The Official 2020 Undrafted Amateur Selection Thread

[DCAngelsFan]

23 hours ago, Inside Pitch said:

Dude, if your entire argument is that "it makes them look cheap" then I dunno what to say.   

The Royals allowed their WS core to leave because they are cheap.   They are signing these guys because they are cheap to sign.   They seemingly have no issue paying guys when the team stands to gain but the second the player can cash in, it's see ya..   So, If you think the Angels furloughing scouts who had absolutely nothing to do is going to hurt their image among players more than the team having given AP 254 million, Wilson his contract, Trout the biggest extension ever for a pre-arb player, Josh Hamilton 125 mil, Trout the biggest contract in team sports history, and Rendon 250+ Mil then I don't know what to say.   I don't really get caught up in click bait articles from guys who turn around and make sad faces on twitter when his employer slashes jobs ten days later.

Again, I was critical of the situation.   Then we find out all the crap the teams couldn't do -- now we find out that MLB is moving forward with their plan to scuttle the rookie leagues and the necessary 1000 roster spots.   Sure they could do something for the sake of optics, but the only thing I actually care about is them making baseball decisions for baseball reasons.  Unless the players signed were worth displacing a younger player already in the system then there is no reason for me personally to be upset.

 

Hey, don't misunderstand, I'm just talking - I'm way too old to get upset over "baseball."  

But you say the only thing you care about is them making baseball decisions for baseball reasons.

In other words,you want them to put the best team on the field possible, right?  The most competitive?  Maybe with a chance at winning the World Series?  

So...

How has this team - this very rich team - done on that score in recent years, objectively speaking?  

WIth that backdrop - as a fan, it would hearten me to think the team is taking *every* opportunity to get better, out-working, out-innovating, out-thinking, out-competing every other team that's *also* trying  to get better. 

Also - in an entertainment business that's almost *entirely* based on "optics" - looking miserly and uncaring isn't a great business plan.  After all, someone recently said this:  (of course,he never would have said that had there not been a $245m contract attached):  

Quote

"To have that respect, to feel wanted and to want someone to come and be part of your family. That was the one important thing we always talked about when trying to look for an organization we wanted to head to or stay at was a family atmosphere. Somewhere we can plant our roots, build a foundation and just grow our family together"

 Arte has carefully cultivated that image - and I think it was foolish to be the only team (other than dead-broke Oakland) to try to save a few bucks on the backs of people who can least afford it - sure, pay Trout and Hamilton and Rendon and Pujols hundreds of millions of dollars - but screw you if you're just a lowly parking lot attendant or minor-league player. 

And in case you didn't notice, Glass sold the team last year - what the team did in the past is irrelevant, KC is doing those things under new ownership.  

My point remains - Arte probably cost himself more in "goodwill" than he would have saved had he not tried to layoff everyone (but then partially backed off because of blowback - those "optics", again.)

Just my not-remotely-upset $0.02.

 

[Angels in 2030]

Detroit signs a guy.  So now down to two teams left without a signing - TB and Angels.  Just stating a fact and updating - I’m not making a commentary either way. 

[mmc]

 

[mmc]

 

[Inside Pitch]

We are number 29!!!!!

[Stradling]

Just now, Inside Pitch said:

We are number 29!!!!!

Not crazy about his swing, but then again, I readily admit I am not a scout.  

[jsnpritchett]

Wow, that's a random one. Doesn't look like he was drafted out of HS, either. 5 2B, 2 3B, 0 HR, and only 2 SB in his college career.  Odd stats all around, really.

[Inside Pitch]

2 minutes ago, jsnpritchett said:

Wow, that's a random one. Doesn't look like he was drafted out of HS, either. 5 2B, 2 3B, 0 HR, and only 2 SB in his college career.  Odd stats all around, really.

We're number 29.5!!!

[Lou]

Only 99 more to go.

[Stradling]

They must see him as a pitcher

[jsnpritchett]

7 minutes ago, Stradling said:

They must see him as a pitcher

Turns 23 in November and hasn't pitched since HS--but I guess it's only $20K at most, so why not, right?

[Stradling]

3 minutes ago, jsnpritchett said:

Turns 23 in November and hasn't pitched since HS--but I guess it's only $20K at most, so why not, right?

Right.  

[halomatt]

12 hours ago, Stradling said:

They must see him as a pitcher

Yep.  I was thinking, "spin rate!"

[Angels in 2030]

Hmm, yeah it is an odd one.  His OF throws do not appear to show a great arm.  Looks like he's barely making it to the mound from the OF.  But hard to tell.  I guess he'd has to be able to throw 60+ feet as a P (lol).  

It got me thinking, with a larger game day roster and the cost just $20K to sign a guy, you could find a super fast college stolen base expert (if there were such a guy) to sit on the bench waiting for the perfect late game situation.  That might be a valuable weapon -- if you had the extra roster spot available. Or even a guy who is the best bunter available.  But again, that's only if you had expanded rosters and can afford an extra spot on the bench / 60 man.  I'm guessing not.  But just spit-balling.    

[Stradling]

5 minutes ago, Fourts said:

Hmm, yeah it is an odd one.  His OF throws do not appear to show a great arm.  Looks like he's barely making it to the mound from the OF.  But hard to tell.  I guess he'd has to be able to throw 60+ feet as a P (lol).  

It got me thinking, with a larger game day roster and the cost just $20K to sign a guy, you could find a super fast college stolen base expert (if there were such a guy) to sit on the bench waiting for the perfect late game situation.  That might be a valuable weapon -- if you had the extra roster spot available. Or even a guy who is the best bunter available.  But again, that's only if you had expanded rosters and can afford an extra spot on the bench / 60 man.  I'm guessing not.  But just spit-balling.    

It’s not really a 60 man roster it’s a 60 player pool.  The first 2 weeks there will be 30 man rosters, then 28 for 2 weeks then down to 26 for the remainder of the season.  

[Angels in 2030]

Yeah, i probably didn't word that very well.  I meant you need to have the guy be on both the 26-30 game day roster...as well as be part of the 60 player pool. 

The 60 player pool is easier obviously and you could use such a specialist in that group.  It's the gameday roster that would be more difficult.  But maybe it's possible this year since i supposed (?) it's easier to move guys back & forth amongst that. IDK, i haven't looked into what the rules are for moving guys on/off the game day roster from the 60 man for this 2020 season.  

[Stradling]

In that case trade for Billy Hamilton he will cost you some guy you’ve never heard of on the 60 man roster. 

[DCAngelsFan]

1 hour ago, Fourts said:

Hmm, yeah it is an odd one.  His OF throws do not appear to show a great arm.  Looks like he's barely making it to the mound from the OF.  But hard to tell.  I guess he'd has to be able to throw 60+ feet as a P (lol).  

It got me thinking, with a larger game day roster and the cost just $20K to sign a guy, you could find a super fast college stolen base expert (if there were such a guy) to sit on the bench waiting for the perfect late game situation.  That might be a valuable weapon -- if you had the extra roster spot available. Or even a guy who is the best bunter available.  But again, that's only if you had expanded rosters and can afford an extra spot on the bench / 60 man.  I'm guessing not.  But just spit-balling.    

Maybe he throws a knuckleball?

There was literally nothing I liked in that scouting video, and his stats bear that out - but someone who's paid to do this sees something worthwhile, so what do I know?

Maybe he's just related to someone on the team?

 

[Lou]

We should sign Herb Washington. 

 

(that was for AO)

[Stradling]

I got it