2017 PROSPECT WATCH

[HaloNArizona]

Thaiss is#8 for 1bman

 

Scouting grades: Hit: 55 | Power: 50 | Run: 30 | Arm: 50 | Field: 50 | Overall: 50
A catcher at the University of Virginia, Thaiss was one of the best pure hitters among a relatively weak college bat crop in the 2016 Draft. It was his ability to hit, specifically from the left side of the plate, that the Angels coveted, taking him in the middle of the first round and signing him for more than half a million below pick value. He responded with a strong pro debut, reaching full-season ball.

Thaiss has one of the most advanced approaches at the plate of any hitter from his Draft class. He sees pitches and draws walks while keeping strikeouts to a minimum. That should allow him to continue to hit for average and tap into power that should show up more consistently now that he is away from Virginia's cavernous home park. The Angels moved Thaiss to first base upon signing and that's likely his long-term home. While he did play some first at Virginia, he was a bit rough around the bag during his debut, though the Angels are pleased with the progress he's already made with his footwork.

Thaiss is the kind of college bat that should be able to move relatively quickly through a system. With a bit of a logjam at first base and DH, the Angels could have an embarrassment of riches when Thaiss shows he is ready.

 

http://m.mlb.com/prospects/2017/?list=1b

 

[Docwaukee]

nice to see him get some pub.  They have him at a 50 grade which means he's not gonna make the top 100 on their list.  But putting him with the other top 1b prospects probably means he's somewhere in the 150 range.  From 50-200, you are basically splitting hairs.  It essentially means he's thought of as a possible everyday player because of his bat.  

I think this year will tell us a fair amount.  If he does well at A+ ball and moves to AA half way through the year it would be very encouraging.  Still like the idea of him moving off 1b and to somewhere a little more challenging defensively but he was pretty rough there last year

[Troll Daddy]

Is he that terrible behind the dish?

[Docwaukee]

4 minutes ago, Troll Daddy said:

Is he that terrible behind the dish?

probably not, but they want his bat to develop quickly and the amount of work he would need behind the plate would certainly keep his bat from developing as quickly as they'd like.  

It's basically the choice between an outside chance he sticks behind the dish and ends up in the bigs at age 25+, or just focus on his best asset and let him move more quickly.  If he shows aptitude at 1b, they might try him in the OF or even 2b depending on how quickly he starts to get it.  

[Angelsjunky]

2017 will tell us a lot. His performance last year in Burlington was rather disappointing. He really needs to dominate A+ (assuming he starts there rather than go back to A Burlington) and move up to AA by mid-season or so to earn the top prospect title. Best-case scenario and he's a September call-up.

I wonder if they'd consider trying him at 3B as catchers are sometimes able to convert relatively well. That makes a lot more sense than 2B.