Halonut

Here is my most expensive Trout, #/10. Traded a 2011 Bowman Chrome Red Ref #/5 for this and cash. I had $120 into the red and this should be valued at about $25-30K 

Some of my Shohei Cards

Some of my Trout Cards

Random Angels Cards

Most I’ve ever spent on a single card is $300 for my PSA 6 Ryan RC and PSA 7 Carew RC. I do have some nice Trouts and Shoheis but I got in early on Trout and during the 2020 dip on Ohtani. I’ll try to post a few pics or links. 

• C: Bengie Molina
• 1B: Wally Joyner
• 2B: Bobby Grich
• 3B: Troy Glaus
• SS: Jim Fregosi
• LF: Garret Anderson
• RF: Vlad Guerrero...This one is probably the toughest call with Salmon being a close 2nd
• CF: Mike Trout
• DH: Chili Davis
• LHP: Chuck Finley
• RHP: Nolan Ryan
• RP: Scot Shields
• CL: Troy Percival

There were a lot of guys who could've found there way into the list; SS Simmons, DH Baylor, LHP Tanana, CL K Rod.

I’ve seen a couple of mock drafts which had the Halos linked to Jared Kelley from a Texas HS. 6’2’’ righty with a power arm. I watched him pitch at Petco this past summer and liked what I saw from him. 

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=Q7lLEW6OsZw

Brandon Marsh is having himself a nice day

3-3, 2B, HR and 4 ribbies

The players generally start practicing around 10am and cut loose around 1130am-12pm depending upon where they are playing that day. 

The Angels are notoriously conservative with the promotion of their prospects. If he forces their hand, I could see him hitting the bigs at 21 but outside of Mike Trout, they have been very patient in the past.

No doubt, he is very young...doesn't turn 19 until next month. He is holding his own against competition 2-3 years older. Currently leading the Pioneer League in hits and runs, 3rd in 2Bs and 2nd in SBs. If he doesn't hit any snags along the way, I could see his timeline looking like this...

2017-Class A Burlington/IE

2018-High A IE

2019-AA Arkansas

2020-AAA SLC/Sept Call Up

2021-Starting LF in Anaheim @ 23 years old 

Another 3-4 day today with a 2B and a BB. Currently hitting .333/.394/.472, he seems to have a good grasp of the strike zone for an 18 year old and while the power hasn't shown itself yet, he routinely squares up the ball. I could see him developing into our LF of future and possible leadoff hitter.I had the pleasure of meeting this kid when the family and I were down in Tempe. Seems to have his head on straight, I wish him the best on his road to Anaheim.

C-Bengie Molina

1B-Wally Joyner

2B-Bobby Grich

3B-Troy Glaus

SS-Jim Fregosi

LF-Garret Anderson

CF-Mike Trout

RF-Vlad Guerrero

DH-Brian Downing

I used to stay at the Quality Inn & Suites in Scottsdale up until a few years ago when I stumbled upon an extended stay called Value Place. There are 3 in the valley and 7 nights will run you less than $400. Catch is they don't give you anything except towels and 1 roll of TP...for this reason it is affectionately known at "bring your own shitpaper suites" in my home. All kidding aside, it actually works out pretty well. We just pack light and hit up a Wal Mart when we get into town to stock up the fridge and other essentials.

Heading down after work on 19th and staying through the 27th. This will be our 15th consecutive year and we always have a blast. 

Here are some of my faves...

I have collected since I was 6 years old (1986) and have put together a pretty nice Angels collection over the years. I have hit some duds over the years (Kotchman, Mathis, Jenks, etc) but I am completely in the black on Mr. Trout. Most of these were bought upon release or before he blew up in 2011. The most I dished out on any of these was $200 for the Finest Black Plate Auto...thought I may have overpaid at the time...

I remember an interview with Felipe Alou where a reporter asked "how are you going to replace an offensive catcher like AJ?" He replied "AJ was offensive, he offends everyone."

He is one guy I WOULD trade Newcomb for.

I understand Gomez has a few good seasons under his belt but no way am I moving a potential #1 arm for a year of control in Gomez. His numbers this year are underwhelming to say the least.

It's not my job to spin, and in fact I'm not. But, my point was if we had that writeup Wed be focusing on the comments by some scouts seeing him as a pitcher better than a catcher, so the moment he struggles, we'd see a ton of posts saying move him to the mound (just as we've seen with Cowart). A high school catcher is ages away from the show and that one line in there is a positive spin. I get the frustration at seeing this as an overdraft, but I'm also liking the pick more. The Angels have been following him for more than a year, so, they may have a solid major league catcher. Not too many of those come along. With all the rants on Ianetta so far this season, I would think people would be a bit happier with this pick.

I don't want to bash the kid, perhaps the Angels' scouts see more projection with the bat than others. My only real issue with the pick, well 2 issues are the fact that in the 1st round we should of been looking for the best player available and second, we have Perez and Bandy currently on the 40 man. Best case scenario this kid replaces Bandy as Perez' backup in 3-4 years.  

Honest question.

Aren't catchers pretty hit and miss?

 

How many solid catchers over the last 20 years are there that were drafted in the first round?  Joe Mauer and Buster Posey come to mind.

Jeff Mathis was a supplemental pick 

The Astros have had a helluva draft thus far; Bregman, Tucker and Cameron.

Add Eshelman to the mix...ouch

The Astros have had a helluva draft thus far; Bregman, Tucker and Cameron.

Curious to see if we take Daz Cameron if he falls into our lap..although our last 2 toolsy OF'ers from GA didn't pan out too well

I agree that Shoemaker deserves some time to work things out. He is having trouble with his release point and is leaving the ball up in the zone. However, Heaney had another great start tonight in AAA (7ip, 7h, 0r, 0bb, 6k) and is knocking on the door. Heaney is quietly putting together a great year in Salt Lake.

5-0

3.02 era

50.1 ip

56 h

1 hr

12 bb

49 k

I saw him down on the lower fields practicing with Scioscia and Knoop, granted it was only taking grounders and throwing across the diamond but he looked pretty fluid.

So far he has looked good. Only negative I have noticed is he seems to have some trouble with the transfer when turning 2.

I have been in Tempe since Saturday and attended today's scrimmage. Here are a few notes...

1-Richards is flat out nasty and looks like he is ready to go, made pretty quick work of our minor leaguers today.

2-Shoemaker didn't look out of sync mechanically but he was getting the ball up

3-Featherston and Sherman Johnson are both great guys and put together solid ABs. I think Featherston makes the club as an UIF. If he doesn't hack it, I can see Sherm taking the role mid season.

I really like what both of them bring to the table and I get the feeling the Angels' brass does as well.