The Crown "Jewel" of this Week’s Prospect Hotlist - Jake Jewell (May 25 - May 31, 2015)

[AngelsWin.com]

By Adrian Noche, AngelsWin.com Minor League Reporter - 

1.) Jake Jewell, Relief Pitcher, Burlington Bees

Last five appearances: 0-0 1 Save  15.0 IP  1.20 ERA  11 H  3 BB  24 SO  0.93 WHIP

Overall: 3-1 2 Saves  35.1 IP  2.55 ERA  25 H  8 BB  44 SO  0.93 WHIP  .207 BAA

Jake Jewell was drafted by the Angels in the 5th round of the 2014 draft. Jewell has been used in the bullpen in outings longer than 1.0 inning. Only 2 of Jewell’s appearances this season have been only 1.0 innings long. So far this season, Jewell has been dominating the opposition. Jewell has pitched 35.1 innings, boasting an ERA of 2.55, 0.93 WHIP and an opposing batting average limited to just .207. Jewell has done a fantastic job racking up the strikeouts (11.2 SO9) while also limiting his walks (2.0 BB9)

2.) Andrew Daniel, Second Baseman, Burlington Bees

Past 10 games: .359 AVG  14 H  2 Doubles  1 Triple  3 HR  2 SB

Overall: .262/.318/.462

Andrew Daniel was the Angels’ 11th round draft pick in the 2014 First-Year Player Draft out of the University of San Diego. Daniel is known to possess an advanced bat in the middle infield out of college and that bat is starting to show up for the Burlington Bees. Daniel hit home runs in consecutive games on Monday and Tuesday and leads the team with 7. Daniel also has 2 doubles and a triple. Daniel had a 7 RBI performance on Tuesday.

3.) Kyle McGowin, Starting Pitcher, Arkansas Travelers

Last two starts: 1-0  12.0 IP  0.00 ERA  6 H  3 BB  6 SO  0.75 WHIP

Overall: 4-2  48.1 IP  4.66 ERA  51 H  17 BB  33 SO  1.41 WHIP  .274 BAA

Kyle McGowin was a regular on our prospect hotlists last year before running into elbow problems. McGowin has struggled to start the season but has started to turn the corner in a big way. McGowin has not allowed more than 3 earned runs in his last 4 starts. Also, McGowin has pitched his second straight start in which he has not allowed an earned run to score (12.0 innings). Kyle’s season ERA is growing smaller and smaller after each start and now sits at 4.66.

4.) Tyler DeLoach, Starting Pitcher, Salt Lake Bees

Last two starts: 1-0  14.0 IP  2.57 ERA  13 H  1 BB  13 SO  1.00 WHIP

Overall: 4-2  52.0 IP  2.08 ERA  38 H  12 BB  47 SO  0.96 WHIP  .211 BAA

Tyler DeLoach continued to pitch the ball well for the Arkansas Travelers. DeLoach’s last 3 starts saw him only allowing 4 earned runs in 20.0 innings pitched, striking out 21 while allowing just 15 hits and 4 walks. DeLoach’s season ERA now sits at a minuscule 2.08 with a 0.96 WHIP and opposing batting average of .211. DeLoach also boasts a solid SO:BB ratio at 47:12. DeLoach was promoted to Triple-A Salt Lake on Sunday.

5.) Jake Yacinich, Shortstop, Burlington Bees

Past 10 games: .286 AVG  10 H  1 Doubles  0 Triples  0 HR  1 SB

Overall: .297/.357/.339

Jake Yacinich was arguably the Bees’ best hitter before landing on the Disabled List. Yacinich’s return to the lineup is a must needed spark to the Burlington Bees offense. Since his return on Monday, Yacinich already has 4 multi hit games and has 9 hits in 30 at-bats (.300) and has scored 5 runs and driven in 3. Yacinich’s slash line in 29 games games played this season is .297/.357/.339

Minor League Affiliate Report

Triple-A Salt Lake Bees

The Bees went 2-4 this past week and currently sit 5.0 GB of the Pacific Southern Division with an overall record of 23-26. Relief pitcher, Kurt Spomer, has pitched in 3 games (7.1 IP) since his promotion from Arkansas and has yet to allow a run to score. Like Spomer, Gott was promoted from Arkansas as well and has yet to allow a run to score in 3.2 innings. CJ Cron has been mashing since his demotion from the big club, batting .421 in 4 games with 2 home runs, 2 doubles and 1 triple. Kyle Kubitza hit 2 home runs this week along and added 2 doubles to his league leading total. Outfielder, Roger Kieschnick, hit his 6th home run of the season on Thursday.

Double-A Arkansas Travelers

Arkansas played 8 games this week (double-header Monday) and won 6 of those games. The Travelers now sit 3.5 GB with an overall record of 28-21. Nate Smith pitched a quality start on Wednesday, going 6.0 innings while only allowing 3 earned runs to go along with 4 hits, 1 walks and 6 strikeouts. Smith’s season ERA is currently at 3.79. Albert Suarez continued his strong campaign with 6.1 shutout innings thrown on Saturday. Austin Wood gave up 1 earned run in a combined 5.0 innings pitched across two outings this week. Sherman Johnson collected 7 hits and 5 walks in 26 at-bats this week.

High-A Inland Empire 66ers

The 66ers went 1-5 this week and 5.5 GB the Cal League South with an overall record of 23-25. Sean Newcomb ran into command problem during his start on Wednesday, giving up 5 walks in 3.1 innings pitched (5 H  3 ER  3 SO). Victor Alcantara struck out 9 batters in 5.0 innings pitched while giving up 5 hits, 3 walks and 1 earned run on Sunday. Eric Aguilera stretched his hitting streak to 12 games and has a season slash line of .309/.351/.459. Mike Fish was added to 7-Day DL on Tuesday.

Low-A Burlington Bees

The Bees went 3-5 this week and own an overall record of 26-25 (9.0 GB). Jeremy Rhoades bounced back from a rough start with a stellar outing on Friday. Rhoades pitched 7.0 shutout innings, surrounding just 5 this and 1 walk while striking out 9 batters. Third baseman, Zachary Houchins, had a 2-homer game on Tuesday. Alex Abbott, the Angels 6th round draft pick from the 2014 draft made his low-A debut on Wednesday and is currently 1-for-11 with a run scored in 4 games played.

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[OregonLAA]

Maybe I'm wrong, but it seems like we found a lot of gems in last year's draft. I know it's early but it looks nice so far

[Chuck]

Maybe I'm wrong, but it seems like we found a lot of gems in last year's draft. I know it's early but it looks nice so far

 

Yeah we did! So far so good. 

[stevestevens]

Love these. My favorite part of aw.com. Keep up the good work

[Chuck]

Love these. My favorite part of aw.com. Keep up the good work

 

Seconded! 

[Second Base]

The Angels stuck predominantly at the collegiate level early on, which is why we're seeing a lot of success in the lower levels of the minors so far.  Plus the Angels went hard on pitching, which is not only easier to scout but easier to produce than position players.  So from the last couple drafts, when we see guys like Newcomb, Rhoades, Ellis, Jewell and Nate Smith succeeding, it isn't necessarily because the Angels unearthed hidden value.  It's simply a byproduct of advanced competition getting its reps in at the lowest levels of the minors.  They're doing exactly what they should be doing. 

 

Newcomb has the upside to be a big difference maker at the highest levels, but if we start seeing Rhoades, Ellis, Jewell and Smith putting up the same sort of numbers with the same glowing reports in AA and AAA, then it's time to consdier the fact that the Angels unearthed something of real value that other teams didn't. 

 

The closest things we have to actual players exceeding expectation in a way that goes beyond a collegiate player dominating in A Ball are Nate Smith, Chad Hinshaw and Miguel Hermosilo.  

 

Smith has added velocity and tightened up his assortment of off-speed pitches.  His success in AA is legitimate, as is the case that he could be a backend starter in the majors right now.  

 

Hinshaw was likely supposed to be depth filler at the lower levels, likely topping out in AA.  Instead his power, speed and defense combo has only improved since being drafted and now in AA, he's added plate discipline to his resume.  That's unexpected value.  

 

And Hermosillo, he was viewed as a great high school athlete but raw ball player when he was drafted.  Guys like that spend three years in Rookie ball before going to A Ball and even then it's a steep learning curve.  The majority get to Advanced A Ball before flaming out.  But Miguel spent only two years in Rookie Ball and showed the ability to refine his game far beyond that of a typical inexperienced high schooler.  His plate discipline is outstanding as is his defense.  He has the natural strength and speed to hit for power and steal lots of bases, but those haven't developed yet.  Still, how common is it for someone with Hermosillo's athleticism to have a 1/1 K/BB ratio at age 20?  Pretty rare, especially from a 28th round pick. 

[Angel Oracle]

Any draftee has a chance to develop, even 62nd round picks in the late 1980s like Mike Piazza.

Doesn't mean that a hot start guarantees it, just that you never know who will develop.