Athletics reportedly trade Rule 5 draft pick Ryan Watson to Red Sox originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area
The Athletics reportedly are acquiring another infield prospect, this time from the Boston Red Sox.
Justin Riemer will be joining the A’s organization in exchange for right-handed pitcher Ryan Watson, per MassLive’s Chris Cotillo.
Watson was selected sixth overall by the A’s on Wednesday in the MLB Rule 5 Draft from the San Francisco Giants.
Riemer, 23, was selected by the Red Sox in the fourth round of the 2023 draft. He played in 76 games with Boston’s High-A affiliate and six for the Double-A Portland Sea Dogs.
He plays multiple positions, but profiles long-term as a second baseman according to Cotillo.
The A’s acquired three other right-handed pitchers in the Rule 5 draft: Abel Mercedes, Darlin Pinales and Jorge Marcheco.
The A’s, however, lost two catchers to the draft: 2022 first-round pick Daniel Susac and Abrahan Gutierrez.
Susac, a Roseville native, was selected fourth overall by the Minnesota Twins and subsequently traded to the Giants.
General manager David Forst thinks highly of Susac, but with catchers Shea Langeliers and Austin Wynns with firmly cemented roles on the major league team, the A’s left their former first-round pick unprotected for the Rule 5 draft.
“The catch-and-throw skills have gotten a lot better,” Forst said. “He may be challenged offensively. Vegas has a way of helping some guys’ numbers, but that’s the case with anybody in this situation. The bat will determine probably if he’s able to stick or not.
“He has a chance to be in a good situation and they can get him good matchups and that’s when it does work out for guys, is when they have a specific role and fill it.”
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