Astros Protect Four ahead of Rule 5 Draft

Joe DwyerThe deadline for teams to add players to their 40-man roster ahead of the Rule 5 draft is later tonight, and the Astros have made a set of moves to protect eligible prospects Cristian Javier, Enoli Paredes, Taylor Jones and Nivaldo Rodriguez. All four would have been likely to be selected if left off the 40-man.

The biggest name of the group is Cristian Javier, a right handed starting pitcher who enjoyed one of the best statistical seasons of any hurler in the minor leagues this past season. Pitching across three levels, Javier accumulated 170 strikeouts in just 113 and 2⁄3 innings, against 59 walks. Javier’s unique delivery attacks hitters from a bit of an angle, and he brings an…