Jamie Hoffmann Acquired by Yankees in Rule 5 Draft

Before leaving the Rule 5 Draft winter meeting yesterday, the New York Yankees added one more player to their team. According to nydailynews.com, Washington National selected Jamie Hoffmann in the first overall pick, but immediately dished him off to the Yankees.

25-year old Hoffmann is now expected to challenge Brett Gardner, for the final spot on the Yankees’ roster. As a Rule 5 pick, right-handed hitter Hoffman must be offered back to the Los Angeles Dodgers, if the Yankees pull him off their 25-man roster any time in 2010.

Last season, Hoffmann, who is listed as 6-3 and 235 pounds, hit .291 with 10 homers, 23 doubles, five triples, sixty-four RBI and fifteen stolen bases, in 97 games at Double-A and Triple-A. Yankees’ GM Brian Cashman said that he hopes Hoffmann can be No. 25 on the roster.