Prospect Profile: #24 Los Angeles Angels Cal Towey

[AngelsWin.com]

Bats: Left Throws: Right Height: 6’1” 215 lbs. DOB: 2/6/90

(Orem): .317/.492/.543 with 8 HRs and 13 SBs

Fans of OB% should love Cal Towey. That .492 OB% is not a typo. He led the Pioneer League with 67 BBs while only striking out 59 times in 315 PA. 

Pronounced “Too-EE”, Cal was one of the main driving forces for the Owlz playoff drive in 2013. Batting in the heart of the Owlz lineup, Towey showed a good blend of power and speed. He was only caught 3 times on the basepaths and only grounded into 4 DPs. 

Defensively, Cal was a bit challenged, producing an .899 FLD% at 3B (17 errors). There has been some talk that the Angels might move him to a different position such as catcher. A hard worker, and one who is willing to do what it takes to the Major Leagues, that will be a storyline to watch in Spring Training and this season.’

Drafted as a senior out of Baylor, Towey was a bit old for his league last year. At AngelsWin.com, we can see two possibilities for Towey in 2014 both of which depend on what the long-term plans for him are defensively. If they plan to move keep him at 3B, the Angels may decide to challenge his bat with a jump up to the IE66ers. If they plan to develop him at a new position, the Angels may be a bit less aggressive with him at first until he’s solid defensively. Either way, he is a promising bat to keep an eye on this year.

Please click here to watch an interview we recorded with Cal Towey.

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[Second Base]

Way undermatched in Orem.

[Llewyn Davis]

Way undermatched in Orem.

 

As it should be. He was 23 this year. He really ought to start 2014 in High-A and skip Low-A.

 

The only numbers that are a bit concerning from Orem are his K rate (18.7% is a little high for that level) and his BABIP of .392 only translating to a .317 average.

 

A correction is probably coming. Still, he has an advanced approach. Definitely a guy to keep an eye on. If he does well in the first half of the season at High-A (where he should be), he should spend the second half at AA.

Edited February 21, 2014 by Llewyn Davis

[Second Base]

I think a lot of his perceived value is tied to his bat and where it plays. If he maintains a high BA:OBP and can collect XBH he'll have value both as a 3B and catcher. If you slot him at 2B or the OF he gets buried immediately on the depth chart and becomes minor league fodder.

[Brent Maguire]

Try him at catcher. Maybe you end up getting a league average bat who can potentially hold his own behind the plate.

He's really old for his level so he will be an interesting guy to follow.