vladdy#27

See you in 2018. Hopefully we're relevant by then.

That post was sarcastic.

But they have Napoli

It's a good thing we have Chacin and Weaver starting instead!

Maybe he can be a poor man's Billy Butler? Butler in his first two seasons averaged .282/.334/.420 HR 10 WAR -0.7 Cron's first two seasons .260/.296/.444 HR 14 WAR 0.2 Butler took off in his third year .301/.362/.492 HR 21 WAR 1.7 Cron since 4/18 on pace for .297/.343/.478 HR 18 WAR 0.0 Both 1B/DH that have no business playing a position. Both first round picks Butler (14th) and Cron (16th). Kind of similar body types. Cron is 3 years older though.

Since April 18th Avg .297 HR 6 2B 13 OBP .343 SLG .478 (200 PA) Since April 26th Avg .301 HR 5 2B 13 OBP .345 SLG .485 (179 PA) His strikeout/walk rates are trending in the right direction as well. 2014 24.1%/4.0% 2015 20.3%/4.2% 2016 15.1%/6.5% Not the biggest sample size but a potential bright spot in this dreadful season.

I guess I disagree. While he is in the lower minor leagues, at the very least, they should be focused on developing his hitting rather than his ability to lay down a bunt. He's currently sporting a .559 OPS in Single-A, a hitter friendly league. The 66ers stadium is pitcher friendly, but he still only has a .654 OPS on the road. If he can't improve his offense there is no way he'll make it to the major leagues, I don't think it really matters how good his defense is. What does a .559 OPS translate to in Double-A? Triple-A? The Major Leagues? For comparison Mathis has a career OPS in the Majors of .557. If he can't improve his hitting he might not even make it out of Single-A. He will almost surely repeat Single-A next season, outside of him turning the corner offensively over the next few months. He's not going to turn that corner laying down bunts. I realize that he will never be good offensively, and that offense from a catcher isn't that important. If he makes it to Double-A or Triple-A then he can start working on his ability to give the other team a free out. IF he makes it there he will probably spend 2-3 years at those levels giving him plenty of time to work on his bunting. And I mean we are talking about bunting here, something AL pitchers don't really have a problem doing with almost no practice whatsoever. But Ward needs to start practicing in Single-A?

If we don't have Richards or Heaney I don't think it really matters who we have. We can fill out our rotation/depth with Chacin's. Gamble on guys in free agency coming off injuries.

I went and saw Skaggs in his rehab start. He looked good. He gave up a triple in the first that led to a run. Two other hits in the first were pure luck, a swinging bunt and a ball off the end of the bat that ended up being a double. One thing I don't understand at all. The game is tied in the 3rd inning. Ward comes up with no outs and a runner on first and second and he sac bunts. Why is someone that needs to work on their hitting bunting in the first place, on top of that in the third inning, and on top of that in a regular season Single-A game? Not that bunting really helps win games, but if you did believe that, is winning a Single-A game more important than the development of a key prospect?

Hopefully that 1-4 of Jones, Thaiss, Zimmerman, and Lund can be the turn around of our system and move up the ladder together. Nonie Williams was back in there tonight, still looking for his first hit though.

Nonie Williams already bit by the Angel bug? Left the game early

Does anyone know what happened to Reid Scoggins? He was a guy who could hit triple digits. His last season in 2013 at Single-A IP 65 ERA 3.46 H/9 7.3 K/9 10.5 BB/9 4.8 The walks were a little high but he was still young at 22 with good strikeout rates. Doesn't seem like he would warrant being released.

Where can I find the chat at?

Which draftee has the highest ceiling? What are the chances Williams can stick at SS, if not short where? 3B? CF? Which major leaguer would you compare Thaiss to? Can Thaiss play any other positions besides catcher and first?

I would assume because they want an open spot on the 40 man roster. They can DFA Huff after his start. They couldn't do that with Smith.

CF Mike Trout (2013) .323/.432/.557 27 HR 33 SB 10.5 WAR LF Darin Erstad (2000) .355/.409/.541 25 HR 28 SB 8.7 WAR DH Tim Salmon (1995) .330/.429/.594 34 HR 5.8 WAR 3B Troy Glaus (2000) .284/.404/.604 47 HR 8.2 WAR RF Vladimir Guerrero (2004) .327/.391/.598 39 HR 15 SB 5.9 WAR 2B Bobby Grich (1979) .294/.365/.537 30 HR 5.6 WAR C Brian Downing (1982) .281/.368/.482 28 HR 5.4 WAR 1B Rod Carew (1982) .319/.396/.403 4.3 WAR SS Jim Fregosi (1964) .277/.369/.463 18 HR 7.0 WAR

What about moving Escobar back to SS and calling up Kubitza or Cowart?

We traded Guillen for Juan Rivera and Maicer Izturis

@jcrasnick: #Angels announce they've agreed to 2-yr deal with Cliff Pennington. $1.5M and $2.25M base salaries, plus performance bonuses.

Back in Double-A today

Called up to Burlington 2-3 with a BB

Santiago 4 years Skaggs 6 years

Green can't be trade until a year after he signed (unless they did away with that rule in the new CBA)

Joel Peralta (Pending) Alexander Torres (Pending)

Lackey