JuanjoRios

It's not just about taking the extra base or bunting or stealing a bag but putting yourself in a opportunity to take advantage of an opponents complacency or putting pressure on defenses and hitters and pitchers to take them out of a relaxed environment so they're more likely to make mistakes.  
Rounding every base hard in case the defender bobbles the ball or doesn't give full effort. 
Getting good primary and secondary leads for balls in the dirt. 
Fouling off tough pitches with two strikes instead of always selling out for the hr. 
Showing bunt occasionally so it brings the infield in just enough to make a less than routing grounder that much more difficult. 
Taking the extra effort hold runners on and control the run game. 
Hitting the cut off man in the chest on a line and not just blooping the ball back to him. 
Getting a runner in from third with less than two outs.  
Shortening up your swing with runners in scoring position and two strikes.  
A lot of the things a guy like Simmons does where he throws behind a runner that takes a wide turn or threatens to.  
Continue playing the game regardless of the situation.  
Joe was also on MLB radio the other day and one of his first items of business was to identify his leaders and establish protocols that are consistent.  What are the expectations.  What time do we show up.  Who holds people accountable for certain things. What do they wear when going on the road.  What do we do before the game.  After the game.  During the game.  To align your leadership and get them on the same page.  The players don't just police themselves but establish trust and respect from the top down so it's clear who the outliers are.  Leadership is action and it's establish from the top down. 
And most importantly it's about communication.  Disagree with me all you want, but tell me you disagree and why.  Don't tell someone else you disagree with me.  
None of this stuff is easy and that's why he's here.  He has a history of being able to do this well.  
That's the Angel Way.  
 

Part of the fun/joy of sports is having a good guy and a bad guy.  A white hat and a black hat.  You need teams to hate every bit as much as you need teams to love. 
For the last decade or so, the Rangers have been one of the teams I've hated.  They'll never be that again.  Not after the last couple of days.
 
 

Bour is an important part of that clubhouse right now.  

Tyler Skaggs is gone. Unfortunately for Angels fans, this is an all-too-familiar place. We’ve been here before. It’s not a comfortable place. It’s a very sad and very confusing place and we will never, ever get used to it.
 
We Angels fans, like every other fan base often use terms like “us” and “we” when discussing our favorite team. That speaks to the level of connection we have with our team. We experience the emotional highs and lows that go along with winning and losing. Even though it may be a bit silly, we feel that the team’s victories are also our victories. So when I say “we lost Tyler Skaggs” – that “we” is real. It’s tangible. It’s meaningful. 
 
But… this loss is not about us.
 
This time is about Tyler’s family and those that were close to him. Our thoughts and our prayers go out to them as they try to manage their grief, their sorrow and their pain.
 
I don’t know how the Angels move forward from this. I really don’t. Baseball is hard enough as it is. 
 
Perhaps we fans can play a role in helping the team move forward by simply showing up. It’s time to show how much we care and that when we say “we” and “us” we really mean it.
 
It is my hope that on July 12 when the Angels return home for their first home game since Tyler’s passing, Angels fans show up in huge numbers. We need to show up even if it's hard. We need to show up even if we don't want to because again - it's not about us and showing up matters.
We also show up by telling stories. It’s important to tell the stories that speak to a time when we might have had an interaction with Tyler that meant something special to us. We share the good things we’ve read or heard about Tyler too. We recount those stories to others and in doing so we all remember.
 
We remember that Tyler Skaggs was one of us. We remember that Tyler Skaggs competed at the highest level and he sought out victories so that we could experience joy. 
 
We are thankful for having had the opportunity to be connected to him in some small way. He may not have known our names, but he definitely felt our presence every time he stepped on a baseball field. Tyler showed up for us and now it's time for us to do the same.
 
We will all miss Tyler Skaggs, but more importantly – we will never forget him.
 

Heard the news about an hour ago and I can't still fully process them. Words can’t express the sadness and frustration we are feeling right now.
You were and will always be an Angel.
Rest in peace Tyler!

That was 3 over after being 10 over. They were trending down, having just lost Richards, Ohtani and Cozart, and with Tyler Skaggs having just developed the groin issue that would sink his second half. 
This is 1 over on the way up, with players coming back from injuries.
This 1-over looks a lot better than last year’s 3-over. 

But, he's still not the All Star DH of choice from some bitter ultra objective Angels fans here. #smh

We've hit a point in the season where it's time to acknowledge what's been going on with our pitching in the minors. Especially Burlington and Inland Empire. We'll likely start seeing a couple of these guys move up to IE/Mobile within the next month or so.
Last season, the Angels minor leagues saw only 13 pitchers start 20+ games - and of those, only 11 topped 100 innings. 
Within that group only three had an ERA below 4.00: Suarez at 3.92, Canning at 3.65, and Madero at 3.49. Eight had an ERA over 4.50, and four of those had an ERA over 6. It was not pretty.

This year is shaping up to be quite different - even with Canning and Suarez having hardly thrown any minor league innings. 

PATRICK SANDOVAL - 6'3", 190, LHP, 22 years old, drafted in 2015 (11th Rd.)
(AA/AAA): 4.47 ERA, 1.65 WHIP, .278 BAA, 21 BB, 57 K in 44.1 IP across 12 G/11 GS
Dominant in Mobile (32 K in 20 IP), Sandoval has slowed some in SLC (5.18 ERA, 2.14 WHIP) but is still the Angels next-best SP prospect.

LUIS MADERO - 6'3", 185, RHP, 22 years old, signed in 2013 (Intl. FA), acquired by LAA via trade
(A+/AA): 3.04 ERA, 1.28 WHIP, .251 BAA, 17 BB, 59 K in 56.1 IP across 12 G/10 GS
Madero has had no issues adjusting to AA, and could find himself working in the Angel bullpen in September.

JEREMY BEASLEY - 6'3", 215, RHP, 23 years old, drafted in 2017 (30th Rd.)
(AA): 3.33 ERA, 1.44 WHIP, .256 BAA, 24 BB, 51 K in 54 IP across 12 G/11 GS
Bulldog Beasley continues to exceed expectations. Strong GB (55%) and swinging strike (16%) tendencies, sort of like pre-2019 Cahill. Allowed 2 R or fewer in 9 of 12 games.

JESUS CASTILLO - 6'3", 205, RHP, 23 years old, signed in 2011 (Intl. FA), acquired by LAA via trade
(AA): 3.41 ERA, 1.27 WHIP, .265 BAA, 17 BB, 51 K in 66 IP across 13 G/11 GS
Currently leads the org in innings pitched, has rebounded from a poor 2018. Has allowed 2 or fewer runs in 11 of 13 appearances.

ANDREW WANTZ - 6'4", 235, RHP, 23 years old, drafted in 2018 (7th Rd.)
(A+/AA): 3.33 ERA, 1.13 WHIP, .211 BAA, 19 BB, 64 K in 54 IP across 12 G/7 GS
After posting a gaudy 47 K in 23 relief IP last year, Angels surprisingly stretched him out to a starter. He hasn't missed a beat. K/9 near 11.

DENNY BRADY - 6'1", 200, RHP, 22 years old, drafted in 2017 (7th Rd.)
(A+): 3.06 ERA, 1.25 WHIP, .228 BAA, 20 BB, 65 K in 53 IP across 12 G/7 GS
As steady and consistent as a minor league arm can be, has yet to allow more than 3 R in a game.

KYLE BRADISH - 6'4", 190, RHP, 22 years old, drafted in 2018 (4th Rd.)
(A+): 3.50 ERA, 1.31 WHIP, .228 BAA, 20 BB, 58 K in 43.2 IP across 11 G/7 GS
A little wild, a little inconsistent, but has shown flashes of straight dominance in a trio of starts:
4/23: 4 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 2 BB, 9 K, 5/9: 5 IP, 7 H, 0 R, BB, 9 K,  5/21: 5.1 IP, 1 H, 0 ER, 2 BB, 12 K
OLIVER ORTEGA - 6'0", 165, RHP, 22 years old, signed in 2015 (Intl. FA)
(A+): 3.26 ERA, 1.29 WHIP, .203 BAA, 33 BB, 74 K in 58 IP across 12 G/11 GS
Who would have guessed Oliver Ortega would be leading the Angels org in strikeouts in mid-June? Who even knows who Oliver Ortega is?

AARON HERNANDEZ - 6'1", 170, RHP, 22 years old, drafted in 2018 (3rd Rd.)
(A+): 4.26 ERA, 1.74 WHIP, .279 BAA, 21 BB, 35 K in 31.2 IP across 9 G/7 GS
Yet to find a groove, but still posting decent numbers with swing-and-miss stuff, and a decent repertoire of pitches. 

CRISTOPHER MOLINA - 6'3", 170, RHP, 22 years old, signed in 2013 (Intl. FA)
(A): 2.61 ERA, 1.07 WHIP, .193 BAA, 22 BB, 65 K in 58.2 IP across 12 G/9 GS
Stumbled a bit in last three games, but prior, had posted a 1.25 ERA and .167 BAA through first 9 appearances.

JOSE SORIANO - 6'3", 168, RHP, 20 years old, signed in 2016 (Intl. FA)
(A): 2.47 ERA, 1.26 WHIP, .201 BAA, 35 BB, 70 K in 62 IP across 13 G/11 GS
Not far behind Sandoval from being the Angels best SP prospect - only 2 HR allowed, a 55% GB rate, a little erratic, but big-time potential.

HECTOR YAN - 5'11", 180, LHP, 20 years old, signed in 2015 (Intl. FA)
(A): 3.86 ERA, 1.40 WHIP, .220 BAA, 26 BB, 66 K in 44.1 IP across 12 G/8 GS
Lots of swing-and-miss stuff could lead Yan into top-of-rotation potential, but he'll need to work more efficiently and get a handle on the walks. Only 1 HR allowed.

COLE DUENSING - 6'4", 175, RHP, 21 years old, drafted in 2016 (6th Rd.)
(A): 4.36 ERA, 1.55 WHIP, .250 BAA, 33 BB, 51 K in 44.1 IP across 12 G/9 GS
Absolutely awful in 2017-2018, with an ERA near 10.00, Duensing's dramatic turnaround offers hope for brighter days still ahead.

KYLE TYLER - 6'0", 185, RHP, 22 years old, drafted in 2018 (20th Rd.)
(A): 4.31 ERA, 1.16 WHIP, .217 BAA, 19 BB, 53 K in 54.1 IP across 12 G/9 GS
Another reliever converted to the rotation, Tyler throws strikes (65%) coupled with a strong GB rate (53%), quietly producing and putting himself into the mix.

ROBINSON PINA - 6'4", 180, RHP, 20 years old, signed in 2017 (Intl. FA)
(A): 3.22 ERA, 1.33 WHIP, .193 BAA, 32 BB, 61 K in 50.1 IP across 12 G/7 GS
Steady and consistent, in three pro seasons, has yet to allow an ERA over 3.68, averaging over 10 K per 9, only 7 hits per 9, and a total of 5 HR in 145.2 IP.

LUIS ALVARADO - 6'4", 210, RHP, 22 years old, drafted in 2018 (17th Rd.)
(A): 2.25 ERA, 1.13 WHIP, .186 BAA, 22 BB, 60 K in 48 IP across 12 G/7 GS Has allowed 2 or fewer earned runs in all but one game, and only 3 ER in the other.

Even more exciting is that still doesn't take into account the 2019 draftees who could ultimately join this list - Jack Kochanowicz, Erik Rivera, Garrett Stallings, Zach Peek, Davis Daniel, Zach Linginfelter - or the legitimate SP prospects who have been injured - Chris Rodriguez, James Swanda, Stiward Aquino - or the other arms who either have had enough prospect pedigree or success to still enter the picture, such as Cooper Criswell, Luke Lind, Connor Van Scoyoc, Jose Natera, Emilker Guzman, Jerryell Rivera, Kelvin Moncion, or Jason Alexander.

The growth we've seen this year - both in terms of development and depth added - is quite frankly, staggering, and given the number of arms drafted in 2019, only likely to grow. 
With Eppler's aggressive promotions, the use of multi-inning relievers. 6-man rotations, and 'tandem' starters, there's a chance we see a lot of these arms start reaching the majors as soon as late 2020 or in 2021. 

Hate to watch a player go down because of an injury, but I'd rather lose players to a sprained ankle than to a TJ surgery!!

Hate to watch a player go down because of an injury, but I'd rather lose players to a sprained ankle than to a TJ surgery!!

This game will break your heart sometimes... it will frustrate you and make you miserable too.  It can make you angry. 
As fans we have no control over what happens on the field.  We can only watch and react.  And since we have no control - it makes it all that more difficult.
Nights like last night take all the joy out of being a fan and yet - we'll be back for more tonight or soon thereafter and every other night.
My hope is that this team rallies around one another and decides to fight like hell to win more games.  I just don't have all that much confidence in that happening under Ausmus' leadership - although I have no way to qualify that in any way.  I don't know that there is a guy in the clubhouse that's capable of doing that either.  There's no Torii Hunter or Jered Weaver or Troy Percival or Bengie Molina.  Maybe Pujols is that kind of a leader, but I really don't know.  All I know is that injuries suck and they suck the life out of being a fan. 
We all just want to see what this team can do with a fully healthy roster.  We wonder if that's ever going to happen.

On Wednesdays we wear pink to remember the 2004 film "Mean Girls."

I have not liked at all how Ausmus has been dealing with our starters lately! Hope he turns it around 

These international games are the best MLB initiative for the sport of baseball in recent times.  I hope they continue to play in other cities within and outside Mexico.

Ask Kole and Trout what they thought of that cutoff play. 
 
 
Kole.cutoff.mp4

Imagine all the posts there would have been after today’s game about Trout leaving if he hadn’t signed his extension?

Did Jerry trade SafeCo?

Is this the touchdown we have been waiting for?

Is this the touchdown we have been waiting for?

Is this the touchdown we have been waiting for?

?
I am caught between happy the Angels haven't made any bad deals and wanting something to happen.
I have faith in Eppler

duties of the 1b coach:
tell the guy at 1b how many outs there are even though they should already know
say 'back!' when the pitcher throws to 1b.  
give the 'safe' sign to the ump on a close play at 1b.  
give trout his oven mitt and hold everyone's ankle/elbow guard
field the occasional foul grounder so gubi can say 'he's still got it!'