Angels boost infield depth with Rule 5 selections

The Angels bolstered their infield depth in the Rule 5 draft on Thursday, acquiring utility man Taylor Featherston for cash from the Chicago Cubs, who had selected Featherston from Colorado’s double-A team in the major league phase of the draft.

Featherston, 25, hit .260 with a .322 on-base percentage, .439 slugging percentage, 16 home runs, 33 doubles and 57 runs batted in in 127 games for double-A Tulsa last season.

A fifth-round pick out of Texas Christian University in 2011, Featherston can play shortstop, second base and third base, and the Angels believe that he is athletic enough to play the outfield if necessary.

Featherston is expected to compete for a utility infield spot in the spring. Under Rule 5 regulations, the Angels must keep him on the major league roster all season or offer him back to his original club, the Rockies. If Colorado passes, Featherston would have to clear waivers before the Angels sent him to triple-A.

“We’re excited to have him,” General Manager Jerry Dipoto said. “He’ll come in and compete with Josh Rutledge and Grant Green and Alex Yarbrough for an opportunity to stick with our team, at a variety of different positions or one.”

The Angels also selected a pair of infielders in the minor league phase of the Rule 5 draft: Chris Curley from the Chicago White Sox and Pedro Ruiz from the Arizona Diamondbacks. Outfielder Kentrail Davis was selected from the Milwaukee Brewers organization.

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