The Mets selected RHP Kyle Dowdy from the Indians and OF Braxton Lee from the Marlins in the Rule 5 Draft on Thursday morning at the Winter Meetings.

Dowdy, 25, had a 5.15 ERA and 1.48 WHIP with 120 strikeouts in 124.0 innings in Double-A and Triple-A in 2018.

Mets GM Brodie Van Wagenen said Dowdy made "huge strides" in 2018 and has a "four-pitch repertoire that includes a 98 mph fastball," with Van Wagenen adding that Dowdy could be an option for the bullpen or as insurance for the rotation.

During his three-year minor league career, Dowdy has a 3.99 ERA and 1.33 WHIP with 327 strikeouts in 365.2 innings.

Lee went 3-for-17 in eight major-league games last season. In 47 games with Triple-A New Orleans last year, he had a .235/.307/.291 batting line with no home runs and nine RBIs.

The 25-year-old has spent most of his career as a center fielder, recording 50 outfield assists in 413 games since being drafted by the Tampa Bay Rays in 2014.

In order to keep Dowdy, the Mets must keep him on the 25-man roster all season. If they do not, they will be forced to offer him back to the Indians.

Here's what the 2080 Baseball scouting report had to say about Dowdy:

Ceiling of low-leverage middle reliever if he takes to a 'pen role and finds a more consistent off-speed pitch. If he can't do those things, will be a 4A guy lacking another speed to pair with his high-velo fastball.

As for Lee, Baseball Census touts his "exceptional speed" which is based off his 4.01-4.14 from home to first base during his time in the Arizona Fall League last year. He also has a "surprisingly strong arm relative to throwing mechanics and physical stature."

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