Jonah Wesely Leads This Week's Prospect Hotlist (June 1 - June 7, 2015)

[AngelsWin.com]

By Adrian Noche, AngelsWin.com Minor League Reporter - 

1.) Jonah Wesely, Relief Pitcher, Burlington Bees

Last five appearances: 1-0  5.0 IP  3.60 ERA  4 H  1 BB  9 SO  1.00 WHIP

Overall: 3-1 21.2 IP  2.91 ERA  17 H  9 BB  31 SO  1.20 WHIP  .221 BAA

Jonah Wesely was drafted by the Angels in the 11th round of the 2013 draft. Many viewed Wesely as a potential steal as many thought he would honor his commitment to UCLA. The Angels opted to use Wesely out of the bullpen so far this year, which may expedite his arrival to the Major Leagues. In Wesely’s past 10 games, he has struck out 19 batters in just 12.0 innings while only giving up 3 earned runs, 9 hits and 3 walks. So far this season, Wesely owns a 2.91 ERA in 21.2 innings pitched with a SO9 of 12.9 and BB9 of 3.7.

2.) Jeremy Rhoades, Starting Pitcher, Burlington Bees

Last two starts: 1-1  13.0 IP  0.69 ERA  12 H  2 BB  12 SO  1.07 WHIP

Overall: 4-4  60.0 IP  3.00 ERA  54 H  12 BB  61 SO  1.10 WHIP  .235 BAA

After a rough start on May 23rd which saw him give up 6 earned runs in 6.1 innings, Rhoades has bounced back in a big way. In his following start, Rhoades struck out 9 batters while not allowing a single run to score in 7.0 innings and gave up just 5 hits and 1 walk. In his start on Thursday, Rhoades pitched 6.0 innings of 1-run ball and surrendered 7 hits and 1 walk while striking out 3 batters. Rhoades’ ERA sits at 3.00 with an impressive WHIP of 1.10. Rhoades has only walked 12 batters in 60.0 innings pitched and has struck out 61.

3.) Kaleb Cowart, 3rd Baseman, Inland Empire 66ers

Past 10 games: .306 AVG  11 H  6 Doubles  0 Triples  0 HR  4 SB

Overall: .234/.313/.375

I’m sure many of us thought Cowart’s days on the prospect hotlist were numbered but here he is. Cowart’s bat is starting to heat up and has logged at least a hit in all but one game this week . Cowart has also logged 3 multi-hit games this week, compiling an average of .416 during that span. The former number one prospect has also recorded at least one double in 5 straight games. He has also swiped 3 bases since Monday.

Minor League Affiliate Report

Triple-A Salt Lake Bees

The Bees went 2-5 this past week and are currently 4.0 GB first place of their division with an overall record of 25-31. Andrew Heaney was sharp in his start on Wednesday, striking out 9 in 6.2 innings while giving up 2 earned runs, 4 hits and 4 walks. Starting pitcher, Adam Wilk, pitched 8.0 complete innings while giving up only a single earned run, 4 hits and no walks. Trevor Gott pitched a combined 3.2 innings this week, striking out 4 and giving up no runs ( 3 H  2 BB). Jett Bandy hit a home run on Tuesday, his 5th of the season. Alex Yarbrough had a 5-hit performance with 1 double on Sunday.

Double-A Arkansas Travelers

The Travelers are 2.5 GB first place after going 2-4 this week. The Travelers own a 30-25 record so far this season. Nate Smith threw his second consecutive scoreless outing on Sunday, pitching 5.0 complete innings while giving up 3 hits and 1 walk with 3 strikeouts. Starting pitcher, Albert Suarez, added to his impressive resume this season with 6.0 innings of 1-run ball while allowing 3 hits and 3 walks with 3 strikeouts. Suarez owns a 2.49 ERA in 65.0 innings pitched. Relief pitcher, Greg Mahle, made his Double-A Debut on Sunday. The southpaw gave up 0 runs, 1 hit and 1 walk in 1.1 innings pitched with 1 strikeout. Michael Brady got the start on Saturday (just his 3rd of the season) and struck out 8 batters in 5.0 shutout innings (3 H  1 BB). Brady has struck out 30 batters in 30.0 innings pitched and has only allowed 3 walks. Eric Stamets is batting .297 in his last 10 games and hit his first home run of the season on Wednesday. Cal Towey hit his first home run of the season as well on Thursday.

High-A Inland Empire 66ers

The 66ers won 4 of their 7 games this week and now own an overall record of 27-28 (5.5 GB). Chris Ellis took a no-hitter into the 7th inning and finished with a line of: 7.0 IP  1 H  0 ER  2 BB  6 SO and earned the win. Eric Aguilera smacked his 7th home run of the season (his 3rd in the past 10 games) and a pair of doubles on Monday in a 3-for-4 effort on Monday. The 66ers offense has taken a hit with Angel Rosa (SS), Roberto Baldoquin (SS), Brandon Bayardi (RF), Mike Fish (LF), and Mark Shannon (CF) all on the disabled list.

Low-A Burlington Bees

The Burlington Bees are 11.0 GB out of first place after going 2-4 this week. The Bees are owners of a 28-29 record. 3rd baseman, Zachary Houchins, hit his 5th home run of the season on Wednesday. Caleb Adams is hitting .324 and saw his 9-game hitting streak come to a halt on Sunday.

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[Chuck]

More on Jonah Wesely....

 

 

Orem Owlz Pitcher Jonah Wesely Interviews with AngelsWin.com from AngelsWin.com on Vimeo.

[Glen]

As you wish.

[Dave Saltzer]

I was thinking of writing a series about some of the other prospects that we have who hadn't quite gotten the attention they deserved. Jonah was one of the ones who I wanted to talk about. I think he was a steal in the draft and that he has a chance to develop as a good left-handed arm for the pen. He throws in the low 90s and is still very young. He was scheduled to come to the Fanfest this year, but a last minute commitment forced him out. Maybe next year.

 

Thanks for the writeup this week.

[Angel Oracle]

A lot of Cal League Halos are struggling at the plate.

Eric Aguilera is the only one showing any kind of power (along with 8 SBs).

Cowart does have 19 XBHs, although just 2 HRs, and 10 SBs.

 

We are going on four years into JeDi's GM career here.   It would behoove him, and Ric Wilson (now in 5th season as farm director), to improve the org's offense really soon.