The Marlins swooped in and drafted former top prospect Alfredo Silverio from the Dodgers. Photo: Jerry Lai-USA TODAY Sports

Silverio, who was often compared to a young Raul Mondesi, missed out on the entirety of the 2012 season after he was seriously injured in a car accident in the Dominican Republic in January. He suffered from a bad concussion, and he had to undergo Tommy John surgery on his throwing elbow in May due to injuries suffered in the crash.

The Marlins must keep Silverio at the Major League level for the entire 2013 season, otherwise they must offer him back to the Dodgers for half the price they paid for him or $25,000. I believe the Marlins are able to put Silverio on their disabled list until he is healthy enough to play.

Silverio began his professional career with the Dodgers in the Dominican Summer League back in 2006 after being signed by the Dodgers at the young age of just 16. The now 25-year old outfielder, played 132 games for the AA-Chattanooga Lookouts in 2011. His breakout season saw him finish with a .306 batting average, 16 homeruns, 85 RBIs, 42 doubles, and 18 triples. His downside is that he strikes out a lot. He collected 91 strikeouts in 2011 while walking 30 times. After his strong season with the Lookouts, the Dodgers added Silverio to the 40-man roster in order to protect him from the last Rule 5 Draft. November 4th of this year, he was outrighted to AAA-Albuquerque and thus removed from the 40-man roster making him susceptible to this year’s Rule 5 Draft.

The Marlins took a chance on Silverio, and I feel he could work out well for them once he’s 100% healthy. He can play all three outfield positions, and he has been described as a five-tool player in the past. Right before Silverio’s career threatening accident in January, I took a closer look at the promising prospect: A Glimpse into the Future: Alfredo Silverio.

Silverio once said:

“I want to play in the Majors with the Dodgers, LA is my dream.”

We wish Silverio the best in his journey to the Majors, it’s just too bad it might not be for the Dodgers.

The Dodgers did pick up two players in the AAA portion of the draft today. They chose

Hector Nelo is one of two minor league players the Dodgers chose today in the Rule 5 Draft. Photo: Eric Hartline-USA TODAY Sports

infielder Elevys Gonzalez from the Pirates’ minor league system and a right-handed pitcher Hector Nelo from the Nationals.

Gonzalez is a 23-year old switch-hitting infielder. Last season he split time between the Pirates’ Advanced-A and AA minor league affiliates where he combined to hit .206 with 6 homeruns and 35 RBIs in 95 games.

26-year old Hector Nelo pitched for the AA-Harrisburg Senators last season. He had a 1-6 record with a 2.73 ERA and 63 strikeouts in 52 2/3 innings pitched.

The entire Dodger fan base would like nothing more than to see Juan Uribe designated for assignment. But alas, he will be most likely wasting a roster spot yet again this season. The only silver lining is that it is finally the last year of this downright failure of a contract.

May 17, 2012; San Diego, CA, USA; Los Angeles Dodgers second baseman Elian Herrera (left) and shortstop Justin Sellers sit in the dugout before a game against the San Diego Padres at PETCO Park. Mandatory Credit: Jake Roth-US PRESSWIRE

Justin Sellers is the player who may most likely be removed from the 40-man roster if needed. After making the Opening Day team over other players like Luis Cruz, Sellers was lost for the season after injuring his back on a highlight reel play when he fell over the rail making a catch at Dodger Stadium early in the season. He has since underwent back surgery. Even though I like Justin Sellers, and I feel that his defense is solid, he hasn’t proven that he can perform offensively at the big league level. Although he has only played in 55 Major League games. Even so, it is unlikely another team will grab Sellers in the Rule 5 Draft because of his injury history.

Elian Herrera could be a possible victim to the roster axe, but like Sellers it would be doubtful that another team would take him. Remember, in the Rule 5 Draft rules the player must be remain on the team’s Major League roster for the entirety of the season or they have to be offered back to the originating team.

The Dodgers will also have to consider who they will protect from the Rule 5 Draft. Any player drafted out of college in 2009 or earlier or any high school player drafted in 2008 or prior is eligible for the Rule 5 Draft.

Here’s a list of Rule 5 Draft eligible players in the Dodger system:

Pitchers

Steve Ames (RHP)

Matt Magill (RHP)

Aaron Miller (LHP)

Andres Santiago (RHP)

Michael Antonini (LHP)

Javier Solano (RHP)

Jose Dominguez (RHP)

Cole St. Clair (LHP)

Juan Rodriguez (RHP)

Steve Smith (RHP)

John Michael Redding (RHP)

Jordan Roberts (LHP)

Greg Wilborn (LHP)

Carlos Frias (RHP)

Position Players

Tony Gwynn Jr. (OF)

Pedro Baez (3B)

Brian Cavazos-Galvez (OF)

Angelo Songco (1B)

J.T. Wise (C)

Rafael Ynoa (2B)

Alfredo Silverio (OF)

Kyle Russell (OF)

Blake Smith (OF)

Gorman Erickson (C)

Nick Akins (OF)

Austin Gallagher (1B)

Michael Pericht (C)

Casio Grider (SS/2B)

Nick Buss (OF)

Chris Jacobs (1B)

Pedro Guerrero (IF)

Matt Wallach (C)

Ozzie Martinez (SS)

Bladimir Franco (3B)

Most of these players are nowhere near Major League ready, yet a few of them are

Tony Gwynn Jr.’s future with the Dodgers is still unknown. Photo: Kirby Lee/Image of Sport-US PRESSWIRE

worth protecting. Tony Gwynn Jr. could be valuable to the Dodgers as a fourth outfielder since both Carl Crawford and Matt Kemp are both coming off of major surgery. Ned Colletti has repeatedly cited his desire to obtain another outfielder who is able to play center field. If the Dodgers aren’t able to sign said outfielder via free agency, Gwynn is still under contract.

Griff Erickson is a switch-hitting catcher who had a disappointing season in AA-Chattanooga last year. Yet the Dodgers are relatively thin when it comes to catching prospects, and Erickson was once thought to be a viable prospect.

The Dodgers may add Michael Antonini to the 40-man roster. Photo: Jennifer Hilderbrand-US PRESSWIRE

Rafael Ynoa had an impressive Arizona Fall League showing, and another team could use him as a backup infielder.

Matt Magill, Steve Ames, and Michael Antonini are also possible roster additions for the Dodgers. Magill would certainly draw interest from other teams, and the Dodgers would probably like to retain him.

Who do you think the Dodgers will add or subtract from the 40-man roster in preparation for the Rule 5 Draft? Tell us in the comments section.