September 1st base

[BackUpTheTruck]

Which players in the Angels organization do you want to see the majority of starts at first base in September? First string? Second string?

EDIT: New Poll: Which player is better right now and deserves more playing time in September, Walsh or Thaiss?

Edited August 30, 2018 by BackUpTheTruck
New poll

[mulwin444]

I wouldn't mind if Thaiss got the call but, because he doesn't have to be added to the 40 man roster until next season, I'm not sure it will happen.  Plus, not certain his bat is ready just yet.

Personally, as for guys on the 40 man and with the team, give JMF the starts at 1B, even against lefties, as Marte has demonstrated he's awful no matter who he faces. 

[WeatherWonk]

Where's the Ohtani option?

Ohtani needs an in-the-field option. He may not end up being a pitcher. He's too young to be declared simply a platooning DH. He is athletic.

First base seems an obvious choice.

[mulwin444]

5 minutes ago, WeatherWonk said:

Where's the Ohtani option?

Ohtani needs an in-the-field option. He may not end up being a pitcher. He's too young to be declared simply a platooning DH. He is athletic.

First base seems an obvious choice.

Because Ohtani's not an option...per the Angels

[Stradling]

I still don’t see Thaiss getting called up in September.  He doesn’t need to be on the 40 man roster and my guess is he won’t be there until he forces his way on or until we are in the middle of a season that matters and we have an injury that requires adding him.  I could be wrong, but that is what I think will happen.  There is a much better chance that Walsh, who does need to be on the 40 man roster next season, gets called up over the weekend. 

[BackUpTheTruck]

I voted Fernandez to be first string in September. Given that he is an veteran foreign player with a track record of hitting for a high BA, and some power in AAA SLC, I think he should be given a serious look to earn a starting job at first base next season.

Walsh should be given at bats this September too. He is 25 years old and has a lot of potential as a left-handed power bat.

[Stradling]

Also, I don’t think they made a corresponding move to the 40 man roster now that Rivera is gone, so we know Briceno will be up today, but we could see someone added to the 40 man roster today as well.  

[WeatherWonk]

4 minutes ago, mulwin444 said:

Because Ohtani's not an option...per the Angels

Right now? Or in the foreseeable future? 

I  would appreciate a link. Didnt see that.

[mulwin444]

2 minutes ago, WeatherWonk said:

Right now? Or in the foreseeable future? 

I  would appreciate a link. Didnt see that.

Seriously?  The OP's post is for this September - 2018 - who should play 1B the rest of this month.  It's not that hard...

Do I have to dig up a link for you that lays out what the Angels have been saying since he's been signed...that he'll only be DH this season?  

Again, it's no that hard

[kevinb]

I don't want Marte playing at all. I don't want to spend anymore time on players who have no future with this club. Figure out if we have an in house option with one of the young guys or minor league guys play them all. No more Marte.

[Jeff Fletcher]

26 minutes ago, Stradling said:

Also, I don’t think they made a corresponding move to the 40 man roster now that Rivera is gone, so we know Briceno will be up today, but we could see someone added to the 40 man roster today as well.  

I expect them to call up Briceño and activate Upton today. 

Any other moves will wait till rosters expand on Friday. 

They will need one 40-man spot for Shoemaker. Rengifo, Suarez, Walsh, Thaiss would all need spots too. 

[Angel Oracle]

I'd go with Walsh and Fernandez.   Also, give Walsh 1 or 2 one inning relief appearances in September to see if he can pitch occasional innings in 2019.

[Chuck]

7 minutes ago, Angel Oracle said:

I'd go with Walsh and Fernandez.   Also, give Walsh 1 or 2 one inning relief appearances in September to see if he can pitch occasional innings in 2019.

I'd like them to give Walsh, Rengifo and Fernandez a good chunk of at bats between DH, 1B, 2B, 3B, along with Ward. We've seen what Fletcher can do, and while I like him I'd like to see more from the other guys. 

Losing Pujols to injury/surgery was perfect timing as rosters get expanded. 

[stormngt]

1 hour ago, WeatherWonk said:

Where's the Ohtani option?

Ohtani needs an in-the-field option. He may not end up being a pitcher. He's too young to be declared simply a platooning DH. He is athletic.

First base seems an obvious choice.

not going to happen.....time to move on.

[WeatherWonk]

1 hour ago, stormngt said:

not going to happen.....time to move on.

Yeah, the thinking probably goes like this...........

If he doesnt get injured as a pitcher, then he is a pitcher.

If he does get injured as a pitcher, then it's TJ and he cant do anything for 6-12 months as a hitter or fielder anyway.

By then, the other 1b options within the organization are closer to being ready.

All I know about these other options is that I dont want Cowart or Marte. I have inadequate knowledge about Thaiss or Fernandez or Walsh.

[HaloNArizona]

2 hours ago, Stradling said:

Also, I don’t think they made a corresponding move to the 40 man roster now that Rivera is gone, so we know Briceno will be up today, but we could see someone added to the 40 man roster today as well.  

Shoe needs to come off the 60 day DL....he will take Rivera's place

[Revad]

34 minutes ago, HaloNArizona said:

Shoe needs to come off the 60 day DL....he will take Rivera's place

I think Shoe was to pitch last night, any news on how he did or how he feels?  I know he’s getting up to the number of pitches where a setback is more likely.

[HaloNArizona]

10 minutes ago, Revad said:

I think Shoe was to pitch last night, any news on how he did or how he feels?  I know he’s getting up to the number of pitches where a setback is more likely.

Shoemaker (forearm) worked four no-hit innings Wednesday in his rehab start for High-A Inland Empire, giving up one unearned run and issuing two walks while striking out six.

Shoemaker was about as sharp as the Angels could have hoped in his first outing at any level since March 31. The right-hander tossed 59 pitches (37 strikes) in the start and sported a fastball that sat in the 91-to-93 mile-per-hour range for most of the night and topped out at 95, according to Jeff Fletcher of The Orange County Register. Shoemaker could come off the 60-day disabled list when rosters expand Saturday and make his next start with the big club a few days later, but the Angels may prefer to have him pitch once more in the minors in order to build his arm up a little more.

https://www.cbssports.com/fantasy/baseball/news/angels-matt-shoemaker-impresses-in-first-rehab-start/

[Angelsjunky]

Walsh and Fernandez in some combo. Thaiss has really been struggling and I’d rather just let him finish out in AAA.

I can’t believe Marte and Cowart are getting votes.

[mulwin444]

7 minutes ago, Angelsjunky said:

Walsh and Fernandez in some combo. Thaiss has really been struggling and I’d rather just let him finish out in AAA.

I can’t believe Marte and Cowart are getting votes.

He's been heating up lately:

My first choice is JMF...not sure why Cowart's even getting starts at this point.

[Angelsjunky]

^Well, that changes things. Thaiss remains the best bet for first baseman of the future. Even so, it doesn't hurt to wait until next year and give Walsh and JMF auditions now.

If Marte keeps getting starts I just don't know what to say.

[Angel Oracle]

Marte needs to be DFA'd come September 1.   Cowart at least plays good defense for late innings.   WTH does Marte bring to the team?

[Angel Dog and Beer]

2 hours ago, HaloNArizona said:

Shoemaker (forearm) worked four no-hit innings Wednesday in his rehab start for High-A Inland Empire, giving up one unearned run and issuing two walks while striking out six.

Shoemaker was about as sharp as the Angels could have hoped in his first outing at any level since March 31. The right-hander tossed 59 pitches (37 strikes) in the start and sported a fastball that sat in the 91-to-93 mile-per-hour range for most of the night and topped out at 95, according to Jeff Fletcher of The Orange County Register. Shoemaker could come off the 60-day disabled list when rosters expand Saturday and make his next start with the big club a few days later, but the Angels may prefer to have him pitch once more in the minors in order to build his arm up a little more.

https://www.cbssports.com/fantasy/baseball/news/angels-matt-shoemaker-impresses-in-first-rehab-start/

This is encouraging!

[totdprods]

Free Walsh.

No need to add Thaiss yet. Give Walsh a shot. 

[Tank]

7 hours ago, WeatherWonk said:

Where's the Ohtani option?

Ohtani needs an in-the-field option. He may not end up being a pitcher. He's too young to be declared simply a platooning DH. He is athletic.

First base seems an obvious choice.

so you just want to hand him a glove and tell him to get to it?

you realize it's a position he doesn't play and he would need time to learn how to play it, no matter how easy it might look on television, right?