Dave Saltzer

Yes, I do get it. And if we play our cards tight, we can stock up the farm wkth B+/B players (at at a minimum). Depending on whom we talk rade, we can greatly improve our overall organization big time. We can be great sellers.at the deadline, which would be greatl! Our ranking would jump quite a bit. We can trade Moore,, Cimber, Estevez, Drury, Ward, Sandoval, and others. I am so not necessarily opposed to Yesavage. If they think that he's the best prospect, then go for it. If it's Burrnes, then go for it. And, if it is Wetherholt, then go for it. We can easily turn our trade targets at the deadline. We need a2B, 3B,a d pitching, pitching, and more pitching. So, we shouldn't go with an all average draft at the top. We should swing for the fences and go for 2 top college prospects and 2 top HS players. We can FIL in the money a bit earlier down the line knowing that as deadline sellers, we will be able to get more talent to fill in what we need later. Our unique position as a major seller at the deadline allows us more of an opportunity toglbjg at the top of the draft.

Actually, I do get it. I never said that they were going cheap on the draft. I'm just saying how they spend their money and where they spend their money might be foolosh. If they legitimately think that Yesavage is just as good as Burns (and I agree with the idea that he may be underrated and may have a better, more durable frame), than Burns, then go with him. Yesavage may offer a better deal. But going with him just to SAVE money for later in the draft is how we have ended up with some not so good picks. Anyone remember McKay Christiansen (I think)? That was a great pick to save money. As in all drafts there are tiers of talent. The upper tier is mostly stocked with hitting over pitching. I would hope that we can boost our overall picks by taking 2 college and then possibly 2 HS picks in that order. There are other ways to save in the draft to sway a HS kid away from the college commit. We have a chance this draft to make a big difference for the team. I'd have to thi k about it more, and would like to see more of the college WS, but right now, with what information I have (I have no medicals or asking demands, et.) if Wetherholt is available, I'd pick him.

Have to disagree with you here my friend. I would much rather get an A+, a B+, a B, and a C. The team would be far better off, as the "C" player statistically isn't going to make it, whereas the A+ and B+ players will make real impacts. Think adding another O'Hoppe, Neto, and Schanuel, along with an Amezaga as opposed to 4 Mickey Moniaks.

What I don't like is rushing a player straight to the majors or drafting underslot to "save" money. I'm not saying he isn't a bad pick. Now, if they believe that he is just as good a pick, and can save money, that's one thing. But saving money for the sake of filling out their draft, so that money is the driving factor, that's stoopid. They can save money in later rounds that are statistically less likely to produce.

This would be absolutely stoopid. I get The possibility of signing someone under slot to save money for our comp round, but if JJ is available, you'd have to take him. He's just as likely as to be in the majors by next as anyone else and adds to our anemic offense.

From: https://www.mlb.com/news/mlb-pipeline-2024-mock-draft-may-2 8. Angels: JJ Wetherholt, SS/2B, West Virginia (No. 8) Hamstring issues kept Wetherholt off the field for a chunk of this spring and it’s concerned some because it’s a recurring injury. He spent last weekend at shortstop and assuming he hits like he always does once he gets going, he could sneak back up into top-five talk easily.

Don't overlook our two catchers at IE: Flores and La Varde. Both should end up closet top 100 players by the end of the year.

From:https://www.prospectslive.com/prospects-live/2024/4/23/2024-mlb-mock-draft-20 8. LOS ANGELES ANGELS: INF JJ WETHERHOLT HT: 5’10 WT: 190 B/T: L/R PICK VALUE: $6,502,800 The narrative surrounding the Angels in recent years? Find prospects that you can accelerate to the majors. The Angels have two options at their disposal in this scenario, as Chase Burns and JJ Wetherholt are both targets to race through the minors. We'll stick with Wetherholt here, as his bat may be the best in this class. It's a well-rounded offensive profile with an explosive swing that's direct to the baseball and power that plays to both sides of the park. There's injury concern here, as he's been plagued by hamstring issues in the past calendar year, but there's more risk with an arm and the Angels may opt for the safer option. It'll feel like a steal, They have Burns going later than us. too.

Is it me, or does Adell still seem apprehensive of sliding?

From: https://www.baseballprospectjournal.com/2024-mlb-draft-mock-draft-2-0/ 8. Angels: JJ Wetherholt, 2B, West Virginia The Angels prefer taking college players who can move through the minor leagues quickly. Wetherholt has missed some time this year with a hamstring injury. When healthy, Wetherholt is an extremely productive player and arguably the best prospect in this year’s class. He has a well-rounded skill set, tremendous feel at the plate and potential.

From Baseball America: 8. Angels — JJ Wetherholt, 2B, West Virginia One of the players in our top tier of prospects in the class has to come off the board last and in this version it’s Wetherholt, who has simply been on the field less than anyone else. Wetherholt missed a significant amount of time dealing with a hamstring injury, but he returned to action earlier this month in a limited role as a DH. The bat has been as advertised. He’s hit or walked in all 14 games this season and is slashing .326/.492/.535 with bat-to-ball ability and zone control skills that stack up with the elite hitters in these areas like Bazzana and Kurtz. If a team before this spot thinks Wetherholt is the best pure hitter in the class still—which is a perfectly reasonable claim—it’s possible a hamstring injury won’t be enough for them to pass him up. If Wetherholt does make it here, he seems to fit the advanced college hitting profile the Angels have prioritized in recent drafts. He also hits the ball harder than the 6-foot-4 first baseman they drafted in the first round last year.

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.