ST. LOUIS (KMOX) - The Cardinals had a very active Rule 5 draft Wednesday, selecting four players including one in the Major League phase of the draft.
For the second consecutive year, the St. Louis Cardinals have selected a player in the Major League phase of the draft, picking right handed relief pitcher Ryan Fernandez.
Fernandez was previously a part of the Boston Red Sox organization, drafted by the club in the 23rd round in the 2018 MLB Draft.
He must stick on the Major League active roster for the full season or be offered back to the Red Sox for $50,000.
Fernandez spent five seasons in the Red Sox development system where he posted an overall 3.33 ERA in 128 games and struck out 252 batters in 218 innings.
Last season, he spent time across three different levels for the Red Sox, with a majority of it being apart of the Red Sox Triple-A team Worchester. Overall, he pitched 4.14 ERA in 54.1 innings and striking out 67 batters. Fernandez did face some injury issues however, according to Baseball America's JJ Cooper.
According to Mass Live, Fernandez throws a four-seam fastball, slider and cutter, with his fastball being in the mid-90s.
Relief pitching was a big need for the Cardinals this offseason with Cardinals President of Baseball Operation John Mozeliak making it clear that the team wanted to sign relievers when he appeared on KMOX's Sports on a Sunday Morning.
Mozeliak told KMOX Sports Director Tom Ackerman the Cardinals was looking for a reliever who could be a "swing-person" to their bullpen: someone who can spot start if necessary or pitch multiple innings out of the pen.
"We feel like we have some strength from the left side (of the bullpen), we feel like we have some coverage in the ninth, eighth and seventh," said Mozeliak. "But as people know, not everyone is going to be available on any given day, so adding some depth to that would be critical."
Fernandez fits that profile of pitcher who could go multiple innings in relief, as while he only appeared in 128 games in his five year minor league career, but he pitched 218 innings, filling the profile of a relief pitcher the Cardinals wanted.
Along with his swing and miss ability, striking out at least 22 percent of the batters he faced at every level in the minors, he checked a whole lot of boxes for the Cardinals.
Fernandez will the 21st selection all-time in the Rule 5 draft in the Major League and second consecutive pick by the club.
In 2022, the team selected RHP Wilking Rodriguez, who was a part of the Yankees farm system. Rodriguez did not pitch for the Cardinals last season due to injury trouble and was at one point released by the team earlier in the offseason. But he has returned to the club, signing a minor league deal with an invite to Spring Training in November.
Alongside Fernandez, the Cardinals also added three players in the Minor League phase of the draft, choosing infielders Johnfrank Salazar and Miguel Villarroel and reliever Benito Garcia.
The team did not lose anyone in the Rule 5 Draft, so former Mizzou standout Ian Bedell, who had an excellent season, staying healthy and pitched a solid 2.44 ERA in 96 innings and struck out 106 batters in High A+ with Peoria, will remain with the club after being left unprotected.