The Angels Future LF is....

[Angel Oracle]

Can Sherman Johnson effectively play LF?

[Second Base]

Sherman's an athletic dude, but if I were making a LF depth chart he's fall in behind Hinshaw, Green, Brown and Kubitza.

I think Sherman's true value will be in his ability to play 3B and 2B. Here in a year or so we're going to have a young 3B and either a first or second year starter at 2B. That means there'll be some ups and downs and if Johnson can step in when things aren't going so hot, he'll have carved out a reserve role in the major leagues.

[ten ocho recon scout]

[Dick B Back]

Think we could steal Ichiro from the Marlins?

[Second Base]

I was told during the offseason that the Angels discussed Ichiro internally (which wasn't well received and even led a few to question my sources which is always lovely to read). Later they traded for Joyce, so at the very least there was a sense that they'd need a lefty bat that could play DH/LF.

I don't know if that means they were interested in making a run or covering their bases but I will say that the Angels are well aware of who Ichiro is at this point in his career. They clearly felt Joyce was better for 2015.

So to me, unless they're looking to not spend money and then go all out in FA, Ichiro just won't be an option.

[Dick B Back]

Ichiro at this point in his career > Joyce in this point in his career.

[Hollyw00d]

scotty doesn't like being questioned.  just believe what the scotty tells you

[Inside Pitch]

He's off to a slow start with regards to his BA, but his OBP is nice (.369), as is his walks/strikeouts (21/19), with 7 SB and 19 runs scored from the top of the lineup.

 

I'm a big Sherman Johnson fan. Having him in LF and leading off would give our team a boost IMO. 

 

The Shermster's BBABIP is over 50 points below the league average ....  the low batting average is noise.

 

His walk rate is nearly double the league average, his pull rate is strong, his LD rates are above league average, his Pop up, swinging strike and K rates are all below league average.  His wOBA is .357

 

Basically every predictive measure you can look at rates favorably.  His stint in AA so far is a rousing success, and in a park that typically gives batters some issues.

Edited May 6, 2015 by Inside Pitch

[Chuck]

The Shermster's BBABIP is over 50 points below the league average ....  the low batting average is noise.

 

His walk rate is nearly double the league average, his pull rate is strong, his LD rates are above league average, his Pop up, swinging strike and K rates are all below league average.  His wOBA is .357

 

Basically every predictive measure you can look at rates favorably.  His stint in AA so far is a rousing success, and in a park that typically gives batters some issues.

 

Another walk and a double tonight for Sherman! 

 

The Angels had him playing in LF in spring training too. 

[TroutCron]

The problem with Santiago is that he taxes the pen by throwing 100 pitches in 5 innings. He is a seviceable pitcher but hardly someone the Angels would miss if he were traded.

[Chuck]

If they groom Sherman Johnson as an outfielder, his OB ability (Speed & Pop) would look awfully good at the top of the lineup.

Would love to see this.

LF Johnson

CF Trout

RF Calhoun

1B Pujols

3B Freeze/Kubitza

DH Green/Cron/Joyce (trade at or before the deadline?)

C Perez

SS Aybar

2B Giavotella

[Jeff Fletcher]

FYI the Angels are also open to moving Calhoun to LF for the right RFer, so that opens things up.

[VariousCrap]

Is there someone the Angels can get that can play LF/RF that would be a good OBP player that could lead-off the line-up?  

 

That is what the Angels really need.

Edited May 6, 2015 by VariousCrap

[VariousCrap]

Santiago, Wilson, Richards have been fine, Shoemaker is getting his velo and arm strength back (10 K's last night, looked good). Weaver needs to be fixed. We have some good SP prospects on the way and close. 

 

 

 

As last season showed, you can never have too much pitching.

[Cdaniel]

FYI the Angels are also open to moving Calhoun to LF for the right RFer, so that opens things up.

Ryan Braun come on down. I doubt it happens though because of the roids issue

[Second Base]

He was raised as a possibility in the article.

[eaterfan]

So we went from hell bent on trading an outfielder with a huge contact who admitted to taking drugs to coveting an outfielder with a huge contract who lied about taking drugs?

Edited May 6, 2015 by eaterfan

[Angel Oracle]

Not to mention that Braun is in a steep decline, and is owed $105 million from 2016-2020.

Can we PLEASE stop acquiring those way overpaid and declining hitters?

Just STOP it!

Don't even think about it, Arte!

Edited May 6, 2015 by Angel Oracle

[Cdaniel]

He was raised as a possibility in the article.

That's why I mentioned it.

[Second Base]

And my verdict was to stay far away.

[tdawg87]

If Heyward is a FA in 2016, how many billions does Arte throw at him? Or is he too young to sign?

[beatlesrule]

Ryan Braun is scum.

[Hollyw00d]

Hey ward has seemed to lost the ability the hit

[Second Base]

I doubt we have the money for Heyward.  He isn't hitting in St. Louis yet, but he will and the same Gold Glove level defense is present.  He'll hit the market at age 26 and some team is going to pay dearly for the expected production between ages 26-32.  He can be a 30/30 player, similar to Kemp a couple years back.  Not sure that'll ever happen, but the talent and youth is there.  That results in money. 

 

Oddly enough, Upton's proven performance will likely only garner an equal or lesser contract due to the fact that he'll be hitting Free Agency in his age 28 season. Honestly, I'm not sure the Angels have the long term financial ability to acquire either of them without accepting the luxury tax as a way of life as the Dodgers and Yankees do.

 

We can operate just under it with Trout, Hamilton, Pujols, Weav and Wilson on the payroll.  And in the next three seasons, we'll see Weav, Wilson and then Hamilton off.  But that money is simply going to be replaced by the money they'll need to commit to Richards, Shoemaker and Calhoun. 

 

The Angels will need offense, not only now, but for the next 5 seasons down the road because outside of Kubitza, Yarbrough, Hinshaw and Delgado, there isn't much projectable talent.  Not only are they going to need to trade some of that pitching depth for a hitter, they're likely going to need to explore free agency too.  Otherwise, it's going to come down onto the shoulders of C.J. Cron, Kyle Kubitza, Giavotella to be top or middle of the order hitters. 

 

I'm optimistic it will happen, but you have to give yourself options in case it doesn't.  Right now, those options aren't present. 

[Hollyw00d]

I'm not sure committing long term money to shoemaker is wise