Pitchers...

[Inside Pitch]

Clevinger is looking good after the injury.  Elliott Morris had a really good game today, the guy he relieved (Harrison Cooney),  is an interesting arm in that he can hit  95-96 but works in the 93-94 range -- he used to have a slider and the makings of a decent change, not sure if the Angels have worked on his pitches at all since drafting him but he is doing well, as is Nate Smith.  Garrett Nuss has looked good, I actually saw some him pitch at the FL Juco championships at Lakeland last year -- two seamer, four seamer, a really nice 12/6...  McGowin has looked really good despite pitching in some awful parks early on...  That's not a bad set of arms.  With Hunter Green, Kenyan Middleton and Jonah Wesely likely headed to rookie ball, there is finally some semblance of pitching depth starting to develop in the lower minors.  It's early and a lot can happen but there may be a much more positive spin regarding the Angels minor league pitching depth should they all continue to pitch well.

 

I've said it before but I think what will ultimately save Dipoto's bacon is how these guys develop, and early on it's looking really pretty good.

[Tyler]

Yup, Wilson has done a good job, and so have the scouts.

[Stradling]

I don't know if those guys have enough time to develop to save Jerry's job. I think a GM even with his budget, considering his philosophy, needs more than three years to see if his philosophy works.

[Inside Pitch]

I don't know if those guys have enough time to develop to save Jerry's job. I think a GM even with his budget, considering his philosophy, needs more than three years to see if his philosophy works.

 

I think Moreno knows what this team's situation was when he hired him, I think that's why he may have pushed for some of the big dollar additions.  I see people talking about the lack of success with the budget he's had, and I get it but I don't think Arte Moreno is the type of guy to throw a guy under the bus if indeed he was the man responsible for the Pujols and Hamilton signings..   I'm not defending JD, I think he's completely failed where the bullpen is concerned and there is no denying he was the driving force behind Blanton and Hanson deals but, he's already impacted the organization in a very positive way long term.  IMO, the stuff going on developmentally needs to be given a lot of consideration when grading Dipoto, much more than the W/L record..  These guys aren't finished products but they are proof that the ideology Dipoto brought with him was the right path to take..  I think the opening series has really jaded people on this team but other than those three games Vs Seattle the Angels have either been in or dominated every series since then.

 

Anyway, I think if you asked Bill Stoneman whether or not JD should be given more time, he would be the first person to back Dipoto.   

[Tyler]

This is the scouting director's area.

[Inside Pitch]

This is the scouting director's area.

 

 

Ric Wilson precedes Dipoto it's true, but the developmental systems put into place since then are on Dipoto's team.   I'm far from a Dipoto fanboy, but I'm not going to disregard the stuff he has impacted.  Donny Rowland was the man chiefly responsible for the Angels' meteroic rise in prospect circles under Stoneman, but the systems put into place were on Stoneman and the Sutherland brothers.  It's easier to give Stoney more credit since he hired Rowland away from the Yankees, but he was also the guy that fired him for getting lippy.  Wilson BTW was hired away from Milwaukee by Rowland and Stoneman.

[Tyler]

Then why are you giving credit to Dipoto?

 

Anyways, I'm willing to bet Dipoto doesn't see these guys while they're amateurs.

 

Thanks again Wilson.

[Inside Pitch]

Then why are you giving credit to Dipoto?

 

Anyways, I'm willing to bet Dipoto doesn't see these guys while they're amateurs.

 

Thanks again Wilson.

 

 

If you are asking me this then you didn't really read what I posted or you're bored and looking to argue.  It's possible I just expressed myself poorly and you're just reading more into things than is intended.  Since I don't care enough to argue on Dipoto's behalf I'll leave it where it is.  I like the changes made to how the Angels develop their players during Dipoto's tenure and I like that Ric Wilson and the entire scouting department has done a good job of finding the talent needed to turn things around.

 

People can thank or give praise to whoever they want, the end result is things are looking up.

[Tyler]

Not looking to argue at all, you're one of the people whose opinion I actually respect. I guess we can give credit to Dipoto for Servais. 

 

But the previous regime didn't do a bad job either with developing.

 

The trading of prospects and signing of FA's that cost high draft picks is what truly set this organization back. 

Edited April 27, 2014 by Shane

[Inside Pitch]

Not looking to argue at all, you're one of the people whose opinion I actually respect. I guess we can give credit to Dipoto for Servais. 

 

 

FTR, I really think I'm just expressing myself poorly -- even using the word argue was probably a poor choice of words.  You just nailed it, Bro.  That's exactly who I'm thinking of.  I've heard from various sources that Servais is essentially Dipoto's go to guy and it's probably safe to say that he and Wilson probably work together a great deal..  

 

This franchise has been underrated from a developmental standpoint, IMO.  Even now when they are supposedly so awful they have a middle IFer and corner IFer who both could step in and likely produce.  You are dead on when it comes to what the real problem has been -- and let's be honest, if not for Dipoto, this team would have a corner OFer good enough to play CF waiting in the wings.  If Solarte wasn't doing so well I'd be praying for Freese trade to the Yankees for any of their catching prospects and we could fill a gaping hole there.

 

Thanks for the kind words and the respect is very much mutual.

Edited April 27, 2014 by Inside Pitch

[rafibomb]

A lot of people are high on Ricardo Sanchez too. Although he'd be in the Green, Middleton and Wesely list. We are starting to develop that pitching depth we have always lacked.

[Inside Pitch]

A lot of people are high on Ricardo Sanchez too. Although he'd be in the Green, Middleton and Wesely list. We are starting to develop that pitching depth we have always lacked.

 

Great call -- you are right, people were hyping how he came over stateside and looked MUCH better than he ever had before.   As Shane pointed out, Wilson and company have done a really amazing job of adding players -- the older guys they brought in to fill gaps and help right away are doing that -- which means the second group you are talking about now don't have to carry any added pressure to be lights out from day one.

It's nice to see these boards getting more attention of late, it's been a fun minor league season to watch with the relief pitchers doing well and the guys we most need to be ready at AAA all playing to their ability.

Edited April 27, 2014 by Inside Pitch

[Fontana Halo]

Not looking to argue at all, you're one of the people whose opinion I actually respect. I guess we can give credit to Dipoto for Servais.

But the previous regime didn't do a bad job either with developing.

The trading of prospects and signing of FA's that cost high draft picks is what truly set this organization back.

Church......

[ettin]

A lot of people are high on Ricardo Sanchez too. Although he'd be in the Green, Middleton and Wesely list. We are starting to develop that pitching depth we have always lacked.

I certainly agree that the pitching depth as a whole is developing but I'd probably say that our "relief" pitching depth is coming along a little more than our starting pitching depth. There are certainly bright starters that could shine through but our bullpen will probably benefit earlier than our rotation will.

Luckily Richards, Santiago, and Skaggs all appear to be working out so far despite the end game results.

[Inside Pitch]

Nate Smith, 8th rounder from last year out of Furman, a lefty -- 8 IP, 4H, 1 ER, 1 BB, 7 Ks -- ERA down to 3.38 at High A.   He looked like he was working in the 88-89 range and was dropping big ole yellow hammer 12/6 curves all game long.  

Edited April 30, 2014 by Inside Pitch

[Angel Oracle]

Not looking to argue at all, you're one of the people whose opinion I actually respect. I guess we can give credit to Dipoto for Servais. 

 

But the previous regime didn't do a bad job either with developing.

 

The trading of prospects and signing of FA's that cost high draft picks is what truly set this organization back. 

+1

 

Well, that plus Clay Daniels screwing up the Latin American portion of scouting and development, which screwed the org depth even more

[Inside Pitch]

Clevinger is looking good after the injury.  Elliott Morris had a really good game today, the guy he relieved (Harrison Cooney),  is an interesting arm in that he can hit  95-96 but works in the 93-94 range -- he used to have a slider and the makings of a decent change, not sure if the Angels have worked on his pitches at all since drafting him but he is doing well, as is Nate Smith.  Garrett Nuss has looked good, I actually saw some him pitch at the FL Juco championships at Lakeland last year -- two seamer, four seamer, a really nice 12/6...  McGowin has looked really good despite pitching in some awful parks early on...  That's not a bad set of arms.  With Hunter Green, Kenyan Middleton and Jonah Wesely likely headed to rookie ball, there is finally some semblance of pitching depth starting to develop in the lower minors.  It's early and a lot can happen but there may be a much more positive spin regarding the Angels minor league pitching depth should they all continue to pitch well.

 

I've said it before but I think what will ultimately save Dipoto's bacon is how these guys develop, and early on it's looking really pretty good.

 

Just to update the names mentioned here ... McGowin has little to show for it from a W/L record, but he's gone 47.1 IP, 38 H, 12 BB, 39 K, 2.09 ERA over 8 starts with a .220 average allowed -- not a bad little statline.  Clevinger went 3-0, 24 IP, 16 H, 5 BB, 27 Ks and a 1,88 ERA with a .184 average allowed before getting bumped to High A.   Elliott Morris is now sitting at 2-1, over 29.2 IP, 19 H, 11 BB, 32 K, a 2.43 ERA and a .183 average allowed in 5 starts.  Nate Smith had gone 42.2 IP, 31 H, 11 BB, 36 K and a .200 average allowed over 8 stats.  Garrett Nuss is 3-0, 32.2 IP, 35 H, 10 BB, 22K, -- he's been a bit hittable but he's been getting it done.  Harrison Clooney who has been used back and forth between the pen and rotation has gone 28.2 IP, 18 H, 14 BB, 17 K, a .173 average allowed.  He seems to be taking Clevinger's spot in the rotation.  He needs to cut his walks but his stuff is really pretty fun to watch.

 

That's 6 guys pitching effectively if not being downright impressive with Wesely, Green, Middleton and Ricardo Sanchez still waiting to make their debuts in rookie ball...      Again, it's early, the sample sizes need to get bigger but there are some really positive signs up in the lower levels.   It would not shock me at all to see McGowin and Nate Smith get moved to AA at the midway point of the season.

 

Edited May 12, 2014 by Inside Pitch

[Inside Pitch]

Add Yency Almonte to the list of guys off to a solid start.  Only two starts, but he's posted a 1.80 ERA.

[UCLAngel]

Add Yency Almonte to the list of guys off to a solid start. Only two starts, but he's posted a 1.80 ERA.

Alfonso Alcantara too. Really nice to see both these guys limiting walks. That seemed to be their biggest issue last year. Both have really good arms.

[rafibomb]

Harrison Cooney threw a complete game shutout today. 6 hits, no walks and 8 strikeouts.