DALLAS, TX — The Athletics announced today that they have selected right-handed pitcher Noah Murdock from the Kansas City Royals organization in the first round of the Major League portion of the Rule 5 Draft. Additionally, the A’s selected right-handed pitcher Henry Gomez from the St. Louis Cardinals organization in the minor league portion.
Noah Murdock
Murdock, 26, was chosen from the Triple-A Omaha Storm Chasers roster with the fifth overall pick in the Major League phase. This year, he went 1-0 with a 3.76 ERA in 30 relief appearances for the Storm Chasers, striking out 72 batters and walking 41 in 62.2 innings. Originally selected by the Royals in the seventh round of the 2019 First-Year Player Draft out of the University of Virginia, Murdock has posted a 9-10 record with a 4.74 ERA in 262 innings across 117 minor league games, including 30 starts over five seasons.
Henry Gomez
Gomez, 24, recorded a 6-3 record with a 3.03 ERA in 39 relief appearances for Single-A Palm Beach in the 2024 season, striking out 44 and walking 26 in 62.1 innings. Over five minor league seasons, Gomez has a cumulative record of 16-18 with a 4.11 ERA.
Other Selections
- Cooper Bowman was selected by the Cincinnati Reds from the A’s organization in the first round of the Major League phase. Bowman, acquired by the A’s in 2022 from the Yankees, batted .262 with 12 home runs and 70 RBI in 118 games for Double-A Midland and Triple-A Las Vegas in 2024.
- In the minor league portion:
- Gustavo Rodriguez was selected by the Los Angeles Angels (first round). Rodriguez posted a 0-2 record with a 4.32 ERA in 22 total relief appearances in 2024 with Single-A Palm Beach and High-A Peoria as a member of the Cardinals organization.
- Franck De La Rosa was selected by the Pittsburgh Pirates (first round). De La Rosa has a record of 4-5 with a 5.93 ERA in 36 games, with 86 strikeouts and 46 walks over 68.1 career innings.
- Jack Winkler was selected by the Miami Marlins (second round). Winkler, originally selected by the A’s in the 10th round of the 2021 First-Year Player Draft, batted .223 with eight home runs and 57 RBI in 127 games for Double-A Midland in 2024. Over four minor league seasons, he has hit .236 with 19 home runs and 145 RBI in 328 games.
