The Giants made two selections in the major-league portion of the Rule 5 draft on Thursday, the first such draft under the stewardship of new VP of baseball operations Farhan Zaidi. The Giants selected LHP Travis Bergen from the Blue Jays with the eighth overall pick, and centerfielder Andrew Ferguson from the Astros with the 14th overall pick.
The Giants were the only team to make two selections during the major league portion, which is fairly unprecedented. Both players will be immediately added to the Giants’ 25-man roster.
I have never covered a team that made multiple Rule 5 draft picks. This is a different world, my friends.
— Andrew Baggarly (@extrabaggs) December 13, 2018
Bergen, 25, is coming off an excellent season in the minors with time split between Single and Double-A, posting an 0.95 ERA in 43 relief appearances. Bergen has been with the Blue Jays organization since 2015 when they drafted him in the seventh round.
Ferguson, 26, similarly impressed at Triple-A Fresno last season, posting a slash line of .305/.436/.429 in 292 plate appearances last season. Ferguson played all three outfield positions last year, but has traditionally excelled in center. Ferguson was selected in the 19th round by Houston in 2015. Neither Bergen nor Ferguson have ever received a call up to the major leagues.
The Giants also made two selections during the minor-league portion, selecting third baseman Peter Maris (Rays) and left-handed pitcher Sam Moll (Blue Jays).
The selection of Moll in particular has received praise.
Love this pick. Giants take Sam Moll, LHP. in 2nd round of MiLB phase. Wrote him up. Injury issues in 2018 but pitched in big leagues in 2017.
— JJ Cooper (@jjcoop36) December 13, 2018
