itsTroutahere

Remember when he had the surgery how everyone was saying it wasn't a big deal, he'd come back quickly from something similar before, etc.?  Yeah, about that...

His surgery on ELBOW went well, he is suffering from shoulder tendinitis this Spring.  Hopefully it is only inflammation and we can only pray it is not a tear. 

To get every drop of talent.

 

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For the first time this year, the Angels are installing a TrackMan Doppler radar system at all of their affiliate ballparks to gauge spin rate, exit velocity and many other analytical data points to better evaluate their prospects.

 

They'll employ a nutritionist and a mental skills coach for the second year. They'll start their Minor League practices a couple of hours later to ingrain proper sleeping habits ("fatigue management," as they call it). They'll preach the importance of solidified short- and long-term goals to their young players. And they'll do their best to keep the on-field instruction simple.

 

Position players will focus on "the red zone," a concept where hitters will be very selective until they get into two-strike counts. Pitching will be all about pounding the strike zone and generating weak contact.

 

 

http://m.angels.mlb.com/news/article/167154406/mike-gallego-in-charge-of-angels-farm-system

I have spent years requesting this information from the Angels, I am so happy to finally be able to get this valuable data. I have request Spin Rate on ball from the moment of inertia to end of flight, I also requested launch angles and length of MOI.  I am hoping that their team tech using the system will also provide data on what type of pitch thrown, pitcher name and zone location at impact.   The first time I requested this information during the 2010 SABR conference, a glossy eyed Angels staff member looked at me with the dumbest look I could tell he had no clue what I was even talking about.  In 2012, Dipoto never even gave my request a thought.  In 2015, only a hand full of clubs cared about spin rate and launch angles and now in 2016 almost every team showed interest.   It makes me feel giddy as a school girl.

Well, that excerpt didn't want to make me read or hear more from Eppler.  I lost interest in such things when Arte and Scioscia essentially ran Dipoto out of town.  

 

I don't trust my eyes judging someone's defense.  Never have.  Even those trained to do so, and those with a lot of experience doing so, probably shouldn't trust their eyes as much as they do.  I don't know about dWAR or defensive runs saved, but a lot of these new statcast metrics are ten times better than King of Gut's eyes.  

If Dipoto exposed himself in 2012 at the SABR conference by using incorrect data that he formulated on pitcher evaluations what is to say his other data was correct.  I agree that I like using advanced metrics for player evaluation but a good defensive player like Simmons doesn't require anything but watching him perform.  Where metrics helps is the mid line player that you do not see highlights on or the below average player with potential to be better.   

You mean Tommy Hanson? He was awful, but at least he had a positive WAR that year, as bad as he was. Blanton had a -0.5 WAR that year.

 

We had pitchers in the minor leagues who could have easily produced better than that.

Yes, Tommy Hanson.    and Yes we had pitchers in the Minors but we had Dipotto and it was his job to provide the pitching options.

Literally anyone could have done better than Joe Blanton that year.

We tried Tommy Hunter he wasn't any better. LOL

I understand a lot of your points.  As far as Lackey being an asshole:

• showing up players in the field by giving the sighs or rolling eyes when they made errors
• yelling at scioscia for pulling him in the playoff game
• complaining about the anaheim fans after signing with boston
• he signed with the Red Sox

 

My point is, even though our fans (me included) are as petulant as almost any other group, I don't think people got on Lackey for taking more money.

 

Just my opinion.

Good post, Lackey like any player should take the money.  His passion for success is why he still is a bull dog on the mound.  could you imagine if Ervin Santana had that type of passion, he would have been an ACE with his stuff.

Billy Eppler serving on the General Managers Panel at the Society for American Baseball Research (SABR) conference in Phoenix.

http://sabr.org/analytics/schedule

 

An Angels GM showing up at (let alone serving as a panelist) at an analytics conference?  Color me impressed.

 

Needless to say, neither Goose Gossage nor Mike Scioscia will not be in attendance.

Yes, I will be there!    Yesterday was awesome to meet so many great college kids in their diamond dollars competition, some ideas were quite impressive.  The only thing I did not like is the competition was held in three different locations so I missed much of their presentations and still have to review video for the remaining groups.  

Eppler uses metrics as he should for player evaluation and he is quite good with his own formulations. I will be listening intently on what he has to say this year.  I will add the Dipotto exposed himself with wrong formula of pitcher evaluations in the 2012 SABR Conference, he later hired new staff to correct this formula. 

I was at the San Diego County Fair around 4th of July one time and there was a concession grilling rattlesnake.  I passed.

 

Here is one for you.  Today is National Meatball Day and I could go try Alligator meatballs, but I won't.

 

http://www.nydailynews.com/life-style/eats/national-meatball-day-not-alligator-article-1.2557953

Alligator is really good and good for you!  I am not sure how good a meat ball would be but I like Alligator steaks grilled.

Rattlesnake?  I'll pass!

 

I just read an article about a retired fan who was supposed to watch the Angels - Reds game earlier this week but had to be hospitalized because he was bitten by a rattlesnake who was beneath his trailer.  

The Rattlesnake is awesome, Rustler Rooste makes it perfect.   I was riding dirt bikes in the desert one year only to come back to our trucks and find two or three under our equipment trailer and truck.  Got my heart racing!!  had to jump on trailer, then into back of truck and then jump into driver seat and pull up about 100 yards or so.

Was thinking about catching some spring training games. Any recommendations on hotels near the stadium?

 I recommend Embassy Suites, two locations near by and both easy drives to Ball Park.  I like their free breakfast and their afternoon free cocktails and snacks, followed by a Hot Tub.  Workout Room in morning is great too.

I would also check out the Rustlers Rooste for a great afforadble BBQ dinner it has great views up on the hill and the Rattle Snake is always good eats.  Just a really fun place!

Heading to the game today at Tempe Diablo. Do they accept electronic tickets there? I've been calling all around the Angels box office and the Tempe Diablo box office but nobody answers. Just need to know if I have to print them off before I head over there. Thanks in advance

I always print them as most of the ticket takers are Seniors who would be confused causing a delay in entering.

It's spring training for radar guns.

a dozen of more scouts in attendance had Radar Guns, almost all read 100mph!  I suggest while at Spring Games sneak a seat behind the scouts like I do a take a peak, I will be curious to see what Weaver hits today. 

Simmons has been working on one particular part of his swing and trying to carry it over from Tee to batter box is not an easy thing to do, once he finds his feel he will be just fine.  So his meaning of saving hits for later this spring holds true, he will let his swing flow after he feels more comfortable. Though I have been very impressed with his work ethic, his work using a Tee side by side with Pujols was awesome (I could have watched that all day) and his batting practice had some difficulties as he was only trying to hit the ball the other way.  I feel once he lets loose and feels when he can pull it and when to hit the other way the hits will return but we cannot expect him to be a .270 hitter.

I am not as concerned about Angels starting pitching as much as I am about concerned about offense.  The Angels have lacked the ability to hit this spring, a time when they see a ton of fast balls.  I know it is only spring!!! 

We can only hope he improves on his defense, we love the bat already.  Not sure he is capable, because he has worked on his defense every offseason only to see negative improvement. One can always tell when his initial reaction to ball after moment of inertia is always the opposite direction.  He might be dyslexic! 

Best promotion ever - 10 cent beer night! 

It will take Scioscia 30 seconds to make it to the mound, maybe even more.

They are very good for a franchise sandwich place.  Way better than Subway.  They are more expensive though.

I drive by one a couple of time a week and never bother to stop,  I prefer Togo's by only order the same thing every time.

It tastes like someone took a hot shit in a sub sandwich and handed it to you.

 

 

,,,,Na just kidding they're okay 

Sound like something I would get at the stadium, just awful.  LOL.

I am just another refugee from the Angels MLB board, I kept my same screen name and avatar neither one reflects my personality.

Glad to see we still have a home to talk about baseball.

I am a life long Angel fan and a long time season ticket holder (actually inherited my fathers seats - god rest his soul).  I will never give them up even during the lean years.  I am a active member of SABR and enjoy studying and creating advanced algorithms in hopes to better the sporting worlds prognostications. 

I thank you all in advance for providing a new home for us Angel Fan Message Board Members that are now refugees.

Also Subway no longer has the $5 footlong, it is now $6.  I have never tried Jersey Mike's Subs; is it any good and worth a trip?

Nava performed well for Boston in 2013 and 2014 for the Red Sox when he had protection in the line up.  Not sure he will get that with the Angels but again that depends on the where he is in the lineup.  His projections (not that it means anything) is to hit .261 and I would be happy with that.  Also is past historic stats show he has an ability to get on base.  I wish him good luck and I always root for the underdog.

Good to see you too Wang,  I am sure this site will grow ten fold quickly.

I feel like a newbie again!  good to see many of the old Angels Forum friends are migrating here. Thank you to all the current members for allowing us a place to talk baseball.