Dave Saltzer

From Bleacher Nation: Los Angeles Angels: Chase Burns – RHP – Wake Forest Maybe there is something to this.

I'm not saying this is the case, but it is possible that the Angels considered a few other factors when deciding where to start players, such as how cold some of the places are this early on in the season. And, they may want to pair some players together to break into the majors at the same time, such as Rada and Dana. As a hitter, I wouldn't want to get busted inside for 2 months in the cold.

From: https://futurestarsseries.com/mlb-draft-mock-draft-4-0/ 8. Los Angeles Angels Chase Burns, RHP — Wake Forest HOMETOWN: Gallatin, TN HEIGHT: 6-4 WEIGHT: 215 BAT/THROW: R-R Assuming the Angels once again target fast-moving college performers, Burns legitimately has a chance to make the Angels’ opening-day roster in 2025 the stuff is so damn good. He’s a stuff-over-command pitcher who gets by blowing his arsenal through hitters. This assumes the Angels are on the same path they’ve been the last few years. With Shohei Ohtani gone, maybe the club looks to target high-ceiling preps once again. Angels brass have been in to see Griffin a ton this spring and he seems to be of considerable interest to the organization. PS this publication has the Pirates taking Wetherholt right after us, so I am saying there is a chance.

Over Georgia Frontierre? Please. Hyperbole doesn't help.

Torii Hunter was the first player to allow me to interview him in the clubhouse, which then "normalized" me to other players. After the Hunter interview, I was able to get a few more, but be started it all. For that, I am eternally grateful. I have always wanted him to get a role in our FO or another one. He has a lot of wisdom, and a lot of baseball wisdom. I hink he'd bring some excellent insights into creating a winning organization. I'd love to get his takes on some of our developing OFers. Maybe I can get another interview with him and we can get him on the Podcast.

I'm glad that we got to see 2 MVP seasons from Shohei. But, I'm also glad that he is not on he team, not only because of the insane contract, but also because of his major distraction. However, I also don't think that the Angels are out of it. Most likely, they will be inte viewed, along with Nevin, and all he other players, because the gambling happened primarily while he was on our team, and they would have some idea about who did the gambling.

I mostly agree, but our first pick should be another fast riser, as there aren't too many and one should fall to us (either a hitter like JJ or a pitcher). There are a lot of 1B, but we have Schanuel. After that, I mostly agree on power arms, but Caldwell could be another interesting pick. He's a bit undersized, but in some ways reminds me of El Rojo, who just made the team better. A good combination of speed, power, contact, and defense. After a polished college player I'd focus on some.power HS arms to create another wave of pitching talent. With the staff we have, and the players in development, we can afford to take higher end HS players l create another wave of talent.

That is sooo cool! I love and miss Victor, but Wayne is settling in nicely! I am so glad that we interviewed him and got him on the podcast. Absolutely cool!

Please post anything and send everything related to the 2024 amateur draft in here. Anything from mock draft picks for the Angels and scouting reports to draft strategies and signing bonuses. Personally, with our first oick, we can draft JJ Wetherholt to be a lefthanded 2B to go with our young core. I think he could zip through our system, ev n with the time he's missed with a hamstring issue (hell, the fact that he's had a hamstring issue already makes him fit in with us already! Just kidding). Here's a profile on JJ: https://www.mlb.com/prospects/draft/jj-wetherholt-802139 My strategy for the draft would be to focus on a finished college hitter with our first pick and then with our supplemental picks and in the second and third rounds, go after some high school players. This draft is considered to be generally weak, especially with college pitching and high school players in general. However, there are some good finds there, and with a few players moving up the boards a bit, I think that a polished college bat should be available to us. At worst, one of the better college arms should be available for us to take. After getting a more polished college player with our first pick with our supplemental picks and 2nd and 3rd round, I'd go after HS players to add a new layer of development for us. One player that I'm keeping an eye on is Slade Caldwell for our Shohei pick. He's a bit undersized, so he could fall to us in a supplemental round. Here's a profile on him. https://www.mlb.com/prospects/draft/slade-caldwell-815154

This. We will have a shot at a good hitter or pitcher with our first pick, as Condon and others rise (if you want unreal numbers, check out Condon). With his hamstrinf injury I think that JJ Wetherholt could fall to us, and be a greet lefthanded 2B to round out our young core. I've started another thread to just focus on the draft.

First and foremost, thank you for the well wishes. We can agree or disagree about baseball things, but, I appreciate that you aren't losing your humanity in the process. Thank you. I am sorry that you believe that I am downplaying what happened. Maybe I am, but there are reasons for it. First, this happened 15 years ago. There's nothing you or I can do about it. While you said that it was probably the worst thing to happened to our farm system, I would say firing Bane and Co., and not investing in scouting and player development was worse. We can discuss this at a baseball game sometime this year. (maybe at IE to watch our future!). Whether we agree or disagree, we can agree that the one-two punch of those BAD decisions wrecked the farm for about a decade and hurt our Major League club. It probably cost us playoff spots over the years. Second, baseball is my love and escape from all the hell I've gone through and am still going through. I choose not to give this negativity power over me by getting me upset, pissed off, etc. (Just to give an idea, if you count each time that I've had doctors cut open my skin and dig out things with tweezers and other tools due to my cancer, without any anesthetic, I'm at over 400 this year, of which 200 were on my head, and we'll over a thousand last year. It hurts like hell, often with 2 or 3 doctors cutting and digging st the same time, and then it takes days for the scabs to heal, which is also very painful. My cancer is one of the most painful cancers out there, other than brain cancer, and I get to live with it for 25 years or more (most people with my cancer die of other causes). (and, if I'm making some typos, it's because thanks to my chemo, I've lost most of the feeling in my hands and feet--go neuropathy!) and can't see well because other meds that they have given me have given me cataracts so I get to have 2 more surgeries over the next 6 weeks). I am telling you this not to ask you to feel sorry for me. To be honest I don't feel sorry for me, and am not angry about getting cancer. I just don't like the one I have. The reason why I said that (and trust me, this is the best I've felt in 3 years!) is to give you some insight as to why I appear to downplay things or give the perception of downplaying things. The only thing that truly upsets me now is politics, which I won't discuss on here. That's because baseball is my escape, coming on AngelsWin is a source of joy for me (Thanks again Chuck for making this site--you don't know how much I've needed it over the years, whether for support fom people on here or a good laugh about baseball). I have and have had bigger issues to deal with over the years. So, what happened in Latin America, while very frustrating, has no real power over me, because I choose not to get upset by it. I don't want to invest the emotional energy in something I cannot change. Third, I can separate a crime from feeling sorry for a victim. Take, for example, a person driving a Corvette into a bad part of town, leaving $10k in cash on the front seat, and the engine running, and then walks away for an hour. If that person comes back to find everything stolen, did a come occur? Yes, and in a criminal case, I'd convict the perpetrator. But, if the victim then sued in civil court the perpetrator, if I were on he jury, I would not award much in damages, other than to make the victim whole, because I wouldn't feel l that sorry for him/her. There is a difference between feeling sorry for someone and a crime occurring. As I have said all along, Clay Daniel's did some bad things. And, since Daniel's worked for the Angels, as their agent, the Angels did bad things. There is a difference between what the Angels did (mostly ignoring what was happening, then trying to sweep it under the rug, and finally shutting everything down) and what Daniels did. But, for all intents and purposes, yes, Daniels = Angels, especially on that market. From what I've been told by many people in several organizations who had first-hand or second-hand knowledge of events in Latin America (please don't ask, I've been told this and many other things off the record that I will never reveal, otherwise I will risk losing confidentialitiesl), that many people and many organizations were doing sketchy and/or illegal things at the same time. You mentioned 3 teams. We know the Braves, even after everything went down, continued to do sketchy things, which led to us getting Maitan (I miss debating about him as a prospect even though he washed out) and Soto. So, the abuses there continue. I can tell you from people in other organizations, I have been told things to the effect of "we were lucky that we weren't caught" for what they were doing at the time in Latin America. I have also been told by people in a couple of organizations that in the investigation, MLB sank it's teeth into certain organizations, and not others, so as to prevent an entire image problem, like steroids. So, when I say "made an example of the Angels" it's because I think that the investigation could have and should have removed rot from everywhere, in plenty of other organizations. Consequently, I am VERY suspicious of how MLB really handled the investigation, the teams they went after, and publicly shamed (how many people who even know about this know about Chicago for example?). Again, it doesn't excuse what Daniels did, but I don't believe that he was the worst offender at the time, even if what he did was illegal or wrong (sadly, in many Lain American countries, what is wrong isn't always illegal, especially if you pay off the right people and what is illegal isn't always wrong, don't pending upon whom you uoset--as you pointed out, relationships and perceptions, along with cash, go a long way). I do believe that others may have done worse in a wild west situation and just weren't caught for some reason. Like players and steroids, we know of some players who took them. But a lot more got away with it, and ownership and MLB turned a blind eye to it for a long time. Is Bonds worse than Clemens? What about Gary Matthews Jr? MLB made examples of them, and others, but they were hardly the only ones who cheated with steroids or other drugs. To go after some, and not others, is a form of selective prosecution, which I don't like or consider fair. Selective prosecution is a way to make an example of someone or something. Since I am fairly certain, based on what I've been told, that other teams were doing similar sketchy things, maybe not as bad as Daniels and other teams, I do consider that selective prosecution, and making an example of the Angels. How the Angels responded to what happened, IMHO, set the team back quite a bit, and I do believe that if Arte and others responded differently to it, we would have been better off over the last 15 years. But again, I can't change that. Finally, I'm focused on this year. I'm actually excited because we seem to have a good, young core, that I believe will exceed expectations. No, I don't expect a playoff team, but the season is young and we need to play it out over the summer. We have no pressure this year, and I do see us having a window as Houston ages and Texas rises and falls on its offense. We seem to be on the right path, finally. We are maximizing our international money and getting good talent, like Rada, Urena, etc. Until MLB puts far stricter rules in place (personally, I favor some sort of international draft to end all of these shenanigans), abuses will continue. Again, just look at the Braves for example. So, I sill view it as an imperfect system that is not fully regulated and rife with abuses. Unfortunately, that is the system that those players live in (as you or someone else noted that the buscones are developing tools to get kids (and yes, they are kids which is not right in my book) to get signed for big money, only to see them calm apart stateside. I know that this is a long response, but you, as a poster, and great commentator, deserve a much more robust answer from me. Again, I apologize if you and others think I'm downplaying what happened. I hope I gave you some insights into why I've said what I've said. And I look forward to catching a game with you.

Yep, this was a very good read. Lots of good info on here. Definitely everyone should read it. Thanks Taylor!

Taylor, As always, I enjoy your writing, so, I'm looking forward to digging into this in a little bit. Thanks for publishing!

I would love to meet up with you for a game (either here or at Ie) to discuss. Let me be a bit more clear. Yes, the Angels did bad things. LOTS of organizations did bad things, and some did things that made us look like we were decent,. At that point, it was a wild place, and teams were doing all they could to milk a very cheap talent pool. What I have been told is that the Angels were made into an example, especially compared to other teams, and as a result, we shutdown all presence for a while (we did not HAVE to as much as we also chose to do so). That, combined with lost draft picks, really hurt. And Baldoquin, and others. Those two actions set our farm system back for a decade or more. Yez, Dipoto traded away international cash, because he couldn't get the money to develop a presence down there. Eppler did get more of an approval to invest there. And then they spent a lot on some guy named Ohtani, and traded to get more international money for him. But, Eppler xpent the max internationally. As has Perry. The fact that Perry specifically talked about this at a Chalk Talk said a lot to me, reading between the lines, about how the Angels plan to move forward. Personally, I'd like to see an international draft in reverse order of what a team spent on FAs. Highest spenders get the lowest interntionl draft picks.

Bkarg, You make great points. Agreed that Schanuel should be batting 2nd. While Hicks should leadoff when he is in the lineup, Rendon can leadoff until either he breaks down or Rada proves himself ready. Ooening Day, I'm okay with Hicks in the lineup. The rest of the time, not so much. Baseball is a business, and winning early on is going to dictate a LOT of the fan experience and finances for the team, so, I get why they did what they did. Again, in an August game against Chicago, who cares, play the kids. I am NOT convinced that we are a playoff team. While anything can happen, my money is that it is a transitional year in which we are slightly above 500 (my prediction is an 82-80 season). That's a competitive team, just not a championship team. That's why I was okay with not signing the FAs, but also want the bas. eball people back in charge of things. What I did not like was the mixed messaging from the front office and owner.

I don't see how playing Hicks yesterday deviated feom the plan. I love the nutswingers who have wanted to trade all offseason for Burns or wanted to sign him as a FA to be our ace, but he's so bad that we were supposed to best up on him when he pitched against us? Of course we are going to play a veteran against one of the best pitchers in the Majors over Adell or Moniak. But, in August that may change, and I would expect Adell or Moniak to be the starter against a tough pitcher. While I like what Hicks brings to the team with his arm and bat, I think he could be traded if Adell or Moniak run with the opportunity.

After getting busted in 2010 (we can debate the legitimacy of it), they basically shutdown all Latin scouting. Considering how many players in the Majors come feom Latin America, that was beyond a bad decision. DiPoto started to rebuild the Latin presence. Eopler built it more, and it seems that Perry is investing even more. Certain positions, such as catching, are better suited in many ways to coming from Latin America. One can never get enough Latin pitchers because pitching from all sources is necessary. So hearing Perry talk about getting more talent out of LTin America was a good thing.

During the Chalk Talk, Perry answered a question or two from Trent Rush talking about the incmvestment and development of international players and signings. He talked about the executives and scouts, how players like Rada and others are coming fom it, etc. Too bad that they, or I, didn't record it. But he did talk a bit about it. And the way he spoke about it, not just what he said, w Is how I interpreted his GMSpeak.

Thanks Chuck! While I may never be healthy enough to work full time, I want to get back to representing the great website that you've built when I'm feeling good enough.

I can't remember, if due to my health at the time, if I attended that Chalk Talk And if I did I probably didn't write up a summary like this, again due to my health. I am so glad that I'm doing better now.

You were absolutely spot on with your analysis and specically used the phrase taking stock"to pay homage to your piece!

If you attended the Chalk Talk, please post any comments and observations that you had. I thought that one of the best questions came from a fan who asked Perry to define success and if he thought the past few years were successful. Oh, this counts as 1.

Chuck should be posting an article I just finished on my take feom Perry. It's on my take-aways from Perry's Chalk Talk. See what you hink.

I love and hate doing this, because I don't want to jinx players and the team, but it will be fun. Here are some of my predictions, some of which are more bold than others. 1. The Angels finish with an 82-80 record. Optimism returns to Halos fans and the Arte hatred dies down after 2 months as the Angels have a winning season. 2. Anderson pitches well enough that he is traded at the deadline for prospects and to open up a spot for Soriano in the rotation. Wantz takes over the role vacated by Soriano. 3. Detmers throws another no-no and becomes our staff ace. 4. The Angels draft JJ Weatherholtz who quickly becomes part of our young nucleus at 2B (this would be an awesome long-term stroke of luck for us and we would be lucky if he fell to us, which is looking possible). 5. Ward is hitting. 275 with 10 dingers at the deadline and is still traded at the deadline. 6. Rada starts in AA and proves he deserves to be our future leadoff hitter. He is promoted after the deadline to start in LF and next year he and Trout flip-flops positions (imagine that tough conversation!). 7. O'Hoppe becomes our team and clubhouse leader and provides a stable presence for the team. 8. I am healthy enough to get at least 6 interviews at the IE over the whole season (meaning that I am well enough to go there several times). I also am there to get an interview with a player on rehab. The Angels see that I'm healthy enough again and allow Chuck and me to get at least 1 player like Neto for a Zoom interview. 9. We trade off a couple other bullpen arms, such as Suarez, to open up spots for Bachman and Joyce,who are both healthy and pitching well. 10. Trout and Rendon each play over 125 games, with Trout playing a bit more than Rendon. 11. The Angels provide enough story lines that as I regain sensation in my fingers and hands that I can and want to write up at least 6 articles this season, after not writing 6 articles combined since 2020. 12. Chuck, Victor and Geoff continue to do a GREAT job with the podcast that they get a former player or two to join them on some episodes. I'm thinking that Tim Salmon is their first "get". 13. Caden Dana pitches so will on AA that he forces his way into the conversation to be a starter next year. Sandoval is traded in the offseason to open a spot for him. 14. The national media still doesn't get the Angels or our farm system, doesn't get how a 28-30th ranked farm system can pull of these trades or promote so many players. We get ranked 26th in terms of organizations next year. How ever, with all the trades that we make, we acquire a young 3B to round out our core team with a young player at every infield and OF position. Ang ls fans realize that we don't need another big splash next year, and still become a dominant team in the AL West in 2025. The national media doesn't get it. 15. AngelsWin still remains the best site to talk Angels Baseball, where friendships are made, humor is rampant, and is the awesome place that Chuck made it to be for the past 20 years. We all say thanks to Chuck for all he's done over 20 years to make it such a place, even when we argue passionately about Angels Baseball. 16. Schanuel finishes with a .385+ OB‰, 15 dingers, and finishes in the top 3 for ROY. 17. The Angels are 8 games over 500 when Neto starts at SS. 18. I will be at next year's ST Fanfest, and because of the interviews that I did, bring some prospects for us to meet. After interviewing him again this year, Chuck gets to know Dana well enough that he gets him to come to the Fanfest too! I think those are my main predictions. Of I have some more I will add them. But those are some bold predictions in more ways than one.

Wow Chuck. That is a BOLD prediction. And I LIKE it!