Future ST battles

[Second Base]

It's a pretty slow news day....except for the whole "greatest day in Angels history" thing, so I thought it might be fun to take a look at future battles we can look forward to seeing. 

2020 - Brennon Lund vs. Michael Hermosillo (4th OF). - Whoever wins probably gets a full month worth of starts as the Angels delay Adell or Marsh's clock.

2020 - 2B David Fletcher vs. Luis Rengifo vs. Jahmai Jones - Jones has the upside you dream on, and he's heading to AA coming off a great performance in the AFL. If he does well this year, he'd force the Angels to make a decision next year.

2020 - 3B Zack Cozart vs. Taylor Ward vs. Luis Rengifo vs. David Fletcher - Pretty much the same as this year. 

2020 - #4/5 starter Jaime Barria vs. Felix Pena vs. Griffin Canning vs. Jose Suarez vs. Patrick Sandoval - If the Angels end up signing someone like Gerri Cole to sit atop the rotation alongside Shohei Ohtani, then there should be an interesting battle for the fifth starter. 

2020 - 1B Matt Thaiss vs. Jared Walsh vs. Albert Pujols - If Pujols doesn't retire, and if the Angels don't end up moving Upton over there.

2020 - Jo Adell and Brandon Marsh could be competing for a starting corner outfield spot too. 

[ScottT]

2044 Mike Trout Jr vs Jo Adell Jr

[GrittyVeterans]

lol

[Rico]

I could see Thaiss getting regular at bats at some point this season and just taking over the position from there.

[Broad Street]

I've been more impressed by Jared Walsh than Matt Thaiss. Who has more upside?

[totdprods]

9 hours ago, Second Base said:

2020 - Brennon Lund vs. Michael Hermosillo (4th OF). - Whoever wins probably gets a full month worth of starts as the Angels delay Adell or Marsh's clock.

Hermosillo still seems, to me, one of the likeliest prospects we wind up dealing. He has just enough control, options, and potential for any team to have interest in him in return for someone akin to a Harvey, Allen, Kinsler-type, a potential impact vet without too much shine, at the deadline if we’re buyers or a bigger picture move for someone like an Isaiah Kiner-Falefa, Mitch Garver, Andrew Knapp-type, paralleling the first Aaron Hicks trade. A potential for potential deal. Lund could also be valued similarly if he has a strong season in ‘19.

We’re not far from Adell being first to get a shot, with Marsh also being close with a big year. And while not true 4th OF, Walsh, Fletcher, and perhaps Jones all could offer some coverage too.

Also, Eppler really seems to like stockpiling AAAA/minor league vet OFs too. Some of that by necessity of course, but he’s always found intriguing guys. Blash, Puello, Parker, Ortega, Gentry, Bourjos, Liriano...they all had potential to contribute in big ways if they found their ceiling.

Edited March 20, 2019 by totdprods

[Rico]

1 hour ago, Kody Mac said:

I've been more impressed by Jared Walsh than Matt Thaiss. Who has more upside?

Thaiss was a first round draft pick while Walsh was drafted in the 39th round.  In roughly the same amount of minor league at bats I would say Walsh has been a bit better.

Thaiss: 31 HR, .280 / .357 / .437

Walsh: 49 HR, .294 / .360 / .496

Walsh has more power but also strikes out much more.

[Broad Street]

12 minutes ago, Rico said:

Thaiss was a first round draft pick while Walsh was drafted in the 39th round.  In roughly the same amount of minor league at bats I would say Walsh has been a bit better.

Thaiss: 31 HR, .280 / .357 / .437

Walsh: 49 HR, .294 / .360 / .496

Walsh has more power but also strikes out much more.

What do they grade out defensively?

[Second Base]

If it's worth anything so far, the Angels have come away EXTREMELY impressed with the growth Matt Thaiss has made in the last year.  The numbers are reflective of it yet, but he's made some adjustments at the plate and is hitting the ball very hard against quality professional pitchers and has turned himself into a solid defender over at first base.  Matt went from a kid who the Angels thought may be a someone playing an important role down the road to someone they can see featuring in the lineup this year or next year. 

And as for Walsh, they like him too.  They like his athleticism, and so they've been exploring different scenarios in which they can get him into the lineup.  He isn't the defender Thaiss is at 1B, but he's more athletic and is no slouch there himself.  Walsh plays a higher quality corner OF than you'd think. His reads are good, he doesn't make a ton of mistakes, has a good arm.  He won't win you a gold glove out there, but he's solid.  When the Angels started experimenting with Trumbo in the OF, he lacked instincts, and while Trumbo was a good athlete, he wasn't so good that he can overcome the difficult reads.  But he did have a good arm.  With Walsh, he's on par with Trumbo, but is much more instinctual out there.  And offensively, Walsh has surprising opposite field pop.  His exit velocities aren't going to match even Thaiss, but he can loft the ball with ease, which is something Thaiss' swing isn't geared toward.  On the mound, the Angels really like Walsh's ability to hide the ball and spin it.  He tops out around 92-93, but for the most part, you'll see him throw 90/91.  He won't ever be a set up man or even a middle reliever, but if you're down, or if you've got a couple lefties coming up, he can get you some outs.  It isn't his main role, it's just a plus. 

Both will end up having their role in the majors though.  Thaiss will be a starting 1B.  Walsh will be a part time 1B, part time corner OF and part time pitcher.

[Hubs]

13 hours ago, Second Base said:

It's a pretty slow news day....except for the whole "greatest day in Angels history" thing, so I thought it might be fun to take a look at future battles we can look forward to seeing. 

2020 - Brennon Lund vs. Michael Hermosillo (4th OF). - Whoever wins probably gets a full month worth of starts as the Angels delay Adell or Marsh's clock.

2020 - 2B David Fletcher vs. Luis Rengifo vs. Jahmai Jones - Jones has the upside you dream on, and he's heading to AA coming off a great performance in the AFL. If he does well this year, he'd force the Angels to make a decision next year.

2020 - 3B Zack Cozart vs. Taylor Ward vs. Luis Rengifo vs. David Fletcher - Pretty much the same as this year. 

2020 - #4/5 starter Jaime Barria vs. Felix Pena vs. Griffin Canning vs. Jose Suarez vs. Patrick Sandoval - If the Angels end up signing someone like Gerri Cole to sit atop the rotation alongside Shohei Ohtani, then there should be an interesting battle for the fifth starter. 

2020 - 1B Matt Thaiss vs. Jared Walsh vs. Albert Pujols - If Pujols doesn't retire, and if the Angels don't end up moving Upton over there.

2020 - Jo Adell and Brandon Marsh could be competing for a starting corner outfield spot too. 

2020 - I think you are jumping the gun with Hermosillio vs. Lund. It depends of course on how 2019 goes for Kole Calhoun. You are expecting him not to be resigned, if Adell establishes himself. While I don't think Marsh is going to be the 4th OF, with Adell as the presumptive RF, it's more likely they go with a veteran as the 4th OF, and Lund/Hermosillio/Walsh as the 5th OF.

2020 - 2B looks good, excited to see this.

2020 - 3B Ward is going to be the established starter by then. Cozart is the backup. Rojas breathing down his neck in AAA.

2020 - Rotation - Ohtani, Heaney, and Skaggs are the only sure things. The other two (or three) spots could be Gerrit Cole, DeGrom, or Matt Harvey, or Jaimie Barria, or Canning, etc. way too early to see how this shapes up.

2020 - 1B Matt Thaiss vs. Justin Bour vs. Albert Pujols vs. Walsh

2020 - Adell and Marsh may compete, we'll see. Adell has the significant edge here, but Marsh should be in AAA by the end of this year.

Other Future Battles

2020 - Closer - Allen may be brought back, otherwise, it could be Buttrey, Middleton, Anderson or someone entirely new.

2021 - 2B At this point, Jones should be ready, so it's his job to lose.

2021 - Simmons Back at SS, or Fletcher/ Rengifo/ Someone new comp?

2021 - 1B Thaiss vs. Walsh?

2021 - Rotation Anchored by Heaney, Canning, and Ohtani, and a presumptive FA Starter. Who's the 5th guy? Skaggs?

 

 

 

 

[Taylor]

13 hours ago, ScottT said:

2044 Mike Trout Jr vs Jo Adell Jr

2034 Mike Napoli Jr. vs. Jeff Mathis Jr.

[Docwaukee]

1 hour ago, Second Base said:

If it's worth anything so far, the Angels have come away EXTREMELY impressed with the growth Matt Thaiss has made in the last year.  The numbers are reflective of it yet, but he's made some adjustments at the plate and is hitting the ball very hard against quality professional pitchers and has turned himself into a solid defender over at first base.  Matt went from a kid who the Angels thought may be a someone playing an important role down the road to someone they can see featuring in the lineup this year or next year. 

And as for Walsh, they like him too.  They like his athleticism, and so they've been exploring different scenarios in which they can get him into the lineup.  He isn't the defender Thaiss is at 1B, but he's more athletic and is no slouch there himself.  Walsh plays a higher quality corner OF than you'd think. His reads are good, he doesn't make a ton of mistakes, has a good arm.  He won't win you a gold glove out there, but he's solid.  When the Angels started experimenting with Trumbo in the OF, he lacked instincts, and while Trumbo was a good athlete, he wasn't so good that he can overcome the difficult reads.  But he did have a good arm.  With Walsh, he's on par with Trumbo, but is much more instinctual out there.  And offensively, Walsh has surprising opposite field pop.  His exit velocities aren't going to match even Thaiss, but he can loft the ball with ease, which is something Thaiss' swing isn't geared toward.  On the mound, the Angels really like Walsh's ability to hide the ball and spin it.  He tops out around 92-93, but for the most part, you'll see him throw 90/91.  He won't ever be a set up man or even a middle reliever, but if you're down, or if you've got a couple lefties coming up, he can get you some outs.  It isn't his main role, it's just a plus. 

Both will end up having their role in the majors though.  Thaiss will be a starting 1B.  Walsh will be a part time 1B, part time corner OF and part time pitcher.

disagree on Walsh's defense.  He's way better than Thaiss and probably the best defensive 1bman in our system.  

[Blarg]

I believe Hermosillo's window of opportunity was Spring Training 2019. He was absent and now is passed on the depth chart by players that show more MLB potential. His best chance to make the majors is through trade. 

[Second Base]

30 minutes ago, Taylor said:

2034 Mike Napoli Jr. vs. Jeff Mathis Jr.

CERA revival!

[Docwaukee]

2 hours ago, Blarg said:

I believe Hermosillo's window of opportunity was Spring Training 2019. He was absent and now is passed on the depth chart by players that show more MLB potential. His best chance to make the majors is through trade. 

He's actually got two years of options left in this and next so he doesn't have to be a permanent fixture on the major league roster until 2021.  Becoming the 4th OFer doesn't need to happen until two off seasons from now.  He's got a ton of potential and is a guy who could actually turn into a dynamic player.  More than likely though,  he ends up being one of those guys who's constantly shuffled around waivers.