Cincinnati Reds take outfielder Ronnie Dawson from Astros in minor league Rule 5 Draft

The Rule 5 Draft typically marks the conclusion of Major League Baseball’s annual Winter Meetings, but this year it amounted to virtually the only news this week during a lockout.

The Cincinnati Reds had one open slot on their Triple-A roster, and they selected outfielder Ronnie Dawson from the Houston Astros with their lone pick Wednesday. Dawson, a 26-year-old outfielder, had five at-bats in the Majors last season and played 94 games at Triple-A.

Dawson, who grew up near Columbus and went to college at Ohio State, had a .249 batting average and .341 on-base percentage at Triple-A with 21 doubles, seven homers and 43 RBI. The left-handed hitter has experience at all three outfield positions, but he’s primarily played center field. He stole 15 bases in 23 attempts last season.

He was a second-round pick in the 2016 MLB Draft (No. 61 overall). He started one game as a designated hitter for the Astros last April after the team had several players sidelined because of COVID-19 protocols and collected his first big-league hit in his debut.

“That was the best hit I ever got, man,” Dawson told the Houston Chronicle afterward. “The feeling, all the hard work from the years past, all the times that you're in the minor leagues and you're like, 'Man, are you ever going to get a chance to be up there?' That hit, all those thoughts, all those feelings – kind of just walked away and it was like 'All right, it's time to play.’”

Unlike the Major League Rule 5 Draft, there aren’t many restrictions when players are picked in the minor-league phase. Dawson can be assigned to any level next season.

The Reds took six players in the minor league phase of the Rule 5 Draft last year, the most of any team. Three of those picks remain in the organization: catcher Wilfred Astudillo (highest level in 2021 was Low-A), catcher Chuckie Robinson (Double-A) and shortstop Steven Leyton (Low-A).

The Los Angeles Dodgers selected right-hander Carson Fulmer with one of their three selections. Fulmer made the Reds’ Opening Day roster last season, but he allowed 26 hits and 19 earned runs in 25 2/3 innings (6.66 ERA).

Fulmer, the No. 8 overall pick in the 2015 MLB Draft, was demoted to Triple-A Louisville near the end of May and spent the remainder of the season in the minor leagues. He had a 4.61 ERA across 37 relief appearances at Louisville with 51 strikeouts and 25 walks in 41 innings.

MLB’s lockout does not affect the minor leagues, which is why the minor-league phase of the Rule 5 Draft went ahead as scheduled. The Major League phase of the Rule 5 Draft is postponed until after the lockout ends.

The next major event on baseball’s schedule, assuming the lockout continues, is Jan. 15, 2022, for the start of the next international signing period. The Reds are expected to sign 17-year-old infielder Ricardo Cabrera out of Venezuela, the third-ranked international prospect by Baseball America.

MIKE BELL HONORED: Former Reds player and Moeller grad Mike Bell, who died March 26 from kidney cancer, was chosen as the Sheldon “Chief” Bender Award winner by Minor League Baseball on Monday.

The Chief Bender Award, named after the longtime Reds executive, is “presented to an individual with distinguished service who has been instrumental in player development.” Bell, brother of Reds manager David Bell, spent 13 years working on the Arizona Diamondbacks’ player development staff before he was hired as the Minnesota Twins bench coach in 2020.

“This prestigious award would have meant so much to Mike because of what the award implies relating to player development, which was his love and passion,” said Buddy Bell, Mike’s dad. “Mike’s devotion and dedication to his players, staff and minor league affiliates transcended his love for the game of baseball. To be recognized for something he loved to do makes this award even more meaningful. Mike’s recognition for this award is very humbling for our family. My only wish is that Mike could be here to receive the award himself.”

Buddy Bell received the same award in 2015 for his player development work with the Chicago White Sox. He’s now a senior advisor with the Reds.

Mike Bell is survived by his wife, Kelly, and their three children, Luke, Mikayla and Madeline. Luke is a pitcher at Xavier University.

This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Cincinnati Reds offseason: Pick Ronnie Dawson in minors Rule 5 Draft