Woods selected by Texas Rangers in MLB Rule 5 Draft

MURFREESBORO, Tenn. - Former Middle Tennessee pitcher Coty Woods was selected by the Texas Rangers in the 2012 Major League Baseball Rule 5 Draft Thursday morning.

By being picked by the Rangers, Woods must be kept on the team's 25-man Major League roster for the entire 2013 season. However, the Rangers can waive Woods at any time. If Woods clears waivers, he will go back to the Colorado Rockies, who drafted him in 2009.

Woods spent the 2012 season pitching for the Double-A Tulsa Drillers and Triple-A Colorado Springs Sky Sox. In 61 appearances out of the bullpen, Woods posted a 4-4 record with a 3.20 ERA and 27 saves in 56.1 innings. He also played in the Arizona Fall League's Rising Stars game alongside former Blue Raider Bryce Brentz.

Woods made 32 appearances for Middle Tennessee in 2009, striking out 50 batters in 44.1 innings and helping the Blue Raiders to a program-record 44 wins, in addition to the Sun Belt regular-season and tournament crowns. He had a 4-3 record out of the bullpen with 15 saves, the program's single-season record, and a 1.62 ERA. In 2009, Woods was an ABCA First Team South Central Region selection and a First Team All-Sun Belt honoree.

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