Phils to take OF Goeddel with first pick in Rule 5 draft

In the midst of trade reports on Wednesday evening, MLB.com's Todd Zolecki confirmed that the Phillies will select Tampa Bay outfielder Tyler Goeddel with the initial pick in Thursday's Rule 5 draft.

The 23-year-old California native was originally selected 41st overall by the Rays in 2011. The righty batting Goeddel sported a .279 average with 12 home runs, 72 RBI and 28 stolen bases in 123 games for Double-A Montgomery this year.

He was converted from third base to the outfield following the 2014 season.

Players are eligible for selection in the Rule 5 draft when they are not on their major league organization's 40 man roster and 1) were signed to a contract at age 19 or older and have been in that organization for four years, OR 2) were signed at age 18 or younger and have been in that organization for five years.

Regulations in the big league portion of the Rule 5 draft require the selecting team to keep any drafted player on its 25-man big league roster for the entire following season, or offer him back to the team he was drafted from.

Some noteworthy selections from recent Rule 5 drafts include Johan Santana, Shane Victorino, Josh Hamilton and Joakim Soria.

Live coverage of this year's Rule 5 draft can be seen on MLB.com beginning 10AM Eastern.

You can read last week's Rule 5 draft primer by clicking here.