Rule 5 draftee familiar to White Sox

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NASHVILLE, Tenn. -- The White Sox believe immediate help is on the way after they selected infielder Angel Sanchez in the Rule 5 draft on Thursday morning.

With 628 major league plate appearances, Sanchez is far more experienced than most of the players normally taken in the Rule 5 draft, which allows teams to draft unprotected players off other organizational rosters as long as the player remains in the majors all season.

A shortstop by trade, Sanchez signed a minor-league deal with the Los Angeles Angels earlier this offseason but wasnt placed on the teams 40-man roster.

The White Sox made Sanchez their first Rule 5 draft selection since Jason Grilli in 2003. Sanchez, who played 110 games for the Houston Astros in 2011, will compete for the White Sox open backup infield job next season.

He was a guy that we talked about even before that list came out, White Sox assistant general manager Buddy Bell said on Thursday before he and the team traveled home from the winter meetings. This is a lot different than finding a guy that is throwing 95 or 100, then you can just hope you can hide on your roster somewhere. This guy here, we think if it works out, it can really help our club from Opening Day beyond that.

Sanchez hit .320 last season for the Houston Astros Triple-A Oklahoma City club. Sanchez, of his 924 defensive appearances in the minor leagues, 815 were at shortstop.

Sanchez has a career .255.304.308 slash line in the majors with Houston, the Boston Red Sox and Kansas City Royals. He also has familiarity with Bell, who managed him in 2006 with the Royals.

I loved this kid, Bell said. He had some elbow issues at the time and I left before he came back after his injuries. Ive been keeping my eye on him for the last few years. He had a good year in Triple-A last year and hes a solid and more of a situational player who can catch the ball, move the ball if you need to.

After they are purchased for 50,000, players selected in the Rule 5 draft are immediately added to a teams 40-man and active rosters. The drafting team can waive the player at any time and if he clears waivers he must be offered back to his original club for 25,000.

The White Sox 40-man roster is now at 38, though the team only has one spot open as infielder Jeff Keppingers deal should be finalized early next week.

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