Rule 5: Reds get Valenzuela, lose Guevara

The Reds picked Sergio Valenzuela in the Rule 5 Draft. He's a 23-year-old right-hander from Mexico. The Reds lost Carlos Guevara to the Marlins. Florida took him with the sixth pick, one before the Reds took Valenzuela with. He was then traded to San Diego.

The Rule 5 come downs to scouting, the Reds say. That's only way what happened makes sense. Guevara had very good numbers at Double-A last season; Valenzuela had very bad numbers at Single-A.

We'll see how it plays out.


Valenzuela was 1-3 with a 7.00 ERA last season in Single-A, 3-4 with 6.04 ERA in 2006 in Rookie Ball. Valenzuela, no relation to Fernando, is listed at 6-foot, 175 pounds. The Reds say he's actually 6-3 1/2, 200.

J Harrison, who scouted Valenzuela for the Reds, said Valenzuela throws up to 95, 96 mph.

"He's still got some development left," Harrison said. "We think he can develop into a starter. He's got a slider and a plus change-up."

The Reds plan to work Valenzuela out of the bullpen this season. He's got to remain on the 25-man roster or the Reds have to offer him back to the Braves for $25,000, half of what it cost to pick him.

Guevara was very good at Chattanooga last season -- 2.32 ERA, 16 saves. He's got a change-up/screwball that helped him strike out 87 in 62 innings.

"We had heard that he might get taken," Wayne Krivsky said. "When you get guys taken in the Rule 5, it shows your system is getting better."