BRADENTON, Fla. -- Tyler Webb didn't make any plans for the Rule 5 Draft last month. More than anything, he was surprised the annual event took place so early -- beginning at 9 a.m. ET on the final day of the Winter Meetings. He followed the proceedings on Twitter while working out at the University of South Carolina, his alma mater.
The Pirates selected Webb from the Yankees in the Major League portion of the draft, adding the big left-hander to their bullpen competition. After spending parts of three seasons in Triple-A, Webb was pleased to hear he'd have a shot at cracking Pittsburgh's big league roster.