Dave Saltzer

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.

Dreams - you are quite welcome.

Rafi - I'd say 10% on Morin and a definite no on Alvarez. He is a little more raw.

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*!

I seriously woke up this morning and thought to myself, "WTH was I thinking putting that photo in there?!?!"  

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.

Also, if Kyle Johnson is the #10 prospect in the Angels' system, then we're even worse off than I thought.

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.

I'm wondering if they are looking at trading Calhoun. He doesn't have a spot on the big league club. He has a full 6 years of control left. He's hitting real well in AAA right now. He might be able to fetch us a nice close to the majors pitcher.

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.

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!

Thank you all for some of the best laughs I've had all day. Keep 'em coming. I needed the good laugh!

Regarding Grichuk, you realize that after posting a 165/242/325 line in April, he has gone on to post a 311/347/644 in May, and a 324/381/378 line in June. I call that making an adjustment to the league and playing in a cavernous park. He was just named to the league's all-star team. I see plenty of upside in Grichuk.

Thanks for all the updates. You are better than BA!

Let's give him some time to sign some, but I am looking forward to a good post-draft chat.

Thanks for all the draft updates.

So we have an entire rookie ball rotation and bullpen, a SS, 3B, and OF so far.