Our Picks

By AngelsWin.com's Chuck Richter, David Saltzer

When the Angels signed Shohei Ohtani in December, 2017, they knew that they were getting a special player. How special, though, remained to be seen. They knew he had a power arm and a power bat, but no one in a century had combined both in a full season of baseball. 

This year, Ohtani is having an unprecedented year. Fans are literally seeing history made every night, whether it’s through his hitting or his pitching. Sometimes it’s with both.

But the power of Ohtani extends far beyond the field. Not only does he have a massive American following, he has the power to draw fans from all over the world.

One of those fans is gal from Japan that we had the privilege of talking to. She goes by the handle Pikichin on Twitter. She was traveling throughout Africa at the time when she decided to come to see Ohtani play in the states.

Gameday Thread: Yankees @ Angels (9/1/21 4pm start): Naughton on the mound

Gameday Thread: Yankees @ Angels 8/31/2021 Barria on the mound 6:38pm

Gameday Thread: Yankees @ Angels (8/30/21): Bullpen Game - Mayers on the mound. No rest for Ohtani.

Gameday Thread: Padres @ Angels (8/28/21 6pm on FS1): Suarez on the mound, Adell hitting cleanup

Gameday Thread: Angels @ Orioles (8/26/21 10am Pacific start): Barria on the mound, Upton still out

Former Angels prospect Chris Ellis makes his Orioles debut.  They're the 6th organization he's been with since being part of the Andrelton Simmons trade.  Honestly not sure why he keeps getting opportunities, as his minor league numbers range from mediocre to flat-out terrible (6.32 ERA this year, 7.18 ERA in 2019):

This was posted by him on his Instagram.


"Thank you Lord for achieving one of my dreams, to play in the big leagues. You do not know how happy I feel. Thank you so much my God and thank you to the Angels for giving me the opportunity.

Jahmai Jones is making his Orioles debut:

That’s the main focus now.

Lots of talent on the farm, let’s see how things pan out the rest of the season and into 2022.

By Tres Hefter, AngelsWin.com Columnist

An infusion of pitching talent from the 2021 draft began their pro careers over the last two weeks, and a number of familiar names continued to make an impact at the higher levels on the offensive side of things. As the minor league season draws close to its final month, more attention will turn towards which prospects earn promotions to the next level, including some to the major leagues, with the Angels bolstering their youth movement and looking more towards 2022. 
--Position Players--
1) Michael Stefanic – 2B/SS, Salt Lake City AAA:
In perhaps the strongest indication that a Stefanic promotion to the bigs is imminent is his recent playing time (five games) at SS – his first at the position since one start back on May 18th , because aside from his relative defensive limitations and lack of position, there is nothing else keeping him in AAA at this point. Over the last two weeks, Stefanic posted an OPS of 1.106, adding 16 more hits in 41 at-bats (.390), four more home runs (giving him 14 on the season, his prior career high was 3), and walking three times to six strikeouts, giving him 34 BB to 57 K on the year. He is tied for 4th in all of minor league baseball in hits (117) and 5th in batting average (.340) and since July 1st, he is hitting .370 with a BAbip of .377, indicating that no, this isn’t pure luck or hitting-friendly park inflation - well, maybe some of the power. At this point, I believe it’s fair to say it’s simply a matter of time before Stefanic gets a chance at some playing time, perhaps even as soon as next homestand.


2021 (RCT AA/SLC AAA): .340/.408/.506/.914 with 15 doubles, 14 home runs, 49 RBI, and 34 BB, 57 K in 88 G/387 PA

A little odd to essentially have Lagares in the lineup instead of Upton.  I know he's been slumping, but still...why bother with Lagares?  (He'll of course hit 3 HR and make 2 spectacular catches now...)


 

Gameday Thread: Angels @ Tigers (8/19/21 10am Pacific start): Quintana on the mound

He just hit his 40th home run of the season. There are 40 games left to play.

Troy Glaus holds the Angels record with 47. Do you think Ohtani passes Glaus?

If yes, does he get to 50 or hit more?

If no, does he just fall short with maybe 46?

You'd think at this pace, he gets to at least 50 but I don't know if that's a guarantee. Him also pitching means there is double chance of getting hurt. His season is historical and he is winning the MVP either way.

Gameday Thread: Angels @ Tigers (8/18/21): Ohtani on the mound & leading off, Gosselin in for Walsh

Gameday Thread: Angels @ Tigers (8/17/21): Bundy on the mound, Iglesias at cleanup

Gerrit Cole back from the COVID list tonight:

Let's avoid the "a small island with supermodels" comments. OK, go ahead if you must--and I probably just opened the flood-gates--but I just wanted to pre-empt the smartassery. Onto the topic at hand....

Consider this a pre-Hot Stove discussion. There have been comments scattered throughout the forum, but let's consolidate it. From what I can tell, the Angels have $40-50M to spend this offseason. Let's say $45M...how do you spend it?

Considering all expiring contracts, I think the priorities are, in order:

1. A bullpen (3+ relievers). This is obviously the biggest concern, with only Mayers under club control for 2022, other than guys who have spent most of the year in the minors like Pena, Wantz, Warren, and Quijada. They've also not newcomer Selman, but he seems mediocre at best, and a bunch of minor leaguers to consider, including newcomers Elvis Peguero and Jose Marte. But the cupboard is pretty barren, as far as proven, quality relievers. So while they can fill several slots from within, I figure they'll want to sign at least three quality relievers, include a closer (e.g. Raisel Iglesias).

Astros:

McCullers on the mound.

Gameday Thread: Blue Jays @ Angels (8/12/21)

By The AngelsWin.com Prospect Posse

Welcome to our updated 2021 prospects list. After the tragedy that was a lost minor league season in 2020, we were very excited to see our minor leaguers in action. The big surprise this year is the veritable explosion of pitching, from strong performances by top prospects Reid Detmers and Chris Rodriguez, to the emergence of lesser-known guys like Davis Daniel and Robinson Pina, as well as many fringe guys all of a sudden becoming legitimate major league depth in the near future.

The Prospect Posse: Who Are We?

We are a group of nine regular contributors to this website, all of whom consider eyewitness accounts, scouting reports, statistical analysis, and just gut feeling in our assessment. We feel that our list is stronger for the fact that it includes nine contributors, all with slightly different emphases, both in terms of how we consider prospects, and what sort of guys stand out to us. As one can see with the “ranking ranges,” there is often wide disagreement, but it all evens out to provide what we feel is a very strong list.

One thing to note is that the lower in the rankings one gets, the more interchangeable the ordering. In terms of the methodology used to compile this list, some of the prospects are grouped in clusters. For instance, while there’s a gap between #10 and #11, the next three guys (#11-13) are all very close, as are #14-15, and #19-21. There is a large gap between #21 and #22, as well as after #25. In our methodology, there is a similar gap between #17 and #26 as there is between #26 and #50.

To put that another way, we—as a group—are rather clear on who our top 25 are, and how they are tiered in their relative rankings, but after that it is less clear.

Without further ado, here are our updated rankings:

1. REID DETMERS (21, LHP).....

As a SP: 28 IP, 28 hits allowed, 4 HR allowed, 11 BB, 23 K, 5.79 ERA, 1.39 WHIP, 7.4 K/9
As a RP: 27.1 IP, 21 hits allowed, 3 HR allowed, 9 BB, 26 K, 1.98 ERA, 1.10 WHIP, 8.6 K/9

This is a small sample size that really doesn't indicate much - he's been mostly effective in his starts, and it's easier to post good numbers in mop-up relief if you're coming in when the opponent already has a lead. 
And there certainly is no reason to take him out of the rotation this season. 

But I think it's fair to wonder where Suarez would be more of more value in 2022; as one of many young rotation options or as a multi-inning lefty relief weapon?

The Angels will have a glaring need for adding at least one, maybe two SPs, to the rotation this winter, and after that, the rotation gets crowded with all these young arms. 
I think Detmers has the stuff and is ready despite the results, and it's best to let him take his lumps in the majors until it becomes glaringly obvious he needs a AAA reboot, so I see him in '22 rotation.
Barria is a similar case to Suarez from the other side of the mound, but he has never really looked comfortable in relief unlike Suarez. He's out of options so he's either in the rotation or traded this winter.
I still think Rodriguez' injury history and mechanics make relief his likely future, but he has made me look completely wrong in his two starts this year - efficient, effective, crisp - there's no reason to stop that experiment with his upside. 

That makes Ohtani, Sandoval, Rodriguez/Barria (assuming either Barria winds up traded or Rodriguez in AAA), Detmers, and two winter acquisitions - that's six right there. 

Given how thin the upper-level bullpen depth is, does it make more sense to pencil Suarez into the '22 bullpen, barring a huge August/September from him as a starter?
That also doesn't mean it would be permanent. They stretched him out mid-season and worked him back into the rotation as Bundy cratered, so it's not like they couldn't do the same as 2022 continued if there was a need.

Robinson Pina, RHP Tri-Cities Dust Devils

By Tres Hefter, AngelsWin.com Columnist

With the trade deadline now in the past and prospects on the move to the bigs, attention continues to turn towards some of the Angels breakout prospects; unexpected performance from once-prospects, 2021 draftees and trade returns making their debuts, players adjusting to new leagues and other names returning from injury...

-- Pitchers--

1) Robinson Pina – RHP, Tri-City A+:

In the last two weeks, Robinson Pina was the hard luck loser in two of his three starts, but there was more than meets the eye, as the 6’4” righty struck out 28 hitters in 17.1 IP, almost half of the hitters he faced (62) in that time, continuing a resurgent summer following an erratic May which saw Pina walk 24 hitters in his first 15 innings. Since then, Pina has only walked 22 in his last 60 innings, and has flashed strong strikeout numbers along the way, whiffing 88. Pina also continued to limit opponents at the plate, as his .175 BAA is consistent with his season mark of .185 BAA. A late-season promotion to AA Rocket City isn’t out of the question, especially as Pina’s stuff could easily factor into the Angels bullpen as soon as late-2022, though it might be best the Angels continue developing him as a starter until no longer feasible.

2021 (IE A/TRI A+): 3.48 ERA, 1.25 WHIP, .185 BAA with 46 BB, 107 K, 6 HR allowed in 75 IP in 16 GS

By David Saltzer, AngelsWin.com Senior Writer

Over the past two years, the Angels organization has taken a giant step forward in terms of its prospect rankings. One of the many players leading to this improvement is Jo Adell, who is considered by most, including AngelsWin.com, to be the top prospect in the Angels organization.

Drafted in the 1st round of the 2017 draft (10th overall), Adell has moved rapidly through the Angels organization, and recently was promoted to High-A ball with the Inland Empire 66ers. It’s easy to see why: he hits for power and average, is one of the fastest runners in the organization, has a powerful arm, and fields well.

What stood out most when interviewing him was how mature Adell is. With all the accolades that have been heaped upon him, he seems to be taking it all in stride. Like his teammate Jahmai Jones, it’s easy to see how Adell will become a fan favorite not only for his on-the-field performances, but for how approachable he will be off the field.

Below are the first three at-bats by Jo Adell on May 27, 2018. Unfortunately, it was tough day for the 66ers as the team was no-hit for 8 2/3rds innings. In his last at-bat, which was not recorded, with two outs and Jones on via a walk, Adell delivered a 2-run opposite field homerun to breakup the no-hitter and shutout in one blow.

With the way that Adell has been improving, and with how aggressively the Angels have been promoting their prospects, Angels fans should definitely make the drive out to San Bernadino soon to see Adell and others, and have a chance to meet him before he arrives in Anaheim. You’ll be glad you did.

Click below to watch our interview with Jo Adell.


 

Interview Conducted by David Saltzer, AngelsWin.com Senior Writer

There’s no doubt that the Angels organization is resurgent. As we approach the 2018 draft, the Angels have rebounded from their nadir two years ago, and are on a path to a much higher organizational ranking.

One of the many emerging players in the Angels organization is Brandon Marsh, a left-handed outfielder with the Inland Empire 66ers. Drafted in the 2nd round of the 2017 draft, Marsh has the tools that make scouts drool and organizations covet. He can hit for average and power, has plenty of speed, and plays all of the outfield positions.

This season, Brandon has been on an accelerated pace. After getting some time with the Major League club in Spring Training, he blew through his initial assignment with the Burlington Bees, posting a .295/.390/.470 line in 34 games, he’s now starting to heat up with the High-A Inland Empire 66ers. There, he’s paired with two other top Angels prospects, Jo Adell and Jahmai Jones.

Below are three at-bats by Brandon Marsh in the May 27th game. Unfortunately, it was a tough game for the 66ers, as they were no-hit for 8 and 2/3rds innings. But, as noted, Marsh has been heating up, and has posted a 4 for 5 performance on June 3rd.


Brandon Marsh Batting May 27 2018 from AngelsWin.com on Vimeo.

Seeing Jones, Adell, and Marsh all in the lineup should have any Angels fan excited. And, imagining a future outfield with Marsh, Trout, and Adell is something that should have Angels fans very excited. Making the drive out to San Bernadino to see and meet these players is something that So. Cal. fans should definitely do.

Please click below to watch our interview with Brandon Marsh, and get to know a little bit about how him as a person and how his season has been going.


Brandon Marsh Talks with AngelsWin May 27 2018 from AngelsWin.com on Vimeo.