The Nationals selected Reifert with the fifth pick in the Rule 5 draft Wednesday, JJ Cooper of Baseball America reports. Reifert has been a known reliever prospect for a couple years, thanks largely to some very high strikeout rates in the lower levels.

The Athletics 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, the club announced today. The A’s also selected right-handed pitcher Henry Gomez from the St.

Success in the Rule 5 Draft is never assured. It’s actually quite rare. The Nationals, though, were willing to take a shot on an unprotected prospect for the third straight year, hoping Evan Reifert bucks the trend and proves himself a valuable member of their pitching staff for years to come.