Michael Almanzar is changing organizations — for now, at least.
The Orioles selected Almanzar from the Red Sox in the major league phase of Thursday’s Rule 5 draft. Boston added Jonathan Roof in the minor league phase.
Almanzar, who signed a $1.5 million bonus out of the Dominican Republic in 2008, figured to be the Red Sox player most at risk of being selected in the draft, as Boston opted not to place him on the 40-man roster earlier this offseason. The Orioles will need to keep Almanzar on their major league roster for the entire season, though, or else he’ll be offered back to the Red Sox for $25,000.
Almanzar hit .268 with 16 home runs and 81 RBIs in 131 games with Double-A Portland in 2013. It was somewhat of a step back from his 2012 season, in which he hit .300 and posted a .353 on-base percentage with High-A Salem.
The Red Sox selected Roof from the Phillies’ Double-A roster. The 24-year-old utilityman brings versatility and is a career .255 hitter with a .321 on-base percentage.
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