The Minnesota Twins added two players to their roster in Thursday's Rule 5 draft.
With the fourth pick in the draft, the Twins selected right-hander Ryan Pressly from the Boston Red Sox during the major league phase of the draft. In the Triple-A phase, Minnesota took third baseman Mark Sobolewski from the Blue Jays.
Pressly, 23, was originally selected by Boston in the 11th round of the 2007 amateur draft. He spent last season at High-A Salem and Double-A Portland, making 34 appearances and 12 starts combined. He posted a 2.93 ERA in 14 relief appearances with Portland.
Pressly also pitched recently in the Arizona Fall League for the Surprise Saguaros, making 10 relief appearances. He struck out 18 batters and walked just one in 14 innings.
According to Baseball America, Pressly's fastball ranges from 90 to 96 mph.
Sobolewski, 25, split time between Double-A New Hampshire and Triple-A Las Vegas last season in Toronto's minor league system. In 23 games with Las Vegas, he hit two home runs and added eight RBI. Sobolewski hit 18 homers for New Hampshire in 94 games. In addition to his power at the plate, Baseball America named Sobolewski the top defensive third baseman in the Eastern League.
Minnesota lost right-hander Tom Boleska to the Baltimore Orioles in the Triple-A phase of Thursday's Rule 5 draft. The Twins signed Boleska to a minor league contract late last month.
The Twins have had success in past years acquiring players in the Rule 5 draft. Former Cy Young winner Johan Santana was acquired by Minnesota via the Rule 5 draft. More recently, the Twins took left-hander Scott Diamond from Atlanta in the 2010 Rule 5 draft. Diamond was Minnesota's best starter last season and appears to be the only sure thing for a spot in the rotation in 2013.
With the additions of Pressly and Sobolewski, the Twins now have 37 players on their 40-man roster.
Follow Tyler Mason on Twitter.
