Reds snag outfielder in MiLB Rule 5 Draft

Houston Astros left fielder Ronnie Dawson (76) singles.
Houston Astros left fielder Ronnie Dawson (76) singles. | Jasen Vinlove-USA TODAY Sports

While the Rule 5 Draft has been delayed due to the MLB lockout, the MiLB Rule 5 Draft took place on Wednesday.

The Cincinnati Reds snagged outfielder Ronnie Dawson from the Houston Astros in the Minor League Phase of the Rule 5 Draft.

The Reds selected Ronnie Dawson in the MiLB Rule 5 Draft.

Dawson is an Ohio native who played high school ball in Pataskala and suited up for Ohio State University in college.

Dawson was a former second-round pick of the Houston Astros in the 2016 MLB Draft.

Dawson was extremely raw coming out of high school. A two-sport athlete, Dawson was also a running back at Licking Heights High School.

Ronnie Dawson has tasted the major league field, making his MLB debut last season for the Astros.

The 26-year-old played in three games for Houston and recorded one base hit in just five plate appearances.

Dawson brings a nice combination of power and bat speed to the Reds minor league system.

In five minor league seasons, Ronnie Dawson has a slash line of .246/.340/.404 with 61 homers and 262 RBIs.

Dawson's production in the Arizona Fall League following the 2018 season gave the Astros hope that the young outfielder was ready to take off in 2019.

However, Dawson combined to hit just .207/.313/.385 across both Double-A and Triple-A in 2019.

Like a lot of other minor leaguers, the absence of a 2020 season really hurt his development, and Dawson spent the majority of the 2021 season with Triple-A Sugarland.

With the Skeeters, Ronnie Dawson posted a .715 OPS to go along with seven round trippers and 43 RBIs.

While Dawson doesn't have elite speed, the outfielder does have 94 stolen bases in his minor league career.

If a team takes a player in the minor league phase, it costs that team $24,500 to his original team.

The Cincinnati Reds can assign Ronnie Dawson to any level they'd like, but he'll likely begin the season at Triple-A Louisville.

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