The Official Los Angeles Angels 2017 Minor League Statlines & Prospects thread

[Angelsjunky]

Cowart is quietly becoming a valuable player. Not only does he give the team options at 2B and 3B, but he also gives Eppler a bit of breathing room in terms of how he fills roster spots this offseason. Eppler doesn't "have to" get either a 2B or 3B - he can get the best available player at either spot, then slot Cowart into the other.

 

[Stradling]

@Angelsjunky just talking to people online in another community that know the guy and he has made it clear to them that this is where he wants to be and that he wants to be an Angel.  Am I 100% positive, no, but the guy I heard it from is an honest guy that says it so matter of fact, that it is hard to not believe him.   

[Angelsjunky]

@Stradling, thanks. As a general rule, I'm not a big fan of low walk players, and I'm worried that his big HR total this year--30 now, and he'll probably end with 40+--will inflate his salary. But if he can continue his 2015-17 level, I'll be happy to see him on the Angels. He's a legit 3-4 WAR player and seems like he's a lock to hit .270/.800+ with 30+ HR.

He's a bit tricky to predict in terms of contract, but my guess is somewhere between Dexter Fowler (5/$82MM) and Justin Upton (6/$133MM). Maybe 5/$100MM?

[tdawg87]

31 minutes ago, Stradling said:

@Angelsjunky just talking to people online in another community that know the guy and he has made it clear to them that this is where he wants to be and that he wants to be an Angel.  Am I 100% positive, no, but the guy I heard it from is an honest guy that says it so matter of fact, that it is hard to not believe him.   

Well if that's the case he better be willing to give the team a significant discount.

But he's a Boras client so probably not.

Edited August 5, 2017 by tdawg87

[Docwaukee]

27 minutes ago, Stradling said:

Hate to break it to all of you but Moose is coming here.  Whether that is good or bad or whether or not he will be too expensive, it is going to happen.  Cowart better continue to improve at 2nd base. 

I agree.  I think he'll be our 3bman next year and for 4 years after.  I think we'll give him 5/90.  

[Docwaukee]

13 minutes ago, tdawg87 said:

Well if that's the case he better be willing to give the team a significant discount.

But he's a Boras client so probably not.

didn't realize he was a boras client.  nevermind on the 5/90.  He'll get 6/120 from someone.  That's too much imo.  

[ettin]

Moustakas will get a minimum 6 year deal at $20M+ per year (what Doc said).

Edited August 5, 2017 by ettin

[vladdy#27]

What's the scouting report on Elvin Rodriguez? He's only 19 years old and has done really good so far this year in 9 starts for Orem

IP 44 H 38 ERA 2.86 K 43 BB 7 WHIP 1.02 BAA .228

He went 5 innings tonight while only allowing 1 run on 6 hits with 7 K's and 0 walks. He seems to have good command while striking out guys at a good rate.

[Scott Latimer]

Found this article while looking at MLB trade rumors. 

They have graduated some players prior to them exceeding the standard rookie guidelines, but finally a couple players in the top 100. 

https://www.bigthreesports.com/mid-season-top-100-prospects-mlb/#prettyPhoto/0/

[Second Base]

44 minutes ago, Scott Latimer said:

Found this article while looking at MLB trade rumors. 

They have graduated some players prior to them exceeding the standard rookie guidelines, but finally a couple players in the top 100. 

https://www.bigthreesports.com/mid-season-top-100-prospects-mlb/#prettyPhoto/0/

Some real headacratchers there, but I at least respect that he was willing to justify his rankings below and showed a fair bit of humility.

[totdprods]

Saturday, August 5th, 2017:
Salt Lake (58-55) lost 1-8 to Colorado Springs (67-43)
Michael Hermosillo: 1-4, 3B
David Fletcher: 1-4, K, E (2)
Cameron Maybin: 0-3, RBI
Jefry Marte: 2-2, 2B - last 18 games, .377/.435/.597/1.033, 21 RBI, 11 XBH, 8 BB, 9 K
Cesar Puello: 1-4, 2 K
Luis Diaz: 5 IP, 7 H, 5 ER, 2 BB, 6 K, HR
Adam Hofacket: IP, 2 H, K
Jason Gurka: IP, 1 H, 1 R, 0 ER, K - ERA down to 1.80 in 25 innings

Mobile (52-58) won 6-2 in 7 innings over Montgomery (60-51)
Troy Montgomery: 2-4, 2 R, RBI, K, SB (4)
Matt Thaiss: 1-3, RBI, K
Taylor Ward: 2-2, R, HR (1), 2 RBI, BB
Brennon Lund: 1-3, R, SB (1)
Grayson Long: 5.2 IP, 5 H, 2 ER, 2 BB, K, HR

Mobile (53-58) won 8-3 in 7 innings over Montgomery (60-52) in make-up of 8/4 PPD
Brennon Lund: 2-4, R, RBI, 2 K - since AA promotion; 3 G, 11 AB, .455/.455/.455/.909
Matt Thaiss: 0-3, RBI, K 
Jeremy Rhoades: 1 IP, 3 BB, 3 K
Jake Jewell: 5 IP, 3 H, 3 ER, 2 BB, 3 K
Still seeing solid offense from...
Taylor Ward: 1-2, R, BB - his AA line (12 G, 38 AB) is now .342/.500/.421/.921 - with 12 walks to 7 strikeouts
Jose Rojas: 1-2, 2 R, BB - his AA line (19 G, 71 AB) is now .268/.303/.479/.782 - he has 40 XBH on the season between A+/AA (24 2B, 6 3B, 10 HR)

Inland Empire (52-61) lost 10-13 to San Jose (51-62)
Jahmai Jones: 1-5, 2 K, 2 SB (4)
Jared Walsh: 3-4, 3 R, HR (6), 3 RBI, BB, E (5) - A+ slash (43 G, 170 AB) is .324/.385/.524/.909 with 15 BB to 42 K
Keith Greishaber: 4-5, 2 R, 2 2B, RBI
Brandon Sandoval: 2-4, R, HR (1), 2 RBI, BB - since joining IE (6 G, 23 AB) slashing .435/.458/.565/1.024 
Jordan Serena: 2-4, R, HR (1), RBI, K
Joe Gatto (1st A+ start): 2.2 IP, 6 H, 7 R, 3 ER, 4 BB, K, HR
Samil de los Santos: 1.2 IP, 2 H, 2 K - in 48.2 IP, 60 K (11.1 K/9) with 2.77 ERA 

Burlington (47-64) won 15-6 over Kane County (60-49)
Leonardo Rivas: 0-3, 3 R, 2 RBI, BB, K, SB (1), E (1)
Jonah Todd: 3-5, 2 R, 3 RBI - .304/.368/362/.731 since joining Burlington
Richard Fecteau: 2-4, 2 R, HR (6), 6 RBI - across AZL, Orem, and Burlington, a robust .307/.372/.510/.882 with 8 HR, 32 RBI, 13 BB, 21 K in 253 AB
Julian Leon: 2-5, R, HR (3), 3 RBI, 2 K - 21 year old catcher, hitting .305/.360/.476/.836 in 105 A-ball ABs
Connor Riley: GS, 4 IP, 5 H, 2 ER, 0 BB, 3 K

Orem Owlz (30-12) won 5-1 over Missoula (20-22)
Torii Hunter (leading off): 2-4, R, SB (5)
Brandon Marsh: 1-4, R, 2B, RBI, K
Ryan Vega: 1-4, R, RBI, K
Isaac Mattson: 2 IP, 2 K - in Orem, 14 IP, 1.29 ERA, .146 BAA, 0.93 WHIP, 6 BB, 18 K
As previously mentioned...
Elvin Rodriguez: 5 IP, 6 H, 1 ER, 7 K - on the season, 9 GS, 44 IP, 2.86 ERA, .228 BAA, 1.02 WHIP, only 7 walks to 43 K. He's 19. 

AZL Angels (19-14) won 4-3 over AZL Cubs (10-23)
Jacob Pearson: 2-5, 2B, R, 2 K, CS (2), OF assist - quietly hitting .293 in his last 10 games now
Jordon Adell: 2-5, R, 3B (4), RBI, K - beautiful .354/.400/.671/1.071 slash in 21 G, 79 AB - 6 BB, 17 K, 13 XBH, 3 SB
Something I noticed...
Nonie Williams: 2-3, RBI, SB (8), CS (3) drafted as a switch-hitter, yet he's only hit right-handed this year. His splits:
vs. LHP: .353/.421/.529/.950 in 17 AB
vs. RHP: .195/.239/.232/.470 in 82 AB
Wonder if some of his offensive production is suffering from the switch. 

DSL Angels (23-27) leading 4-0 in 4th inning vs. DSL Phillies Red (24-29) when game suspended due to rain (make-up of 8/4 PPD)

DSL Angels (24-27) won 31 in 7 innings over DSL Phillies Red (24-30)
Oliver Carmona (1B): 1-1, 2 R, 2 BB, SB (14)
Oscateri Castillo (LF): 1-2, 2B, 3 RBI, K
Luis Nova: 5 IP, 5 H, 2 K
Kiber Arvelaez: 2 IP, 1 H, K - 30.2 IP, 1.17 ERA, .221 BAA, 1.01 WHIP, 8 BB, 27 K
 

[Docwaukee]

Interesting about Nonie.  It's gonna take at least a couple years before he's acclimated to seeing the ball from RHed pitchers.   Since he's so raw, it's probably a good idea to simplify things by only having one swing to work on instead of two.  I could see him toiling around in low A for a few years till he's starting to seem a bit old for his level and then just take off.  

[John Smith]

Baseball America's

ORGANIZATION TALENT RANKINGS UPDATED AFTER TRADE DEADLINE

Moving On Up!

26. Angels

The skinny: After years of drought, the first green shoots of growth are poking through the topsoil, led by Jordon Adell.

http://www.baseballamerica.com/minors/organization-talent-rankings-updated-trade-deadline/#ptJPigR9EiCoXKez.97

[Second Base]

1 hour ago, Dochalo said:

Interesting about Nonie.  It's gonna take at least a couple years before he's acclimated to seeing the ball from RHed pitchers.   Since he's so raw, it's probably a good idea to simplify things by only having one swing to work on instead of two.  I could see him toiling around in low A for a few years till he's starting to seem a bit old for his level and then just take off.  

Yeah Nonie is what happens when you draft upside high schoolers. Sometimes you're going to strike quickly, like with Chris Rod, Marsh or Adell, and sometimes you have to wait, and it never comes.

[totdprods]

Sunday, August 6th, 2017:
Salt Lake (58-56) lost 2-4 to Colorado Springs (68-43)
Michael Hermosillo: 1-4, 2B, K
David Fletcher: 1-4, K
Cesar Puello: 3-4, 2 R, SB (17)
Andrew Heaney: 5.1 IP, 6 H, 2 ER, 2 BB, K, HR
Andrew Bailey: IP, 2 K
Deolis Guerra: 2 IP, BB, 2 K

Mobile (53-59) lost 1-2 to Montgomery (61-52)
Troy Montgomery: 1-3, 2B, RBI, BB
Matt Thaiss: 2-4, K - .315/.391/.359/.750 in 92 AB at Mobile
Taylor Ward: 1-4
Jose Rojas: 1-4, 2B
Brennon Lund: 1-4
Jaime Barria: 5 IP, 4 H, ER, 2 BB, 4 K

Inland Empire (52-62) lost 3-5 to San Jose (52-62)
Jahmai Jones: 2-4, R, HR (2), RBI, BB, SB (5)
Making his first start at Inland Empire...
Nate Bertness: 5 IP, 4 H, 2 ER, BB, 8 K - 6'6" LHP, 22 years old.  Was pitching well in Burlington recently (3.86 ERA in last 5 GS)

Burlington (47-65) lost 1-11 to Kane County (61-49)
Leonardo Rivas: 0-4, 2 K, SB (2)
Jonah Todd: 2-4, R, K
Richard Fecteau: 2-4, 2B, K - not slowing down. .312/.375/.516/.891 now on the season (157 AB, AZL/Orem/Burlington)
Julian Leon: 1-4, 2B, RBI, K - 21 year old catcher, .303/.356/.477/.833 in 109 AB at Burlington
Making his first start in Burlington...
Chris Rodriguez: 0.2 IP, 4 H, 5 ER, BB, K

Orem (31-12) won 6-1 over Missoula (20-23)
Torii Hunter: 1-4, R, K, SB (6), CS (2)
Brandon Marsh: 1-4, 2 K
Ryan Vega: 1-4, K, OF assist
Spencer Griffin: 2-4, R, 2B, 3B, K
Harrison Wenson: 1-2, 2 R, HR (9), RBI, 2 BB
Franklin Torres: 2-4, R, HR (3), 3 RBI
Cole Duensing: 5 IP, 5 H, ER, 6 K - 7 G, 4 GS (AZL/Orem): 21.1 IP, 4.22 ERA, .213 BAA, 1.22 WHIP, 10 BB, 11 K

AZL Angels (20-14) won 7-3 over AZL Diamondbacks (13-21)
Jordon Adell: 1-5, R, K, SB (4)
Nonie Williams: 1-4, R, BB
Jimmy Barnes: 2-4, 2 R, HR (4), 4 RBI, BB, K
Zane Gurwitz: 3-4, 2 2B, R
Jose Soriano: 4 IP, 3 H, 3 ER, 2 BB, 4 K
John Swanda: 2 IP, 2 H, 2 K
Jorge Tavarez: IP, 2 H, BB, 3 K - in career, 86.1 IP, 3.54 ERA, 22 BB, 104 K - first season stateside
Another strong outing from...
Jerryell Rivera: 2 IP, H, 3 K - total on the year, 7 IP, 3 H, BB, 7 K 

[Make Angels Great Again]

Matt Thaiss is 6 feet tall and 200 pounds and yet Eckstein hit for more power than he does. That must be embarrassing.

[Angelsjunky]

Chris Rodriguez got rocked. Not sure why he was promoted before Elvin, who was pitching much better.

Harrison Wenson is kind of intriguing. While i suspect he's going to be one of those college hitters who can't hit past Rookie or low A ball (e.g. Brandon Decker, Drew Heid - peers of Calhoun), it is hard to ignore his power.

Why has Cesar Puello not been called up yet?!

[Chuck]

1 minute ago, Angelsjunky said:

Why has Cesar Puello not been called up yet?!

Scioscia has a man crush on Shane Robinson. 

Also, because Puello was on 10 day DL and just came back, and continued to rake. 

With Maybin coming back soon I'm guessing we won't see Puello until the Sept. callups. 

[Chuck]

Angels No. 15 prospect Jesus Castillo joins BayBears from @66ersBaseball. Read more: https://t.co/z39Cy4ufTh pic.twitter.com/tg7puPjVmQ

— Mobile BayBears (@Mobile_BayBears) August 6, 2017

[Angel Oracle]

16 minutes ago, Chuckster70 said:

Scioscia has a man crush on Shane Robinson. 

Also, because Puello was on 10 day DL and just came back, and continued to rake. 

With Maybin coming back soon I'm guessing we won't see Puello until the Sept. callups. 

Don't worry, when Maybin goes back on the DL, and it's likely to happen, then Puello can get the promotion to the MLB team.

[Second Base]

Not the best AA debut for Castillo today. Still, when you consider he began the season in A Ball, the progression is remarkable. Making it to AA by the time you're 21 is solid work. Jesus has three average or better offerings, but the big thing with him is that while he's 21, physically he looks like he might be 19. There's definitely some projection left in him, and projection is ultimately what made him such a sought after commodity when he was 16. It has taken him 2-3 years longer to make these physical strides than they ancticipated, but now that he's with the Angels, we're seeing them. 

Put it like this, Spring Training last year he was sitting 87-89, right now he's sitting 91-93. 

[totdprods]

Monday, August 7th, 2017:
Salt Lake (59-56) won 5-1 over Oklahoma City (60-53)
Michael Hermosillo: 2-4, R, HR (1), 2 RBI, 2 K, SB (1)
David Fletcher: 0-4
Cesar Puello: 2-3, R, BB, SB (18)
Nolan Fontana: 2-4, R, K - in 85 G, 295 AB, slashing .285/.400/.458/.858 - 32 XBH, 57 BB, 73 K
Dustin Ackley: 2-4, 2 2B, R, RBI 
Daniel Wright: 5 IP, 2 H, ER, 2 BB, 9 K
Manny Banuelos: 2 IP, K
Andrew Bailey: IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB

Mobile (53-60) lost 7-8 in 11 innings to Montgomery (62-52)
Troy Montgomery: 1-5, R
Matt Thaiss: 2-5, R, 2B, RBI, BB, K, SB (3) - now slashing .320/.397/.371/.768 in 26 G, 97 AB at AA
Taylor Ward: 2-6, R, HR (2), 2 RBI - now slashing .333/.468/.458/.926 in 14 G, 48 AB at AA, 12 BB, 6 K
Jose Rojas: 2-5
Forrestt Allday: 3-5, R, 2B
Alberto Triunfel: 3-5, 2B, 2 RBI
Jesus Castillo (AA debut): 4.2 IP, 6 H, 5 ER< 2 BB, 4 K
Connor Lillis-White: 0.1 IP, 3 H, 2 ER, 2 BB

Burlington (47-66) lost 0-1 to Kane County (62-49)
Leonardo Rivas: 0-3, hitless in his first 12 A-ball ABs; 3 BB though. 
Jonah Todd: 1-3, BB, K
Richard Fecteau: 1-4, K
Erik Manoah: 5 IP, 4 H, ER, BB, 4 K
Jonah Wesely: 2 IP, H, 2 BB, 2 K

Orem (32-12) won 2-1 over Helena (17-27)
Torii Hunter (leading off): 1-3, 2B, K - putting together a great pro ball debut,  even if old for league. .325/.399/.423/.821 in 123 AB
Brandon Marsh: 0-2, 2 BB
Manuel Guzman: 2-4, R, HR (2), RBI
Simon Mathews: 5 IP, 2 H, BB, 5 K - in 12 G, (Rk/AA), 28.2 IP, 1.57 ERA, .225 BAA, 1.15 WHIP, 8 BB, 33K
James Ziemba: 2 IP, 3 H, ER, 4 K
Daniel Procopio: 2 IP, H, 3 K - in 13 IP, 2.08 ERA, .136 BAA, 1.15 WHIP

AZL Angels (13-11) lost 3-5 to AZL Indians (7-16); completion of 7/23/17 suspended game
Jordon Adell: 0-4, 3 K
Nonie Williams: 1-4, R, 2B, E (2)
Jimmy Barnes: 2-4, R, K, OF Assist
Austin Krzeminski: 3 IP, 2 H, 1 R, 0 ER, 3 K

AZL Angels (21-15) won 4-2 in 7 innings over AZL Indians (10-24)
Jordon Adell: 1-2, R, 3B (5), K - three triples in last four games
Nonie Williams: 1-3, RBI
Jimmy Barnes: 1-3, R, RBI, K
Christopher Molina: 4 IP, H, ER, 5 K

[totdprods]

23 hours ago, Make Angels Great Again said:

Matt Thaiss is 6 feet tall and 200 pounds and yet Eckstein hit for more power than he does. That must be embarrassing.

He's also about one year removed from playing in college and already producing in AA. Power is last tool to develop. 

He's played just a little over a full season 's worth (177 games) in his minors career now and he's dropped 37 doubles, 8 triples, and 14 home runs which is still pretty reasonable. I'm fine with him being a good hitter first and letting the power develop second, rather than the other way around, an all or nothing slugger with low contact/discipline who tries to learn that later. 

The fact that he and Ward are both hitting so well in AA at all already is a very good sign.

[Second Base]

23 minutes ago, totdprods said:

He's also about one year removed from playing in college and already producing in AA. Power is last tool to develop. 

He's played just a little over a full season 's worth (177 games) in his minors career now and he's dropped 37 doubles, 8 triples, and 14 home runs which is still pretty reasonable. I'm fine with him being a good hitter first and letting the power develop second, rather than the other way around, an all or nothing slugger with low contact/discipline who tries to learn that later. 

The fact that he and Ward are both hitting so well in AA at all already is a very good sign.

Power is the last tool to develop. And when you see Thaiss' physique right now vs college, it's night and day. He looks like a shorter version of Trout. Typically power comes in at 24-25-26 and continues to develop all the way through 30 before the quick twitch reflexes begin to decline.

Thaiss has much more of a line drive swing, so I'm not expecting him to suddenly hit 30 HR's. But if we think he's a doubles machine now, just wait.

This kid is going to be good, and not because of the numbers. In my own scouting, I've seen an athletic 1B with soft hands, an unorthodox swing, but if he keeps his head still, it definitely works, great eye at the plate, strong kid, good work ethic, liked by his teammates, and not a ton of emotion on the field.

He should turn into a steady top or middle of the order hitter. I don't foresee many all-star selections at 1B,  but I see someone that bats directly in front of or behind Trout, and we need that.

 

[Angelsjunky]

I think an optimistic but reasonable future for Thaiss is that he develops into a .290/.370/.460 hitter, who hits 40 doubles and 15-20 HR a year. That's not a star first baseman, but it is still a very good hitter and maybe borderline star. I suppose a more pessimistic outlook is something like .270/.350/.420 with 30 2b and 10-15 HR...still not bad, but not what you want to see from your starting first baseman if you're a playoff club.