Two players with ties to the Harrisburg Senators were selected in yesterday’s MLB Rule 5 draft. Erik Komatsu was chosen by the defending World Champion St. Louis Cardinals with the 22nd pick and Brad Meyers was selected by the New York Yankees in the 29th slot.

For those unfamilar with the Rule 5 draft, a player must be kept on the new team’s 25-man major league roster for the entire season (like former Senator Michael Martinez this past season with the Phillies) or get returned back to the original organization. Of the 19 players selected in last year’s draft, 13 were returned to their teams either in spring training or early in the season.

Photos courtesy MiLB.com and Will Bentzel / Harrisburg Senators

Erik Komatsu

Komatsu, the Brewers’ 2010 minor league player of the year, was plucked by the Cardinals to provide depth in the outfield. The 24-year old Komatsu will have an opportunity to win a job with Allen Craig out of the St. Louis lineup for 4-6 months while he recovers from surgery on his fractured right kneecap. Unfortunately, I don’t see Komatsu sticking for the season as he struggled to produce consistently in his 31 games at Harrisburg as he hit .234 with only six extra-base hits. Skipping Triple-A and establishing himself in the majors right away is going to be a tall order for the speedy outfielder.

Brad Meyers

Last year’s opening day starter for the Sens rebounded from an injury plagued season to earn a well-deserved promotion to Triple-A Syracuse. Meyers went a cumulative 9-7 with a 3.18 ERA and an impressive 7.73 K/BB rate. Much like Shairon Martis, I don’t think Meyers was going to get a chance with the Nats as Peacock, Milone, and Detweiler are all ahead of him. Pitching has been the Yanks’ weak point these last couple of seasons and having a swing guy that can throw long relief and make spot starts is something they always need. So, Meyers has a legitimate shot to stick with the squad if he can remain healthy and continue pitching with excellent command and control.