Two former Aflac All-American pitchers were chosen in the Rule 5 draft this morning during the final day of the annual Baseball Winter Meetings.
LHP Chuck Lofgren (2003 Aflac All-American) was picked with the 13th selection by the Milwaukee Brewers from the Cleveland Indians organization. Lofgren was originally drafted by the Indians in the 4th round in 2004 and in 2006/2007 was one of the top pitching prospects in baseball, going 29-13 between A and AA. His career stalled in 2008, however, and he went 6-10, 5.31 in AAA this past season.
RHP Steven Johnson (2004 Aflac All-American) was selected with the 19th pick by the San Francisco Giants from the Baltimore Orioles. Johnson was originally selected in the 13th round by the Los Angeles Dodgers in 2005 before moving to Baltimore via a trade. He's combined to go 24-15 over the past two seasons in A and AA ball, including 12-7, 3.41 with 154 K's in 145 innings in 2009.