Angelsjunky

fuck these guys:

Yeah, because retaliating for having your embassy blown up and two generals killed is piracy.

Yes, though we all hope for more and the Angels have teased a bit more this year so far. Being 7-7 is just fine with me, though. I'd say they're more likely to go over .500 than below, but I'd guess they'll hover close and go up and down. But it isn't impossible that this team gels, and they win 85.

Just checking the score now. I guess the Canning breakout season hasn't happened yet.

Fangraphs might be on the conservative side, as their #100 players are usually 45 FV (IIRC).

A bit more. I think we, as fans, tend to hope for the best - and so we look at prospects and focus on the best-case scenario. In a best-case scenario, Paris becomes a very good player with a wide range of skills, all average or better; Joyce becomes an elite closer; Bachman finds health, and becomes a #2ish starter or elite reliever; Rada is Grady Sizemore; Dana a true frontline starter, etc. I like dreaming and tend towards optimism, but feel I need to balance it somewhat, especially when the weight of non-fan perspectives leans the other way. Sometimes the "homer favorites" turn out as we hope - and it proves that outsiders simply don't follow the org as closely as we do, so miss stuff. But usually that isn't the case. It is tricky, though, figuring out who fits in the former group. But I think we can see glimmers of it. For instance, I think it is totally fair to see big potential in Rada and Dana - but we also need to see more before feeling confident about it. 2024 will tell us a lot: if Rada is as special as we hope, or if he's more likely a future above average player; how good Dana actually is, and whether he can weather the gauntlet of pitching development (the kid only has 80ish professional innings so for). And so on.

And just clarify this, my view isn't far off. He just doesn't seem like a 50 FV prospect yet, which if you look at Fangraphs, would put him somewhere in the #30-80 range. To me he's more of a #100-200 guy, so probably a 45 FV guy - so not that far off, but the jump to 50 is a pretty big one (Fangraphs still has him at 40 FV). But it might also be that you're using FV a bit differently. Nothing wrong with that. Anyhow, my eyeball FVs would probably be, on average, 5 lower than yours - mainly due to caution for homerism, and the fact that most non-fan outlets rank them all 5-10 lower. I'd probably give Rada a 50, but everyone else 45+ or lower. Rada and Dana could both be above 50 by year's end, though.

Scotty put together the FV so I can't speak for him, but my guess is that he was thinking floor/ceiling. A 40 FV type might be more likely to fulfill their floor than a 40+ FV guy (for example). FV is mutable - it isn't static, and can change over time. I believe Jo Adell went from a 50 FV up to as high as 65, then dropped back to 55 or so. Caden Dana would probably rate as 45 or 45+ FV on Fangraphs, but could be at 55 by year's end, if he has the type of season we hope, and then higher next year if he excels in AA/AAA.

Anyone know the reasoning behind promoting Rada to AA this year rather than A+?

A few random thoughts. It is so so SO good to see Trout raking. Don't know what else to say, but I think he's back - even vintage (i.e. 170+ wRC+). My two semi-surprise breakout picks for this year were Taylor Ward and Luis Rengifo. Too small of a sample size, but so far, so good. If Rengifo gets the playing time, and if he keeps hitting, he will. Not worried about Neto or Schanuel. Both are young and inexperienced, and both will improve. As I said in another thread, you don't bail on Schanuel after 41 PA. Give him to about 100 and then re-essess. Meaning, end of month. I am a bit worried about the pitching, though. Sandoval looks like more of the same from Spring Training and last year: he's trending downward, and something seems off. I do think Detmers is legitimately having a breakout year, and I even think Anderson is going to continue to be a solid performer, though we should be realistic and be happy with 180 IP of 4.00 ERA ball. He's capable of that, which would be a huge boon. Canning has been kind of disappointing - a lot of folks thought he would finally take that step forward. The season is young, though. And Silseth? Well, I have my doubts about his future. He and Bachman are the two Angels that are most over-rated by fans. I've commented that literally no one but Angels fans see Silseth as anything more than a future #4. Finally, I must admit to being cautiously optimistic about Adell. I know, we say it every year: he looks different. But he really does. Moniak, I think, will prove that 2023 was rather flukey, and Adell will win the starting job outright. Ward-Trout-Adell could be fearsome. If given the playing time, that could be 100 bombs.

Trout's seed is strong. Are you in your bunk, Toby?

The Angels could be 6-10 after playing in Boston. There's still hope for 6-14.

He's also spent a lot of time batting 2nd, which reduces his chances - if only by a bit. I'm reminded of one year that Bonds had 45ish HR and only 90ish RBI. I think Rob Deer had 32-64, one year.

Oh man, it is nice to see this guy (back). From an 0-2 count to a dinger. Love it.

gross

100 PA is about the time stuff like BABIP starts equalizing, so we should have a better sense of his underlying performance. But yeah. I'm just saying that he should get 100 PA no matter what, and then assess where he's at and adjust accordingly. If he's still not hitting at all, with no signs of improvement, he should probably be sent down. But even just modest improvement and you take another 50-100 PA to re-assess again.

Crikey, give him a minute. Schanuel has 37 PA. 37 PA! Let's see how he does after his first 100. If he still looks over-matched, send him to AAA for a bit, but not a moment before.

Mike Out. Dude sucks.

2022 was in three parts for word: first part was unreal; second part was abyssmal; third part was great, but not quite as great as the first part. I expected big things last year, that he could at least be a bonafide .290/.900, 30 HR, 140 wRC+ guy. He started really poorly then got going and got his face broken to bits. My big concern this year was whether he had permanent damage to his eye and/or fear. But those concerns have been alleviated. I still think he's capable of the line above.

That's pretty nuts, but...Rada could very well vault into the top 20 by season's end, maybe even top 10. I know. I just ruined the kid's career.

Maybe they want to re-work his weird swing.

Placencia back down to A ball, where he started two years ago then was promoted to A+ and AA last year, but stank up the joint (except for walks). Was awful in the AFL. Also notice Werner Blakely get demoted and move to the outfield. I had such high hopes for him after his 2022 performance.