AngelsWin.com Today: Los Angeles Angels Minor League Hotlist (5/13-5/26 2019)

[AngelsWin.com]

By Tres Hefter, AngelsWin.com Columnist

1) Spencer Griffin – OF, A: 
Perhaps the greatest surprise of the 2019 hotlist is this week’s top entrant, Burlington outfielder Spencer Griffin! Despite going hitless in four straight games a week ago, Griffin (2017, 16th Rd.) led all Angel farmhands with a 1.122 OPS over the last two weeks, slashing .350/.422/.700, ripping 2 doubles, 3 triples, and 2 home runs, paced by 5 BB vs. 11 K. Only 22, continued strong play could lead him into future discussion on the 4th OF depth charts alongside names like Michael Hermosillo, Brennon Lund, and Torii Hunter, Jr., as Griffin is comfortable at all three outfield positions.
2019 hitting (A): .238/.341/.411/.752 with 5 doubles, 3 triples, 5 HR, 14 RBI, 23 BB, 59 K in 44 G/176 PA

2) Cesar Puello – CF/LF/RF, AAA:
The one-time Top 100 prospect continues to play well, earning his third consecutive placement on the Top 10 hotlist. Playing mostly CF over the last two weeks, Puello continues to do what he’s done all season – get on base (.419 OBP), hit for contact (.308 BA), and hit for power (.577 SLG). Only 28, Puello is likely cast as a quad-A player (potential Japanese/Korean league star?) but opportunity remains for him to be an interesting, unexpected contributor to the Angels – or another MLB club – should need arise.
2019 (AAA): .303/.439/.515/.954 with 7 doubles, 7 HR, 27 RBI, 22 BB, 37 K in 41 G/164 PA

3) Taylor Ward – LF, AAA:
Over the last two weeks, Ward has teetered on topping the list, or falling off completely, but in the end, his strong plate discipline (11 BB to 12 K) and power (3 doubles, 3 home runs) kept him in the mix, as he posted a .220/.396/.512/.908 slash in the second half of May. Notably, Ward has played only LF defensively during this time, save for a few innings at 3B yesterday, along with a couple games at DH.
2019 (AAA): .279/.422/.590/1.012 with 11 doubles, 9 HR, 20 RBI, 28 BB, 30 K in 33 G/155 PA

4) Brandon Marsh – CF, AA:
Finally! The talent and athleticism from 21-year old Brandon Marsh has translated into the production we’ve waited for, bringing him onto the hotlist on the strength of a .306/.443/.429/.871 slash, knocking 6 doubles in 14 games, while drawing 12 walks to 18 strikeouts. Playing CF almost exclusively, Marsh will likely soon cede to one of the corners upon the return of Jo Adell, but Marsh’s .935 May OPS, defense, and plate discipline might give him the slight edge on MLB-readiness between the two.
2019 (AA): .273/.377/.350/.727 with 8 doubles, 1 HR, 16 RBI, 24 BB, 50 K in 40 G/167 PA

5) Matt Thaiss – 3B/1B, AAA:
After starting the month of May in a cold spell (.205/.294/.318), Thaiss warmed as the month continued, swatting three home runs and a double, driving in 8, and walking 9 times vs. 13 strikeouts, giving him a .271/.386/.479/.865 slash. Also worth noting, Thaiss played a majority  of this time at 3B, eight games, as the infielder continues to improve upon his versatility and thus, his MLB chances.
2019 (AAA): .260/.367/.409/.776 with 8 doubles, 2 triples, 5 HR, 21 RBI, 31 BB, 36 K in 47 G/215 PA

6) Jose Rojas – DH/1B, AAA:
Mirroring Matt Thaiss, at least offensively, is Jose Rojas, who also started the month of May ice-cold (.159/.174/.273) before re-emerging on the strength of his power (1 double, 1 triple, 2 HR) and a much-improved stretch plate discipline (9 walks to 7 strikeouts), leading him to a .243/.375/.486/.861 slash. One difference between the two is their performance in the field, as Rojas’ limitations defensively have increased his playing time at DH and 1B. Rojas hasn’t appeared in LF since 4/27.
2019 (AAA): .262/.326/.482/.808 with 8 doubles, 2 triples, 8 HR, 34 RBI, 17 BB, 37 K in 42 G/184 PA

Honorable mention, hitters:
Michael Cruz (DH/C, A+): .333/.345/.519/.863 with 2 3B, 1 HR –  not enough playing time (8 G/29 PA)
Jarrett Parker (RF, AAA): .282/.417/.436/.853 with 3 HR, 8 BB, 11 K
Bo Way (LF/RF, AA): .279/.340/.488/.829 with 6 2B, HR, 4 BB, 7 K
Jordyn Adams (OF, A): .283/.309/.434/.743 with 2 2B, 2 HR but only 1 BB in 55 PA

7) Jesus Castillo – RHP, AA: 
Castillo continues to re-assert himself as an interesting Angels pitching prospect, adding three more strong starts over the last two weeks, only allowing three earned runs across 17 innings (1.59 ERA) and only walking four. While not blessed with overpowering stuff, only 10 strikeouts in that time, Castillo has helped himself by keeping the ball in the yard (zero HR allowed all year, save for one disastrous performance in late April) and painting the corners with great command. No longer on the 40-man, Castillo still serves as rotation depth, but might also find himself catching the eye pitching-starved teams such as Baltimore, Miami, Kansas City, should the Angels wind up buyers and seek rental help from those clubs.
2019 (AA): 4.01 ERA, 1.30 WHIP, .262 BAA, 15 BB, 39 K across 49.1 IP in 10 G/8 GS

8 ) Jose Soriano – RHP, A:
Just like the last hotlist, Soriano surged into placement with a dominant performance at the end of the week, pitching into the 7th for the first time this year, striking out 10 across 6.1 innings on 5/26, punctuated by 19 swinging strikes. The 20-year old didn’t have the prettiest ERA over his last three starts – 5.79 in 15.1 IP – but he did manage 23 strikeouts in that time, keeping walks in check with 7 allowed. Now nearing 50 IP on the year, Soriano is regularly throwing 85 pitches per game, and is likely growing into the Angels top RHP SP prospect, now that Griffin Canning has graduated to the majors.
2019 (A): 3.09 ERA, 1.37 WHIP, .224 BAA, 27 BB, 55 K across 46.2 IP in 10 G/9 GS

9) Luis Madero – RHP, AA:
Madero continues to settle in following his recent promotion to AA Mobile, as the 6’3″ 22-year old posted two strong starts over the last two weeks, totalling 11 IP, 8 hits, 3 ER, 3 BB, and 12 K. Throwing just shy of 90 pitches per game and currently on the 40-man, Madero’s likely starting to creep into the MLB depth charts and with strong results, could be in line for a September call-up for an audition as a future multi-inning reliever or Felix Pena-esque stater.
2019 (A+/AA): 2.57 ERA, 1.21 WHIP, .235 BAA, 13 BB, 44 K across 33.1 IP in 9 G/8 GS

10) Brett Hanewich – RHP, A+/AA:
Control has long been an issue for 2017 9th Round pick Brett Hanewich, who walked 6 per 9 innings in his first two years of pro-ball. That has not been the case this year however, as Hanewich has halved that total down to a respectable (for a reliever) 3.1 per 9 innings – while boosting his strikeout totals. Hanewich earned a promotion to AA Mobile this week, and continued where he left off in Inland Empire – throwing perfect relief. In his last three games, Hanewich has thrown 5 IP, allowing 0 hits, 0 walks, 0 runs, and striking out 11.
2019 (A+/AA): 0.89 ERA, 0.74 WHIP, .119 BAA, 7 BB, 29 K across 20.1 IP in 14 G

Honorable mention, pitchers:
Patrick Sandoval (LHP, AAA): 7.2 IP, 8 H, 5 BB, 10 K, 0.00 ERA in 2 GS – settling in to AAA SLC
Kyle Bradish (RHP, A+): 9.2 IP, 6 H, 5 BB, 16 K, 2.79 ERA in 2 GS
Jason Alexander (RHP, AA): 14 IP, 17 H, 5 BB, 19 K, 5.79 ERA – dramatic increase in strikeouts is worth watching
Luis Alvarado (RHP, A+): 10.2 IP, 6 H, 8 BB, 18 K, 1.69 ERA in 3 games 

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[HaloMilliVanilli]

Love these updates.

[Tank]

Wait, Puello is “only 28”???

[Docwaukee]

Nicely done!  Thanks for this.  

[eligrba]

Thanks for making the day brighter.

[Troll Daddy]

Matt Thaiss at 3B is interesting ... wonder how his defense projects at 3B

[Taylor]

9 hours ago, Tank said:

Wait, Puello is “only 28”???

That's 25 in Pujols years.

[Second Base]

1 hour ago, Troll Daddy said:

Matt Thaiss at 3B is interesting ... wonder how his defense projects at 3B

He's doing a pretty solid job over there.  Reflexes are fast, plenty of arm and glove.  Doesn't look like a natural out there yet, but he's better than Taylor Ward was at the hot corner.  He looks like he could learn to legitimately cover 3B at the major league level.  He's not good there yet, but that remains a possibility. 

[Troll Daddy]

 

[DMVol]

10 hours ago, Second Base said:

He's doing a pretty solid job over there.  Reflexes are fast, plenty of arm and glove.  Doesn't look like a natural out there yet, but he's better than Taylor Ward was at the hot corner.  He looks like he could learn to legitimately cover 3B at the major league level.  He's not good there yet, but that remains a possibility. 

Ward to LF may be an indication that his 3b experiment hasn't won over the Angel brass....We are more in need of a 3bman than a LF'er....If he can settle in at 3b, Thaiss may have a better shot at the bigs than Ward...

[Second Base]

1 hour ago, DMVol said:

Ward to LF may be an indication that his 3b experiment hasn't won over the Angel brass....We are more in need of a 3bman than a LF'er....If he can settle in at 3b, Thaiss may have a better shot at the bigs than Ward...

You're absolutely correct.  If Ward does make it to the major leagues on a permanent basis, it will either be as a starting 1B or LF with the emergency ability to cover 3B and C. Thaiss on the other hand may not be competing with Walsh and Ward for 1B as much as he's competing with Luis Rengifo for a spot in the infield.  If Thaiss wins 3B permanently, that means Fletcher and La Stella move to 2B and utility, which means Rengifo isn't part of the equation.  And if Rengifo wins the 2B spot, that means La Stella and Fletcher are the 3B and utility men, meaning Thaiss is in direct competition with Walsh and Ward for 1B duties.  Moreover, if the Angels hang onto Brandon Marsh and Jo Adell, that will likely mean Justin Upton shifting over to 1B at some point in the next couple years, so if Thaiss doesn't win 3B, he very well could be competing with Marsh and Upton. 

Basically, Matt Thaiss' best way to make it to this club on a permanent basis is to play 3B, so it's a good thing that the Angels have experimented with him over there, and it's an even better thing that he's looked pretty good too.  He could win out 1B for sure, but there's less competition for 3B. 

[totdprods]

@Second Base stated this 100% perfectly. 

I think it's also worth noting the existence of all the scenarios laid out there - it's a testament to how good of a job Eppler has done developing the farm, developing real depth, developing multiple contingencies at multiple positions, and all of that could have been thrown out of wack with trades of prospects or muddied with big veteran FA signings. 

It furthers the notion that Eppler's plan has long-been building this team up to a window of contention that would be beginning around 2020, and not ending around 2020, and set's us up with a very sustainable, affordable, flexible array of IF/OF options. This hasn't given us the wins/losses results we'd like to see, but there's lots in the underlying current to be optimistic about.

[Chuck]

@totdprods wasn't the only one who has been eyeing Puello as he gets the call to the big leagues today. Cesar Puello, has been on the past two prospect hotlists.

Great numbers in AAA, especially the OBP. 

.299/.434/.507/ and a .941 with 7 HR's. 

 

[ScruffytheJanitor]

On 5/28/2019 at 10:25 AM, Second Base said:

You're absolutely correct.  If Ward does make it to the major leagues on a permanent basis, it will either be as a starting 1B or LF with the emergency ability to cover 3B and C. Thaiss on the other hand may not be competing with Walsh and Ward for 1B as much as he's competing with Luis Rengifo for a spot in the infield.  If Thaiss wins 3B permanently, that means Fletcher and La Stella move to 2B and utility, which means Rengifo isn't part of the equation.  And if Rengifo wins the 2B spot, that means La Stella and Fletcher are the 3B and utility men, meaning Thaiss is in direct competition with Walsh and Ward for 1B duties.  Moreover, if the Angels hang onto Brandon Marsh and Jo Adell, that will likely mean Justin Upton shifting over to 1B at some point in the next couple years, so if Thaiss doesn't win 3B, he very well could be competing with Marsh and Upton. 

Basically, Matt Thaiss' best way to make it to this club on a permanent basis is to play 3B, so it's a good thing that the Angels have experimented with him over there, and it's an even better thing that he's looked pretty good too.  He could win out 1B for sure, but there's less competition for 3B. 

With our situation at Corner OF (How good is Godwin really?) and 1B (Can Pujols really play 100 games at 1B? lolnope), and 3B (f'n Cozart) I kinda sorta like both as bench bats next year.

[Second Base]

47 minutes ago, ScruffytheJanitor said:

With our situation at Corner OF (How good is Godwin really?) and 1B (Can Pujols really play 100 games at 1B? lolnope), and 3B (f'n Cozart) I kinda sorta like both as bench bats next year.

Well, I think the problem with that is that you really don't want prospects to be your bench depth.  It takes a special skill set to be able to be productive with limited playing time, and the lack of PT tends to stall a young player's development.  So I'd only do that if development had finished within the young player, or their ceiling just wasn't very high, or you didn't have another option.  Like with Michael Hermosillo next year.  He'd make an ideal 4th OF, assuming he's healthy.  But using someone like Thaiss as a bench bat, almost assuredly would ruin his future as a regular, if one exists. 

[ettin]

19 hours ago, Chuckster70 said:

@totdprods wasn't the only one who has been eyeing Puello as he gets the call to the big leagues today. Cesar Puello, has been on the past two prospect hotlists.

Great numbers in AAA, especially the OBP. 

.299/.434/.507/ and a .941 with 7 HR's. 

 

@Inside Pitch wanted to see him in the OF back on July 26th, 2017, so there is that.....

He has a great track record in the Minors with high OBP so maybe at 28 he has figured it out. Nothing to lose here.

[ScruffytheJanitor]

18 hours ago, Second Base said:

Well, I think the problem with that is that you really don't want prospects to be your bench depth.  It takes a special skill set to be able to be productive with limited playing time, and the lack of PT tends to stall a young player's development.  So I'd only do that if development had finished within the young player, or their ceiling just wasn't very high, or you didn't have another option.  Like with Michael Hermosillo next year.  He'd make an ideal 4th OF, assuming he's healthy.  But using someone like Thaiss as a bench bat, almost assuredly would ruin his future as a regular, if one exists. 

That's a good point-- especially since they can't really both be at the Majors next year anyway, what with there being only three real bench spots these days-- two of which are reserved for Catcher and a guy that can play short.  I should have said "organizational depth" because Ward has to be one of the first guys up for that inevitable two-week period when Pujols goes down or Cozart is put on paid administrative leave for gross negligence at the plate the DL.   I am also not all that sold on Ward as an everyday regular anyway-- but you are right, next year is probably a year too early to relegate him to bench status.

I also think there is at least a 20% chance that Thaiss is going to start at 3B next season if we can't acquire a decent third baseman over the next nine months-- especially since he can also step in a 1B if needed.

[Second Base]

1 hour ago, ScruffytheJanitor said:

That's a good point-- especially since they can't really both be at the Majors next year anyway, what with there being only three real bench spots these days-- two of which are reserved for Catcher and a guy that can play short.  I should have said "organizational depth" because Ward has to be one of the first guys up for that inevitable two-week period when Pujols goes down or Cozart is put on paid administrative leave for gross negligence at the plate the DL.   I am also not all that sold on Ward as an everyday regular anyway-- but you are right, next year is probably a year too early to relegate him to bench status.

I also think there is at least a 20% chance that Thaiss is going to start at 3B next season if we can't acquire a decent third baseman over the next nine months-- especially since he can also step in a 1B if needed.

Yeah, he'll need to turn that corner where his talent becomes production first. 

[Angel Oracle]

Great beginning for Puello 

[totdprods]

1 hour ago, Angel Oracle said:

Great beginning for Puello 

It's pretty crazy that we basically didn't miss a beat with Goodwin, Puello, and La Stella pretty much matching/exceeding what we got from Upton and Ohtani in the same time last year. 

Justin Upton, March - May 2018: .237/.315/.427/.742 with 7 doubles, 11 HR, 35 RBI, 23 BB, 69 K
Brian Goodwin and Puello '19: .303/.367/.500/.867 with 9 doubles, 1 triple, 8 HR,  25 RBI, 17 BB, 46 K

Ohtani March- May 2018: .291/.376/.553/.929 with 7 doubles, 1 triple, 6 HR, 20 RBI, 14 BB, 30 K
Tommy La Stella 2019: .310/.372/.538/.910 with 3 doubles, 12 HR, 34 RBI, 14 BB, 16 K

[Chuck]

22 hours ago, totdprods said:

It's pretty crazy that we basically didn't miss a beat with Goodwin, Puello, and La Stella pretty much matching/exceeding what we got from Upton and Ohtani in the same time last year. 

Justin Upton, March - May 2018: .237/.315/.427/.742 with 7 doubles, 11 HR, 35 RBI, 23 BB, 69 K
Brian Goodwin and Puello '19: .303/.367/.500/.867 with 9 doubles, 1 triple, 8 HR,  25 RBI, 17 BB, 46 K

Ohtani March- May 2018: .291/.376/.553/.929 with 7 doubles, 1 triple, 6 HR, 20 RBI, 14 BB, 30 K
Tommy La Stella 2019: .310/.372/.538/.910 with 3 doubles, 12 HR, 34 RBI, 14 BB, 16 K

This just illustrates how bad our starting pitching was, plus that opening week our offense was sputtering along. 

[totdprods]

1 hour ago, Chuckster70 said:

This just illustrates how bad our starting pitching was, plus that opening week our offense was sputtering along. 

Opening week and the three series slump against Texas, Seattle, and the Yankees reserve team is what has really effed this season. Seems like we lost all but one or two or three of those 16 games or whatever, and we really should have at the very least split.