Second Base

Quite the conundrum here then.  We have a Mathis on our hands, that much we know.  But what to call him....
 
Mathis version 2 is too obvious.  
 
Perhaps a Star Wars Theme?  The Phantom Mathis.  Mathis: Scioscia Strikes Back.  The Return of the Mathis.

.280 15 HR 30 SB and a gold glove in CF.  

We weren't toast until the third to the last game of the season with a terrible Santana, way below average Haren and whatever from Richards/Williams. Oh yeah and an unspectacular C.J. Wilson in the 2nd half. 

And I apologize to xboomx for calling him a butt-dart and finding him to be unintelligent.  

Aybar: Trout singles to lead off, takes off on 2nd pitch to Aybar who grounds a ball to the shortstop, since Trout was running, safe at 2nd, one out.  Pujols up, hits a deep fly to CF, Trout tags to 3rd, 2 outs.  Hamilton hits a double off high wall in RF (would've been a HR in Texas), Trout scores.  Trumbo strikes out.
 
Callaspo: Trout single, steals 2nd base.  Callaspo grounds out to 3rd, Trout unable to advance.  However, same result, Pujols fly, Ham double, Trumbo K, Angels score 1 run.
 
Kendrick: Trout single, Howie GIDP, Albert flies out to deep CF, end of inning.
 
Bourjos: Trout single, steals 2B, Boujros bunts him over to 3B, beats the throw, 1st and 3rd nobody out.  Pujols deep fly to CF scores Trout, Bourjos advances to 2B, one out.  Hamilton doubles, Bourjuos scores.  Trumbo strikes out, 2 outs.  Kendrick grounds out sharply to end the inning.
 
I like the Bourjos scenario.  

Cowart is struggling this Spring?  That's news to me.  The only guys that had an outside shot at making this team that are performing well enough to earn a spot are Luis Jimenez, Luis Rodriguez, Andrew Romine and Brendan Harris.  Young is doing well but he'd be way too redundant following Wells and Calhoun on the depth chart.  Conger is hitting well but his hitting was never the question.  Defensively he's left a lot to be desired and hasn't really earned a backup spot yet.  Neither has any other catcher. 
 
As far as minor leaguers go, our collection of AA hitters have done well (Lindsey, Witherspoon, Grichuk).  Alex Yarbrough has really opened some eyes this Spring (as I was fortunate enough to predict in this scenario) and may end up jumping to AA. 
 
As for Bill Hall, we'll see where he's at after he gets healthy.  My guess is he goes to AAA and serves as depth.
 
The real question here is who gets that final bullpen spot with Madson beginning the year on the DL.  Figure Frieri is the closer, with Downs, Jepsen and Burnett serving as middle relief.  Williams has the long relief spot locked up.  There could be one to two spots open.  Richards has been stretched out, so he'll be a starter in AAA.  So far. Kohn and Sisk have looked the most solid. 

I'll try to keep this short.
 
1. Kendrick in the 2-spot.  Are freakin' insane?  If your arugment against Aybar is that Trout won't get a chance to steal because his AB's only last 3 pitches then I wouldn't get excited over Kendrick's AB which last 4 pitches and will result in leading the league in grounding into double plays.
 
2. Aybar simply isn't a 2-hitter, we've tried it before and it doesn't work.  He tried taking pitches and becoming a 2-hitter in 2010 and it was a disaster before he was moved and reverted back to his aggressive style.  He's not the worst option, but I'd hope for better.  Still I get the feeling it'll end up being Aybar.
 
3. Callaspo is theoretically a good idea, right up until you watch him hit.  If he gets to 2B, he'll have a hard time scoring on a single, he's simply not fast enough and can't bunt.
 
4. Iannetta, see Callaspo.
 
5. Bourjos will swing and miss too much, but he's the ONLY one that offers the necessary speed, bunting ability and sees enough pitches to be a good 2-hitter.
 
6. Honestly, the best option is probably Kole Calhoun, he's left-handed, has patience, enough speed, can bunt....  Problem is, he won't be playing over Bourjos and because of our manager's idiotic tendency to favor veterans, he'll be firmly planted behind Vernon Wells on the depth chat.
 
Bourjos is clearly the best choice.  He'll see more fastballs, Trout would get enough time to steal second, Bourjos can lay down bunts that'll get Trout to 3rd, when Bourjos reaches base he too can steal and will always be capable of taking the extra base.  Without Calhoun, my vote is Bourjos, and it honestly isn't even that close.

Meanwhile, I made some bombsauce tonight for an appetizer with chips. Like Josh Hamilton's swing, this sauce packs a punch. Two large jalapenos, one habanero and all the rest of the fresh ingredients that I put into my homemade salsa.
 
  

Angels Top Prospect #5 OF Kole Calhoun - http://www.monkeywithahalo.com/prospects-countdown/2013/2013-la-angels-prospects-5-kole-calhoun.html
 
There's a ton here to like.  It's clear in my mind (and Garrett's as well) that Calhoun is a better ball player at this stage of his career than Vernon Wells.  Yet it seems that Wells will be designated as the Angels 4th OF.  THat has everything to do with Wells' salary and Calhoun's minor league options.  Still, I'm not alone (thank you Chuck and the Angelswin staff) that Calhoun has more potential than simply a 4th OF.  As stated in the article, I truly believe that he could be a .270 hitter that hits 20 HR's and steals 20 bases a year.  That's not an all-star, but that is a good starter on pretty much any team outside of Southern California and Atlanta. 
 
However, I don't believe Calhoun will ever get that opportunity with the Angels.  What do you guys think?

I like Jimenez a lot, but, he is a very streaky hitter, which goes along with lack of plate discipline. He can carry a team for a week or so, then disappear for a while. If he can cut that bit down, he would be a Major Leaguer. I think he can have a future at a bench spot, but will need to expand his defensive skill set. He's a good insurance policy on Callaspo in the event something happens, but I still see Cowart as the future at 3B for the Angels.