AngelsWin.com Today: Angels Top 30 Prospects Mid-Season Edition

[AngelsWin.com]

The Angels farm system is frequently overlooked by many experts, which was warranted two years ago but has since become an outdated look of the farm system.  With high draft picks and multiple prospects acquired via trade, the farm system is now well on its way to becoming one of the best in baseball.

*Note – Recent international signees such as Trent Deveaux would certainly rank among the Top 30, however, because we haven’t had a first hand look and there are either vague or conflicting reports regarding these prospects, we’ve held off from including them in this version of the Top 30.  International prospects WILL be included in the Winter Top 30, which includes in-depth scouting reports of all the Angels prospects.  To see an example, click this link to see last season’s Top 30 Angels Prospects.

 

Grade Explanation

A – A future major league that profiles as a better than average starter in the field, front of the rotation starter on the mound, or one of the elite bullpen arms in major league baseball.

B – A future major leaguer that profiles to be an average starter in the field, mid-rotation starter on the mound, or a very good closer or setup man in relief.

C – A fringe major leaguer that profiles into a reserve role in the majors, a back-end of swing starter on the mound, or a middle reliever or mop up duty in relief.  “C” grades are frequently given when a prospect hasn’t yet shown which way he’ll break in the majors.

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1. OF Jahmai Jones – High ceiling former second round pick, currently in A Ball.  Brother is an NFL wide receiver.  55 grade power, speed and arm.  Impressive set of tools and refinement considering he’s only 19.  Grade: A-

2. OF Jo Adell – First round pick out of a prep high school in Kentucky.  Looks like an NFL wide receiver.  60+ grade power, speed and arm.  Superstar potential, but considered raw, may need lots of development time, or may need very little depending on how he adjusts. Grade: A-

3. RHP Griffin Canning – Second round pick out of UCLA.  Considered one of the best pitchers in the country, but a pre-draft medical screening scared teams away due to potential shoulder issues down the road.  Tumbled out of the first round and into the Angels lap.  Fringe-plus fastball, plus curve, plus slider, plus change up.  Funky delivery.  Won’t need much time in the minors.  Grade: A-/B+

4. OF Brandon Marsh – High ceiling former second round pick currently in Rookie Ball.  Former standout wide receiver in high school.  55 grade power, speed and arm.  Great work ethic, had been called a “gym-rat” multiple times.  “Loud tools”.  Needs to stay healthy.   Grade: B+

5. RHP Jaime Barria – International signing from Panama.  Still only 20 years old and seeing a great deal of success in AA.  Has breezed through the low minors.  Praised for his work ethic and maturity.  Average fastball with good off-speed pitches and good command.  Could be front of the rotation starter or back of the rotation starter, depending on who you ask.  Looks like a solid #3/4.  Grade: B+

6. 1B Matt Thaiss – Former first round pick out of Virginia, currently in Advanced A Ball.  Great plate discipline and contact.  Has turned into a very good defensive first baseman in a short amount of time.  Solid gap power, but has struggled with using the whole field.  Starting MLB first baseman and top of the order upside, bench bat floor.  Grade: B

7. RHP Chris Rodriguez – Former fourth round pick from Miami area high school, currently in Rookie Ball.  Tremendous upside on the mound with mid-90’s fastball, plus slider and fringe-plus change up.  Good control and refinement.  Front of the rotation upside.  Some reliever potential too as his delivery is high effort.  Grade: B

8. OF Jacob Pearson – Third round selection from a Louisiana high school.  Great swing from the left side of the plate.  Strong kid with good blend of power and speed.  Has long been known in showcase circuits as potential first round pick before injury.  Torn labrum two years ago and arm still hasn’t fully recovered.  Grade: B

9. OF Michael Hermosillo – Former late round selection from a high school in Illinois.  Was a standout running back in football and was expected to stay on the gridiron before signing.  Very good speed and pull power.  Good eye at the plate and solid defense at all outfield positions.  Great showing in AFL last fall.  Is performing much better than his numbers in AA show.  Grade: B

10. RHP Eduardo Paredes – Low profile international signee has climbed the minor league ladder much quicker than expected.  Pure reliever, with great command of all of his pitches.  Low three-quarters/borderline sidearm delivery.  Fastball clocked in the mid-90’s with extreme sinking and tailing action.  Can go multiple innings if needed.  Grade: B

11. SS David Fletcher – Former sixth round pick from Loyola Marymount, currently in AA.  Fletcher has great bat-to-ball skills, plate discipline, footwork and glove work.  Sprays pitches to all fields with his line drive oriented swing.  Fletcher will be a major leaguer someday soon, the only question is what his role will be.  He has the capability to be a starting shortstop or second baseman, but may end up serving in a utility role.  Draws comparisons with former Angel David Eckstein.  Grade: B-

12. RHP Grayson Long – Former fourth round pick from Texas A&M.  Big bodied starter with three quality pitches.  When he’s healthy and throwing strikes, he can breeze through an order.  Having an easy time with AA hitters, may be time for a promotion soon.  #4/5 starter upside.  Clean delivery.  Looks perfectly capable of 180+ innings a year.  Grade: B-

13. RHP Parker Bridwell – Former ninth round pick originally by the Orioles.  Baltimore failed to develop him as a competent starter, and tried him in the bullpen, which itself turned into a disaster.  Angels GM Billy Eppler bought low, believing a change of scenery could help Parker.  It has and he’s since transitioned back to a starter.  Bridewell has done quite well in his spot starts with the Angels, and has cemented his place in the depth chart with some impressive showings in AAA Salt Lake as well.  Fastball sits 92-95 with cutting action.  Good slider.  As long as he throws strikes, he can be effective.  Grade: B-

14. C Taylor Ward – Former first round pick by the Angels, currently in Advanced A Ball.  Ward has loud tools for a catcher.  Great, athletic build, quick behind the plate.  One of the best arms in minor league baseball.  Power at the plate, and good plate discipline.  The biggest issue with Ward is that these tools haven’t translated to game time performance the way the Angels had hoped.  Trouble with keeping balls in front of him, power hasn’t played up.  Still a lock to be a catcher in the majors at some point, but unless he can capitalize on tools, he may amount to only a backup option.  Grade: B-/C+

15. SS Nonie Williams – Former third round pick repeating Rookie Ball.  60+ grade speed, power and arm.  Switch hitter, but has struggled with quality pitching so far.  Lacking refinement at the plate and actions in the field to reach full potential yet.  May work better as a third baseman, second baseman or center fielder if he can’t stay at shortstop.  Could become a 30/30 threat in the middle infield or amount to nothing.  Grade: B-/C+

16. LHP Nate Smith – Could easily be ranked one of the best pitchers in the Angels organization when he’s healthy, which he hasn’t been in a year.  Every level of the minor leagues was too easy for Nate before an ignored shoulder injury began to take its toll.  Still, when Smith is healthy he combines a mediocre 90 mph fastball with great slider, good curveball, good change up and good command.  Future back-end starter in the majors.  Grade: B-/C+

17. RHP Jesus Castillo – Former high profile international prospect acquired at the trade deadline from the Cubs in return for reliever Joe Smith.  Slow developing but turned the corner last year at age 20.  Has carved up Class A and Advanced A Ball hitters this year.  Average fastball with average slider.  Plus change up and control.  Grade: B-/C+

18. RHP Cole Duensing – Former sixth round pick from last draft, Duensing’s post-draft stock exploded upon seeing him, and hearing of his exploits over the summer.  After a great performance in the Arizona Summer League, Duensing hit the weight room and turned a 175 lbs frame and 91 mph fastball into a 190 lbs frame and 94 mph fastball.  Not bad for his first offseason.  I’m not entirely sure why the Angels have held him back in the Arizona Summer League after such an impressive showing last year, or why he’s pitching in relief now when everything about him suggests he’s a starter.  Still, a ton of upside here, but clearly a lot of development left.  Grade: B-/C+

19. RHP Jake Jewell – Hard throwing righty that we always assumed would end up in the bullpen due to rough delivery and control issues.  The Angels stuck with him in the rotation through some rough times.  Now that he’s in AA, we’re seeing Dan Haren-esque pinpoint control and a smooth, easy, repeatable delivery.  Jewell sits 94-95 on the radar gun with a solid slider and a “show me” change up.  Grade: C+

20. SS Leo Rivas – Low profile international signee, Rivas wasn’t signed until 17, a year later than many international prospects.  By the time he was 18, he had already made it stateside and was holding his own with recent high school picks in the U.S.  Now at age 19, Leo is laying waste to the Pioneer League and angling for a promotion.  Great bat to ball skills, plate discipline, speed, footwork and glove.  Rivas lacks the arm to remain at shortstop long term.  Grade: C+

21. RHP Elvin Rodriguez – A low profile signee form the Dominican Republic, Elvin looks all arms and legs on the mound.  Tall, and thin.  Rodriguez’s fastball sits 92-93 with what looks like a curve ball but is called a slider, and a change up he hasn’t shown a willingness to use frequently.  Has received plus marks for his attitude, work ethic and ability to attack hitters and control the zone.  Rodriguez quick work of the Dominican and Arizona Summer Leagues as an 18 year old and is having his way with hitters in the Pioneer League as a 19 year old, which is a very difficult thing to do.  Grade: C+

22. RHP John Swanda – Not much we know about him beyond his draft videos and scouting reports (we prefer to see things first hand).  Low-90’s fastball, good curve and above average control is what we read about on the internet.  Swanda was a Nebraska commit, but has since signed with the Angels.  Grade C+

23. OF Brennon Lund – Former eleventh round pick by the Angels, likely would’ve gone as high as the fourth round if signability concerns weren’t present coming out of BYU.  Has breezed through Rookie Ball and A Ball already.  Having a very easy go of it in Advanced A as well.  Very simple swing mechanics, and great instinct for the game in general.  Could be a starting outfielder in the major leagues if he continues to hit the way he has his whole life.  Tools aren’t loud enough to call him a future starting OF yet, but guys that keep hitting force their way into those roles.  Grade: C+

24. OF Troy Montgomery – Former eighth round pick by the Angels out of Ohio State.  Surprising power/speed/defense combination.  Strongly built, he can cover some ground in the outfield and put a charge into a ball.  Contact ability has become a red flag in Advanced A Ball, and adjustments are needed.  He could still turn into a Kole Calhoun type of player.  Grade: C+

 

25. RHP Joe Gatto – Former second round pick out of a New Jersey high school.  Gatto has a 92-93 mph fastball, 12-6 curve and a “plus” change.  Big bodied, and strong, Gatto has the type of upside that could make him a dependable #4/5 starter in the big leagues for years to come.  After a rough start to his professional career, Gatto has turned things around this year in Burlington and appears ready to begin climbing the minor league ladder.  Grade: C+

26. LHP Jose Suarez – International signee with intriguing three pitch blend.  Fringe fastball, but a big bending curve and a solid change up to go with clean mechanics and good command of all of his pitches.  Grade: C

27. LHP Jonah Wesely – A big lefty that many thought would be developed as a starter but has since been moved to relief and flourished in that role.  Jonah has a fastball that can touch 95 and a big, sharp bender that leaves hitters guessing whether it’s a strike or not. He likely would already be knocking on the door to the majors by now (given Alvarez’s struggles) if it weren’t for needing Tommy John surgery.  The first year back is typically a pretty rocky experience, but Jonah’s been quick to put any struggles in his rearview.  As has become par of the course, we’re seeing a lot of strikeouts and an ERA around 3.00.  Grade: C

28. OF Brendon Sanger – Former fourth round pick by the Angels, blessed with a beautiful left-handed swing, great plate discipline, very good raw power and solid athleticism.  Angels experimented with putting him in the infield last year, but Sanger just didn’t take to those positions very well at all, and that got in his head at the plate too.  He’s since been moved back out to the outfield, and is putting up really solid numbers at Inland Empire.  Grade: C

29. RHP Vicente Campos – Campos is one of those guys teams keep around as a letter ticket.  If Vicente is healthy, he’s coming at you with three “plus” pitches and outstanding command.  He has what it takes to be a very good mid-rotation starter or back of the bullpen reliever.  But it’s been quite a while since Campos was healthy for any stretch of time, which explains why other teams were willing to jettison him.  Grade: C

30. OF Jonah Todd – Sixth round pick by the Angels out of Auburn.  Todd shows very little in the way of power, and was most certainly a safe pick designed to offset the potential costs of drafting other upside players in the first ten rounds.  Still, Todd does have some things working for him.  He’s got a great approach at the plate, has a very simplistic, repeatable line drive swing.  He sees the ball very well and is a hustler down the lines.  Jonah plays solid defense and is a good bet to make it to the upper levels of the minor league ladder very quickly, so he’ll give us an idea as to what he can do in the major leagues sooner than others.

 

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[Angelsjunky]

Good write-up. The org is clearly strong on outfielders and getting stronger on pitchers, with a bit of middle infielders thrown in the mix, but weak on big mashers, corner infielders and catchers. The last two first round first basemen they've drafted, Cron and Thaiss, have both been disappointments so far. I'd love to see them try to convert Thaiss to 3B...not sure why that hasn't been considered, as his bat would play better there and a lot of catchers convert to the hot corner.

What do you mean by Hermosillo having a better year than his numbers entail? I'm a bit disappointed, to be honest, as a strong showing in AA this year would have meant he would be in the mix for a major league job next year. But he seems 1-2 years away still, and maybe more of a future platoon/4th outfielder.

I just love the team's mix of outfield prospects: Jones, Adell, Marsh, Pearson, Hermosillo, even Sanger and Todd, and now Deveaux and possibly the other Dominicans. It is a wealth of talent and even if only two or three pan out, the Angels are set in the outfield for the next decade. I'm also hesitantly excited about Rivas, aka "the new Rondon." As for Nonie, I'd love to think he will pan out but my gut says he won't. Hope I'm wrong.

 

[Second Base]

23 minutes ago, Angelsjunky said:

Good write-up. The org is clearly strong on outfielders and getting stronger on pitchers, with a bit of middle infielders thrown in the mix, but weak on big mashers, corner infielders and catchers. The last two first round first basemen they've drafted, Cron and Thaiss, have both been disappointments so far. I'd love to see them try to convert Thaiss to 3B...not sure why that hasn't been considered, as his bat would play better there and a lot of catchers convert to the hot corner.

What do you mean by Hermosillo having a better year than his numbers entail? I'm a bit disappointed, to be honest, as a strong showing in AA this year would have meant he would be in the mix for a major league job next year. But he seems 1-2 years away still, and maybe more of a future platoon/4th outfielder.

I just love the team's mix of outfield prospects: Jones, Adell, Marsh, Pearson, Hermosillo, even Sanger and Todd, and now Deveaux and possibly the other Dominicans. It is a wealth of talent and even if only two or three pan out, the Angels are set in the outfield for the next decade. I'm also hesitantly excited about Rivas, aka "the new Rondon." As for Nonie, I'd love to think he will pan out but my gut says he won't. Hope I'm wrong.

 

The organization discussed Thaiss in the corner OF and 2B, but ultimately they thought it best that if he has to learn a new spot, to have him learn the easiest one on the field.  I think he stays at 1B because how well his glove has come along, and the fact that his bat is the main thing determining his future.  

Hermosillo looks like he's run into a bit of bad luck.  His RBBIP when things are going right like last year has been anywhere between .350 and .450.  This is relatively normal for a strong athlete and fast runner.  This year, his RBBIP is down at .293.  The league average is .314.  This comes with a a LD%, FB% and GB% that all fall in line with his breakout season last year.  So chances are instead of hitting .230 as he has, what he's done so far would probably make a lot more sense in the .270 range.  Also keep in mind, at any rate, his OBP looks fantastic and he's still hitting his fair share of extra base hits and stealing plenty of bags.  I see little reason why Hermosillo couldn't be major league ready by the end of next season at the latest. 

Nonie's big selling point is the bat speed and loft he crates from both side of the plate and the fact that he's athletic enough to play middle infield.  He's a good runner, but there are a lot of good runners.  He has a great arm, but there are a lot of great arms.  But there aren't a lot of guys that can whip that bat as fast as he can.  This comes with swing and miss and pitch recognition issues, but when you look at the whole package, he has the chance to be something special.  If we anticipate a normal rate of development, even with just "ok" pitch recognition, and the fact that he'll be moved off SS soon, you're still looking at a 2B/3B that can hit from both sides of the plate and swat 20 HR and steal 20 bases on a yearly basis in the minors, and the chance for more in the majors.

[Angelsjunky]

Maybe a good comp for Nonie is Rickie Weeks, who I believe also had tremendous bat speed and with a similar athletic package. But Weeks' saving grace has been his plate discipline. Anyhow, I could see Nonie turning into a .250, 20-20 guy, but who walks only 30 times a year while striking out 150+ times. Who knows, though.

Fair enough about Hermosillo. He's definitely an interesting player who, if everything breaks right, could be above average. Maybe a Shane Victorino/Aaron Rowand type?

I still don't get the Thaiss draft pick. You generally only draft first basemen in the first round if they look like huge bats. Thaiss looks ok, but nothing special. Week draft, I suppose. Still, he's got time.

[Angel Oracle]

The Thaiss pick must have been to have that extra money for Marsh?

Thaiss = Kotchman without much power?

[Second Base]

44 minutes ago, Scotty@AW said:

The organization discussed Thaiss in the corner OF and 2B, but ultimately they thought it best that if he has to learn a new spot, to have him learn the easiest one on the field.  I think he stays at 1B because how well his glove has come along, and the fact that his bat is the main thing determining his future.  

Hermosillo looks like he's run into a bit of bad luck.  His RBBIP when things are going right like last year has been anywhere between .350 and .450.  This is relatively normal for a strong athlete and fast runner.  This year, his RBBIP is down at .293.  The league average is .314.  This comes with a a LD%, FB% and GB% that all fall in line with his breakout season last year.  So chances are instead of hitting .230 as he has, what he's done so far would probably make a lot more sense in the .270 range.  Also keep in mind, at any rate, his OBP looks fantastic and he's still hitting his fair share of extra base hits and stealing plenty of bags.  I see little reason why Hermosillo couldn't be major league ready by the end of next season at the latest. 

Nonie's big selling point is the bat speed and loft he crates from both side of the plate and the fact that he's athletic enough to play middle infield.  He's a good runner, but there are a lot of good runners.  He has a great arm, but there are a lot of great arms.  But there aren't a lot of guys that can whip that bat as fast as he can.  This comes with swing and miss and pitch recognition issues, but when you look at the whole package, he has the chance to be something special.  If we anticipate a normal rate of development, even with just "ok" pitch recognition, and the fact that he'll be moved off SS soon, you're still looking at a 2B/3B that can hit from both sides of the plate and swat 20 HR and steal 20 bases on a yearly basis in the minors, and the chance for more in the majors.

I tend to try and operate in the realm I know. I never got a chance to watch Weeks as a prospect, but a really good comp for Nonie would be Randal Grichuk. Both have very strong wrists and forearms, and generate unreal bat speed. Both have a very similar build and both struggle with taking a walk. The big difference I see is that Nonie is a bit faster than Randal was and can play infield, though there's still a chance Williams moved to CF.

Hermosillo is proving this year (good game today) that last year's breakout is something you can buy into. At the major league level, he's going to have contact issues, I can almost guarantee that. But he'll also get on base and as he continues to fill out, hot fit more power. I think he can eventually turn into a 20-20 player with a .350+ OBP and solid defense. Power is always the last to develop and you never know which guys it will manifest in game and which won't. For the longest time folks thought Trout wouldn't hit more than 20 a year. It's just hard to imagine someone will Herm's strength and swing not hitting homeruns. I mean when he turns on a pitch it gets out in a hurry. Fans in the Trout farm better duck and cover.

[Second Base]

39 minutes ago, Angel Oracle said:

The Thaiss pick must have been to have that extra money for Marsh?

Thaiss = Kotchman without much power?

Kotch was a big boy with upside, but ultimately it wouldn't surprise me if they ended up having similar production at the major league level.

I think Kotch would've been a pretty good big leaguer, but it seems like he never got fully right after the concussion, and then after he got traded he lost it.

[Angelsjunky]

Kotchman is one of the most disappointing prospects to me. I don't know if this was the concussion, but June 16, 2007, basically saw his career tank. He was having a breakthrough year, hitting .333/.411/.556 in 64 games played, then was out for about ten days and saw his numbers plummet. He finished the year with a still solid .296/.372/.467, but didn't build on it the following year and was traded with Stephen Marek for Mark Teixeira.

That whole generation of prospects was just disappointing - Kotchman, McPherson, Wood, Mathis, even Kendrick didn't reach his early potential, although still turned into a decent player. Aybar pretty much fulfilled his potential and Napoli probably exceeded it, but for the most part "Stoneman's boys" were overrated.

[tdawg87]

I, for one, can't wait for Barria to reach the majors so AO can call him "Biarrhea" when he has a bad start.

[Second Base]

12 hours ago, Angelsjunky said:

Kotchman is one of the most disappointing prospects to me. I don't know if this was the concussion, but June 16, 2007, basically saw his career tank. He was having a breakthrough year, hitting .333/.411/.556 in 64 games played, then was out for about ten days and saw his numbers plummet. He finished the year with a still solid .296/.372/.467, but didn't build on it the following year and was traded with Stephen Marek for Mark Teixeira.

That whole generation of prospects was just disappointing - Kotchman, McPherson, Wood, Mathis, even Kendrick didn't reach his early potential, although still turned into a decent player. Aybar pretty much fulfilled his potential and Napoli probably exceeded it, but for the most part "Stoneman's boys" were overrated.

That's the nature of the game. I remember the days when Wood was going to hit 30 HR's at SS and Trevor Reckling was going to be a solid #2 starter.

[Second Base]

I think it'll be interesting to see where our rankings end up this winter if Adell has a good showing in Arizona. And then if Deveaux goes to Arizona and kills it, we may have another name to throw in the mix with Jones and Adell.

[Angelsjunky]

We already do have another name in that mix: Brandon Marsh. 

As for Adell, I don't think his stock rises any more until he starts mastering minor league levels. 

[Angelsjunky]

A bit more on Hermosillo. He does seem to be playing better of late and with that nice walk rate and speed, could be a solid leadoff hitter. In fact, if he keeps hitting well for the rest of the year, he might be ready sooner than later - perhaps as soon as second half next year. Maybe a 3-4 year Maybin contract would be a mistake?

 

[Second Base]

13 minutes ago, Angelsjunky said:

A bit more on Hermosillo. He does seem to be playing better of late and with that nice walk rate and speed, could be a solid leadoff hitter. In fact, if he keeps hitting well for the rest of the year, he might be ready sooner than later - perhaps as soon as second half next year. Maybe a 3-4 year Maybin contract would be a mistake?

 

I mentioned that in the Maybin extension thread. Hermosillo should be ready to go late next year. Block him if you think he's a 4th OF, open the door if you think he's a starter. I think he's a starter.

[DMVol]

16 hours ago, Scotty@AW said:

I mentioned that in the Maybin extension thread. Hermosillo should be ready to go late next year. Block him if you think he's a 4th OF, open the door if you think he's a starter. I think he's a starter.

I'd be surprised if any decision on a Maybin extension is driven by Hermosillo.....he seems like an ok prospect but not the kind that effects a relatively modest decision (extending Maybin)....

[Second Base]

27 minutes ago, DMVol said:

I'd be surprised if any decision on a Maybin extension is driven by Hermosillo.....he seems like an ok prospect but not the kind that effects a relatively modest decision (extending Maybin)....

I wouldn't let Herm's performance dictate an extension with Maybin or not, merely the length of said extension. You don't want to keep a player ready for the big leagues blocked for more than a year, otherwise it's going to breed discontent and sow seeds of doubt in a kid who trusts the organization that drafted him to do what's best for him.

Four years wouldn't work. Three years would work, but you dobit with the knowledge that the last year of the contract that starting Hermosillo over Maybin will likely be what's best for the team. But having a good 4th OF is necessary I suppose. 2 years would be perfect but Maybin wouldn't be interested in that.

[DMVol]

7 minutes ago, Scotty@AW said:

....2 years would be perfect but Maybin wouldn't be interested in that.

I'm not so sure....he's settled back into pretty much his career norms, except he's a little high on SB's.....Just don't see anybody giving him 4 years.....3 perhaps....2 with an option seems about what he's worth....but he can change the narrative (good or bad) in the second half.....I'd consider a trade this month if the return is good enough....

[Second Base]

47 minutes ago, DMVol said:

I'm not so sure....he's settled back into pretty much his career norms, except he's a little high on SB's.....Just don't see anybody giving him 4 years.....3 perhaps....2 with an option seems about what he's worth....but he can change the narrative (good or bad) in the second half.....I'd consider a trade this month if the return is good enough....

Exactly. I think the simple fact that we've stocked up on athletic OF's like Herm, Lund, Jones, Adell, Marsh and Deveaux makes it so that we don't need to be desperate to sign any free agents or any extensions. It's a good place to bargain from. Sure, we could use help for a year, maybe two at the most, but we certainly don't need a pricey investment.

[Chuck]

On 7/3/2017 at 10:50 PM, Angelsjunky said:

Kotchman is one of the most disappointing prospects to me. I don't know if this was the concussion, but June 16, 2007, basically saw his career tank. He was having a breakthrough year, hitting .333/.411/.556 in 64 games played, then was out for about ten days and saw his numbers plummet. He finished the year with a still solid .296/.372/.467, but didn't build on it the following year and was traded with Stephen Marek for Mark Teixeira.

That whole generation of prospects was just disappointing - Kotchman, McPherson, Wood, Mathis, even Kendrick didn't reach his early potential, although still turned into a decent player. Aybar pretty much fulfilled his potential and Napoli probably exceeded it, but for the most part "Stoneman's boys" were overrated.

and overrated by all major publications as well. (Baseball America, BP, Sickels, etc.)

All of the guys you mentioned were top-50, top-100 prospects per those publications. 

You can add Morales to the group of Naps, Aybar and Kendrick who was productive, and Stoneman did draft Jered Weaver, though most of that credit was to Eddie Bane and for Arte opening up his wallet. 

[Hubs]

While I'm a fan of having prospects, for once, a team does not compete based on guys who are 2-3 years away. Unless one of these guys is at least dominating AA, you do not hold a spot for him in the majors. We have had a hole at 3B, basically, for years. While Escobar has been decent, as was Freese they have not signed or gone after major 3B free agents, because they thought Cowart would be that guy, and he's not. At least not yet. Remember that Aaron Judge, Kaleb Cowart, and Mike Trout were all born in 1991 from April to August, 25. Judge is the oldest of the three. Anyway, until a player shows he is a star, his position on the team should not be planned, even with outstanding minor league success, like Brandon Wood had.

Stocking up on young OF is great, and maybe one day, two of them will be flanking Mike Trout in the OF.

Next season though, none of these guys are ready, so a 2 year or 3 year deal for an OF like Maybin is a good idea. You can never have too much talent.

 

[Second Base]

5 minutes ago, Chuckster70 said:

and overrated by all major publications as well. (Baseball America, BP, Sickels, etc.)

All of the guys you mentioned were top-50 prospects. 

I think a lot of that disappointment from the prospects fed this narrative that the Angels farm system was no good. This became an industry wide belief, and the fact that we churned out guys like Trout, Segura, Grichuk, Trumbo, Calhoun and more in a very short period of time was largely ignored.

We eventually earned that designation as a poor farm system from losing draft picks and poor international classes, which only justified this false belief from the BA and BP types.

Here we are like eight years later and you're still going to hear that same dribble...and it's just as wrong now as it was then.

[Chuck]

Just now, Scotty@AW said:

I think a lot of that disappointment from the prospects fed this narrative that the Angels farm system was no good. This became an industry wide belief, and the fact that we churned out guys like Trout, Segura, Grichuk, Trumbo, Calhoun and more in a very short period of time was largely ignored.

We eventually earned that designation as a poor farm system from losing draft picks and poor international classes, which only justified this false belief from the BA and BP types.

Here we are like eight years later and you're still going to hear that same dribble...and it's just as wrong now as it was then.

Yep..

I would rather generate under the radar guys like Calhoun than top-10 picks like that are overhyped like Byron Buxton, Jurickson Profar, Jesus Montero, Desmond Jennings, Brian Matusz, Dustin Ackley and to some point, Jason Heyward. 

[Hubs]

Scotty, don't forget not having draft top picks in 2013 and 2014 drafts. Then questionable picks in 2015 and 2016.

 

[Angel Oracle]

Next focus in the next couple of drafts should be pitchers, corner INFers with power potential, and catchers.

[Docwaukee]

Nice job on the list gents.  

I would say another key component is that when we did have any redundancy/depth and were willing to trade from it at the major league level, the return was untested or minimally tested major league ready talent.  Like getting Skaggs and Santiago or Heaney.  But those types of return cost a lot more than getting prospects.  

The team also ignored 1/3rd of the talent pool for like 7-8 years.  

There are a bunch of other factors as well.  Dipoto, Reagins, Bane, Arte, Scioscia, Wilson, Servais all took various sized hammers at the farm system.  Even Eppler put a dent in it when he first arrived.  Some went back and made some repairs here and there.  Others had a veritable smorgasbord of hammers and would routinely switch off demoing the crap out of the thing (Arte and Dipoto namely).  

Eppler is all about Athletes.  But another dimension he's added is that (seemingly anyway), he's taking guys with something between the ears.  Guys who are grounded etc.  

But overall, I really like the direction Eppler is taking things.  Whether that translates into the prospects turning into major league talent is a different story.  There is still a fair amount of wait and see.