Baseball America on Angels Upcoming Amateur Draft

[Chuck]

http://www.baseballamerica.com/draft/2014-draft-preview-rodon-remains-atop-mock-draft-2-0/

 

15: ANGELS: College bats appear to be the focus for the Angels, though their dearth of starting pitchers in the minor leagues could lead them to take a chance on a damaged pitcher such as Finnegan or Hoffman.

 

 

Info on Hoffman: http://www.baseballamerica.com/college/east-carolina-scout-day-jeff-hoffman/

 

Info on Finnegan: http://bigleaguefutures.net/1/2013/06/11/2014-mlb-draft-profile-brandon-finnegan/

 

Top Amateurs: http://www.baseballamerica.com/college/2014-top-100-draft-prospects-list/

[Second Base]

Max Pentecost is up near the top of the Angels draft board.  If he's available when their pick comes around, they'll grab him.  Servais liked him when he was with the Rangers and Pentecost was in high school.  Texas drafted him in the 7th round.  They sent scouts to watch him play last year on the same scouting trip they stumbled upon Kyle McGowin, who was playing for Savannah State.  The Angels also scout the Cape Cod League heavier than any team in baseball and Pentecost absolutely shined there.

 

The team doesn't have a catching prospect outside of Jett Bandy right now, who doesn't look like an everyday major leaguer.  Pentecost could potentially climb the ladder quickly and be ready by the time Iannetta leaves.

 

It is highly likely this team will draft Pentecost. 

[Chuck]

Max Pentecost is up near the top of the Angels draft board.  If he's available when their pick comes around, they'll grab him.  Servais liked him when he was with the Rangers and Pentecost was in high school.  Texas drafted him in the 7th round.  They sent scouts to watch him play last year on the same scouting trip they stumbled upon Kyle McGowin, who was playing for Savannah State.  The Angels also scout the Cape Cod League heavier than any team in baseball and Pentecost absolutely shined there.

 

The team doesn't have a catching prospect outside of Jett Bandy right now, who doesn't look like an everyday major leaguer.  Pentecost could potentially climb the ladder quickly and be ready by the time Iannetta leaves.

 

It is highly likely this team will draft Pentecost. 

 

Does Max Pentecost speak in tongues?

 

Anyhow, they've probably cooled on Pentecost due to Hank Conger's improved game all around. 

[Chuck]

We're going to have the Angels scouting director Ric Wilson on our Podcast or in our Chat Room next week to talk about the draft, then have him on against post draft to talk about his selections. 

[Tyler]

Gettys please.

[Chuck]

Gettys please.

Second Round!

[Second Base]

Does Max Pentecost speak in tongues?

 

Anyhow, they've probably cooled on Pentecost due to Hank Conger's improved game all around. 

 

That would somehow fit the team's moniker if he were able to speak in tongues.  After all, it is believed by the pentecostal church that this is the language of the Angels. As for their interest, any way you shake it, Pentecost would be 2-3 years away and a lot can happen in that time.  The Angels haven't had a full time catcher in Scioscia's tenure have they?  The Molina brothers, Napoli and Mathis, Wilson and Mathis, Iannetta and Conger.  If they drafted him, I could see another time share between Conger and Pentecost.

[Scott34]

Makes absolutely zero sense to draft a bat in the 1st.  I think Ric Wilson is smarter than that.

[Tyler]

Second Round!

I dont think he'll be around for that pick.

[AngelsFaninGA]

Don't know anything about Pentecost, how good of a hitter is he compared to similarly ranked prospects? A lot of these first round catchers seem to be overrated just because they play catcher. 

[Tyler]

Makes absolutely zero sense to draft a bat in the 1st. I think Ric Wilson is smarter than that.

You take BPA regardless of position.

[SoWhat]

Go for the best talent available.

Anyway, if it came down to an arm and Hoffman is available when the Angels pick, I'd go with him. All these kids throwing gas are gonna end up needing TJ sooner or later, so why not

Edited May 17, 2014 by SoWhat

[Docwaukee]

when there is a catcher worth taking in the first round, then they usually go in the top 5.  ie Mauer, Wieters, and Posey. 

 

All the rest end up at different positions or don't pan out. 

 

Best player available for the first round.  Mostly pitching otherwise. 

[Scott34]

You take BPA regardless of position.

 

I disagree.  Taking a 1B like Schwarber is really really stupid.  BPA unless there's a clear problem... PUJOLS

[Tyler]

I disagree.  Taking a 1B like Schwarber is really really stupid.  BPA unless there's a clear problem... PUJOLS

 

My top 15 is a little different than mlb.com's. Gettys is their 41st best prospect, which I completely disagree with.

[Scott34]

My top 15 is a little different than mlb.com's. Gettys is their 41st best prospect, which I completely disagree with.

 

Same here... I like Gettys too.  Not for the Angels though.

[Tyler]

My top 15, based on projected MLB career impact

 

1. Tyler Kolek 

2. Carlos Rodon

3. Brady Aiken

4. Aaron Nola

5. Alex Jackson

6. Nick Gordon

7. Michael Gettys

8. Kodi Medeiros

9. Bradley Zimmer

10. Michael Chavis

11. Jacob Gatewood

12. Kyle Freeland

13. Spencer Adams

14. Monte Harrison 

15. Nick Burdi

 

 

[YouthofToday]

This is not the NFL player where nearly all 1st rounders are almost always counted on to produce as soon as they join a team.

You always draft best player available in baseball and you need to accumulate talent. You can always trade talent for organizational weaknesses (see Trumbo/Skaggs trade, Montero/Pineda, etc.).

[nikkachez]

Angels need pitching, not gonna lie I'd be a little disappointed in the Halos if they get a bat. If they do pick Pentecost, he better be a guy that will definitely stick at catcher.