Hector Santiago & Tyler Skaggs Thoughts & Scouting Reports

[Brent Maguire]

I watched a few videos today on Skaggs from some his starts last year and his curve ball is absolutely a plus pitch. His fastball doesn't need to be hitting 95 because his fastball gets decent movement and makes it tougher to hit. His changeup looks pretty solid too and can definitely get better. He's pretty deceptive with his mechanics too so it's easy to see why he was such a highly touted prospect.

I think some people who don't like the trade are ignoring how old he is. A 22 year old kid with less than 100 innings in the bigs? Such a great trade for the Angels.

[HaloFan85]

Exactly.  And like I said, and I'm sure you agree, it really is a moot point.  His secondaries are good enough.  If he lowers his BB rate, he's going to be very good.

 

 

Brooks has it pretty much the same.  The velo dips as the year goes on in 2012 and '13 (like it does most pitchers).

 

I think the concern was his velocity dropping to the 88-89 mph range already in June.  I'm sure that's why he was sent to the minors by the end of July to finish up the season.

[Greg_Bearringer]

The biggest problem affecting his performance is that his FB looked flat more than (Just) the velo drop. #amaturescoutingreport.

[Angelsjunky]

I'm very glad to have Skaggs back. If he can get his velocity up, he could be a real prize.

 

Santiago I'm a bit leery of. Santana would be great but he looks like he has Daniel Cabrera potential. On the other hand, if the Angels sign Garza or another starter then he could end up back in the pen and be a nice flamethrower there.

[Pujols4MVP]

Seriously can't get over how great of a move this is.  I've been a Skaggs fan for a long time.  It doesn't matter if he sits 89, he literally has a 70-75 curve and a plus change.

 

A lefthanded Jered Weaver would be cool.

[Mark68]

By the way, that 2.87 ERA in AAA in 2012 was in Reno, right? That place is a bandbox.

[Angel Oracle]

What were the D-Backs thinking in changing his release point?

 

Lefty heavy lineups could eventually not have much fun against this rotation.

[Vegas Halo Fan]

According to one article I read, the Angels offered Kendrick to Chicago straight up for Santiago and the Sox said no. To pick him up, plus another P and still have Kendrick is all good, IMO.

[Chuck]

By the way, that 2.87 ERA in AAA in 2012 was in Reno, right? That place is a bandbox.

Yeah, that's pretty Damn impressive.

[Docwaukee]

I feel much better knowing that Skaggs velo drop is possibly a minor mechanical issue that is easily fixed.  Really odd that they'd change his delivery like that.  Anyone with any insight as to why they might have done that?

[Mark68]

What were the D-Backs thinking in changing his release point?

 

Lefty heavy lineups could eventually not have much fun against this rotation.

As I posted in another thread, Fielder's career OPS vs LHP is .803 compared to .971 vs righties, and Cano's career OPS vs lefties is .790 (vs .894 against RHP).

 

I wonder if this factored in at all...the fact that we picked up lefties.

 

Now I like the rotation: RLRLL with Richards/Santiago/Skaggs at the back end.

[dimitrig]

I see Santiago as a left handed Santana.

 

Me, too, which is why I am worried.

[Make Angels Great Again]

Santiago dominated away from that launching pad in Chicago the last two years.

 

mid 2s ERA in 2012 and a 3.12 in 2013. 

 

This is such an awesome trade.

[Chuck]

Santiago dominated away from that launching pad in Chicago the last two years.

mid 2s ERA in 2012 and a 3.12 in 2013.

This is such an awesome trade.

Nice. I forgot to look that up.

[T.G.]

I heard Dipoto yesterday on mlbnetworkadio and he also talked about the release point.  Dipoto is obviously a big fan - going back to when Skaggs was in HS.  He talked about his work ethic and his desire to be "great" and that being average won't do for Skaggs.  He talked about his feel for pitching and that he's a good athlete.  The change in the release point was to make his change up better, which it did.  Doesn't have to throw hard to be effective....

[Chuck]

I heard Dipoto yesterday on mlbnetworkadio and he also talked about the release point.  Dipoto is obviously a big fan - going back to when Skaggs was in HS.  He talked about his work ethic and his desire to be "great" and that being average won't do for Skaggs.  He talked about his feel for pitching and that he's a good athlete.  The change in the release point was to make his change up better, which it did.  Doesn't have to throw hard to be effective....

 

Wow, that's great news!

[Chuck]

Check out some of these Hector Santiago gems.

 

http://wapc.mlb.com/...or+Santiago+Gem

 

http://wapc.mlb.com/...Hector+Santiago

 

http://wapc.mlb.com/...Hector+Santiago

 

http://mlb.mlb.com/v...ent_id=28566993

 

http://mlb.mlb.com/v...ent_id=27370521

 

http://wapc.mlb.com/...Hector+Santiago

 

Here's a few of Tyler Skaggs in the bigs...

 

http://wapc.mlb.com/play/?content_id=28644267&topic_id=vtp_highlight_worthy&query=Tyler%20Skaggs

 

http://wapc.mlb.com/play/?content_id=27502959&query=Tyler%20Skaggs

 

http://wapc.mlb.com/play/?content_id=24124995&topic_id=vtp_star_of_the_game&query=Tyler%2BSkaggs

[AngelStew43]

I like Santiago, especially the K/9 numbers.  His overall numbers will be better in our park, which should help his win percentage .  

 

Skaggs, I hated giving him and Corbin for Haren in that deal.  Happy to get him back.  

 

I am feeling that we don't need to pursue another FA starter, unless it is Tanaka.  We could easily slot Shoemaker or Maronde in that role, or look to pick up someone at the end of spring training.  And I am still hoping for Chad Billingsley, as the Dodgers don't seem to have a spot for him.

[Inside Pitch]

Dan Szymborski â€@DSzymborski23h

Skaggs LAA projection - 10-9, 3.81, 158.1 IP, 14 HR, 63 BB, 140 K, 99 ERA+, 1.9 WAR. People too quick to chuck away a guy just turned 22.

 

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[Mark68]

 

Dan Szymborski â€@DSzymborski23h

Skaggs LAA projection - 10-9, 3.81, 158.1 IP, 14 HR, 63 BB, 140 K, 99 ERA+, 1.9 WAR. People too quick to chuck away a guy just turned 22.

 

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If we get that from him in his age 22 season, I am salivating at what his age 26-28 seasons can bring.

[bloodbrother]

He also has Santiago projected for a 3.82 ERA in a mixed role