is it really good for these players selected?

Players who get selected in the Rule 5 Draft have to stay on the Major League roster for a full season unless an injury happens. When they are put on the disabled list, they can be stashed, but will still need to serve time in the majors when healthy again.

Keeping a player that isn’t really ready for major league play can hurt a player in the long run as they aren’t getting the development they should be getting down in the minor leagues. If they struggle all season on the major league roster, then they will lose confidence.

Let’s take a look at a former Baltimore Orioles Rule 5 draft pick, Ryan Flaherty. He was always a utility player who would get playing time when one of the full-time starters got hurt or needed a day off.

Flaherty was very good as a fielder, but his bat wasn’t that great. Do you think he’d be a better hitter if he had that time in the minors to work on his craft rather than be stuck on a 40-man roster for a whole year?

I’m hoping the newest Rule 5 draft picks for the Baltimore Orioles work out, but I don’t think that will be the case due to past failures. Maybe Mike Elias knows more about how successful Richie Martin will be as a defender.