Song
SAN DIEGO -- Following a hiatus from last year due to the lockout, the Rule 5 Draft returned on Wednesday as the Winter Meetings closed in San Diego. 

 As was the case for most of the week, the Phillies made their presence known by selecting the most intriguing prospect in the Major League portion of the draft, selecting right-handed pitcher Noah Song with the 11th pick. 

Song, who graduated from the Naval Academy, was one of the most impressive college pitchers to come out of the 2019 draft. He set program records with the Midshipmen for career wins (32), strikeouts (428), and innings pitched (334 1/3). 

The California native pitched 17 innings in the New York Penn League after signing with the Red Sox, posting a 1.06 ERA with 19 strikeouts. He was then required to put his professional career on hold following the 2019 season to complete his Naval flight training. He petitioned the Navy to delay his mandatory military service so he could continue his baseball career, but the Navy denied his request, leaving him in baseball purgatory. 

There's no clear answer on when Song, 25, can return to professional baseball.

The Phillies placed him on the military list, so he doesn't count against the 40-man roster. He will, however, have to remain at the Major League level for a year upon his return from service, or the Phillies will have to have him pass through waivers and offer him back to Boston before sending him to the minors.

Song is an intriguing prospect with a power arm, but uncertainty surrounds his situation.
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