Dodgers lose nine in Rule V Draft

ANAHEIM, Calif. – It was a give and take kind of day for the Los Angeles Dodgers at the Rule V Draft Monday, although there was a whole lot more giving than taking.

The Dodgers were among the more noticed teams during the Major League portion of the draft, selecting right-hander Dennis Houlton from the Houston Astros organization with the tenth pick of the morning.

Houlton, a 25-year-old starter from Fullerton, Calif., took a step back in his development last year in Houston's system. He had a taste of Triple-A with the New Orleans Zephyrs of the Pacific Coast League in 2003, going 3-4 with a 5.40 ERA in 11 starts, but was shipped back to Double-A Round Rock in 2004.

But Houlton proved he had very little left to show at the Double-A level, and should embrace a chance to prove himself to the Dodgers. He was 12-5 with a 2.94 ERA in 28 starts for the Express last year.

The Dodgers lost three prospects during the Major League phase of the draft: right-hander Marcos Carvajal (Milwaukee Brewers), lefthander Matthew Merricks (Colorado Rockies) and centerfielder Shane Victorino (Philadelphia Phillies).

Players selected during the Major League phase of the draft cost $50,000 and must be kept on the Major League roster through the 2005 season, traded to another club that will keep him on the Major League roster, or offered back to the Dodgers for $25,000.

Los Angeles lost six more players during the minor league phases of the draft. They were: lefthander Javier Arturo (San Diego Padres), third baseman Brennan King (Kansas City Royals), Alejandro De Aza (Florida Marlins), shortstop Brett Wayne (Tampa Bay Devil Rays), catcher Jared Price (Kansas City Royals) and righthander Steve Langone (Boston Red Sox).