Minnesota Twins Pick Up Alejandro Machado, Lose Two Pitchers In Rule 5 Draft

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MLN Newswire - www.mlntherawfeed.com - Minneapolis/St. Paul, MN — The Minnesota Twins announced today that they selected shortstop Alejandro Machado from the Washington organization, and lost righthanded pitchers Kevin Cameron (San Diego) and Levale Speigner (Washington) in the Major League portion of the Rule 5 Draft. Machado, 24, spent last season with Pawtucket (AAA, International League) and batted .260 (97-373) with 12 doubles, four triples, four homers, 32 rbi and 21 stolen bases in 116 games.

“He is a veteran infielder and a good defensive player who should be ready to fill a specific role at the Major League Level,” said Vern Followell, pro scouting director for the Twins. The 6-foot-0, 185-pounder has a career Minor League batting average of .288 (840-2912) with 98 doubles, 24 triples, 16 homers, 258 rbi and 196 stolen bases in 823 games. He was originally signed by the Braves as a non-drafted free agent on July 2, 1998.

In the Minor League portion of the Rule 5 Draft, the Twins selected righthanded pitcher Jesse Floyd and third baseman Brian Buscher, both from the San Francisco organization, and lost outfielder Erold Andrus (Tampa Bay) and lefthanded pitcher Justin Jones(Washington). Floyd, 25, spent last season with Connecticut (AA, Eastern League) and went 4-14, 4.00 (135.0 ip, 60 er) with 38 walks and 100 strikeouts in 25 starts. He was originally signed by the Giants as a non-drafted free agent on June 11, 2003.

Buscher, 25, was also at Connecticut last season and batted .259 (121-467) with 23 doubles, three triples, seven homers and 49 rbi in 130 games. He was the Giants’ third round pick in the June, 2003 free agent draft.

The Twins also announced today that they have signed lefthanded pitchers Mike Venafro and Carmen Cali to Minor League contracts with invites to Major League camp.

In addition, the Twins have promoted Rob Antony from Director of Baseball Operations to Director of Baseball Operations and Contracts. Antony has worked in the Baseball Operations department for the Twins since 1995 and has been with the club since

1987.

The Twins have also hired Lee MacPhail and Kenny Compton as a Professional Scouts. MacPhail most recently held the title of Director of Baseball Administration and Special Assignment Scout with the Washington Nationals, while Compton served as Director

of Professional Scouting with the Seattle Mariners. The Twins also named Perry Castellano Major League Strength and Conditioning Coach. Castellano previously held the same title for the Twins at the Minor League level.