The Official Los Angeles Angels 2016 MLB Draft Thread

[Angels Never Die]

3 minutes ago, Chuckster70 said:

I remember you being against the Trumbo pick and him ever being a productive major leaguer, but Bane stood by his scouting that he'd be a power hitting major leaguer down the road.

I wasn't against the pick per se, I was against making him a position player. I thought he'd be a better pitcher, I was enamored with his stuff. Looking back, he probably would've busted as a pitcher, most HS pitchers do.

[Docwaukee]

BTW, Here are some highlights from Eppler's tenure as scouting director for the Yankees from 2006-2011

2006 - Ian Kennedy (1-21), Joba (1-41), Zach McAllister (3), George Kontos (5), Dellin Betances (8), Mark Melancon (9), David Robertson (17)

2007 - not much

2008 - Gerrit Cole (1-28) - DNS, David Phelps (14)

2009 - Adam Warren (4), Jake Petricka (34) DNS

2010 - Tommy Kahnle (5)

2011 - Greg Bird (5)

 

So two things:

#1 - Anyone notice a theme in regards to the players that made it to the majors? (I'll give you a hint.  They are almost exclusively relievers)

#2 - We may want to temper our expectations a bit.  

[Angels Never Die]

11 minutes ago, Dochalo said:

24 of the 206 players that have been drafted under Wilson's watch have been high school guys.  1/3rd of which came in Wilson's first draft before dipoto was hired.  So about 10%

In the Bane era is was about 1/3rd HS kids.  

I think Wilson was absolutely directed to scout college guys and not spend a lot of time on HS players.  

 

I mean, the Angels' 2010 draft certainly didn't make the case for HS players lol, but you can't judge them as a class just because of one bust of a draft.  Although, I guess Cowart and Bedrosian are still keeping their hopes alive.

[mtangelsfan]

21 minutes ago, Dochalo said:

BTW, Here are some highlights from Eppler's tenure as scouting director for the Yankees from 2006-2011

2006 - Ian Kennedy (1-21), Joba (1-41), Zach McAllister (3), George Kontos (5), Dellin Betances (8), Mark Melancon (9), David Robertson (17)

2007 - not much

2008 - Gerrit Cole (1-28) - DNS, David Phelps (14)

2009 - Adam Warren (4), Jake Petricka (34) DNS

2010 - Tommy Kahnle (5)

2011 - Greg Bird (5)

 

So two things:

#1 - Anyone notice a theme in regards to the players that made it to the majors? (I'll give you a hint.  They are almost exclusively relievers)

#2 - We may want to temper our expectations a bit.  

ttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1ytCEuuW2_A

[ADHB]

Eppler was in charge of professional scouting for the Yankees, not amateur scouting.

[Chuck]

3 minutes ago, ADHB said:

Eppler was in charge of professional scouting for the Yankees, not amateur scouting.

Good to know.

[Angels Never Die]

Eppler hasn't made that much of an impression on me so far, but I was unsold on DiPoto early on too, and by the end of his tenure I was very sad to see him go.

[Docwaukee]

47 minutes ago, ADHB said:

Eppler was in charge of professional scouting for the Yankees, not amateur scouting.

That's good to know.  

[Blarg]

15 minutes ago, Angels Never Die said:

Eppler hasn't made that much of an impression on me so far, but I was unsold on DiPoto early on too, and by the end of his tenure I was very sad to see him go.

The team that is now 10 games back in the AL West, with no farm system to bolster the roster, is the direct result of Jerry Dipoto's term as GM.

 

 

I'm looking for ward to Eppler's draft.

[Second Base]

Whoever the Angels grab, he has to be an impact talent. We have a lot of decent depth pieces scattered throughout our farm, but as far as truly impact talent, I think it begins at Jahmai Jones and ends with Alcantara, even though he's likely to be a reliever before long. That's two players.

I understand prospects are like popcorn in a pot, some pop, some don't. But to simply not have anyone with the necessary talent to be a good everyday player is maddening.

Think of it like this, most of us HATED the 2010 draft right? I mean that was likely the biggest draft bust in MLB history, having that many early picks and so far getting one inconsistent reliever out of it. But at least Eddie Bane took a shot. Sure he missed, but all of Cowart, Lindsey, Bedrock, Clarke and the other kid had big time talent. Just the year before he landed Trout, Grichuk, Richards, Skaggs and Corbin who are all game changers.

Whatever Eppler does, I want him to take a chance, which is something Dipoto never did. The biggest gamble he made was on Sean Newcomb and so far that's the best pick he ever made.

[Angels Never Die]

25 minutes ago, Blarg said:

The team that is now 10 games back in the AL West, with no farm system to bolster the roster, is the direct result of Jerry Dipoto's term as GM.

 

 

I'm looking for ward to Eppler's draft.

There was a point in this franchise not that long ago where it desperately needed young talent, especially young pitching talent, and he turned Mark Trumbo (28), Howie Kendrick (31), and Hank Conger (27) into Skaggs (22), Santiago (26), Heaney (24), and Tropeano (24)

For me, that was kind of a miracle. Now, he's made some dumb moves too, but I'm still shocked he was able to revitalize our youth a bit for what we gave up (two okay veteran starters and a backup catcher.)  I hope Eppler can be even better, of course, but DiPoto made a serious impression on me with those moves, and bought my confidence. 

[Dave Saltzer]

3 hours ago, Chuckster70 said:

Well.... So do really know that no other team had Ward on their board around our pick @hangin n wangin?

Also, if a team scouts thousands of players and their #1 pick on their board is like ranked 200th on Baseball America's board, who is right? Nerds behind computers or actual scouts that watch these kids play on multiple occasions?

Chuck,

 

Here's what I've been told: Ward was highly regarded throughout the org and they really wanted him both as a player and as part of a plan. If you recall, the Angels had gone pitching heavy in the previous drafts. The thought was to get a top-flight catcher who could and would develop with them to have a stable pitching/catching tandem in place to become the foundation of a future rotation/bullpen. Ward's defensive skills, particularly his throws to 2B were that good (top of the charts on times). His ability to work with pitchers was highly regarded. They didn't see his bat as a major liability as many publications had it, and his work ethic was incredible. They absolutely did not expect him to be available the next time they picked, so they took him when they could to fit into their long-term plans.

 

Having interviewed him, I've been very impressed with his personal makeup. He has a very mature attitude for someone at his age, and a presence that I could easily see doing well working with a rotation. I wasn't surprised when they had him jump up the ladder a level this year, I'm just a bit saddened to see him struggling so much. 

[Docwaukee]

44 minutes ago, Blarg said:

The team that is now 10 games back in the AL West, with no farm system to bolster the roster, is the direct result of Jerry Dipoto's term as GM.

 

 

I'm looking for ward to Eppler's draft.

Let's hope that Eppler is better at executing the unrealistic goal of using all resources for the major league club.  I'm sure he'll be able to solve the draft in a way that no one in the history of baseball has ever been able to so we can be good again in 4 years while Trout is still here.  

[ettin]

36 minutes ago, Dave Saltzer said:

Chuck,

 

Here's what I've been told: Ward was highly regarded throughout the org and they really wanted him both as a player and as part of a plan. If you recall, the Angels had gone pitching heavy in the previous drafts. The thought was to get a top-flight catcher who could and would develop with them to have a stable pitching/catching tandem in place to become the foundation of a future rotation/bullpen. Ward's defensive skills, particularly his throws to 2B were that good (top of the charts on times). His ability to work with pitchers was highly regarded. They didn't see his bat as a major liability as many publications had it, and his work ethic was incredible. They absolutely did not expect him to be available the next time they picked, so they took him when they could to fit into their long-term plans.

 

Having interviewed him, I've been very impressed with his personal makeup. He has a very mature attitude for someone at his age, and a presence that I could easily see doing well working with a rotation. I wasn't surprised when they had him jump up the ladder a level this year, I'm just a bit saddened to see him struggling so much. 

In this organization, as in many, catcher defense, game calling, catch and throw ability, etc. are all light years more important than offensive ability because if you don't have the former you won't stick at the catcher position long.

I'm simply willing to believe that Ward's offense might be suffering because they are trying to make him a premium defensive catcher which was, as Dave noted, the primary reason he was drafted in the first place.

If his offensive issues become a trend then certainly there is a bit more reason to worry but he has moved up to a more advanced level and a lot of players need time to adjust and acclimate so I'm not worried at this point.

[Angels Never Die]

40 minutes ago, Dave Saltzer said:

Chuck,

 

Here's what I've been told: Ward was highly regarded throughout the org and they really wanted him both as a player and as part of a plan. If you recall, the Angels had gone pitching heavy in the previous drafts. The thought was to get a top-flight catcher who could and would develop with them to have a stable pitching/catching tandem in place to become the foundation of a future rotation/bullpen. Ward's defensive skills, particularly his throws to 2B were that good (top of the charts on times). His ability to work with pitchers was highly regarded. They didn't see his bat as a major liability as many publications had it, and his work ethic was incredible. They absolutely did not expect him to be available the next time they picked, so they took him when they could to fit into their long-term plans.

 

Having interviewed him, I've been very impressed with his personal makeup. He has a very mature attitude for someone at his age, and a presence that I could easily see doing well working with a rotation. I wasn't surprised when they had him jump up the ladder a level this year, I'm just a bit saddened to see him struggling so much. 

Aren't most catchers who eventually develop into that kind of player not selected as high as Ward was? Catchers seem to be the biggest crapshoot in the draft. To me, they shouldn't be that enamored about a catching defensive specialist in the first round, they should be able to be acquired in other ways.

[Chuck]

7 minutes ago, Angels Never Die said:

Aren't most catchers who eventually develop into that kind of player not selected as high as Ward was? Catchers seem to be the biggest crapshoot in the draft. To me, they shouldn't be that enamored about a catching defensive specialist in the first round, they should be able to be acquired in other ways.

I would have to agree.

I mean, unless the catcher can hit and catch/throw/frame like a rockstar, I'd rather use the 3rd rounder for a defensive wizard. 

[kingsosha]

We better pick a catcher

[Angels Never Die]

Ironically enough, I actually like Zack Collins' bat (who's a college catching prospect.)  I wouldn't mind drafting him for his hitting and have him switch positions.

[Angels Never Die]

What do you guys think of taking Delvin Perez if he drops? He tested positive for PED's, but his talent is good value for the 16th pick.

[Blarg]

 

[kingsosha]

I like Dunn from BC.

[Angels Never Die]

3 minutes ago, hangin n wangin said:

The thought of drafting yet another catcher in the first round sickens me, even if he was capable of switching positions.

In essence though, we wouldn't be taking a catcher if we drafted him to play another position. He put up some really good numbers.

[Angels Never Die]

Damn, Corey Ray stole 44 bases this year and wasn't caught once.

[Chuck]

3 minutes ago, Angels Never Die said:

Damn, Corey Ray stole 44 bases this year and wasn't caught once.

I wish we could move up and draft him.

I'd trade a few Rondons. 

[Angels Never Die]

I've seen Alex Kiriloff going to the Angels on many mock drafts, you don't normally get that kind of consistency with a mid first round pick.  

Zack Collins could be the best college bat on the board at our pick. Just something to consider.