Dave Saltzer

37 minutes ago, Blarg said:

Jones third plate appearance.

 

VID_20180405_210523.mp4

Thanks Blarg! 

Thanks for the updates. 

4 hours ago, Chuckster70 said:

Honestly, opening day for our minor league affiliates always takes a very close second to opening day for our big league club. 

I'm always excited to see our prospects perform for the first time at a new level, new position and just a year later after their development the previous year. 

Same here! What's really nice is that this year we have way more pkayers to track and discuss who can make a real. Impact. That's so. Much more fun!

10 minutes ago, Chuckster70 said:

I doubt Hunter Jr. moves off of CF. He's a good defender there, so no need for a move. I hope despite a late start to baseball his bat can hang with Adell and Marsh, at the very least be respectable, with some SB's along the way.

My bet is that they try to develop these three as an OF unit together and that they will all promote at similar times as long as it is moderately warranted. It will be fun for us to watch!

In honor of the new Minor League season starting today, let's make a new thread to discuss anything and everything related to the Minor Leagues and the prospects in here. It's time to let go of last year's thread and get on to the new. 

Here's the link to 2017 minor league coverage. Some 100 pages of solid reports on our top prospects and minor leaguers. 

21 minutes ago, Inside Pitch said:

Canning and Jones both seem to have a real love for baseball... Jones spoke a lot about having been blessed with the opportunity to take in information while in ST...  Dude could already give Trout tips on how to hold up his end of an interview....   

Don't mind me....  Vote Mike Trout #1!!!!

 

Agreed. Jones just loves baseball, yet came from a family of football players (his dad and 2 brothers played pro). I love his desire to win and help his team. Canning also just seems to love the game, and also just wants to win. It is a bit different, though, as a pitcher. Still, similar love for the game. I agree that it could help separate them. I also am pleased how both seem to have more of a growth mindset. If you haven't read that book, I highly recommend it. 

Folks, you will definitely want to get to know him. Watch his interview and stuff. He is one that AW will be keeping up to date on. 

13 hours ago, Blarg said:

I have a seat front row at the batting circle for the season opener. I'll have a pretty good view from there and hope to see Griffin mow them down.

Send out updates, or if you could, please write up something and add it to this thread when you get back. It looks like it's close to a sellout for tonight's home opener.

28 minutes ago, CanadianHalo said:

Would it be unrealistic to think there is any chance that Jam, with a good year in the minors and playing 2nd could fill our hole at 2nd next season?

I've thought quite a bit about this, and could see us resigning Kinsler on a 2 year deal. Jones could be ready by the end of next season if he gets the defense back quickly. But, to be safe, if Kinsler holds up well this year, I could see us keeping him for 2 years to help smooth over the transition.

With him at 2B, an OF of Marsh, Trout, Adell, at 3B Maitan, at 1B Thaiss, and homegrown pitchers in Ohtani, Barria, Canning, Rodriguez, etc., this team is becoming set for quite a while! 

29 minutes ago, arch stanton said:

Agreeing to the position change was wisdom for sure. The wisdom of someone who can read the organizational depth chart 

The wisdom is seeing it as an opportunity, not a challenge. There's a big difference in the mindset of both words. He has a growth mindset, like Michael Jordan, and I respect him a lot for that.

19 minutes ago, Lou said:

As always, well done, Dave. 

Thanks! I think that was his first serious interview since signing ING with us. Good to get to know him. I have high hopes for him. 

1 hour ago, Chuckster70 said:

Great interview, @Dave Saltzer. I'm really excited about this kid's future! 

I gotta get down to catch one of his games this season. 

I will! 

So, does all of this count for Ohtani making the biggest buzz out of the gate for the Angels? 

19 minutes ago, Blarg said:

Dave, I'm no scout I just watch and whatever stands out I notice. The first couple of weeks all of these guys are going to look pretty raw, not knowing each other, the stadium, their position or even what he coaches want.

So opening day is just to see them on the field. Some guys are going to be better than others but by mid season you never know, some guy may have hit his ceiling even in High A (Baldoquin) and others could be that surprise when a 19 year old turns 20 and suddenly is comfortable in his shoes and really starts his career. 

That's more of June baseball. April in San Bernardino is usually cold and the ball doesn't carry. Those hoping Jones is going to show power are going to be disappointed the first few weeks until it warms up then there are the winds that blow in over left centerfield that would even challenge Trout to knock one out. 

I need to pick up some tickets. Hopefully they didn't raise prices, that is always the best part of the game, sitting down by the field for $12 or less. 

Blair, 

I get it. But, you can still tell us what you saw. I don't think they raised the prices, and, as you pointed out $12 gets you the best seats in the house--equal to the Diamond Club in Angels Stadium (minus the perks). One player who really impressed me with his interview, and whom I'd recommend keeping an eye on is Kevin Williams. The Angels jumped him over Burlington, so they are pretty high on him, and I hope he continues the good offense he put up last season in Orem. Another pitcher to watch is lefty Suarez. 

I interviewed both Jones and Canning. Here's a little taste: Jones and I talked for several minutes about his transition to 2B. He is scheduled to only play that position all of this season. And @Blarg you will see Canning pitch the home opener on Thursday. Be sure to give us a scouting report. 

So, what you are saying is that Richards is a spinner? 

So, if you tried some of the new items, or bought some of the new merchandise, what did you like? Post your thoughts and comments here. 

1 hour ago, Inside Pitch said:

Jonah Wesley with an aggressive bump...  I would have bet on them giving him more time in High A.

He should have gone to AA last year. I'm still high on him, as he got his velocity up to 92-94 last year. He has a role in our ML bullpen soon, IMHO. 

18 minutes ago, John Smith said:

Brent Maguire‏ @bmags94 13

 

 

Jahmai Jones is listed as an infielder on the @66ersBaseball press release.

I was just going to post that. Got the press release while driving around. I'll ask him about it tomorrow in an interview. 

1 hour ago, Scotty@AW said:

Salt Lake is going to be stacked.

1B Carter 2B Fernandez SS Fletcher 3B Cowart plus Shimpf, Houchins and Sherman Johnson.

OF will have Hermosillo, Liriano, Young Jr., Blash and Revere.

Pitching staff will have Tropeano, Bridwell, Barria, Lamb...

Imagin some. Of the numbers that they will put up in the PCL? That's already a high octane league. It'll be good for Salt Lake because for so long that team really struggled. I'm sure the Bees would much prefer to have that level of talent. 

3 minutes ago, Inside Pitch said:

Man..... Spencer Griffin is at risk to develop an inferiority complex in that OF.   Poor dude....

LOL. 

Improved scoreboard, sound, lighting, food, merchandise, etc.,this will go down as one of the best off seasons for Angels fans, especially with Cozart, Ohtani, Kinsler, and Upton. Lots to be excited about as an Angels fan. 

What the hell???? This makes no sense, unless it is to make him a bit more versatile to be a backup catcher and 3B.

So, um, sorry about that. That's what happens when I'm trying to juggle too many things lately once. I just wrote it down once incorrectly and copied the same mistake over and over and over again. Either that, or I was just checking to see if anyone ever read anything.