Fornataro and Siegrist were expected, Butler is not a big surprise, but Blazek was also added while Audry Perez was excluded when the 40 man roster was set today. I'm sure Domeboy will have details up on the subject later.

I guess Perez is a good catch and throw guy, but It's hard to imagine a team going with a backup catcher who has never played above AA. IMO, he doesn't pan out as an everyday player due to offensive limitations. In particular, he absolutely won't take a walk, so his OBP is appalling, especially vs righties. He has made zero progress on that in his 5 years as a pro.

Not surprised at all that we didn't protect Perez. I also don't think anyone will pick him up.

With benches as short as they are these days, position players drafted in the Rule 5 draft are less likely to stick than pitchers, I would think.

they thought Blazek would be taken in the Rule 5?  really?

The guy is a power pitcher with a good breaking ball. He did well out of the pen. Gave up too many home runs as a starter. Not that big a reach for someone with a thin bullpen.

THerr28 wrote: they thought Blazek would be taken in the Rule 5?  really?

Blazek's numbers at AA while pitching as a reliever:

48.2 IP, 2.59 ERA, 60 K's, 14 walks, 31 hits, .182 BAA, 6HR.

The home run total is a bit high, but the rest of those numbers look awfully good for a guy pitching in such an offense-friendly environment. He's just 23 years old as well. 

I've never seen him pitch, so I will defer to those that have, but the numbers suggest that this guy has some potential as a relief pitcher and protecting him was probably a good idea.

Honestly, there have been some recent seasons in the Cardinals system that the above numbers might have generated a little bit of excitement. The system is stacked right now, especially with RH pitching, so we tend to overlook a guy like Blazek, but the above numbers suggest he may have a future in the major leagues.