OC Register: Angels move prospect Taylor Ward from catcher to third base

[Angel Oracle]

Graterol is a nice option to have in AAA.

[SlappyUtilityMIF]

On 3/31/2018 at 10:33 AM, SlappyUtilityMIF said:

So, calling pitches, blocking said pitches and worrying about hitter scouting reports during a game stresses him out...... (blue font)...kind of.. That's actually a weird finishing comment to the move of a kid position wise.

 

On 3/31/2018 at 11:01 AM, Scotty@AW said:

He doesn't call pitches, those are called from the dugout. And he's developed into a fine pitch blocker with a great arm and plus athleticism. 

Ward's shortcomings were rooted in his ability to establish a relationship with his pitchers. This doesn't get quantified but it's something that Maldonado is the best at. He studies video, he sits down with them, asks questions, picks their brains on everything they like to do on the mound and tailors his in game approach to fit each pitcher individually. Everything from pace, to pitch placement, to mound visits, to talking to them in the dugout.

There's so much more to this job, that Taylor just didn't do.

I know that ScottyA!~ 

Quit making excuses for him! The bottom line is as a catcher you have control of many things within the game including helping your pitchers through difficult innings and situations! If he didn't have the make up for it that would had showed a Fresno State!.... And back to your response. If he isn't calling pitches like you stated then it really doesn't matter what the pitcher likes to do in certain situations! When I played we could shake the catcher off whether those signs were from the dugout, catcher or a higher being! Rule #1 you better get an out or finish a hitter at that time! Or, you as a pitcher would get crucified in the clubhouse for it.

Waste of a #1 pick! He will never have power! He will never even have GAP POWER! Our newest 3B Project a strong armed light hitting catcher with an eye and a above avg OBP%..... Jeffey is that you?

[Stradling]

On 3/31/2018 at 11:01 AM, Scotty@AW said:

He doesn't call pitches, those are called from the dugout. And he's developed into a fine pitch blocker with a great arm and plus athleticism. 

Ward's shortcomings were rooted in his ability to establish a relationship with his pitchers. This doesn't get quantified but it's something that Maldonado is the best at. He studies video, he sits down with them, asks questions, picks their brains on everything they like to do on the mound and tailors his in game approach to fit each pitcher individually. Everything from pace, to pitch placement, to mound visits, to talking to them in the dugout.

There's so much more to this job, that Taylor just didn't do.

So in the minors pitches are called from the dugout?

[Inside Pitch]

Catcher is, was, and likely will always be the position with the lowest success/graduation rate for draftees.   The reasons are numerous and partially why you see guys like Brayan Pena, Charlie O'Brien, and Jeff Mathis, have the careers they do...

It's entirely possible the Eppler regime sees the catcher position as something easily filled via free agency or as we have seen them do, via trades and waiver claims.

If the Angels dont believe he has the catcher "it factor".... so be it...  Maybe having the responsibilities/rigors of catching off his shoulders let's him work on his offense, an uptick in xbh power would do wonders for him.  Close your eyes, allow yourselves to dream a little bit and lets hope he surprises us by becoming a Donaldson light type player.

At this point It seems they are simply trying to salvage whatever value they can. 

[Tyler]

Sounds like Ward thinks he was being held back in the Catching University of the MLB. 

[Angel Oracle]

Becoming very good at blocking pitches in the dirt, with athleticism and great arm, would seem to indicate MLB 3B potential.   The question will then be his bat.   Donaldson Lite would indeed be the best possible outcome.   Donaldson himself didn't become a MLB regular until halfway through his age 26 season.   Ward just turned 24 this past December.

[Stradling]

20 minutes ago, Tyler said:

Sounds like Ward thinks he was being held back in the Catching University of the MLB. 

That is what that quote from Eppler makes it sound like.  

[Jobu]

1 hour ago, SuperTroopers said:

So in the minors pitches are called from the dugout?

Yes.

By Mike Scioscia.

[Stradling]

Just now, Jobu said:

Yes.

By Mike Scioscia.

Well that is impressive considering he doesn't call pitches for the Angels.  Well done Sosh!  

[Docwaukee]

4 minutes ago, Jobu said:

Yes.

By Mike Scioscia.

If this is true, then Scioscia is just as responsible for Martin Maldonado getting a chance to win a gold glove.  

[Stradling]

Just now, Dochalo said:

If this is true, then Scioscia is just as responsible for Martin Maldonado getting a chance to win a gold glove.  

You know damn well Scioscia only does bad things Doc.  That's one demerit.  

[Hubs]

They might be moving him to see if he can develop offensively. I still wouldn't be surprised if he ends up catching in the majors, as a backup to Maldonado, so he can learn from Martin. But they won't do that unless he hits.

[ten ocho recon scout]

On 3/31/2018 at 8:31 AM, UndertheHalo said:

jesus christ.  ric wilson is a fucking clown.  i mean this video is embarrassing.

Is wilson the bald guy, hugging everyone?

And if so, hes gone, right? Did jerry bring him here, and then up to seattle with servais?

[totdprods]

5 minutes ago, Hubs said:

They might be moving him to see if he can develop offensively. I still wouldn't be surprised if he ends up catching in the majors, as a backup to Maldonado, so he can learn from Martin. But they won't do that unless he hits.

Too early to make a call like this, but...

With left-handed hitting Thaiss a year away and the acquisitions of left-handed Schimpf and Fernandez now in system, I'm thinking Valbuena's 2019 option is declined with one of those replacing him, and Ward replaces that player on the depth chart at AAA in a 1B/3B/3rd catcher role, as well as serving as 'heir apparent' to Marte's current role as the right-handed compliment to the Valbuena-type bat.

Money saved on Valbuena goes to a Maldonado extension, Rivera walks, and the optionable Graterol returns as the primary back-up catcher. 

With Ward now learning corner infield, he can be called up and optioned as needed to fill CIF depth and serve as that back-up emergency catcher should they opt to not keep Graterol on roster year-round. If we're sticking with a 6th SP carousel next year, having that flexibility on the bench would be huge.

[Docwaukee]

3 minutes ago, ten ocho recon scout said:

Is wilson the bald guy, hugging everyone?

And if so, hes gone, right? Did jerry bring him here, and then up to seattle with servais?

Ric Wilson came after bane and was hired by Reagins.  Jerry kept him.  

[ten ocho recon scout]

2 minutes ago, Dochalo said:

Ric Wilson came after bane and was hired by Reagins.  Jerry kept him.  

Thanks.

Cant remember exactly, its been awhile. But Bane was let go for kimd of fudging the 10 draft, if I remember correctly? We had comp picks for Lackey, Krod and Figgins, and didnt get anyone good, or something like that?

[Docwaukee]

6 minutes ago, ten ocho recon scout said:

Thanks.

Cant remember exactly, its been awhile. But Bane was let go for kimd of fudging the 10 draft, if I remember correctly? We had comp picks for Lackey, Krod and Figgins, and didnt get anyone good, or something like that?

there was a huge conflict between him and Reagins.  Rumor had it that Bane had a much different plan for the 2010 draft but reagins took over at the last second and bungled it.  When Bane called him out, Reagins fired him.  

[ettin]

2 hours ago, Inside Pitch said:

Catcher is, was, and likely will always be the position with the lowest success/graduation rate for draftees.   The reasons are numerous and partially why you see guys like Brayan Pena, Charlie O'Brien, and Jeff Mathis, have the careers they do...

It's entirely possible the Eppler regime sees the catcher position as something easily filled via free agency or as we have seen them do, via trades and waiver claims.

If the Angels dont believe he has the catcher "it factor".... so be it...  Maybe having the responsibilities/rigors of catching off his shoulders let's him work on his offense, an uptick in xbh power would do wonders for him.  Close your eyes, allow yourselves to dream a little bit and lets hope he surprises us by becoming a Donaldson light type player.

At this point It seems they are simply trying to salvage whatever value they can. 

This is very true.

Offense and defense are marginalized at the catcher position, in-part, by the fact that any catcher is unlikely to play more than 80-90 games per season unless you are a Buster Posey type player that can play at 1B or DH as well. By its very nature the position is defense-first for a variety of reasons and offense is put on the back-burner barring a very talented player manning the position.

This in turn means that most catchers coming up in an organization need to focus on defense which has so many nuances and requires such an investment of time that many young players simply aren't experienced enough when they finally do get promoted to the Majors. It is a continual work-in-progress.

Eppler has it right when he just uses a moderate amount of trade resources and/or the waiver wire to pick up veterans or defensive-minded catchers that can't stay on another team's 40-man roster for a variety of reasons. From a team production and economic perspective targeting other teams catchers seems more viable to me, personally.

[UndertheHalo]

1 hour ago, ten ocho recon scout said:

Is wilson the bald guy, hugging everyone?

And if so, hes gone, right? Did jerry bring him here, and then up to seattle with servais?

Like the others said, he’s gone thank goodness. And ya the bald guy. 

[Angel Oracle]

1 hour ago, Dochalo said:

there was a huge conflict between him and Reagins.  Rumor had it that Bane had a much different plan for the 2010 draft but reagins took over at the last second and bungled it.  When Bane called him out, Reagins fired him.  

J. Pierpont Reagins and Dipussy, the #$^#^#^'s of this organization who set it back several years.   Thankfully, entering the picture, In Eppler We Trust.