The Official 2018 Spring Stats & Performances thread

[Chuck]

Let's post tweets, performances and stat updates in ST here until it's go time on March 29th.

[Chuck]

So far, the crown Jewel of the spring thus far. 

[JustATroutFan]

Uh, Pujols is batting .000 (0-2) this Spring.

Just when you thought things couldn't get any worse for Pujols following a nightmare 2017 season, he's even worse!

[Chuck]

[Pablo]

Early returns on MLB batting average* - two Halos top the list. 

*A batter must have 3.1 plate appearances per team game played (1.86 PA during spring training) to qualify for league leadership.

[Pablo]

OTOH - from the same site - after 2 HR in their 7th game of the spring, the Angels have moved up to a tie for 24th. 

[JustATroutFan]

Trout is looking like he's going to have a horrible year. Batting .000 and it's only Spring Training.

[Second Base]

1. I know it doesn't look like anything right now, but Matt Thaiss' revamped swing is going to make him dangerous. He's more upright, stays back on the ball and now has a noticeable uppercut. Not only is he squaring up the ball like he used to, but now he's putting back spin on it. Those that were complaining about his inability to put the ball in the air should take notice.

2. Jake Jewell is going to be a great reliever. We've been saying it for years and 2018 is where it comes to fruition.

3. Jose Miguel Fernandez'a ability to use the entire field.

4. Nick Tropeano's curve has improved ten fold since going under the knife.

5. David Fletcher. Every single Spring he does this, except this time he's put on a noticeable amount of muscle, particularly his lower half. Great defender. At minimum he's a utility infielder. He looks like he could grow into a starting 2B at times.

6. I haven't heard anything else about Jam potentially moving to 2B. He's such nice outstanding defender in CF. 

7. Hermosillo's athleticism stands out in a crowd full of major leaguers, which says a lot. He's better suited for CF, but he's fast and strong enough to make the adjustments in LF so far. He still has some growth to make at the plate (despite great strike zone judgment, he's opened himself up to weak contact lower in the zone).

 

[Chuck]

Shohei Ohtani struck out eight of the 12 batters he faced in a "B" game appearance Friday.

All eight outs that he recorded came via the strikeout. Ohtani surrendered a couple runs against a group of Brewers minor leaguers, but he gave up only one hard-hit ball while getting his pitch count up to 52. The righty's fastball sat around 93 mph and touched 96 mph and his breaking pitches "looked like wiffle balls," according to Jon Heyman of FanRag Sports. The competition and setting needs to be considered here, but it certainly looks to be an impressive performance put forth by Ohtani.

 

 

Source: Pedro Moura on Twitter

[Revad]

Who has the better throwing skills, Hermosillo or Upton?  I’m wondering why Hermosillo is playing so much left field as it seems more likely, near term at least, that he would play more in right in the majors unless Upton eventually switches to right field.

[krAbs]

14 hours ago, Scotty@AW said:

1. I know it doesn't look like anything right now, but Matt Thaiss' revamped swing is going to make him dangerous. He's more upright, stays back on the ball and now has a noticeable uppercut. Not only is he squaring up the ball like he used to, but now he's putting back spin on it. Those that were complaining about his inability to put the ball in the air should take notice.

Do you know if his exit velocities are enough for him to ever put up any power numbers? I'm not talking 40-50 HRs - I'd be happy if he can do what he is doing now with like...25 HRs.

[Second Base]

1 hour ago, krAbs said:

Do you know if his exit velocities are enough for him to ever put up any power numbers? I'm not talking 40-50 HRs - I'd be happy if he can do what he is doing now with like...25 HRs.

Yes, Thaiss does hit the ball hard enough to be a legitimate power hitter. The issue was him adjusting to the level of play, tinkering with his swing, and the contact itself being more line drive singles than anything.

His stance is now more upright, his swing shortened with more of an uppercut, he's tracking the ball much better as well. 

If he continues to make hard contact as he did last year, then he'll turn into a 25 HR type of hitter. But there are questions to consider. Will his strike zone judgment remain as solid without his eyes remaining on level with the pitch? 

[JustATroutFan]

Trout has a .000/.250/.000 slash line this Spring.  After an okay April, Trout's going to have a nightmare May, in which he puts up a .190/.280/300 slash line , and won't recover from it. The world is going to end when Trout puts up an OPS under. 700 in 2018  like Pujols last year.

[tdawg87]

3 minutes ago, JustATroutFan said:

Trout has a .000/.250/.000 slash line this Spring.  After an okay April, Trout's going to have a nightmare May, in which he puts up a .190/.280/300 slash line , and won't recover from it. The world is going to end when Trout puts up an OPS under. 700 in 2018  like Pujols last year.

k

[Lou]

On March 1, 2018 at 7:28 PM, JustATroutFan said:

Trout is looking like he's going to have a horrible year. Batting .000 and it's only Spring Training.

Flash in the pan

[Second Base]

Yeah, Thaiss is looking real good right now. The power is real. I know it'll take some folks some time to believe, but it's there.

[Docwaukee]

I like that Jose Mota calls him Matt Thighs.  

Thiass is looking good.  I wasn't seeing it totally before, but now I am getting the Calhoun comp.  Similar swing too now that Thaiss is showing more of an uppercut.  

20hr power would be great.  I hope they give him some time in the OF this year as well.  

[JustATroutFan]

Carter has done well this Spring for the Halos. I think he could do well with the Angels as a backup. He's still only two years removed from an outstanding year with the Brewers where he blasted a ton of home runs.

[NachoPop]

The 'All too Early, min. 10 ABs, what would our opening lineup look like based off or OPS'

C   - Rivera       1.324

1B - Carter      1.025

2B - Kinsler     1.029

3B - Marte       1.493

SS - Walsh       1.244

LF - Upton        .953

CF - EY Jnr       .775

RF - Calhoun   1.283

DH - Thaiss     1.014

[NachoPop]

The 'All too Early, min. 3 IP, what would our pitching look like based off or ERA'

Starters:                                                                  Bullpen:

Heaney        - 0.00                                                  J Alvarez     - 0.00

Richards      - 2.00                                                  Pena           - 0.00

JC Ramirez - 5.06                                                  N Ramirez   - 1.80

Ohtani         - 6.75                                                         Johnson      - 2.25

Barria           - 7.36                                                          Paredes       - 2.70

Bridwell       - 7.50                                                           Lamb           - 4.50

                                                                                          Jewel            - 4.91

                                                                                           Krol               - 6.23

[totdprods]

My take on some of the ST battles...

UT IF Battle
Kaleb Cowart: 6-24,  zero XBH, RBI, BB, 7 K, SB, 2 CS - .250/.280/.250/.530 - first 4 games at 3B, last 6 at 2B
Jefry Marte: 8-13, 3 doubles, 3 RBI, 2 BB, K, SB - .615/.647/.846/1.493 - 3 games at 1B, 3 games at 3B
Colin Walsh: 8-24, 3 HR, 9 RBI, 2 BB, 4 K - .333/.407/.708/1.116 - 4 games at 2B, 1 game at 3B, 9 games at SS
David Fletcher: 11-29, 2 doubles, 7 runs, 3 BB, 3 K, 2 SB - .379/.455/.448/.903 - 5 games at 2B, 8 games at SS
Jose Miguel Fernandez: 7-21, 4 doubles, 3 RBI, 3 BB, 1 K - .333/.400/.524/.924 - 3 games at 2B, 9 games at 3B - 7 hits last 11 ABs
Chris Carter: 6-23, 2 doubles, 2 HR, 5 RBI, 4 BB, 5 K - .261/.357/.609/.966 - he has almost halved his K% compared to past ST lines
Nolan Fontana: 1-8, 2B, BB, 3 K - .125/.222/.250/.472 - 1 game at 2B, 3 games at SS 

I still think Marte makes the most sense with the club's needs, but the injury has stalled him. Cowart hasn't done much to give reason for Angels to give him the UT IF role. 
Walsh is really making a push, and the fact that he's seen so much time at SS is worth noting - not that the club really needs a SS back-up on the MLB team, but given that Cowart has yet to play a game there shows how the Angels view his versatility compared to Colin's. Aside from defense, he's doing everything Kaleb's doing, and better. Fernandez' plate discipline and opposite-field approach are boding well, and Carter's efforts to grow as a hitter are interesting. Fontana looks like he's definitely out of the picture - and in fact, Walsh's reps at SS could indicate he may take over as the SLC SS, costing Fontana his spot on the 40-man. Fletcher has performed too good for the UT IF role - he deserves everyday playing time in SLC to prep for a starting role in '19 or everyday replacement if someone gets hurt in '18. As it stands right now, I'd still give the last bench spot to Marte to open the year, but I'd DFA Fontana and add Walsh to the 40-man. When/if Marte falters and gets DFAed, I'd look at adding Fernandez at that point.

4th OF Battle
Chris Young: Still the likely Opening Day 4th OF, despite being out injured. 
Eric Young, Jr: 8-28, 3 R, 3 2B, 3B, RBI, 3 BB, 8 K, 2 SB, CS - .286/.355/.464/.819 - mostly playing CF, also RF, LF
Jabari Blash: 2-15, 3 R, 2 HR, 3 RBI, 2 BB, 5 K, CS - .133/.235/.533/.769 - playing RF and LF (worth noting, SEA had him play 1B in ST for 3 games back in '15)
Rymer Liriano: 7-27,  4 R, 2 2B, 2 RBI, 2 BB, 7 K, SB, CS - .259/.355/.333/.688 - playing RF and LF - made a great catch in his 1 game in CF
Michael Hermosillo: 3-25, 4 R, 2 2B, RBI, 2 BB, 4 K, 3 SB - .120/.241/.200/.441 - playing RF (7), CF (4), and LF (2) - with 2 errors 
Jahmai Jones: 2-17, 2 R, 3B, RBI, 0 BB, 2 K, SB, CS - .118/.118/.235/.353 - playing CF (10) and LF (7)

C. Young is still the obvious frontrunner, but if he doesn't get enough ST ABs, I could see the team starting the year with EYJR as the 4th OF, and then a likely being victim of a 40-man cut/DFA once Chris Young returns, giving Eric a shot at catching on with another team. The Angels can afford that loss given the interesting spring play of Liriano, who despite a mediocre line has put together several good ABs and defensive plays, and Blash, especially if he winds up getting some reps at 1B during the year at SLC. Hermosillo, already a longshot, looked like he was trying to do a little too much, and Jones, who was never a realistic option, have both been cut from the MLB camp. Jones never really looked overmatched despite the poor slash.

13th Pitcher - (6th SP/LRP)
JC Ramirez: 9.2 IP, 5 H, 1 ER, 2 HR, 0 BB, 11 K - three games, all starts - includes 3/11
Parker Bridwell: 9 IP, 14 H, 9 ER, 2 HR, 3 BB, 8 K - four games, one start 
Nick Tropeano: 3.1 IP, 6 H, 3 ER, HR, 0 BB, 2 K - two games, one start
John Lamb: 6 IP, 4 H, 3 ER, 2 HR, 2 BB, 7 K - three games, all in 2 IP "relief" appearances
Troy Scribner: 1.1 IP, H, 2 BB, K - one game in relief
Jaime Barria: 5.2 IP, 5 H, 3 ER, 2 HR, BB, 6 K - 3 games, all in "relief"

Pretty hard to argue against Ramirez here. Bridwell's K9 has gone up as many claimed he needed, but could also mean he's leaving it over the plate too much, as he's given up a ton of hits. I'm a believer, but I'd start him in AAA and round out the MLB staff with optionless guys to maintain depth for now. Lamb is making a case as a left-handed version of Yusmeiro Petit multi-inning relief, and Scribner continues to remain a forgotten man, having already been cut from MLB camp after only one game. Barria too has already been eliminated, but looked strong.

13th Pitcher - additional reliever
Jose Alvarez: 4 IP, H, 0 R, BB, 5 K - 4 games; without options, he is solidifying his spot in the pen.
Keynan Middleton: 4 IP, 5 H, 4 ER, BB, K - 4 games; with options, his spot in the pen is starting to open up for grabs
Blake Wood: 4.2 IP, 9 H, 5 ER, HR, 4 BB, 5 K - 5 games; his contract gives him an advantage, but he may be considered the pen 'mop-up' guy and nothing more. 
Noe Ramirez: 6.1 IP, 7 H, 2 ER, 2 BB, 7 K - 6 games; out of options, he's probably pitching himself into a legit shot at Middleton or Wood's spot
Luke Bard: 6 IP, 5 H, 5 ER, HR, 2 BB, 5 K - 6 games; Rule V, he had one disastrous game but otherwise solid. Last appearance was 2 IP, maybe testin as a Petit replacement?
Felix Pena: 6 IP, 6 H, 2 ER, 3 BB, 10 K - 6 games; has options, but making a case, of his 56 pitches, 44 have been strikes. 
Eduardo Paredes: 4 IP, 10 H, 4 ER, 2 BB, 2 K- 5 games; has options, already cut from MLB camp and will be in SLC
Jake Jewell: 4.2 IP, 7 H, 8 R, 5 ER, 5 BB, 6 K - 6 games; very mixed spring, was dominant or hittable/wild, already cut from MLB camp and off to Mobile
Jesus Castillo: 3 IP, 7 H, 3 ER, 0 BB, 4 K - 3 games; decent spring. Showed ability to strike guys out and maintain control, but hittable. Cut from MLB camp and will be in minors.
Osmer Morales: 5.1 IP, 8 H, 5 ER, 3 BB, 2 K - 3 games, the concerns were valid, prone to giving up too many hits and not much of an out-pitch.
Dayan Diaz: Never made it out of Colombia due to visa issues, and already cut from MLB camp.

As Wood and Middleton struggle, the odds of the Ramirezes, Bard, and Pena breaking camp with the team only increase.

Worth noting...
Carlos Perez: 5-20, 3 doubles, 2 RBI, 0 BB, 3 K - .250/.250/.400/.650 - out of options, he's likely end of spring trade bait. Maybe to MIN for Luke Bard's rights?
Luis Valbuena: he's now topped his '17 ST appearances (only 25 ABs) when he slashed .200/.310/.320/.630. This spring? .276/.290/.552/.842 in 29 ABs. Glimmer of hope...
Zack Cozart: 2013-2016: his spring OPS averaged .640, in 2017 it exploded to 1.034, and this spring? Back to .572. Sample size is v small tho. 
Garrett Richards: Now through 9 IP, 5 H, 2 ER, HR, 2 BB, and 12 K. Please stay healthy.
Tyler Skaggs: Has now thrown more innings this spring (8) than either spring in '15 (5) or '16 (6.2). That's something right?
Andrew Heaney: Now through 8.1 IP, he's allowed 5 H, 1 ER, 0 HR, 1 BB, and 12 K. 
Matt Shoemaker: In 8.1 IP, 15 H, 10 ER, 5 HR, 2 BB, 6 K. Bright side? He's never really good in ST, almost always giving up more H than IP.
Cam Bedrosian: 3 IP, 3 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 4 K
Ian Kinsler: Five walks to 1 strikeout, 5 runs, 2 doubles, a SB. He's scoring runs, stealing bases, walking, and doing what he do. That's good. He was terrible last spring (.590 OPS)

My best guess at Opening Day 25 as of now..
Line-up (9): Kinsler 2B, Trout CF, Upton LF, Pujols DH, Calhoun RF, Cozart 3B, Simmons SS, Valbuena 1B, Maldonado C
Bench (3): Rivera C, Marte 1B/3B, Young (either) OF (Marte on a short leash)
Rotation (6): Richards, Skaggs, Shoemaker, Heaney, Ohtani, JC Ramirez (doubling as a long-reliever)
Bullpen (7): Parker, Bedrosian, Johnson, Alvarez, Noe Ramirez, Bard, Wood (with Pena or Lamb right on the cusp of edging Wood or Bard out)

[NachoPop]

The 'It's a week later, all too Early, min. 10 15 ABs, what would our opening lineup look like based off or OPS'

In: Fernandez, Trout

Out: Thaiss, Upton

 

C	Rivera	1.324	1.069
1B	Carter	1.025	0.893
2B	Kinsler	1.029
	Fernandez		.929
3B	Marte	1.493	1.454
SS	Walsh	1.244	1.067
LF	Upton	0.953
	EY Jnr		0.871
CF	EY Jnr	.775
	Trout		0.983
RF	Calhoun	1.283	0.952
DH	Thaiss	1.014
	Kinsler		0.906

 

[NachoPop]

The ''It's a week later, All too Early, min. 3  5 IP, what would our pitching look like based off or ERA''

In: Bard, Shoe, Skaggs, Krol

Out: Jewel, Parades, Ohtani (low IP), Bridwell

 

Starters				Bullpen
Richards	2.00	2.84		J Alvarez	0.00	1.29
JC Ramirez	5.06	3.24		N Ramirez	1.80	2.84
Heaney	0.00	4.63		Pena	0.00	3
Barria	7.36	4.76		Johnson	2.25	3
Shoemaker		7.43		Lamb	4.50	3.24
Skaggs		7.88		Krol	6.23	3.52
Ohtani	6.75			Bard		6.75
Bridwell	7.5			Jewel	4.91
				Paredes	2.7

 

[NachoPop]

The 'It's another week later, all too Early, min. 10 15  25 ABs, what would our opening lineup look like based off or OPS'

In: Cozart

Out: Fernandez

C	Rivera	1.324	1.069	.851
1B	Carter	1.025	.893	1.005
2B	Kinsler	1.029
	Fernandez		.929
	Walsh			.934
3B	Marte	1.493	1.454	1.030
SS	Walsh	1.244	1.067
	Cozart			1.010
LF	Upton	.953
	EY Jnr		.871
	Upton			.905
CF	EY Jnr	.775
	Trout		.983	.909
RF	Calhoun	1.283	.952	1.060
DH	Thaiss	1.014
	Kinsler		.906
	EY Jnr			0.87
Absent:	Kinsler			.800
	Maldonado			.740
	Valbueana			.681
	Pujols			.649
	Simmons			.608
	Ohtani			.326

[NachoPop]

The ''It's another week later, All too Early, min. 3  5 IP, what would our pitching look like based off or ERA''

In: Tropeano, Bedrosian, J Anderson

Out: Skaggs, Lamb, Bard

Starters         Bullpen       Richards 2.00   2.84   2.84   J Anderson     0.00   Tropeano     3.12   J Alvarez    0.00   1.29 2.89 JC Ramirez 5.06 3.24  3.72   Krol 6.23 3.52 3.12 Heaney 0.00  4.63  4.63   Johnson 2.25  3 3.38 Barria   7.36 4.76 4.76   Pena 0.00  3 4 Shoemaker   7.43 7.43   Bedrosian     4.76           N Ramirez 1.80    2.84 4.82                                     Skaggs   7.88  7.88   Lamb 4.50  3.24 5.56 Bridwell   7.5   7.91   Bard   6.75 6.1 Ohtani 6.75   27   Middleton     6           Parker     16.2           Jewel  4.91               Paredes 2.7