Dave Saltzer

I am definitely enjoying the series and all the hard work going into it on a regular basis. Looking back on that great season has been a lot of fun, especially compared to this season at times.

Thanks everyone for the compliments. Jaime was a great person to interview. I truly believe that she is going to accomplish a lot in sports broadcasting and that we will all be saying "Remember when . . . " as we continue to see her throughout her career. For those who think what she, or for that matter any of the reporters, is easy, think again. It is LONG hours getting ready and studying details and nuances of the game just to give a taste of it to us, the fans.

Yep! I agree. Scott, you did a great job moderating today. Good questions, and got a lot of good info!

Los Angeles Angels Director of Scouting Ric Wilson Talks Post-2013 Draft with AngelsWin.com 3:03 PM by Dinsle Chat moderated by Scott Stedman, AngelsWin.com Contributor Prior to the 2013 draft, Ric Wilson, the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim’s Director of Scouting told AngelsWin.com that “The strength of the draft seems to be the depth in pitching.” About international scouting and signings, Ric Wilson told us that the Angels “have developed a strong international staff and I do believe they will make a splash more sooner than later. I know they are out there beating the the bushes. They have a good foundation and solid leadership”. Now that the 2013 draft is over, with all but one of the players signed, and, with the international signing period underway, AngelsWin.com once again caught up with the Angels Director of Scouting to find out more about the current crop of players. In a great interview, Ric Wilson discusses the specifics of many of the current players as well as the organization’s top prospects. Be sure to read to the end of the interview where we conducted our traditional lightning round with Ric Wilson to get his take on the best tools taken with the 2013 draft. AngelsWin: Good morning everyone! If you have questions, please send them to me in a private message. AngelsWin: Good morning Ric Wilson. Thank you for joining us today. Congratulations on a good draft! Ric Wilson: Good morning. We are excited to get the quality players that we acquired. Looks good so far the guys are out and beginning there careers. AngelsWin: Was the drafting of so many pitchers a design to address organizational needs or was it simply a byproduct of taking the best player available? Ric Wilson: A little bit of both we felt we had the need to add starting pitching so we attacked the draft in that way, but they were the best pitchers we thought were available. AngelsWin: Let's talk a little bit about Hunter Green. What stood out to you guys about him and were you surprised he fell so far? Ric Wilson: Hunter is a young guy 17 yrs old with a premium arm and a very good athlete, we like his now stuff along with the projectability. He has a very high ceiling and we’re a little surprised that he got to us but not shocked. AngelsWin: Which MLB pitcher would Hunter Green be seen as an eventual comp to and do you have a timeline for him? Ric Wilson: A good comparison may be Pat Corbin when we had him. Similar stuff and very athletic as well. No real timeline we will let him go at his own pace AngelsWin: Great. Generally, how important is a player's personality or "grit" when you are scouting for the draft? Ric Wilson: It all comes into play, and that is the one thing we try to keep consistent guys that go out with a positive attitude and good work ethic, this allows them a better chance to reach there full potential. It takes a lot more than pure ability to sustain a major league role. We feel we have done a good job in this area, and hope to continue. It becomes a separator with players with the same ability. AngelsWin: Earlier today, it was announced by the Angels that Venezuelan prospect left-hander Ricardo Sanchez has signed with the club. What can you tell us about him, and is there more to come in the international market? Ric Wilson: I don't know a lot about him he's on the International side, I do know we are very excited to sign him. Will be a nice addition to add to some of the young guys we have. Similar to Green loose and projectable with a high ceiling. AngelsWin: Alright, let's focus on some individual players now if you don't mind. A player that has caught my eye with the Orem Owlz is 19-year-old shortstop Jose Rondon. What do you see in the future for Rondon and what is his potential? Ric Wilson: We are starting to build some depth quality fielder with the bat coming on should be able to stay there. Steady on both sides of the ball. halosfan81: What's the latest on Blake Goins? Will he sign? Ric Wilson: Still working through it. Advanced HS pitcher. We sure hope he does, would be a very good addition to add to the system AngelsWin: Many of the pitchers drafted this year are considered to have potential as both starters and relievers. Is it the organization's intention to try to give each pitcher a chance as a starter? Ric Wilson: We felt that going into the draft we were short on starting pitchers, pure starters are hard to find so we did try to get players that could possibly do both. So I do believe that most will get the opportunity to start at some point. AngelsWin: When the Angels make a stellar pick like Mike Trout, or, when they have a player completely flame out, does the organization go back to reexamine what signs were present to make that player stand out or what warning signs were given that might have indicated a flameout? Ric Wilson: Yes we do, we evaluate each draft for years out and we do look at how and why players have success or fail. It's an ongoing process but if we can't look back on history or fail to see what it is telling us, we can't get better as a staff or organization IowaAngels27: Ric Wilson, a little off topic from other questions, but what types of internships do the Angels offer in baseball operations? Thanks! Ric Wilson: You would have to reach out to the office that handles all the internships. AngelsWin: Fire-baller Austin Wood has been on the DL with arm troubles for a couple months now. How is he coming along? Ric Wilson: I just saw Austin throw a bullpen in AZ and he looked very good. Still working through some things, but he said he is feeling a lot better. Very positive looking for the best. AngelsWin: Is the organization still as high on Kaleb Cowart as they were before the season, considering his sub-par first half? Ric Wilson: Yes we are, he is starting to make some key adjustments and looking forward to a big second 1/2 he is still young an learning. Scioscialist Party: Was the focus on college players in the draft a move to focus on bolstering depth throughout the system? Ric Wilson: To some degree as I said before we are working under different rules and you have to be in the right spots for quality young players. We felt we are starting to get some balance with the JC pitchers as well. AngelsWin: What are Taylor Lindsey and Randal Grichuk's timetable to the big leagues? They were our top 2 prospects in our Top 50 Mid-Season Prospect List. Ric Wilson: Both have made great strides, and some very good adjustments, both are quality young players, not sure of the timeline a lot of things come into play, but I do feel they will be ready in a year or so. AngelsWin: Okay, Ric Wilson. This is our last question and then we will go to a lightning round to wrap things up. With the parent club's need for relievers this year, what have you seen in Mike Morin and R.J. Alvarez? Ric Wilson: 2 different guys RJ pure power type stuff that attacks the hitters, and Mike more pitchability with life and a devastating change up, 2 different approaches that can be equally effective. AngelsWin: Okay. Lightning round. Just respond with the name that fits the mold. Best Tools of the 2013 Angels Drafted Class. AngelsWin: Best Overall Hitter? Ric Wilson: Riley Good / Brandon Bayardi AngelsWin: Best Power? Ric Wilson: Bayardi AngelsWin: Best Plate Discipline? Ric Wilson: Hinshaw AngelsWin: Best Speed? Ric Wilson: Riley Good AngelsWin: Best Defense? Ric Wilson: Alex Allbritton AngelsWin: Best Throwing Arm? Ric Wilson: Cal Towey AngelsWin: Most Athletic/Raw Tools? Ric Wilson: Mike Hermosillo AngelsWin: Closest hitter to the Big Leagues? Ric Wilson: Kyle McGowin Ric Wilson: Sorry you said hitter, Riley Good AngelsWin: No problem. Alright now to the pitching side: Best Fastball? Ric Wilson: Elliot Morris / Kyle McGowin / Harrison Cooney AngelsWin: Best Curveball? Ric Wilson: Trevor Foss AngelsWin: Best Slider? Ric Wilson: Dan Tobik AngelsWin: Best Changeup? Ric Wilson: Matt Hernandez AngelsWin: Best Command? Ric Wilson: Kyle McGowin AngelsWin: Closest pitcher to the Big Leagues? Ric Wilson: Kyle McGowin AngelsWin: And finally: Steal of the draft (either pitching or offense)? Ric Wilson: Hunter Green!!! AngelsWin: Alright, that should do it. On behalf of AngelsWin.com, Ric Wilson, Thank you so much for joining us and hopefully we can catch up again sometime in the not so distant future! ettin: Thank you Ric Wilson for sharing your time Dave Saltzer: Thank you very much for your time and knowledge today Ric Wilson! Ric Wilson: Thanks everyone for joining us! Go Halos! Yes sir had a good time always good to communicate with the best fans in baseball. Take care Talk to ya soon. AngelsWin: Thanks everyone for joining us! Go Halos! Thanks everyone for joining us! Go Halos!

Which players are likely to skip a level and make the jump to the IE66ers next year?

I will be there and can help out if need be.

I'm really intrigued to see how all these pitchers pan out and then how the organization spreads them out so as not to create a total logjam in the system. Our Top-50 Midseason Prospect report shows that we desperately need starting pitching.

Agreed with the assessment on Morin and Alvarez. As for why Romine was left off the list: He's getting old, he's been up and down, he's a known commodity, etc. He's not really a prospect as he is insurance for Aybar. We could have added someone like Cowgill, but again, decided not to for the same reasons.

The things that make the AngelsWin.com community *special*!

Dare I say you looked "pretty" once upon a time?!?!?!? Serious stones for posting that photo. And, a great writeup too!

Seriously, a GREAT article. I have to give you credit for some big cajones for publishing that photo.

Congrats to Morin for earning this. With his changeup, he could become a very valuable late innings guy. I won't be surprised to see Alvarez too far behind him either.

Let's say that the Angels want to resign Vargas next year. How much will that cost? Now compare that to Gonzalez. I would think with a weak FA pool for pitchers for the foreseeable future that Vargas will get overpaid by someone and that Gonzalez would be the better option. This move makes too much sense.

I have been saying it for a bit, the Dominican players that the Angels will be developing have some big potential. I hope that it doesn't get lost on translation.

Who else can make it? This is for a good cause and a chance to see some of the better prospects in the organization, such as Sappington, Yarbrough, Stamets, Morin, Borenstein, etc.

The organization has some problems and holes, but lots of things go into making a list of prospects. Johnson should have been jumped up a level by now to catch up on the age curve. Right now our organization has 3 clear guys who should be everyday players or more. They are all a year away or so. The organization has several others who could make it. And some who will provide depth or utility roles. They are woefully short on pitching, which hopefully changed with this draft. Not trying to sugarcoat it. It's bad, but the top three would be legitimate in any organization and there are other strong possibilities.

That was my initial thought as well. I have talked with many scouts who see value in Calhoun and knowing him would be very happy for him to see him in the Majors with another team if he isn't with the Angels. He is a good guy.

So who else can make it?

I am willing to do some work to get a group together to attend this event. We may still be able to get a suite or a patio with a bar-b-que dinner. I can find out. The cost for that might be around $35-50 per person. We would need 20 people probably for a suite or about 30 for the patio and dinner. If you are interested in helping a very worthwhile cause and seeing some good Angels baseball, respond to this thread, especially if you are interested in either of those options. If we can get a large enough group together, I think it would be a great showing on our part.

By David Saltzer, AngelsWin.com Senior Writer One of the things that I love most about AngelsWin.com is how caring and supportive our community is. We take care of one another. We share tickets with people we only know as screen names. We carpool to Fanfests and coordinate rides to games. We are a very caring and generous group. On July 20th, 2013, we have a chance to do some real good with Angels baseball. The IE66ers, the Single-A affiliate for the Angels, is hosting a “Protect and Serve Night” to honor and raise funds for the family of Detective Jeremiah MacKay and for Deputy Alex Collins, both of whom paid a heavy price during the manhunt for Christopher Dorner. I am not a veteran, so I do not know what it is like to put my life on the line every day for others. But, many on AngelsWin.com are veterans, and know the danger very well. They know what it’s like to get the call and have to respond to a situation without knowing all the facts and risks. That’s exactly what Detective MacKay and Deputy Alex did on February 12, 2013, when Dorner went on a murdering rampage and barricaded himself in the San Bernadino mountains. These two heroes paid a heavy price when caught in a shootout with Dorner with Detective MacKay paying the ultimate price, leaving behind a wife and two children and Deputy Collins requiring many surgeries to recover from his wounds. Many of you know that I am a fan of Minor League baseball. For the money, I think it is an incredible value. The seats are great, the in-game entertainment is great, and with Hangar-24 beer, the beer is great! And with tickets ranging from $6.90 to $13.55, the cost can’t be beat. There are many players on the IE66ers worth the price of admission. Sappington, Yarbrough, Stamets, Borenstein, Morin, and others all come to mind. They are the future of the organization. It’s worth seeing them now to know them and to understand their development so that you can feel even more impressed when you see them in Anaheim. There will be several unique opportunities to make this night special. They include: · Watching deputy Alex Collins throw out the first pitch after being brought to the field by helicopter! · Seeing the entire 66ers inspired pay tribute to these officers’ bravery by wearing specially-designed sheriff jerseys. · A post-game auction on the game-worn jerseys—a chance to get a truly unique item from a future Angel! · Hearing bag pipers from the Emerald Society pay tribute to their friend Detective Jeremiah MacKay. · A special K9 unit demonstration on the field! On top of all of that, July 20th is the Mark Trumbo bobblehead night, as presented by the San Manuel Band of Mission Indians. Tickets should be in high demand! The best part of the evening is that 20% of the ticket proceeds will go to benefit the MacKay and Collins families. I am proud that an Angels affiliate is willing to forgo its profits to help those in the community who protect and serve. I know that there is an Angels game that night. I have season tickets. But, on July 20th, I will be in San Bernadino with my family paying honor to these two brave men. I have already given my tickets away and will be driving with my family to show my sons how we honor heroes. My sons, who are in elementary school, are just learning about community helpers. What better way to show them what community helpers do and how the community takes care of its helpers than by attending this game. The Angels organization has always shown class and distinction. Now, it’s up to us as fans to show the organization that we can do the same. I look forward to seeing as many fans from AngelsWin.com as can make it at the IE66ers on July 20th. It’s time for us to do some good with Angels baseball and the IE66ers.

Think of it this way, it's also leverage against any player taken in the draft who has yet to sign. They can easily say we've replaced you with Gonzalez, so, we're sticking to our guns, and it's up to you to decide if you think you can get this big of an offer again. It's the right move to make on so many levels. If the Angels really want to be a big market team, then they have to make big market moves like this.

This is the exact type of move the organization needs to make. My understanding is that it won't count against our draft pool, is not limited by the current cap on foreign players, and could give us some legitimate pitching when we need it. This should be a no-brainer. And, for the player, it should be a no-brainer as any agent looking at our organization will quickly realize that if the player has any talent, he will be in the Major Leagues within a year.

Good report Scott. Glad to know your equation LHP + Pulse = Time in Majors.

Thanks again for another great report!

Ellen is an incredible writer and I am really excited to see what she does with this series!