Guardians News and Notes: The Rule 5 Draft and Tom Hamilton Awarded

News and Notes for Thursday, December 12th, 2024

There is one constant that I look forward to when it comes to opening day season after season. Tom Hamilton’s signature “FRooooom [insert stadium here]” that kicks off each of his broadcasts. There are few other sounds that signify to me “Cleveland Baseball.” After 34 years as the radio broadcaster for the Cleveland organization, Tom Hamilton’s skills and hard work was finally awarded. Hammy has been a Ford C. Frick award finalist three times in years past. Now, he has officially been recognized and awarded the 2025 Ford C. Frick award. The voice of baseball in Cleveland, will be in Cooperstown where he belongs.

If you want to revel in some Tom Hamilton conversation, the Selby is Godcast gents sat down with Hammy back in March of this year. But if podcasts aren’t your thing, I would recommend at least listening to the below media availability.

Tom Hamilton has been the voice of Cleveland Baseball quite literally my entire life. His talent is unmatched and his voice is the center of many memories for every Cleveland fan. Congratulations Hammy!

Oh yeah. The Rule 5 Draft was also yesterday.

The Cleveland Guardians lost four prospects in the draft, listed below with their final level for the ‘24 season.

INF Christian Cairo (AAA) was selected by the Braves in the MLB phase.

OF Luis Durango (A-) was selected by the Yankee in the MiLB phase.

LHP Randy Labaut (AAA) and LHP Steve Hajjar (A+) were both selected by the Pirates in the MiLB phase.

The Guardians selected INF Will Wilson (AAA) from the Giants. Wilson was the Angels’ 1st round, 15th overall draft pick back in 2019.

Wilson spilt the ‘24 season between AA and AAA. In AAA he took 85 AB hitting a .188/.300/.224. He played 2B, 3B, and SS defensively in 2024 and has spent the bulk of his minor league career at short. Apparently middle infielders are like a Hydra and if you trade one you have to pick up two more.

Garrett Crochet is moving to the AL East in a trade between the Red Sox and White Sox. Chicago will receive four prospects.

The Tigers DFA’d OF Akil Baddoo to make room on the roster for Alex Cobb. Baddoo ended the season batting .137/.220/.301 with a 46 wRC+ and a -0.3 fWAR. He sported a .132 BA against RHP and only had 82 major league plate appearances. He spent the majority of the season in Toledo with the Tigers AAA affiliate. Baddon’t waste your time pushing this agenda.

This interesting graphic from X user David Hrusovsky (well known for his HS Baseball mapping series) highlights the current state of the Lindor/Carrasco <-> Gimenez/Rosario trade.