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Chuck

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  1. Chuck
    Photo by: Cristina Byrne-Sternberg/Rocket City Trash Pandas
    By Chuck Richter, AngelsWin.com
    105.5. That’s a number. But it’s not just any number. That’s the speed of a fastball thrown by Ben Joyce—the fastest pitch ever thrown in college baseball and the third fastest pitch ever sitting just behind two pitches thrown by Aroldis Chapman. Joyce didn’t just do it once—he consistently threw above 103.5 mph, or faster than every pitch thrown in the Major Leagues last year.
    Joyce recently hit 102 MPH in what was a key 9th inning to hold score before the Rocket City Trash Pandas came back in the bottom of the inning on a walk-off Preston Palmeiro.
    Drafted by the Angels in the 3rd round this year, 89th overall, Ben Joyce is a tall (6’ 5”) right hander with a solid build (225 lbs) who has become part of the exciting AA Rocket City Trash Pandas. For Ben, coming from the University of Tennessee which was ranked #1 going into the College World Series, joining the Trash Pandas on their playoff run is an exciting cap to a great year. The thrill of going from one winning program to another inspires his confidence and motivates him to do better.
    Chuck Richter, our Founder and Executive Director, recently caught up with Ben Joyce to find out more about what it was like to be drafted by the Angels, his style of play, what he’s working on, and about him as a person. It’s a great interview with one of the Angels rising prospects—one that we hope will be in Anaheim for many years and pitching meaningful innings for the team.
    Speaking of his style of play, here's a snapshot of the type of fire (105.5 MPH) he brings from his fastball velocity, and the fiery passion he brings to the mound. 
    Click below to watch our interview with Angels pitcher Ben Joyce.

    Here's the complete interview transcript for the hard of hearing. 
    AngelsWin.com: This is Chuck Richter from AngelsWin.com. I’m here today with Ben Joyce. Ben, how’re you doing?
    Ben Joyce: Doing great.
    AngelsWin.com: Hey, real quick. I know you just got here, but how exciting is it to be a part of this Trash Panda team that’s in a playoff run?
    Ben Joyce: Yeah. Yeah, it’s been awesome. I mean, coming from Tennessee, we had a really competitive team and jumping right into another one, it’s been a lot of fun. And they welcomed me right away, and the atmosphere here is amazing. So, I couldn’t have asked for anything more.
    AngelsWin.com: You’re not too far away, either. That’s great.
    Ben Joyce: No, not at all. A couple hours from home and a lot of Tennessee fans. So, it’s pretty cool.
    AngelsWin.com: Yeah. What was Draft Day like for you?
    Ben Joyce: It was a crazy day. I mean, it was something that I dreamed of my whole life. And then leading up to the call, I was pretty nervous and finally got the call and got a little emotional, honestly. It was a crazy day. It was awesome to have my family there and my brother and my girlfriend. So, it was a cool experience.
    AngelsWin.com: That’s awesome. When did you know the Angels were interested in you?
    Ben Joyce: I really didn’t. I talked with them at the combine, and then, honestly, I didn’t know, really, where I was going to end up. It was, kind of, up in the air. And then, almost three picks before, I got calls when I got called by them. So, it was pretty crazy to hear that call, and now I was going to be an Angel. It was exciting.
    AngelsWin.com: That’s awesome. What will Angel fans come to learn about you, the player, your style, and you, the person?
    Ben Joyce: Yeah. I mean, I’m very competitive. I’m going to go out there every day and give it all I got. Maybe try to light up the radar gun a little bit, but at the same time, I’m trying to be a complete pitcher. So, it’s—I’m going to go out there and give it everything I got every time. And that’s what you’re going to get from me.
    AngelsWin.com: On that note of being a complete pitcher, we know that your fastball, you’ve hit 105; you bring it. But what are your secondary pitches that you throw?
    Ben Joyce: Yeah. I’m doing a slider and a splitter. The slider is something I’ve been working on a lot with Wuertz and the all the Angels guys ever since I got drafted. So, it’s been continuing to get better, and it’s something that I’m going to continue to throw regularly in the future.
    AngelsWin.com: Okay. What do you think you need to work on to reach your full potential and make it to the big leagues?
    Ben Joyce: Yeah, I think for me, just continuing to get in-game repetitions. And I was out the year before last with Tommy John’s; I just continue to get out there and get game experience and throw those secondary pitches more consistently. I think that’s the next step for me.
    AngelsWin.com: Okay. Are you left to your own devices in terms of, like, workout, diet, anything baseball related? Or does the organization—the Angels organization—kind of, steer you in a direction or oversee that?
    Ben Joyce: No, it’s been great, because, I mean, they know that you got what it takes to get here, and you got a good routine if you’re here. So, they, kind of, let you do your own thing, and they’re there for guidance and helping you if you need things. And it’s been awesome to have those resources available, but also be able to, kind of, do your own thing and do what got you here and continue to stay healthy and continue to get better as a baseball player.
    AngelsWin.com: Yeah. I know you just got here, but who has impressed you the most that you’ve seen so far—
    Ben Joyce: Yeah, I mean, honestly, the whole bullpen has impressed me a lot. Just how they go out there and continually get outs and get out of big situations. And, honestly, just their mentality; they’re all really level-headed, and they don’t ever get too high or too low. So, it’s been cool to, kind of, be in with that group and see how they work.
    AngelsWin.com: Awesome. Best game to date: high school, college, or pro?
    Ben Joyce: Yeah. I’ll probably have to say, when I threw against Auburn this year against Sunny D. That’s probably one of my better games this year and one that I’ll probably won’t forget. That was the game I hit 105. So, I probably won’t ever forget that one; that was a good one.
    AngelsWin.com: That’s cool. When did you really first commit to playing baseball?
    Ben Joyce: I was three years old, and I was playing baseball then. I have a twin brother, and we’ve always just, kind of, gravitated towards baseball ever since then. So…
    AngelsWin.com: Okay. Who are your favorite players or teams, growing up?
    Ben Joyce: Yeah, my parents are from Pittsburgh, so I’ve been a big Pittsburgh Pirates fan, but I, kind of, just am a fan of baseball. So, growing up, my favorite pitcher’s Max Scherzer. Jacob deGrom. All those guys—
    AngelsWin.com: Good guys.
    Ben Joyce: —very fun to watch. And I’m a big, big Mike Trout fan, and watching him play is pretty special.
    AngelsWin.com: Have you got to meet him, yet?
    Ben Joyce: I have not, no. That’ll be [crosstalk 00:04:03].
    AngelsWin.com: That’ll be awesome. Who do you model your play after?
    Ben Joyce: Honestly, I wouldn’t say my mechanics after anyone. Mentality-wise, I’ve always looked up to Max Scherzer. Just his competitiveness, and the way he approaches pitching and all his routines. So…
    AngelsWin.com: I love the fire he brings on the mound—
    Ben Joyce: It’s awesome.
    AngelsWin.com: Who is one major leaguer you want to face the most when you make it to the big leagues?
    Ben Joyce: I don’t know. Honestly, I don’t have one in mind. It’s just, kind of, I’m excited to, hopefully, get up there and face all of them. So…
    AngelsWin.com: Okay. Real quick, Lightning Round. Favorite movie?
    Ben Joyce: The Dark Knight.
    AngelsWin.com: Awesome. Favorite song or artist?
    Ben Joyce: I’m a big Morgan Wallen fan.
    AngelsWin.com: Yeah. We got that [unintelligible 00:04:39] earlier. Favorite video game?
    Ben Joyce: I don’t play it anymore, but I was a big Fortnite guy. [crosstalk 00:04:45].
    AngelsWin.com: Okay. [laugh] What would be a perfect day for you away from the ballpark?
    Ben Joyce: I’m big into hiking; going out on the lake. It’s anything outdoors for me. Playing with my dogs is pretty good, too.
    AngelsWin.com: When you’re done playing baseball, have you thought about what your next career will look like?
    Ben Joyce: I’d really like to be a strength coach after baseball. That’s, kind of, be something I like to get into.
    AngelsWin.com: Oh, you’re fit, man—
    Ben Joyce: Thank you.
    AngelsWin.com: —Thank you so much for your time today, Ben.
  2. Chuck

    Los Angeles Angels 2023 Primer

    By Chuck,


    Blog
    By Jonathan Northrop, AngelsWin.com Senior Writer
    Introduction: It Can't Be Worse
    While we just tipped over into the second half of January, which means we're still several weeks away from pitchers and catchers reporting (February 14) and two and a half months from Opening Day (March 30), it is still the new year, and it seems that the Angels are--barring a surprise move--mostly done in assembling their 2023 team.
    How does the team look? What can we expect and reasonably hope for? One thing this post will not be is a Debby Downer rant about worst-case scenarios and the poor moves of past and present management. I will try to be as objective as possible, but err towards the side of how good the team can reasonably be, if more things go right than wrong.
    Injuries happen. Players have bad years. But players also have good years, and it is unusual that a team suffers the almost uncanny combination of bad luck and injury that the 2022 team experienced, essentialized in their 14-game losing streak. Chances are, no matter how bad it gets in 2023, it won't get that bad. And GM Perry Minasian has put a lot of work--and fair amount of money--into preventing a repeat of that debacle.
     
    1. The Angels vs. the World Champions
    What has Minasian done this offseason? Well, he's lifted the floor on the team substantially. The Angels poor performance in 2022 can be visually expressed like so:


    Now it might not be fair to compare the Angels to the World Champions, but on the other hand, if you're trying to build a contender, one important tactic is to look at successful teams and, most importantly, how they succeeded and, if possible, trying to emulate that. 
    What are you looking at? The two charts compare the Angels and Astros, first in hitting as represented through wRC+, secondly in pitching as represented by FIP. The striking difference between the two teams in both charts is perhaps best characterized not by the best players, but by the worst - namely, the number of poor performers on the Angels, and the visual "real estate" they take up on the charts.
    Perhaps the most glaring problem the Angels had is the huge number of plate appearances given to bad hitters: Their first four hitters by plate appearance were all plus performers, but the next seven were negative; and after the first four, only one out of the next seventeen was average or above.
    Compare that to the Astros: six out of their first seven were average or above, and seven out of their first ten. The mass of below average performers on the ride side of the first graph make up a fraction of the Angels' comparable section.
    We see a similar phenomena with the pitchers, although in some ways it is even more striking in that the Astros only had two pitchers with below average FIP that were given substantial playing time, and one of them--Jose Urquidy--still managed about a league average ERA of 3.94.
    Meaning, the Astros weren't sending (almost) any poor pitchers to the mound, while the Angels were shuffling through a bunch of them.
    If you're the GM of a baseball team, you look at ways to improve controllable outcomes, of which injuries are (for the most part) not. Meaning, Minasian has very little say in whether or not Anthony Rendon gets hurt or how Mike Trout ages, or even whether Taylor Ward decides to crash into a wall. But what he does have some control over, is how the roster is configured.
    So Minasian's big task this offseason was to turn as much of the "purple" into "green." There are specific needs to be addressed, but in its most simply--yet still comprehensive form--that's what was required.
    The big question, of course, is how successful was he? In mid January, we cannot know. We might now come May, but even then it might not be until about mid-season that we have a sense of whether the "Minasian Plan" (Or Minasian Gambit?) worked. What did he do?
    2. Minasian's Moves
    First, let's talk about what he did not do: He didn't sign any big free agents or make any huge trades. Everything he did was minor to moderate, in terms of resources. The total result was the equivalent of signing a big free agent and some scraps, but no single move did any of the following:
    Give a player $20M+ per year* Sign a player for more than three years Give up any top 10 (or even top 20) prospects I asterisked the first, because he did give Ohtani a one-year deal worth $30M. Ohtani was due for a big arbitration pay day that would probably have earned him a bit less, but we can consider this as a bit of a good-will deed. 
    What did Minasian do? Well, here's a list:
    Signed Shohei Ohtani for 1/$30M Signed SP Tyler Anderson for 3/$39M Traded Janson Junk, Elvis Peguero, and Adam Seminaris to the Brewers for OF Hunter Renfroe Signed IF Brandon Drury for 2/$17M Traded Alejandro Hidalgo to the Twins for IF Gio Urshela Signed RP Carlos Estevez for 2/$13.5M Signed OF Brett Phillips for 1/$1.2M Plus a bunch of minor league acquisitions As you can see, other than Ohtani, there is not a true star in sight. What the above list includes are a handful of quality, major league regulars and solid bench/platoon players.
    The Angels Opening Day 26-man payroll is estimated at $188M, $7M higher than last year; similarly, the CB Tax 40-man payroll is $207M, $8M higher than 2022.
    3. 2022 vs. 2023: What Will Be Different?
    A lot remains the same, but some significant factors have changed. Essentially what has happened is:
    The Angels have swapped out Brandon Marsh and Jo Adell (608 PA, 0.7 WAR) for Hunter Renfroe (522 PA, 2.5 WAR) Swapped Andrew Velazquez, Matt Duffy, Tyler Wade, Jack Mayfield, Michael Stefanic, Jose Rojas, Jonathan Villar, Phil Gosselin and David MacKinnon (1099 PA, -3.3 WAR) for Gio Urshela and Brandon Drury (1119 PA, 5.4 WAR) Tyler Anderson (178.2 IP, 4.0 WAR in 2022) has replaced Noah Syndergaard/Michael Lorenzen (177.2 IP, 2.2 WAR). Carlos Estevez (57 IP, 0.4 WAR) is replacing a variety of pitchers, including half a year of Raisel Iglesias (35.2 IP, 0.7 WAR) Replaced Magneuris Sierra, Juan Lagares, and Mickey Moniak (220 PA, -0.9 WAR) with Brett Phillips (225 PA, 0.1 WAR) OK, before you protest, note that I am not saying that we can simply take last year's numbers and switch them out like that. But I am saying that this is essentially what is happening in terms of playing time, without even looking at injuries; I included some stats to give. For instance, we don't know how much players like Rendon, Trout, Ward, and Fletcher will play in 2023, or at what level. Catcher is also a big question mark: which version of Max Stassi will show up, and who will share catching duties with him?
    But....if you do swap out those players, you get a +12.8 WAR swing, about two-thirds of which (+8.7 WAR) is coming from the infield. 
    What does a +12.8 WAR swing look like for the Angels? Well, if we just take the raw numbers, that adds about 13 wins and the Angels go from 73-89 to 86-76.
    Again, it isn't so simple as that - and things always turn out differently than planned. But that is still the basic idea behind these moves: replace sub-par performance with--at least--solid, league average performance.
    Minasian's moves this offseason could pay huge dividends, especially in the infield, where the Angels gave about two full season's worth of playing time to -3.3 WAR performance, most of which was due to poor hitting. Even if the Angels can replace that -3.3 WAR with slightly above replacement level play, they add four or more wins.
    4. Two (or Three) Factors for Success in 2023
    The Angels 2023 season is mostly banking on two factors:
    One, the above mentioned changes work out mostly as hoped. They don't have to work out completely, but just for the most part. 
    Two, better health - and not just Trout and Rendon, but Fletcher, Ward, Canning, Rodriguez, etc. Last year the Angels got only 166 games from their two highest paid players, Trout and Rendon. In 2021, it was 94 games - so if we want to find a silver lining, at least we're trending in the right direction. But they really need more from these two, and while the farm system is on a positive trajectory, there simply isn't the offensive talent waiting in the wings to make up the difference.
    I would add a third that is less necessary but could swing the team significantly:
    Three, positive minor league developments, namely players graduating and performing in the majors. This could include better health and performance from guys like Canning and Rodriguez, a breakout performance from Logan O'Hoppe, some of the plethora of pitching prospects in the high minors graduating and performing well. Meaning, something, someone...anything!
    Summing Up
    The Angels team has a lot of talent. While it may be unlikely given recent track records, there's a scenario in which the very similar Renfroe (124 wRC+, 29 HR) and Drury (123 wRC+, 28 HR) aren't, even repeating last year's performances, among the top four or five hitters on the team. It requires Trout and Rendon to be healthy, Ohtani to stay healthy, and Ward to at least repeat something similar to last year's performance (137 wRC+). Add in a potential bounce back from Jared Walsh, and the Angels could have a lineup that features seven players hitting 20+ HR, with 120 wRC+ or better...and that isn't even considering continued improvement from Luis Rengifo (103 wRC+, 17 HR), a bounce-back from Stassi or breakout from O'Hoppe.
    The rotation looks, at the very least, quite solid, with the potential to be very good. There are a wide range of outcomes for the bullpen, so it bears watching. But the Angels have a lot of minor league arms to draw from, as well as (hopefully) a healthy Chris Rodriguez and Griffin Canning.
    There are no certainties in major league baseball (or life), but we can at least look at the Angels and say that this team has a chance to be very good - and maybe even better. But the risk is there; they're as likely to win 80 games as they are 90 but, I would say, more likely to win 95 than 75. The talent is there.
  3. Chuck
    Interview conducted by Taylor Blake Ward, AngelsWin.com
    November 24th, 2022
    The Angels drafted the 18-year old Caden Dana in the 11th round this past summer with a signing bonus of $1,497,500, breaking a record for the highest bonus given to a player drafted after the tenth round. MLB.com had his draft slot valued at $125,000, a difference of $1,372,500. 
    The 6-foot-4 pitcher touches 95 mph consistently and touched higher than that in shorter stints in 2021, showing the ability to pitch with velocity deep into his outings. Caden commands the pitch well but his fastball can straighten out at times. His best pitch right now is his breaking ball, a curve that generates some ugly swings and buckled knees thrown in the mid 70's that's a true hard bender. He commands the pitch well and scouts call it a plus pitch. Dana also throws a changeup, but as most young hurlers he'll need to continue to get a good feel for the pitch and command it in the zone. 
    Dana only got into four games in 2022, pitching to a 6.48 ERA across 8 1/3 innings of work, fanning 8 batters. He should return to the Low-A Inland Empire 66ers in 2023 where he'll get a full season of work in from the mound.
    Here's Caden Dana's first professional strikeout with the Inland Empire 66er's this past September. 
    Take a look at the stuff Dana can bring from his performance in the Perfect Game National in 2021. 
    Check out our interview with pitching prospect Caden Dana below. 
    Here is the complete interview transcript for the deaf, hard of hearing and quotes. Note: there was a bunch of background noise in this interview so we apologize if we weren't able to transcribe some parts of the chat with Caden Dana. 
    AngelsWin.com: Caden Dana, Angels 11th round pick, Angels prospect. So, Caden, just starting, you’re only a month, if even, into your pro career. How is it going so far?
    Caden Dana: It’s been amazing. I’ll say it’s, pretty much [unintelligible 00:00:13] told me about. So, whenever I got all the updates and things we expect from him. And I’ll say it’s been a blessing [background noise 00:00:24].
    AngelsWin.com: Now, out in Arizona, difference between low-A and Rookie ball, there is a difference. But, first off, how do you feel that everything in Arizona went?
    Caden Dana: I mean, obviously, I think I needed that because going from month to not, you know, getting competitive, [unintelligible 00:00:44] playing competitive-game atmosphere. I think I definitely needed that; it definitely helped me, you know, just get back into the game. And was a good guy there that coaches [unintelligible 00:00:56] kept coming.
    AngelsWin.com: Being able to start that last game, that potential clincher for the Arizona affiliate, how much confidence do you feel the organization gave you that day, saying, “We’re going to give you the ball in a do-or-die?”
    Caden Dana: Kind of, just that feeling of, like, knowing that, like, just how fresh and new I am, that they [unintelligible 00:01:16] that, kind of, showed it. I, kind of, got that in the back of my mind. It felt good, you know? I constantly have the ball being that young; I’m starting on the seventh day, you know, knowing what’s on the line. Yeah, it was good that—I needed that.
    AngelsWin.com: Being able to say you graduated high school just a few months ago, and now you’re in Single-A baseball; it’s a big gap. You know, not a lot of kids get to say that. For you being here, I know, you know, was it Thursday night, Friday night, Thursday night—which ever night is was—up in Visalia, how do you feel it went, just overall, first off?
    Caden Dana: Overall, I think, like, it was just my first time out there; I was a little nervous, which, you know, you expect, but I felt really good. Once I’d been out there, I, kind of, like, I knew it was a big step up from rookie ball and even high school. And, you know, I knew how important it is going to be. I handled it pretty well. So, I wasn’t really too mad about it, because, you know, I was throwing strikes, and that’s really what my goal was going to be that day. So, I mean, you know, it was a bad outing that happened.
    AngelsWin.com: I’ll backtrack on it, not necessarily a bad outing, maybe by the numbers. But do you feel that that second inning, you were able to learn a lot and understand that even though it might not be a good numbers day, it may’ve been a good day in a development-focus kind of thing.
    Caden Dana: Absolutely. Yeah. I, kind of, like, just going be the report, I, kind of, see, like, how much, you know, giving up three bases is painful. And that’s one of the things I really, like, don’t want to be doing. You can’t give up three bases. So, right now, attacking the zone is a big thing. You know, it’s a big thing at this level. And it’s, kind of, what I did. I’m just making my way here. 
    AngelsWin.com: How much did you use your changeup at high school, just roughly?
    Caden Dana: Nowhere near as much as I do now.
    AngelsWin.com: Yeah. So, being able—your first strike out—on whatever night your start was, a Thursday or Friday—having it end with a changeup, how far do you feel like your changeup has progressed in this very short period of time?
    Caden Dana: A lot. You know, it’s—high school, going back to what you said, I didn’t throw it [unintelligible 00:03:38] I was mainly, you know, fastball, curveball, slider, and I threw the changeup once in a blue moon. And now, it’s just, like, so, you know, that’s why I don’t put grips and getting whatever you feel for what’s comfortable, and that really helped, and I’m throwing a lot more.
    AngelsWin.com: Plans for the winter—I don’t know if the organization’s told you anything, instructs or anything along those lines—do you know what the plan is for the winter for you?
    Caden Dana: For right now, I think I’m on the wait list for Instructional League. Hopefully, I get my name called for that. [unintelligible 00:04:13]. And whenever, you know, [unintelligible 00:04:17] get more flexible and, I guess, probably do some fancy [unintelligible 00:04:22].
    AngelsWin.com: A lot was made about your mechanics and your hair comparable to Noah Syndergaard. I see the hair is diminished—
    Caden Dana: It’s on the comeback. [laugh]
    AngelsWin.com: It’s on the comeback. I like that; it’s on the comeback. Who do you, kind of, watch at the major-league level. I know that you’re a big James Karinchak fan in Cleveland there. Who in the major leagues do you, kind of, see yourself hoping to become, in a sense?
    Caden Dana: I really don’t look at anyone to, like, become. I try to, like, be myself. I feel like that’s the only way that’s going to get me better. So, like, you know, I mean, for a couple of guys I would look at is—I like Matt Scherzer and deGrom; deGrom’s really everyone’s favorite, because, you know, he’s almost perfect every outing. But yeah, [inaudible 00:05:15].
    AngelsWin.com: And then being able to be drafted with KC, obviously, really a big day for your family. Were you guys all together at that time?
    Caden Dana: We were. I went fourth pick, called the team back, and that was something to remember, and that’s going to be, you know, in my mind forever.
  4. Chuck
    Photo by: Cristina Byrne-Sternberg/Rocket City Trash Pandas
    By Chuck Richter, AngelsWin.com
    October 25th, 2022
    You may be thinking, is that Rafael Palmeiro's son who over two decades was one of only seven players in MLB history to be a member of both the 3,000 hit club and the 500 home run club, a list that features legends Willie Mays, Hank Aaron, Eddie Murray, Albert Pujols, and most recently Miguel Cabrera. 
    Yes, Rafael had two sons who played professional ball in Patrick Ryne Palmeiro who was drafted by the Pirates and played three seasons of minor league ball and Preston.
    Preston was drafted by one of his father's teams, the Baltimore Orioles, in the seventh round of the 2016 draft. After five years in the Orioles system, Preston was signed by the Angels heading into the 2021 campaign and played most of last season at Triple-A Salta Lake, batting .243 with 14 home runs and 48 RBI in 109 games. 
    Palmeiro finished the 2022 season with the Rocket City Trash Pandas in Double-A with a .741 OPS, was second in the Southern League in doubles (31) and led the club in RBI's with 60. 
    If you were thinking, boy he looks just like his dad. You're not wrong! The resemblance is uncanny in this side-by-side of Preston and Rafael Palmeiro. 

    Preston is also versatile on defense and a slick fielding defender at first base where he sported a .994 fielding percentage this past season. In addition to first base Palmeiro played 2B, 3B and LF in 2022 for the Trash Pandas.
    We asked Palmeiro what his most memorable moment was in his baseball career. Here's just one of many special moments in his baseball career, a walk-off hits from Palmeiro, this one to clinch the series for NC State in 2016. The same year he was selected by the Baltimore Orioles in the 7th round. 
    The night before my first trip to Rocket City there was an hour-long rain delay and down two runs in the 9th inning the fans who remained were treated with a three-run walk off home run by Preston Palmeiro. Clutch! 
    We had a chance to talk to Preston Palmeiro in what was my favorite interview during my time at Toyota Field covering the Trash Pandas. We covered several topics which includes what it was like growing up in a baseball family, memories of dad, some of his finest moments in both college and professional ball and he went on to provide some insights from the rich group of prospects that were his teammates this past season. 
    While the interview was outstanding from start to finish, my favorite response from Preston was the last question when I asked him "When you’re done playing baseball, what will your next career look like?" Check out the interview below to see his response and enjoy! 
    Interview Transcript
    AngelsWin.com: Chuck Richter from AngelsWin.com, here with Preston Palmeiro. How you doing, Preston?
    Preston Palmeiro: I’m doing good; thanks for having me.
    AngelsWin.com: Good. First off, how exciting is it to be a part of this Rocket City Trash Panda playoff run that you guys are on? 
    Preston Palmeiro: It’s really cool. I mean, I’ve been around, obviously, for a while now, playing. And I’ve been on a playoff team before, but this is different; this has been really special to be here.
    AngelsWin.com: Yeah. What will fans come to learn—Angel fans come to learn—about you, the player and the person?
    Preston Palmeiro: That’s a big one, right? I don’t know. I mean, I think there’s a lot, I guess. You know, I mean, I’ve been around a while, like I said. You know, I’ve played, obviously, six or seven years, whatever it’s been now, and then, you know, I come from an area that’s, you know, big baseball background, right? So, I know the game and everything like that. 
    And, you know, I think for myself, like, my career hasn’t, obviously, gone exactly how you draw it up, right? Like, everyone thinks it’s just going to be, “Hey, we’re going to get drafted and go straight to the big leagues.” And so, I’ve had to learn a lot about myself as a player, and the things I need to do to get better. And, you know, I think I’m doing a better job of that, being a more consistent player. And I think part of that comes from being just a good teammate, you know? I try to be that for these guys; there’s a lot of young guys here: Soto, Maitan, Neto, and even O’ Hoppe—even though he’s, like, the best player on the planet. You know, you forget, like, he’s 22-years-old.
    And so, just trying to be someone that these guys can, kind of, lean on and, you know, help them learn from some of my experiences and just, you know, help them maybe make is a little bit easier; make the road a little bit smoother for them. So, I just try to be—I don’t necessarily want to say a leader or anything like that for them, because, you know, that’s not necessarily my job. But I just want to do what I can to help them get better at the game, and then, you know, to not let it weigh on them so much, because minor-league baseball can be tough, you know? And baseball can be tough in general; it can be hard on your mental. So, I just try to be there for them.
    AngelsWin.com: On that baseball-background front, tell us a little bit about what it was like growing up watching your dad play and being around baseball during that time?
    Preston Palmeiro: That was pretty special, you know? Obviously, I tell people all the time when they ask. Like, I had, basically, the greatest childhood you can think of, right? Like, I’ve been baseball crazy my whole life. I live baseball. I go home after our games; I watch baseball. You know, that’s what I was doing today. The college football wasn’t very good this morning, so I threw on, like, the Cardinals and Reds game, right? And it’ just—I just grew up in that environment.  And, like, every day was it was just I went with my dad to the field with one of my older brothers; we’d just go and be around my dad and all these teammates, and I was just in this environment.
    And so, I was totally immersed in baseball. And I just thought, like, this is it, like, I don’t—not that there’s anything wrong with doing anything else—but to me, I was, like, “I want to be a baseball player.” Because it just seemed like the greatest thing you could do. And just, kind of, growing up in that was really special. It was just seeing all the things I got to see was something that a lot of people I know would really be grateful to have experienced, and I’m really thankful I did.
    AngelsWin.com: What’s your favorite memory of your dad playing baseball?
    Preston Palmeiro: Well, I mean, there’s a couple. For me, it was really, really special, because I—my dad finished playing when I was 10. So, like, some of the memories are, kind of, like, you know, here and there, whatever. But I vividly remember his 3000th hit. I remember his 500th homerun pretty well, but I vividly remember hit-3000. And that one was really special, because to me, I was at a point in time; I was 10 years old when he did it. And so, I was, like, I was totally in love with the game, you know? And that’s what I wanted to do. And so, to be able to see my dad do that at the end of his career and be there for it and, kind of, document the whole thing, that was about as cool it can get. And just see that accomplishment; seeing him going, you know, 500 homerun-3000 club was—that was really cool.
    AngelsWin.com: That is, yeah. What part of your game do you take the most pride in, whether hitting, defense, baserunning?
    Preston Palmeiro: Obviously, I would say my defense. You know, I guess I’ve been a hitter my whole life, right? Like, I mean, that’s really why I’ve played as long as I have and everything like that. But I think the defense is the thing I’m most proud of, because the hitting can, kind of, come and go. The best hitters in the world, everybody can slump, and anything can happen. But the defense is, in my opinion, the one thing you have total control of each and every day.
    And so, to me, whether it’s at first base, second base, third, outfield, whatever it is, my goal is to be the best defensive player that I can be. And I feel that I do, you know, a pretty good job of that, especially at first base. So, to me, I take pride in the fact that, you know, when I’m at first base, infielders are comfortable with me being there; pitchers are comfortable with me being there, because maybe, I’ll make a play. And so, that, to me, is something that, you know, I take pride in.
    AngelsWin.com: Yeah. Okay. What do you feel, like, you need to work on to get that call-up, to get that promotion to the big leagues?
    Preston Palmeiro: Ah, that’s a tough one; you never really know. Ryan Aguilar and I were talking about this yesterday, actually, because, you know, it was really cool, obviously, to see him get the call, and we’re just talking. And it’s one of those things in the game where you don’t really know. You know, it could be so many different things. I mean, just in my opinion, I think, from an offensive standpoint, that’s the biggest thing, and I think it’s a consistency thing more than anything. I think, there’s flashes in there, obviously, each and every year of my career where it’s, like, I’m sure people see it. And they go, “Okay, he can do this.” But then, maybe, it’s a two-week stretch, or maybe it’s a month’s stretch, and then maybe the next two weeks after that aren’t nearly as productive. 
    And, to me, the biggest separator in the big leagues and the minor leagues is not necessarily talent level, it’s a consistency. And obviously, there’s the Trouts and the Ohtanis of the world that are superhuman, and they’re great every year. But, you know, for the majority of players, in my opinion, it’s a consistency thing. They do it day in day out, and they get to the big leagues, and it doesn’t change. And they’re not superhuman, they just show up each and every day, and they produce. And so, I think for me, it’s just being consistent from, you know, April 5th or 6th, whatever Opening Day is, until September 18th. And that, I think, in the long run, will, you know, maybe help me get that call.
    AngelsWin.com: So, you’ve been with the organization for a little bit. Are you, kind of, left to your own devices in terms of workout, diet, things you work on in terms of hitting and defense, or does the organization have, like, a plan for you?
    Preston Palmeiro: They do have a plan, especially in terms of, like, the nutrition and the working outside things. I mean, that is, like, in season, that is totally up to them. Like, out workouts, the food we get, everything is on them. 
    The hitting is—I mean, like with Kenny here, obviously, it’s me and him working together. And then with Tony Jaramillo, our hitting coordinator, is in town, there might be something he sees that we discuss. But as far as the hitting goes, I mean, it’s not necessarily a detailed plan, maybe, for me and, maybe, some younger guys, it could be different; I’m not really sure about that.
    But, like, the defensive side, there is a little bit more. Where, like, for me, like, this year, I played more third base. So, that was something that they, kind of, went—Andy, specifically, is worked with me a lot on it. He’s been, like, “Hey, this is what we’re going to work on; this is what we’re going to do.”
    The hitting side of thing, that’s more of an open-end discussion with Tony or with Kenny where I’m, like, “Hey, this is what I feel; this is what I think I need to work on.” And maybe, like, “Yeah, we agree.” Or if they disagree and we talk about it, we try and figure it out. But that could just be a little bit more of me having, you know, maybe a better understanding of that area.
    AngelsWin.com: You mentioned O’Hoppe earlier; who’s impressed you the most, both as a teammate, and, actually, an opposing player in this league this year?
    Preston Palmeiro: I mean, the most impressive player that we played is Elly De La Cruz.
    AngelsWin.com: I hear that a lot.
    Preston Palmeiro: You know, he’s—I played against Oneil Cruz when he was with Pittsburgh. He got traded over, and [crosstalk 00:07:31]—
    AngelsWin.com: Similar type of player.        
    Preston Palmeiro: —very similar type of player—and, immediately, you go to that, like, tall shortstop, massive power. Just, like, you see him do things. You know, like, I can’t believe that there’s a baseball player doing that, and I’m having to play against them. But he was extremely impressive. Really good kid, too. I mean, he was nice, and he, you know, he spoke pretty good English with me. And, you know, I don’t know how young he is; I’m not really familiar with him, but he's a really nice guy.
    For us, I mean, as a teammate, honestly, we have, probably, the best team of guys that I’ve ever been with. Braxton Martinez, who’s not, you know, with the Angels anymore, was probably up there with one of the greatest teammates I’ve ever had. But, honestly, Logan O’Hoppe, again, is—he is as good of a dude off the field as, you know, as, like, what you see on the field as a player. I mean, he, to me, is, kind of, like, you know, the Buster Posey mold. You know, like that guy that’s, like, kind of, a quiet leader or whatever. But, like, he’s out there to win. 
    And, you know, a lot of times in minor-league baseball, you don’t see, like, “We’re here to win.” It’s, like, “Hey, like, I’m here to get my two hits tonight,” and, like, “if we win, we win. If we lose,” like, “Oh well,” you know? Because, like, that’s, kind of, the game that, you know, we’ve been playing. 
    But Logan is—he’s here to win, and, you know, he’s a leader. And he wants that, like, he wants the game; he wants it on him. And he messes something up, he’ll come up to you and say it, you know? He, like, struck out or something the other day or popped up right around second. And I came up and, like, grounded out. He came up to me. He’s, like, “Sorry, I didn’t get the runner to third.” I was, like, “Logan, like, you didn’t do anything wrong, man.” Like, “It’s just part of the game.” But he, to me, is about as impressive as a young baseball player as I’ve ever seen.
    AngelsWin.com: Wow, that’s great. What has been your best game to date? I mean, you can even go back. High school, professional—I know, a few weeks back when I was here, the night before, you had a pretty special night.
    Preston Palmeiro: Yeah, that was up there. I mean, I’ve had games where I’ve had, like, big nights. I’ve had 4 for 4’s or, you know, 2 homers, whatever, multiple doubles. I mean, I had a week in Chattanooga, right after the All-Star break, where I was, like, had, like, three straight two-hit games with, like, a couple homers, and three doubles the next day and whatever. 
    But I think the walk-off home run, for me, is—like, I had a crazy walk-off when I was in college and NC State; we beat Miami in an ACC tournament game. I hit a double off the left field wall, and the left fielder threw the ball away at second. And I was going to second; I was out by about 10 feet— thankfully, he threw it away [laugh]. I kept going to third; the ball got away; they sent me home; I’m safe at home. It was, like, a walk-off inside-the-park, little league-home run thing; it was a joke. It got us in the ACC Championship. That was always, like, my special moment. But that night, hitting that home run, to me, was, kind of, like, that was almost surreal. That one was up there.

    AngelsWin.com: That was cool. Besides your dad, who were your favorite players growing up as a kid, or somebody who you, kind of, modeled your game after?
    Preston Palmeiro: Ken Griffey, Jr., for me, was, like, it. I just thought, like, the smoothness of his swing; the way he played; I loved Griffey, Jr. I used to try and hit like him, standing straight up; do the whole wag on everything; the one-hand finish. Actually, that night I hit the walk-off home run—there’s, like, a picture somewhere where I, kind of, have the finish, and so that was, kind of, cool to see. But I also love Robbie Alomar growing up. Him and my dad played together in Baltimore, so I love Robbie. That’s, actually, one of the reasons I wear 12. I wore 12 when I was at NC State because that was one of the only numbers available. I picked 12 because of Robbie, and so I wear that here.
    And then, actually, you know, kind of, through the early 2000’s, mid-2000’s after my dad was done playing, I was a big Robinson Cano fan and Miguel Cabrera. Just, like, I’ve always been into just the smooth, pure hitting-looking swing where it’s just effortless, you know? Like, now, Jose Ramirez is, kind of, becoming that guy for me where I watch for him[unintelligible 00:11:20] [laugh], “How do you do this, man. Like, you make it look so easy.” But…
    AngelsWin.com: Yeah. When you, hopefully, get to the big leagues someday, what’s that one pitcher you want to face? Like, said, “I faced this guy, and I got a hit off him?”
    Preston Palmeiro: I want to face Jacob deGrom. I know that people are going, “Why do you want to face Jacob deGrom?” I want to know what it’s like, because, like, I just watched him throw, and I’m, like, “This just looks ridiculous, and I want to see just how ridiculous it actually looks in the box.” Because, like, I know if you get a hit off him, like, great. I mean, you’re not supposed to, right? No one hits him. I think deGrom would be up there; Scherzer; those two guys, maybe Verlander. It’s a crazy group.
    AngelsWin.com: two of those guys are teammates—
    Preston Palmeiro: Right? Unbelievable—
    AngelsWin.com: —frikking insanity.
    Preston Palmeiro: —good luck facing that [crosstalk 00:12:03].
    AngelsWin.com: Yeah, no doubt. Make it to the big leagues, what’s your walk-up music?
    Preston Palmeiro: I don’t know. The song I’m walking up to right now is, like, not the music I listen to at all. It’s called, like, “Narrow Road.” It’s, like, a hard-core-rap song. But I picked it because early in the season—I didn’t even know what I was listening to—but I was, like, “I need something that I’m going to walk up to that, like, people will hear and be, like, ‘Who is this guy—
    AngelsWin.com: [laugh] 
    Preston Palmeiro: —Like, this is not who we think this is at all.’” And so, one of my teammates, Aaron Whitefield, showed me this song. It was, like, this guy who I used to play against with Dodgers, he’s, like—he rakes at every level—and this is his walk-up song. I was, like, boom, “I’m doing that.” And I did it, and that night, I think I was 3 for 4 with a homer and a double. So, if I got called up, I might stick with this song forever because that song, kind of, turned my season around. So—
    AngelsWin.com: There you go. [laugh] 
    Preston Palmeiro: —and that was the song or something else, but I might stick with that. It’s called, “Narrow Road,” by NLE Choppa.
    AngelsWin.com: Okay. I’m going to have to check it out. Okay.
    Preston Palmeiro: It’s different; it’s different. You’d be, like, “There’s no way this is what he listens to,” but it’s different.
    AngelsWin.com: [laugh] Okay, lightning round. The lighter side of things. Favorite movie?
    Preston Palmeiro: Favorite movie,  Almost Famous.
    AngelsWin.com: Okay, good. Favorite baseball movie?
    Preston Palmeiro: Bull Durham.
    AngelsWin.com: Okay. Favorite song?
    Preston Palmeiro: “Tiny Dancer.”
    AngelsWin.com: Oh, good song. Video games? Play videos?
    Preston Palmeiro: I’m not really a video-game guy. But I guess if I was going to play one, maybe, like, The Golf Video Game. I’m a golf guy. So, I try to play the baseball ones, but then I’m, like, “Man, like, I’m just going home doing what I do during the day.”
    AngelsWin.com: [laugh] Exactly. Yeah. What’s a perfect day look like for you away from the ballpark?
    Preston Palmeiro: I’m a really big coffee guy. Like, I’m obsessed with coffee; had a teammate get me into it a few years ago. So, I love going to coffee shops in the morning getting a coffee, doing that. And then, honestly, maybe playing some golf and just being outside. Like, a day like today when the weather is just perfect, being outside with my dog and my fiancé, and just, like, maybe eating some pizza and having, like, just, you know, nice night—
    AngelsWin.com: Sounds chill.
    Preston Palmeiro: Very chill. That’s why. I want a nice, chill day where my brain doesn’t have to do anything.
    AngelsWin.com: [laugh] There you go. Some of the guys, like, “I want to go hunting and…
    Preston Palmeiro: Yeah, I’m not—I want a nice, easy day.
    AngelsWin.com: [laugh] Last question for you. When you’re done playing baseball, what will your next career look like?
    Preston Palmeiro: I don’t know; I really don’t. You know, I’ve spent a lot of time thinking about that. Because, especially, like, you’ve got to face the reality of the situation, right, with the longer you play, the older you get, you know, in the big leagues—
    AngelsWin.com: Get into coaching; stay in baseball at all you think?
    Preston Palmeiro: You know, I thought about it. I don’t know so much about coaching. I have interest in it. I think I could do it and be okay at it. I recently had gotten more interested in maybe a front office side of things. I don’t know if I would be any good at it. You know, I know the game; there’s a lot I know. But I think—I was talking about this with Sean McLaughlin—I think baseball’s getting into a period of time where, I think, the coaching and everything that is going on in the front office side, is going to, kind of, take a big leap. Because you’re starting to get, you know, the guys that are, like, that just played in this era that’s getting introduced to all, maybe, like, the analytic-technology side of it. Whereas, like, maybe some of the baseball people that were coaching in the game before, didn’t really understand it. Now, you’re getting some older guys that are understanding it and know baseball.
    And so, I think it’s going to be a better blend of bringing that in, you know, the teams that maybe don’t utilize it as well. So, I think going forward, that’s something that I think that I would be able to do a really good job. But, hopefully, that’s, you know, a little ways down the road, and I get to play some more baseball for a while.
    AngelsWin.com: There you go. Absolutely. Well, thanks for meeting with us today, Preston. 
    Preston Palmeiro: Absolutely. Yeah, sure thing.
     
  5. Chuck
    Photo by: Cristina Byrne-Sternberg/Rocket City Trash Pandas
    By Chuck Richter, AngelsWin.com
    October 20th, 2022
    We spoke with Sam Bachman on the final weekend of the regular season about his first full year of professional ball with the Trash Pandas, how he had to deal with injuries, what were his finest moments over the past couple years, what draft day was like and much more, including learning a little bit about Bachman's personal life and hobbies. 
    Bachman is the first player out of Miami University to be selected in the first round of the draft. He was a top ten pitcher in NCAA Division I and has a fastball that reached 100 mph. Make sure to check out Draftkings Ohio and follow this Miami of Ohio standout as he looks promising as he works toward his rookie season in the MLB.
    Sam talked about what draft day was like for him in our interview, here's Bally Sports West capturing the moment for Sam with his family and friends. 
    Here's Bachman's cleanest outing of the 2022 season over four scoreless innings. 
    Click on the video below to see our interview with the Angels 2021 first round pick, Sam Bachman.
    Interview Transcript
    AngelsWin.com: Chuck Richter, AngelsWin.com. I’m here with Sam Bachman. How’re you doing, Sam?
    Sam Bachman: Good. How are you?
    AngelsWin.com: Good. Hey, so first off, what’s it been like to be a part of this Trash Panda playoff run that you guys on this year?
    Sam Bachman: Yeah, it’s been super fun. You know, a lot of new guys; a lot of new faces. And, you know, it’s just awesome to compete with these guys, and, you know, it’s taken us so far. And we should keep doing it through the playoffs.
    AngelsWin.com: Nice. So, I know this goes back a year, but what was draft day like for you?
    Sam Bachman: It was a very special moment, very surreal. It happened so fast; it still really hasn’t set in. You know, you get drafted; it’s just back to square one. So, you just try to keep on the ladder and keep doing my thing.
    AngelsWin.com: Did you know the Angels were interested in you?
    Sam Bachman: I had a Zoom call with them, like, a week before the draft, but that was their only point of contact with that point that year.
    AngelsWin.com: What will Angels’ fans come to learn about you the player and the person?
    Sam Bachman: Yeah. I’m a competitor; I like to think I have a really good work ethic, and do everything I can in my control. And then, as a person, you know, I’m a very giving person; I like to be a good teammate, yeah.
    AngelsWin.com: Okay. Tell us a little bit about your repertoire: your pitches, fastball velo.
    Sam Bachman: Two-seam, it’s, like, 92-95. Changeups, mid to upper 80’s as well as a slider.
    AngelsWin.com: Okay. I know you battled some injuries this year. Do you feel like any of those injuries have hampered anything, you know, with your—
    Sam Bachman:  Definitely. You know, when you got the workload built up, and you’re throwing year-round, the stuff picks up. And it’s, kind of, been really spotty this year as far as being out there consistently. You know, I get three weeks, four weeks, and then lower back spasms and upper back spasms and some stuff like that. So, it’s been really difficult. But, you know, I think I’m in a good spot right now where we’re moving forward. I think we got everything taken care of. It’s just, kind of, growing pains, your first year of pro ball.
    AngelsWin.com: Yeah. Yeah. What do you feel like you need to work on to make it to the big leagues?
    Sam Bachman: Just stay healthy—
    AngelsWin.com: Yeah.
    Sam Bachman: Keep competing; doing what I was drafted for, and, you know, the rest will take care of itself. It’s about being healthy and stuff.
    AngelsWin.com: Yeah. Are you left to your own devices in terms of workout, diet, things you need to work on, pitching mechanics, all that? Or do the Angels have a plan for you?
    Sam Bachman: The Angels have a plan for everything. So, it’s really nice to talk to dietician, you know, pitching coordinators, pitching coaches, the whole staff. You know, everyone’s got really good stuff; they’re knowledgeable. And, you know, it’s easy to, kind of, lean on them for that.
    AngelsWin.com: Who’s impressed you the most as far as your teammates, and an opposing player that you’ve had to face in this league?
    Sam Bachman: It’s really fun watching Chase Silseth. I mean, every time he’s on the mound, it seems unfair for the other opposing team—
    AngelsWin.com: [laugh]
    Sam Bachman: —Watching players, I think Elly De La Cruz, pretty talented player. It would be cool to see him. So, yeah.
    AngelsWin.com: Yeah, I hear that a lot about De La Cruz. So, what has been your best game, most memorable game to date, college or professional ball?
    Sam Bachman: I’d say my second start in college ball was pretty good. It was the first time I hit a milestone, 100 miles an hour. I think this last start that I had was very eye-opening for me. I learned a lot about myself, you know, going through, kind of, some aches and pains and stuff. And that was, like, kind of, my first outing where I felt very in control. So, that was awesome.
    AngelsWin.com: Awesome. So, talk to us a little bit about that outing. What was it about it that—was it the fact that you went longer? You went six innings that start, right? Did you feel like you had more left in the tank going into the sixth inning, or were your pitches just working for you better that day?
    Sam Bachman: Just command of all pitches; I limited a lot of damage. So—I don’t know—I gave up eight or nine hits and only gave up three or four earned. So, I was happy that I was able to keep my team in the game, and, you know, keep us in the win column is all.
    AngelsWin.com: Absolutely. When did you first commit to playing baseball?
    Sam Bachman: What do you mean?
    AngelsWin.com: When you first started playing ball, how old were you?
    Sam Bachman: Oh, like, three or four, at a church Tee-ball league.
    AngelsWin.com: [laugh] Oh, there you go. [Laugh] 
    Sam Bachman: Yeah, Dad was a coach. You know, you go to church. After, you get to play some Tee-ball; play some games with some other guys. So, it was fun.
    AngelsWin.com: Oh, that’s cool. Who do you model your game after when you’re on the mound?
    Sam Bachman: Nobody really. I like to just bring my own energy, you know? I learn a lot of different stuff from as far as mentally goes from a lot of different players. You know, everyone wants to be Max Scherzer intensity. Sometimes, I like to, you know, keep the energy a little, like, mellow out a little bit; sometimes, you get too hyped up. Yeah, I watch, as far as the physical stuff, I like to watch Luis Castillo, the two seamer-changeup-slider combo. I think it’s very similar. So, I like to, kind of, see how he pitches against guys at the big-league level.
    AngelsWin.com: Nice. Growing up, did you have a favorite baseball team, a major league baseball—
    Sam Bachman: The Reds.
    AngelsWin.com: The Reds, okay. Favorite player?
    Sam Bachman:  Not really. Maybe Pete Rose.
    AngelsWin.com: There you go. Okay.
    Sam Bachman: Yeah.
    AngelsWin.com: Okay, real quick; lightning round. Favorite movie?
    Sam Bachman: Pass on that one.
    AngelsWin.com: [laugh] Okay. Favorite song or artist?
    Sam Bachman: Mostly, a lot of rap; some country.
    AngelsWin.com: So, just, kind of, whoever’s on. Huh?
    Sam Bachman: Whoever’s on, yeah. There’s so much music right now in my head, that, like—
    AngelsWin.com: [laugh] 
    Sam Bachman:  —I don’t know which one to go with.
    AngelsWin.com:  [laugh] Fair enough. Favorite video game?
    Sam Bachman: The new Call of Duty is coming out—
    AngelsWin.com: Call of Duty?
    Sam Bachman:  It’s going to be a big one. Playing Invader right now.
    AngelsWin.com: That was Silseth’s favorite game.
    Sam Bachman: Yeah.
    AngelsWin.com: What’s a perfect day look like for you away from baseball?
    Sam Bachman: A lot of fishing, hunting, just downtime with family, good food—
    AngelsWin.com: There you go.
    Sam Bachman:  —Can’t complain.
    AngelsWin.com:  When you’re done playing baseball, have you thought about what your next career will look like?
    Sam Bachman: Skiing, professional skiing.
    AngelsWin.com: There you go; [laugh] nice.
    Sam Bachman: Yep.
    AngelsWin.com: Downhill skiing? There you go.
    Sam Bachman: Yeah.
    AngelsWin.com: Yeah, awesome. Well, Sam, thank you so much for your time today.
    Sam Bachman: No problem. 
    AngelsWin.com: Best of luck.
    Sam Bachman: Thank you—
    AngelsWin.com: Yep.    
    Sam Bachman: Appreciate it.
  6. Chuck
    Photo by: Cristina Byrne-Sternberg/Rocket City Trash Pandas
    By Chuck Richter, AngelsWin.com
    October 13th, 2022
    What a season it has been for the Angels 2021 second-round pick. Bush was selected to the Futures Games and was selected to pitch Game One of the Southern League playoffs against the Tennessee Smokies and blanked the opposition over five scoreless innings and earned the win. 
    The 6-foot-6 Bush saw his fastball tick up from 88-90 mph in junior college to topping out at 96 mph when he was with St. Mary’s which caught the eye of the Angels scouting department. Bush throws his heater with deception and sink, but at times he can struggle with his fastball command. He also flashes a plus slider flash that he throws in the low-80s. The slider gets some ugly swings on balls out of the zone as it has hard late break to it. Bush also offers mid-70s curve and a changeup that is coming along nicely, a pitch that has pleased the Angels developmental department. 
    MLB Pipeline recognized what arguably was Ky Bush's most dominant game of the 2022 minor league season. You can see his full repertoire on full display below. 
    In our interview with Bush he also talked about his experience at the Futures Game. Bush threw a scoreless inning, gave up a hit, walk and fanned St. Louis Cardinals prospect Masyn Winn.
    The Trash Pandas turned to Ky Bush in Game One of the Southern League playoffs against the Tennessee Smokies and the southpaw spun 5 scoreless innings, giving up 4 hits, a walk and fanned 7, notching the victory. 
    We covered many topics with Ky Bush while at Toyota Field, so check out our interview below with the Angels top LHP prospect. 

    Here's the complete interview transcript below.
    AngelsWin.com: Chuck Richter here from AngelsWin.com. We’re here with Ky Bush. Ky, how’re you doing?
    Ky Bush: Good. How are you?
    AngelsWin.com: Good. First off, what has it been like to be a part of this exciting playoff run that you guys are on in this team?
    Ky Bush: Yeah. I mean, it’s been a great experience. They brought in, like, most of our guys. So, it’s, kind of, been great to build back relationships after all of us grew up together and just keep doing our thing.
    AngelsWin.com: It always goes back last year, but was Draft Day like for you?
    Ky Bush: It was exciting. There was maybe talk of the first day, first round. So, we set up our family; watched that, but once Day 2 came, we knew it was going to happen. So, Day 2 was really exciting. It was just with my grandparents, parents, fiancé and her family, just, kind of, close-knit people, and it was a good day.
    AngelsWin.com: That’s cool. This year, you got to be a part of something exciting. Tell us a little bit about the Futures game.
    Ky Bush: It was an honor to experience; it was an honor to represent the Angels and be a bunch of great guys and just go play at Dodger’s Stadium. It was a really cool experience. Glad I got to do it.
    AngelsWin.com: That’s great. What will Angels fans come to learn about you, the player and the person?
    Ky Bush: I’m a competitor. I like to just go right at guys. I like to win. I like to just do everything I can to put our team in a good spot to win. So, whatever I can do to help the team is what I’m all about.
    AngelsWin.com: Tell us a little bit about your repertoire, your pitches and fastball velo?
    Ky Bush: Yeah. I got a fastball, a slider, curveball, changeup. A basic pitch, I just throw the four-seam fastball. Velo’s been tuned down a little bit, but for the most part, it’s pretty heavy, good, live fastball. But yeah, it’s pretty good.
    AngelsWin.com: Anything that you’re working on of any of those pitches that you’re trying to maybe improve upon or…
    Ky Bush: Yeah. I mean, you can always work on stuff. I think it’s fine tuning; I mean, a leap to command all four. I mean, you never have all four pitches in a start. So, velo, or the slider’s not there, the curveball is there, is being able to have all four pitches available.
    AngelsWin.com: So, Major League Baseball and Baseball America have you ranked as the Angels top pitching prospect. What does that mean to you, and do you and your teammates actually follow those prospect rankings?
    Ky Bush: We notice them. It’s not really something we, like, talk about or anything. Seeing your name is pretty cool. It, kind of, just shows the work you’re putting in as being noticed. I mean, you got to, like, see it and recognize it, but you also can’t, like, focus on it. That’d be your worry as being a top prospect, but at the same time, just do your thing.
    AngelsWin.com: Yeah. Are you left to your own devices in terms of, you know, workout, diet, baseball activities, or does the organization have, like, a plan for you that they’ve put together?
    Ky Bush: They have a plan for us. I think, Coach Henry Alleck here, he does a great job of getting our workouts, conditioning, all that kind of stuff. And we have a Dr. [Shabekian 00:02:41], does a great—she comes into town every month or so. She checks in and makes sure we have the stuff we need. So, they got a great plan downloaded for us.
    AngelsWin.com: What has impressed you the most this season in terms of maybe a teammate or, maybe, even an opposing player?
    Ky Bush: I think just this group in general. I mean, I’m hoping to have all of us here, but keep winning and do what we’ve been doing. It’s pretty impressive. So, I think just everyone as a whole. As an individual player, I’d have to Chase Silseth. I mean, what he’s done this year, again, getting called up—doing what he did up there, I mean, he’s had an amazing year. It’s fun being close to him and also to see his success.
    AngelsWin.com: Toughest out?
    Ky Bush: Toughest out this year? I would say Curtis Mead is a good one.
    Ky Bush: Yeah, he’s pretty good. I met him in the Futures game. So, he’s a good kid.
    AngelsWin.com: Oh, yeah. That’s right. Yeah. What do you think has been your best professional game to date or, maybe, even going back to college?
    Ky Bush: This year? I mean, it’s hard to say which one. I mean, I’d say it just been, kind of, steady attack. Not one outing is really, I guess, shone out. But I’ve been just, kind of, been grinding it out, get it done and rest. In college, kind of, the same thing. Just did my thing; not really one outing stands out.
    AngelsWin.com: Steady.
    Ky Bush: Yeah.
    AngelsWin.com: Consistent. Nice. When did you first commit to playing baseball?
    Ky Bush: I committed summer going into my junior year at Washington State.
    AngelsWin.com: Oh, wow. Okay. Wow. Okay. Favorite team and/or players growing up?
    Ky Bush: I was a Red Sox fan growing up. I’m from Utah, so I get to pick whatever team—
    AngelsWin.com: [laugh] Yeah, exactly, right?
    Ky Bush: —I want. So, I went to the Red Sox, fell in love with Big Papi. My favorite, I mean, David Ortiz. Pitching-wise, I follow Clayton Kershaw a lot as a kid. So, yeah.
    AngelsWin.com: There you go. Okay, lighter side—I know we got to get—favorite movie?
    Ky Bush: Favorite movie? I’m going to go with Step Brothers.
    AngelsWin.com: Step Brothers. Okay. Favorite song and/or artist?
    Ky Bush: Anything by Kanye West I like. I also like country music. Yeah, probably Kanye West is up there.
    AngelsWin.com: Okay. Favorite video game?
    Ky Bush: [laugh] I don’t play video games much.
    AngelsWin.com: I don’t either. [laugh]
    Ky Bush: I’d probably just go, I’ll be, The Show. If I ever get on, it’s I’m playing The Show or something.
    AngelsWin.com: Okay. What’s a perfect day look like for you away from baseball?
    Ky Bush: Somewhere on the golf course.
    AngelsWin.com: Okay.
    Ky Bush: Yeah. I think I’ve golfed in the las year. So, I’m not great at it, but I just love being out there. The green outside is the best. So, I love nature. So, yeah.
    AngelsWin.com: Good. Last question. When you’re done playing baseball, what do you see your next career as?
    Ky Bush: I’m hoping the career’s long enough to where [laugh] I don’t have to worry about that.
    AngelsWin.com: [laugh] Fair enough.
    Ky Bush: I haven’t really thought about it. Baseball’s the plan right now. So, hopefully, it goes long enough to where I can retire, hang out with my family, and golf a lot. So, that’s the goal.
    AngelsWin.com: There you go. Hey, give the best of luck to you, Ky.
    Ky Bush: Thank you. I appreciate it.
    AngelsWin.com: Thank you.
  7. Chuck
    SHOHEI OHTANI – MAKING HISTORY
    The 28-year-old reigning A.L. MVP and 2018 A.L. Rookie of the Year has completed his 2022 season with a 15-9 record with a 2.33 ERA (166 IP – 43 ER) and 219 strikeouts in 28 pitching starts, while holding opponents to a .203 average (124/610). As a hitter, he had 90 runs scored, 30 doubles, six triples, 34 home runs, 95 RBI, 72 walks, 11 stolen bases and a .875 OPS. Below are some additional accomplishments this season:

    FIRST PLAYER EVER…
    Is the only player to ever qualify for the league leaders as both a hitter and a pitcher in one season Only player in MLB history with 10+ pitching wins and 30+ HR in the same season Babe Ruth (1918) is the only other player with 10+ wins and 10+ HR Only player in MLB history to record an 8+ RBI game as a batter and a 13+ strikeout game as a pitcher at any point in a career...He accomplished both feats in consecutive games this season (June 21-22 vs. KC) Only pitcher in MLB history to carry a one-hitter (or better) into the 6th inning against both reigning league champions in the same season Carried perfect game into 6th inning on April 20 at Houston Took one-hitter into 7th inning on July 22 at Atlanta On April 20 at Houston, became the first starting pitcher (since 1900) to bat twice in the top of the first before ever taking the mound. That night, he allowed two baserunners in 6.0 scoreless innings with 12 strikeouts First player in MLB history to both throw and face a team's first pitch of the season Served as the Angels starting designated hitter in all of his pitching starts The term “Ohtani rule” was added to Dictionary.com this year

    THE PITCHER
    Led the A.L. with an 11.87 SO/9 innings rate Allowed two-or-fewer runs in 22 of 28 starts…Pitched to a 2.08 ERA (26 IP – 6 ER) with 25 strikeouts in his four no-decisions In final 19 games, pitched to a 1.67 ERA (118.2 IP – 22 ER) with 154 strikeouts During a six game pitching span from June 9 – July 13, went 6-0 with a 0.45 ERA (39.2 IP – 2 ER) and 58 strikeouts, (while also hitting eight HR with a .997 OPS) Fourth pitcher all-time to go 6-0 with 58+ SO and 2-or-fewer ER in a six game span, joining Cy Young winners Johan Santana (2004), R.A. Dickey (2012) and Clayton Kershaw (2014) Induced 29 swings and misses on May 5 at Boston. No other pitcher has registered more in a game this season…That day, he also became the first starting pitcher to bat in one of the top four spots in the order in a game at Fenway Park since Babe Ruth on Sept. 20, 1919 (Game 1) vs. White Sox Recorded 10+ strikeouts in 10 games this season, which led the A.L. Joined Nolan Ryan as only pitchers in Angels history with 10+ strikeouts in six consecutive starts Carried a no-hitter through 7.2 innings on Sept. 29 vs. Oakland In addition to leading A.L. in SO/9, ranked among league leaders in strikeouts (219; 3rd), whiff% (33.0%; 4th), ERA (2.33; 4th), wins (15; T4th), WHIP (1.01; 5th) and opponent batting average (.203; 6th).

    THE HITTER
    Ranked in Top 10 in the American League in total bases (304; 5th), intentional walks (14; 3rd), extra-base hits (70; T3rd), slugging (.519; 5th), home runs (34; 4th), OPS (.875, 5th), triples (6; T4th), RBI (95; 7th), walks (72; 7th) and runs (90; T8th) Set a single-game career high (MLB or NPB) with eight RBI on June 21 vs. Kansas City, which also set MLB single-game RBI record for a Japanese-born player Had a career-best and team-leading 18-game hit streak from Sept. 14 – Oct. 3 On April 10 vs. Houston, hit a double with an exit velocity of 119.1 MPH, breaking his own record for an extra-base hit by a left-handed batter in the Statcast era. Only player in the Majors to tally 6+ triples and 34+ HR this season (second consecutive year as the only player to do so) ALL-STAR
    Selected to the All-Star Game as both a pitcher and position player for a second consecutive season Only player in MLB history to be selected as an All-Star as both a position player and a pitcher Started the All-Star Game as the A.L. designated hitter and recorded the first leadoff All-Star hit since Mike Trout in 2015 

    SHO OFF
    Only player in MLB history with 10+ pitching wins and 30+ home runs in the same season Only American League starting pitcher to throw 40+ pitches at 100+ MPH this season Pitched 7.0 scoreless innings on May 5 at Boston and had an 8th inning RBI hit off the Green Monster at 103.7 MPH, which knocked his #17 off the pitching section of the manual scoreboard’s linescore Had streak of 31.2 consecutive innings pitched without allowing an earned run, from June 9 - July 13 Only player in the World Series era to compile 10+ wins and 10+ stolen bases in the same season A two-way comparison between Babe Ruth (1918) and Shohei Ohtani (2022): Babe Ruth (1918): 13-7, 2.22 ERA, 1.05 WHIP, 40 SO .300 AVG, 26 doubles, 11 HR, .555 SLG Shohei Ohtani (2022): 15-9, 2.33 ERA, 1.01 WHIP, 219 SO .273 AVG, 30 doubles, 34 HR, .519 SLG Led the Majors with a home-to-first average time of 4.09 seconds
     
    **Research provided by Elias Sports Bureau, STATS, ESPN Stats & Info, Baseball Reference, Fangraphs and MLB**
  8. Chuck
    Photo by: Cristina Byrne-Sternberg/Rocket City Trash Pandas
    By Chuck Richter, AngelsWin.com
    September 22nd, 2022
    It has been quite a season for Chase Silseth as he made his major league debut less than a year after being drafted by the Angels in the 11th round of the 2021 amateur draft and he was a significant contributor in the Trash Pandas first ever (combined) no-hitter where he spun seven hitless innings against Biloxi (on 9/3). Silseth also won two Southern Player of the Week Awards and ended the season with a shiny 2.28 ERA, 0.95 WHIP and 11.93 K/9, fanning 110 batters over 83 innings of work in 2022. 
    Here's a look back Chase Silseth's impressive major league debut against the Athletics on May 13th in Oakland where he went 6 shutout innings, allowing just one hit striking out 4. 
     
    Here's a mix tape of Chase Silseth's greatest hits in 2022, where his filthy arsenal was on full display in both Double-A and in the Major League this season.
    In our interview with Chase you learn about his time with the Angels, being part of the Trash Panda's combined no-hitter, his pitching arsenal, what he needs to work on to become a successful major league starting pitcher, who he models his game after on the mound and also get to know the Angels right-hander on a more personal level on the lighter side of things.
    Click on the video below to watch our entire interview with the Angels top RHP pitching prospect, Chase Silseth. 
    Here is the complete interview transcript below. 
    AngelsWin.com: Chuck Richter from AngelsWin.com. We got Chase Silseth. Chase, how’re you doing today?
    Chase Silseth: Phenomenal. How are you doing?
    AngelsWin.com: Great. Great. So, first off, how exciting is it to be a part of this Rockey City Trash Panda club that’s going to the playoffs, and just everything that has happened this year?
    Chase Silseth: It’s great; It feels great to feel to be a part of this team. You know, with the work that we put in, it’s obviously reflected on, you know, our perseverance that we have, you know, done. But, yeah. It feels phenomenal to be able to just to be in those playoffs. We’re here so might as well just win them all.
    AngelsWin.com: Yeah. So, I know it’s been about a year, but what was Draft Day like for you?
    Chase Silseth: So, Draft Day, obviously, I didn’t think I was going to go Day 1. I’d hoped, you know, obviously. But I didn’t think so. So, I thought I was going to go Day 2. There was some talks with a couple teams, and I thought it was going to happen. But then it didn’t happen. Ended up, you know, they had to go with someone else. And…
    AngelsWin.com: So, the Angels were, kind of, a surprise for you when they picked you?
    Chase Silseth: A little bit; a little bit, you know? Then I just went into Day 3, you know? At that point, everything was a surprise to me, because, you know, for me, I didn’t think I was going to go Day 3, but there was just calls from teams saying, you know, would I go for this, or this, or this—
    AngelsWin.com: Yeah.
    Chase Silseth: —and just wasn’t the ones that I was looking for, so the Angels took me and, you know, threw an offer and thought about it and—
    AngelsWin.com: [laugh] So, tell us what it was like to get promoted to the big leagues, and just your first full season in professional ball, and what was that experience like for you?
    Chase Silseth: Oh, I mean, it’s everyone’s dream—
    AngelsWin.com: Dream, right.
    Chase Silseth: —to go out there and be there. And, you know, to get a taste of that, you know, experience that was awesome. We’re talking to some guys up there, learning from some guys, and, you know, taking it and just got my feet wet, hopefully, be back there. Know what it, kind of, takes to, kind of, be there a little bit, you know, but—
    AngelsWin.com: Anybody, kind of, take you under their wing when you’re there, any of the pitchers there, or…
    Chase Silseth: I feel like, you know, everybody, kind of, was. I was, kind of, talking to everybody, question, you know? Just asking questions and trying to learn as much as I could, because that’s what this game is. You, kind of, want to learn and then grow as fast as you can before your age, you know, just, kind of, allows you to keep, you know, declining. So, you want to, kind of, meet this experience level before you start, kind of, coming down too much. But, just trying to learn as fast as I can and experience because this is my first full year, and I’m trying to take in a lot quick—
    AngelsWin.com: It’s a lot to process.
    Chase Silseth: —and be there for the rest of the time, hopefully.
    AngelsWin.com: Yeah. Do you think that there’s any learning experiences that you learn from your time in the big leagues, and then coming back here? What is your biggest take-away from that experience?
    Chase Silseth: Because normally, you can’t mis-watch the Dodgers?
    AngelsWin.com: [laugh]
    Chase Silseth: And you know, yeah, just being competitive, you know? Being able—up there was, kind of, not being able to hold my stuff through five incomplete innings. That’s what—So, I took, when I came back down here, was to make sure I can, you know, hold my stuff five, six, seven innings. Up there, just, kind of, when I hit the third or fourth, it was—you know, my normal 95 to 97 to 91, 93, sometimes bored. You know, I probably could pitch at that, but I would have to be a little bit more perfect in that way. And I’m a guy that just goes out there and not trying to think, just, kind of, throwing it through a quadrant of a zone, not just trying to be, like, you know, a fine line. So, just being able to hold my stuff was the experience that I, kind of, took away. And I’ve learned more.
    AngelsWin.com: Yeah. Are you, kind of, left to your own devices in terms of, like, workout, diet, you know, pitching mechanics. Or does the organization have a plan for you?
    Chase Silseth: They have a plan. They tell us, kind of, what they want, you know, with that. So, we, kind of, follow them. Diet’s on our own. And yeah, pitching mechanics are on our own, for the most part, unless they see something we—you know, to fix and, kind of, help to make us better. And if we make that fix, it does good. And we just, kind of, go out there and try to keep it up.
    AngelsWin.com: So, you throw a fastball velo, what? Tops out at what, 96, 90…
    Chase Silseth: I topped out at 99.
    AngelsWin.com: 99, is that right.
    Chase Silseth: Yes.
    AngelsWin.com: This year?
    Chase Silseth: Yes.
    AngelsWin.com: Okay, wow. And so, and the splitter is, kind of, your secondary. That’s, kind of, like, your out-pitch, right, slider?
    Chase Silseth: It just depends.
    AngelsWin.com: Changeup, yeah.
    Chase Silseth: Split or slider one of the days or most—
    AngelsWin.com: Any pitches that you’re working on that you’re trying to add to your repertoire?
    Chase Silseth: I got five and five is plenty.
    AngelsWin.com: [laugh] Yeah. Unless you’re Ohtani, right? Then you can just invent a new pitch during the [laugh]… yeah. So, what will Angel fans come to learn about you, the player and the person?
    Chase Silseth: I’m just a competitor. I’m going to go out there and just try to give my team a chance to win every time, every game. That’s my plan going forward. So, know every time I go out there and pitch is to give the team a chance to win, you know? Just want to win.
    AngelsWin.com: Yeah. What’s your most memorable game to date, you know, college, professional ball, big leagues? It’s got to be the major-league debut, right?
    Chase Silseth: Major-league debut for sure. That was—
    AngelsWin.com: [laugh] Or the combined no-hitter here, right?
    Chase Silseth: Combined no-hitter was fantastic, too. But no, that’s—obviously, you got a no-hitter, but, I mean, making the MLB debut—
    AngelsWin.com: That’s a dream. Yeah.
    Chase Silseth: —and you go six scoreless there—
    AngelsWin.com: That was amazing.
    Chase Silseth: —that’s one of the things I’m going to remember for a long time.
    AngelsWin.com: Oh, yeah. Absolutely. Who’s impressed you the most here in terms of teammate and on the opposing side, like a tough out here in the Southern League?
    Chase Silseth: Everybody. Everybody’s good teammates in there. We got a great clubhouse. You know, so I can’t really single anybody out because, you know, it’s been a team effort at this point, keeping each other, you know, going.
    AngelsWin.com: You guys got a stacked roster here; it’s just phenomenal. Everybody when I—
    Chase Silseth: There’s one thing, you know, is that Neto, too, when he first got here, you know, lit it up. But what, kind of, impressed me the most, was when he got hit, like, four times in his wrist, but he just, kind of, kept going. And, you know, because you’re in pain, and fight through it, and that’s what really impressed me. That’s what got me to like him a lot. You know, it probably doesn’t feel good to get hit in the wrist once, much less, like, three or four times, and fouled off couple off his foot just to be able to just stay in there and grind it out. That got my respect.
    AngelsWin.com: Gritty and durability, man—
    Chase Silseth: Yes, exactly.
    AngelsWin.com: —that goes a long way; I’m telling you. So, when did you first commit to playing baseball? How old where you?
    Chase Silseth: About four years old, I started playing T-ball, you know?
    AngelsWin.com: [laugh]
    Chase Silseth: It’s been long ago, 18 years.
    AngelsWin.com: I hear that a lot, four years old. Favorite pitcher, teams growing up?
    Chase Silseth: I was a Minnesota Twins fan growing up. My dad is from Minnesota, so just, kind of, growing up watching Minnesota teams. I’m a die-hard Minnesota Vikings—die-hard. And if I had to choose one Minnesota team, it’s the Vikings [unintelligible 00:08:35].
    AngelsWin.com: You going to take care of the Eagles on Monday night?
    Chase Silseth: I’m hoping; I’m hoping.
    AngelsWin.com: [laugh] Let’s hope Mike Trout doesn’t see this interview, huh. [laugh]
    Chase Silseth: [laugh] I know, that’s the one thing, but I got it in my soul, baby. [unintelligible 00:08:49].
    AngelsWin.com: [laugh] There you go. Who do you model your game after in terms of a professional athlete or big leaguer?
    Chase Silseth: I don’t know, maybe, Gullett. You know, also growing up watching games, I, kind of, was watching people, trying to learn from it, much less just try to watch, you know, the baseball game. I was just trying to learn from other people, but, you know, just like that competitive-dog attitude that just wants to win—
    AngelsWin.com: Scherzer?
    Chase Silseth: —probably Scherzer’s just like that. You know, that’s what I got when I’m up there.
    AngelsWin.com: Yeah. It’s good to see that.
    Chase Silseth: When I don’t have that and lose that, that’s when I tend to be on the, you know, crabbier side of things, especially when I take it too far, and I’m getting mad after, you know, when something doesn’t go my way instead of having that competitiveness. Just go to the next pitch, just I, kind of, dwell on it, and it, kind of, affect me mentally. That’s one of those things I need to, you know, be better at.
    AngelsWin.com: Yeah. Okay, real quick, Lightning Round. Favorite movie?
    Chase Silseth: Have to go with Avengers: End Game.
    AngelsWin.com: Okay. Good flick. Favorite song or artist?
    Chase Silseth: Favorite song. I’m going to have to go Morgan Wallen and Luke Combs.
    AngelsWin.com: Okay. Morgan Wallen a lot here. Favorite video game?
    Chase Silseth: Call of Duty—
    AngelsWin.com: There you go.
    Chase Silseth: —[unintelligible 00:10:22]. You—whatever.
    AngelsWin.com: [laugh] What’s a perfect day look like for you away from baseball?
    Chase Silseth: Perfect day. You know, it, kind of, sucks being—I love to hunt. The perfect day from me is just go out, go out and hunt in the mountains; camping out, friends, family and go out and hunt all day and come back and build a campfire—
    AngelsWin.com: Do that back home?
    Chase Silseth: Yeah. Sucks—somebody will fall for me—but yeah, I love to hunt.
    AngelsWin.com: So, last question. When you’re done playing baseball, have you envisioned what your next career will look like?
    Chase Silseth: I’ve not; I’ve not. Just trying to stay seven feet in front of me at all times, you know? Just, what’s next; what’s next; what’s next? You know, a couple of seven feets, here and there, will get me to that point in time, or get me to that point where I’m starting to figure it out. But now, just, kind of, taking it what’s in front of me. Trying to stay on my feet.
    AngelsWin.com: Awesome. Chase, thank you so much
  9. Chuck
    Photo by: Cristina Byrne-Sternberg/Rocket City Trash Pandas
    By Chuck Richter, AngelsWin.com
    Luke Murphy spent two seasons in the Vanderbilt Commodores’ bullpen and tied for the team lead with nine saves in 2021. In his final game at Vandy, Murphy pitched 1 2/3 scoreless innings in what was a decisive Game 3 of the 2021 College World Series vs. Mississippi State. The Angels loved his high octane arm and took him in the fourth round of their pitching-only 2021 Draft.
    Now Murphy's holding score for the Rocket City Trash Pandas and is currently tied for the Double-A lead in holds (12) with teammate Kolton Ingram. 
    Murphy's fastball touches 99 mph which also has good riding action up in the zone, in addition to a true swing and miss slider and a changeup that he features to left-handed hitters. Murphy has all the makings of a late inning closer or setup man in the big leagues if he can continue to throw strikes and gain experience in the minors.  
    As of today (9/3/2022) Murphy has posted a 2.81 ERA, 1.13 WHIP and a .168 BAA and is a key member of the Trash Panda's bullpen which feature Ben Joyce, Eric Torres, Kolton Ingram and Nick Jones. 
    We caught up with Murphy on a recent homestand and talked baseball, the Trash Panda's club and playoff run they're on, in addition to some lighter side content where you'll come to learn a little bit about Murphy's personal side. 
    Check out our interview with Luke Murphy below.

  10. Chuck
    Photo by: Cristina Byrne-Sternberg/Rocket City Trash Pandas
    By Chuck Richter, AngelsWin.com
    Torres spent three seasons pitching at Kansas State and was named to the Big 12 Championship All-Tournament Team in 2021. He made 49 relief appearances there as a junior before the Los Angeles Angels selected him in the 14th-round in the 2021 draft.
    Last summer after he signed, Torres went straight to Tri-Cities, the Angels High-A affiliate where he had eight appearances that included four holds and six scoreless outings. The Angels started him in Double-A with the Trash Pandas this season and he took the ball late and never looked back as their closer. Torres currently leads the Southern League in Double-A with 18 saves and sparkling 1.76 ERA, 0.96 WHIP and .156 BAA. Torres has also fanned 70 batters over 46 innings this season, boasting a 13.70 SO/9. Even more impressive, over his 46 innings of work he's only given up three long balls. 
    The six-foot southpaw goes after the opposition from a lower-slot sidearm look. He attacks the strikezone with a low 90's fastball that touches 95 mph, generating a bunch of whiffs due to the ride and run. Torres also throws a 80-84 mph slider that flashes above-average. He’s working on improving his changeup which should help him keep hitters off balance and make his out pitch (fastball) even tougher to hit.
    We sat down with Torres on a recent homestand and talked baseball, the Trash Panda's club and playoff run they're on, in addition to some lighter side content where you'll come to learn a little bit about Torres' personal side. 
    Check out our interview with Eric Torres below.

  11. Chuck
    By Jonathan Northrop, AngelsWin.com Senior Writer
    2022: A Tale of Limp Bats
    Strangely enough, the lineup ended up being the biggest problem area for the Angels this year, as they're currently 24th in the majors in wRC+ (91) and 25th in runs scored (493). Compare this to them being 12th in ERA (3.83) and 11th in pitcher WAR (13.2). It's a bit harder to quantify their defense, but they're 17th in Def Runs with -3.1, so basically close to average.
    So Perry Minasian goes into the offseason realizing that while he probably needs to bolster the pitching staff with at least one bonafide starter, his main task will be getting the team to score more runs. 
    The problem this year has been multi-faceted, and all mostly injury related. Losing Rendon was a huge blow and correlated with the beginning of their losing streak; Trout has been both streaky and missed a lot of time - assuming health from here on out, by season's end he'll have missed about 45 games. Former top prospects Brandon Marsh and Jo Adell have both continued to disappoint, and Marsh was shipped off to Philadelphia. After a torrid start and an injury, Taylor Ward has been terrible. Max Stassi and Jared Walsh both bottomed out, and David Fletcher continued last year's atrocious hitting and then missed a lot of time.
    But a couple questions have seemingly been answered in the affirmative: David Fletcher is back, healthy, and hitting like 2018-19, meaning adequate enough to be a starting infielder and not a hole in the lineup, and an overall valuable player. Luis Rengifo has finally put it together; From June 18 on, he's hit .294/.316/.484 with a 125 wRC+ in 256 PA. Meaning, with Fletcher and Rengifo, they Angels have two major parts of their middle infield locked in for next year.
    Perhaps the biggest question marks for next year, in terms of the success of the lineup, has to do with the health of two players, Mike Trout and Anthony Rendon. Trout's projected 115-120 games this year will be the most he's played since 2019, but is still about 70% of a full season. The Angels really need 130+ games from their aging superstar. Anthony Rendon has been even worse; over the last two seasons he's managed only 93 games, or about 29% of team games. One way or the other, the Angels really need at least about 250 games from these two players. 
    The third member of the projected "Big Three," Shohei Ohtani, started slow but is hitting close to last year's level, his 144 wRC+ not far behind last year's 150. He's been extraordinarily healthy the last two seasons and there is no reason he shouldn't continue to be healthy, but it is easy to take him for granted; any Angels success next year is contingent on Ohtani not only staying healthy, but staying period. With an impending ownership change, we don't know the ultimate fate of Ohtani.
    A secondary question relates to the trio of Ward, Walsh, and Stassi - the complementary offensive players, all guys capable of above average offensive performance. After coming back from injury on June 14, Ward has hit .218/.293/.333 with a 79 wRC+ in 279 PA. Stassi's wRC+ fell from 105 last year to 67 this year, and Walsh's fell from 126 to 78. So the question is: Who are the "real" Ward, Walsh and Stassi?
    The Angels continue to have an Adell-sized hole in the outfield, which is made even larger by the terrible hitting of Ward. The outfield around Trout was supposed to be a strength, but has instead turned out to be a huge liability. Neither Adell nor Moniak look like surefire answers, and both could end up starting next year in AAA. Maybe one or both breakout, but neither can be counted on at this point.
    As I see it, there are only a few questions that will be answered over the last 32 games:
    Is Adell (or Moniak) ready to be a solid major league contributor? So far the answer is "no" and "maybe, but probably not." Adell shows flashes, but never with any consistency - and consistency is what its all about. Are Fletcher and Rengifo for real? So far it seems "Yes." Fletcher is back to a level similar to 2018-19, which is about all we should have hoped for - and good enough to play a major role in 2023, whether as a regular player or a platoon or hybrid. Rengifo has been consistently good, with a 120ish wRC+, for about half a season's worth. He may not be a .290/.320/.480 hitter, but he certainly seems like a .270/.310/.450 hitter, which with average defense makes him a starter. Are any of the AA/AAA pitchers close to ready? This doesn't relate to the thread topic, but thought I'd throw it out there. Is Thaiss good enough defensively to catch 40-60 games next year? He's being auditioned for the back-up/platoon role, at least until O'Hoppe is ready. Which brings me to... How close is Logan O'Hoppe? Hard to say. If the Angels call him up in a few weeks for a look, they might be considering him for a roster spot on Opening Day. More likely they'll put him in AAA and wait for an injury. That's about it. I don't think any of those things really effect offseason moves, as far as the lineup goes. I mean, maybe Adell is Dave Winfield for the last few weeks and the Angels feel more confident in him, or maybe Moniak comes back and is good enough to give him a job. So that might impact offseason moves. And if the Angels want to start the year with five guys who can perform at a 2+ WAR level at 3B/SS/2B, they already have three of them (Rendon, Fletcher, Rengifo), so either way will need two legit middle infielders.
    I don't see them doing much at catcher beyond maybe signing a minor league journeyman, or perhaps a very cheap back-up type if they don't like what they see from Thaiss.
    Other questions won't be answered at all, until next year: Can Rendon and Trout stay healthy? Will Ward, Walsh, and Stassi bounce-back? Will any AA/AAA prospects breakout and enter consideration? Etc.
    Meaning, I think we have about 95% of the info we need to speculate about what lineup moves need to be made.
    The last area of concern is the bench. The reason the offense collapsed as badly as it did is that with injuries and declined performances from key players, they only had scrubs to fill in the gaps. The emergence of Rengifo and revival of Fletcher ameliorates this issue somewhat, but not enough to feel comfortable  - they need better bench players.
    2023 Outlook and Offseason Plan
    The problem going into the offseason is that the Angels have all the pieces of a good lineup - if all of the questions above can be answered affirmatively. But they can't count on that, so really need to bolster the lineup as much as possible.
    Their biggest target this offseason might be the biggest bat they can afford, either one of the many top shortstops on the free agent market, or an outfielder, or possibly even a first baseman, though I suspect they'll give Walsh a shot to redeem himself, if only due to the fact that he's cheap. The top free agent hitters include Aaron Judge (OF), a quartet of elite shortstops in Trea Turner, Carlos Correa, Xander Bogaerts, and Dansby Swanson; Wilson Contreras (C); and a handful of second tier first basemen in Josh Bell, Anthony Rizzo, and the 36-year old Jose Abreu.
    With Rengifo and Fletcher, they're not as desperate for a middle infield upgrade, but if they did go after one of the many top free agent shortstops, either one--or both--could be a starter/utility hybrid and fill in at 3B as necessary. Or they could go a budget route and focus on depth, signing a couple higher caliber platoon/bench middle infielders that can fill in as needed.
    As far as the outfield is concerned, as of this writing, the Angels probably need to think in terms of signing an every day player who can hit. Maybe Ward bounces back to at least a 120 wRC+ level and/or one of Moniak or Adell takes a couple steps forward, but all of that is questionable; adding in the dubious health of Trout, and the Angels could use an outfielder who can hit. There's a big drop-off after Judge, but some decent options: Brandon Nimmo, Andrew Benintendi, Mitch Haniger, and Trey Mancini, who could double as an insurance policy for Walsh. They could also take a one-year flyer on Michael Conforto, who struggled in 2021 and missed all of 2022, and will be itching to prove himself.
    The Angels are currently auditioning Matt Thaiss, presumably to platoon with Stassi until Logan O'Hoppe is ready, probably sometime in the first half of next year. So chances are catcher next year will be some combination Stassi, Thaiss, and O'Hoppe, and possibly some veteran back-up type. Meaning, don't expect any major changes (e.g. Wilson Contreras) from what they already have; O'Hoppe was the big catcher acquisition and will be in the mix shortly.
    Conclusion
    So in summary, I think Minasian's offseason lineup targets will be:
    A quality bat or two - probably either OF, MI, or maybe 1B A starting outfielder Either a starting middle infielder or a quality platoon player Bench depth Again, with an impending ownership change, all of this comes with a big dose of uncertainty - that's just what makes sense given the roster. It could be that due to extended negotiations, Minasian's told not to spend any money, and the Angels go into 2023 with essentially the same roster they have right now, plus maybe a few spare parts. We have to be ready for that significant possibility. But Arte Moreno, not wanting to decrease the value of the team, might simply tell Perry to treat this offseason as business as usual, although even then he might be told not to sign any major free agents (e.g. Judge or one of the big shortstops).
    Either way, it should be an interesting offseason, with a lot riding on it: the fate of Ohtani and the outlook of the Angels over the next few years, not to mention Minasian's legacy and a possible new manager.
  12. Chuck
    Photo by: Cristina Byrne-Sternberg/Rocket City Trash Pandas
    By Chuck Richter, AngelsWin.com
    The Angels selected first baseman Sonny DiChiara in the fifth round (148th overall) out of Auburn. DiChiara started in all 61 games played for the Tigers batting .838 (79/206) with 15 doubles, 22 home runs, 59 RBI and 59 runs scored.
    DiChiara was named First Team All-America by ABCA, Baseball America, D1 Baseball and Perfect Game and Second Team AllAmerica by College Baseball Foundation, Collegiate Baseball and NCBWA. 
    Currently the Trash Pandas first baseman boasts a .444 OBP (as of August 30th). 
    We caught up with Sonny D at Toyota Field ahead of the Trash Pandas contest between the Chattanooga Lookouts on Sunday, August 21st. Here's our interview below. 

  13. Chuck
    Photo by: Cristina Byrne-Sternberg/Rocket City Trash Pandas
    By Chuck Richter, AngelsWin.com
     
    Welcome to the show Ryan Aguilar! You’re joining a distinguished group of University of Arizona players to make their debut this year, as you’ll be the 5th former UA player to do so.
    Not every prospect has a direct or easy path to the Major Leagues. In fact, no two prospects follow the same trajectory over the course of their careers. This is why we love interviewing and getting to know Angels prospects—each has his own story to tell.
    Take Ryan Aguilar, for example. An Orange County player out of Esperanza High School, Ryan was drafted in the 31st round of the 2015 draft by the Milwaukee Brewers. He split time between 1B, CF, and RF throughout his time in the minors, while working on improving his offense. In 2019, the 6’2” lefty started to put things together, only to have the 2020 wiped out by Covid.
    Back in December, 2021 Ryan signed with his hometown team as a Minor League Free Agent in what appeared to be a depth move for the organization on their AA roster. But then things really started to click for Ryan. He began to hit—for power, average, on-base percentage, and even mixing in some speed. By last week, things were really heating up for him, as he was named the AA Southern League Player of the Week ending August 21st after he went 7/16 (.438 AVG) with 2 HRs, 6 runs scored, 6 RBIs, and 6 walks (for a .591 OB%) and a .938 SLG%!
    Ryan has been an indispensable part of the AA Rocket City Trash Pandas this year and is a big part of the reason why they have done so well this season. Ryan is currently tied for 3rd in OB% for the league (sitting .001 points behind the league leader) and is sporting a .280/.427/.517 line with 15 HRs and 11 SBs.
    Chuck Richter, our Founder and Executive Director recently caught up with Ryan to find out more about him as a player and his experience in the Minors. Please click below to watch our interview with him.

  14. Chuck
    By Tres Hefter, AngelsWin.com Columnist
    A slew of late-season promotions continue to shuffle the Angels' minor league deck, but strong performances remain!
    --Pitchers--

    1) Davis Daniel – RHP, Rocket City AA:

    You can sort of Davis Daniel is becoming the Angels’ pitching equivalent of Michael Stefanic; both came into 2021 without much hype, both have performed not only extremely well, but extremely well consistently throughout the season, and both arguably are MLB-ready, even with Daniel yet to appear in AAA. Daniel’s strike-throwing tendencies were on full display over the last week, as the 24-year-old made two starts for Rocket City, striking out 18 in 11 innings while allowing just one walk, three earned runs (2.45 ERA), and seven hits (.175 BAA). Daniel has allowed two or fewer earned runs in 14 of his 18 appearances this year and with 9 starts in each A+ and AA, has essentially matched his production across two leagues – trading a few more walks from A+ for a few more hits in AA. If not for the surplus of R5 eligible arms that were added to the MLB team ahead of him these last few weeks, he’d likely already be in Anaheim.
    2021 (TRI A+/RCT AA): 2.59 ERA, 0.99 WHIP, .193 BAA, with 28 BB, 130 K, 8 HR allowed across 93.2 IP in 18 GS
    2) Ryan Smith – LHP, Rocket City AA:

    Following a couple months in Tri-City, Smith, a 5’11” 23-year-old lefty out of Princeton, was moved up to AA Rocket City and has yet to really be slowed much by much of anything. While his stellar Inland Empire line has dulled a bit as he’s advanced, Smith has still delivered quality innings in all three of his stops this season, and the last two weeks have indeed put an exclamation point on that narrative, as Smith sparkled in two starts, allowing only one ER (0.69 ERA) in 13 innings, with one walk to sixteen strikeouts. Like Daniel, Smith won’t be R5 eligible until the winter following the 2022 season, but his performance might force the Angels to consider the lefty for their major league staff sometime in ’22.
    2021 (IE A/TRI A+/RCT AA): 4.28 ERA, 1.03 WHIP, .222 BAA, with 22 BB, 132 K, 14 HR allowed across 107 IP in 19 G/18 GS

    3) John Swanda – RHP, Inland Empire, A:

    Many have likely forgotten John Swanda, the Angels 4th round selection back in the 2017 draft. In his first three seasons, Swanda, now 22, rarely demonstrated any dominant stuff or positive results, but never really faltered either. At first glance, Swanda’s 2021 season looks pedestrian as well; no gaudy strikeout numbers, middling earned runs allowed, average HR and BB rates, but a closer look would reveal that Swanda’s season echoes perhaps what Cooper Criswell did in 2019; steady, consistent innings that were quietly dominant, punctuated by an occasional poor start. Swanda’s last two starts have been his best, as he limited opponents to just four hits (.089 BAA) and three walks in 13.1 scoreless innings while striking out 16. In his last four games now, he’s earned three wins, allowed a 1.48 ERA and .170 BAA in 24.1 IP with 25 K. Swanda will be Rule 5 eligible this winter, but lacking any high-octane stuff or shiny results should keep him safe from selection, which could work to the Angels’ benefit.
    2021 (IE A): 4.14 ERA, 1.31 WHIP, .250 BAA, with 33 BB, 92 K, 13 HR allowed across 104.1 IP in 20 G/15 GS

    4) Thomas Pannone – LHP, Salt Lake City AAA:

    The Angels had probably hoped for a little more from lefty Thomas Pannone when they signed him to a minor league deal this past winter. Originally drafted by Cleveland in the 9th round and a decent prospect when acquired in trade by Toronto, Pannone had glimpses of promise in two MLB stints in the bigs but has yet to see that continue into his ’21 season with the Bees, a campaign which has been nothing short of a disaster. But Pannone might be showing signs of ending the year on a high note, as he has now strung together four straight decent appearances, including his three most recent starts, two of which were 7 IP efforts. Pannone posted a 2.95 ERA in that time, allowing two walks, 16 hits, and 2 HR while striking out 14. Likely ticketed for minor league free agency this winter, he won’t factor into the Angels future plans much, but could still see himself in the bigs this year should the Halos need a spot starter.
    2021 (SLC AAA): 7.21 ERA, 1.71 WHIP, .196 BAA, with 32 BB, 67 K, 20 HR allowed across 97.1 IP in 20 G/17 GS

    5) Fernando Guanare – RHP, Dominican Rk.:

    Anytime a teenage arm can string up a couple of starts like Fernando Guanare has of late, it will catch some eyes. Posting 12 IP, 11 H, 2 ER, 0 BB, 15 K in his last two starts, Guanare has continued to flash some strong strikeout stuff all season while, perhaps most impressively walking only one to date in his first pro season. Only 18 and listed at 6’1” 140 Guanare is still obviously a ways off, but strong performances tend to earn stateside rookie ball promotions no matter how young the arm. Could be an interesting one to watch in 2022.
    2021 (Dominican Rk.): 2.31 ERA, 0.97 WHIP, .268 BAA, with 1 BB, 38 K, 0 HR allowed across 39 IP in 8 GS

    Honorable mention, pitchers:
    Adam Seminaris (LHP Tri-City A+): 1.74 ERA, .216 BAA with 4 BB, 11 K across 10.1 IP in 2 GS – now sporting a 3.33 ERA in last ten starts, 69 K in 51.1 IP
    Mason Erla (RHP RCT AA): 0.00 ERA, .125 BAA with 0 BB, 9 K across 5 IP in 2 GS –nearly perfect start to pro career. 24 years old, could move fast.
    Janson Junk (RHP RCT AA): 3.12 ERA, .071 BAA with 1 BB, 8 K across 8.2 IP in 1 GS – just missed a perfect game, but got an MLB debut instead
    Luke Murphy (RHP TRI A+): 4.76 ERA, .227 BAA with 1 BB, 10 K across 5.2 IP in 4 G – virtually all damage against came in last appearance, nearly perfect before
    Braden Olthoff (RHP Arizona Rk.): 1.29 ERA, .179 BAA with BB, 14 K across 7 IP in 2 GS – extremely strong start could garner promotion soon
    Tyler Danish (RHP SLC AAA): 1.69 ERA, .220 BAA with 2 BB, 13 K across 10.2 IP in 4 G/1 GS – freshly baked success for @Angels1961 fav
    Dylan King (RHP TRI A+): 4.50 ERA, .200 BAA with 0 BB, 14 K across 8 IP in 2 G – sleeper reliever prospect to watch, 67 K in 42.1 IP.
    Hector Yan (LHP TRI A+): 1.35 ERA, .136 BAA with 8 BB, 14 K across 6.2 IP in 2 G – struck out 21 of 49 hitters since moving to relief – and walked 15.
    Leonard Garcia (LHP Arizona Rk.): 1.04 ERA, .188 BAA with 6 BB, 15 K across 8.2 IP in 2 GS – only 17 and already stateside, arguably could have beat Guanare for #5 on this list
    Brandon Dufault (RHP IE A): 0.00 ERA, .200 BAA with 3 BB, 7 K across 5 IP in 3 G – control issues, but all signs point to solid relief arm in the making
     
    --Position Players--

    1) Michael Stefanic – 2B/DH, Salt Lake City AAA:

    ¯\_(ツ)_/¯
    You can make an argument that with a .340 BA in 101 games, Michael Stefanic leads all minor league baseball in batting average – some lower-level players with fewer PA/G have higher BA are ahead – and he has maintained that .340 BA over the last two weeks, with 16 more hits in 47 AB. Not a true power threat, Stefanic’s SLG did drop slightly as he added only three extra-base hits (all doubles) in the last two weeks, but he maintained his excellent contact/discipline skills, posting 7 BB (one IBB) to 7 K in that time. While a call-up to Anaheim has yet to materialize (to the chagrin of many) it is probably safe to assume Stefanic will find himself placed on the 40-man this offseason given his R5 eligibility, and it could be Minasian is using the majors to determine which of the Mayfield, Rengifo, Wong contingent he wants to keep with Stefanic, and not in place of.
    2021 (RCT AA/SLC AAA): .340/.410/.494/.904 with 18 doubles, 14 home runs, 56 RBI, and 40 BB, 64 K, 5/8 SB attempts in 101 G/441 PA
    2) Orlando Martinez – OF/DH, Rocket City AA:

    It’s been an uneven, but still encouraging, season for the 23-year-old Cuban outfielder, whose strong rebound in August from a brutal July (.606 OPS) continued over the last two weeks, slashing .355/.412/.548/.960 in 8 G/34 PA, adding a double, triple, and a homer to his ledger, drawing 3 BB to 5 K, and swiping three bags in three attempts. Had it not been for his July slide, Martinez would have a very solid .283/.340/.502/.842 slash. The lack of discipline remains Martinez’ biggest obstacle, but his sustained success with strong contact and at least average (if not slightly better) power still hints at an outfielder who has at least platoon-potential in the bigs as a ceiling. Martinez will be R5 eligible this winter, and while outfielders with his skill set typically are not protected as they are common across orgs, he’s also the type of player often selected in R5 to round out a rebuilding club’s bench. As such, there’s a strong chance he’s discussed in trades.
    2021 (RCT AA): .265/.318/.468/.785 with 23 doubles, 2 triples, 16 home runs, 51 RBI, 26 BB, 110, 5/7 SB attempts in 94 G/401 PA
    3) Braxton Martinez – 1B/DH, Tri-City A+:

    The Angels finally promoted the 27-year-old signee out of Indy ball on August 25th, and so far, so good, as Martinez has responded to the next level with little issue, continuing right where he left off by slashing .308/.367/.692/1.059 in his first 7 games at A+, clubbing three homers, a double, and drawing three walks to 10 strikeouts. It remains incredibly unlikely that Martinez ascends in a way that impacts the major league team, but he’s certainly filled a role for the organization’s lower levels this year by posting an MVP-quality season.
    2021 (IE A/TRI A+): .331/.439/.588/1.027 with 28 doubles, 3 triples, 15 home runs, 64 RBI, 59 BB, 62 K in 86 G/378 PA
    4) David MacKinnon – 1B/DH, Rocket City AA:

    MacKinnon suffered a rare cold snap over his last month or so, mustering only a .211 BA from July 23rd to August 22nd, but the disciplined, high-contact first baseman has returned to form over the last two weeks, slashing .310/.382/.621/1.003 over 8 games, tallying three more doubles and two more HR, giving him a new career-high in doubles with 30 and adding to his career-high HR total of 13. Rule 5 eligible this winter, the Angels, like with Stefanic and Martinez, will have some interesting decisions to make, as MacKinnon has proven himself to be a consistent offensive presence across his career. While his power and position might limit his paths to the majors, his contact, discipline, and defense parallel someone like Yandy Diaz, and a team with similar first-base depth issues and budget concerns could have interest in MacKinnon either by way of draft or trade.
    2021 (Rocket City AA): .292/.388/.497/.885 with 30 doubles, 13 home runs, 63 RBI, 48 BB, 75 K in 91 G/392 PA
    5) Adrian Placencia – 2B/SS, Arizona Rk.:

    With Vera advancing to Inland Empire, Adrian Placencia and Werner Blakely will now draw more attention in Arizona, and over the last two weeks, Placencia has done just that. While Placencia’s batting average has yet to shine in any way (he’s hitting only .193 on the season, though a .247 BAbip is partly to blame), he has demonstrated maybe the most balanced offensive approach of any of the Angels young mid-infield prospects, slashing .250/.357/.583/.940 over the last two weeks, adding all sorts of extra-base hits (one double, two triples, one homer) in that time, while also maintaining good plate discipline (4 BB to 8 K) and a bit of speed, with two stolen bases in two attempts.
    2021 (Arizona RK.): .193/.356/.395/.751 with 3 doubles, 3 triples, 5 home runs, 18 RBI, 27 BB, 41 K in 35 G/149 PA
    Honorable mentions, position players:
    Adrian Rondon (2B/SS TRI A+): .321/.387/.464/.851 with 2B, HR, 3 BB, 10 K in 8 G/31 PA
    Jose Rojas (1B/3B/LF SLC AAA): .239/.340/.457/.796 with 2 2B, 3B, 2 HR, 7 BB, 10 K in 13 G/53 PA
    Mitch Nay (1B/3B RCT AA): .259/.394/.444/.838 with 2 2B, HR, 6 BB, 6 K in 8 G/33 PA
    Kyle Kasser (LF/RF/1B TRI A+): .303/.395/.303/.698 with 4 BB, 8 K, 2 SB in 10 G/38 PA
  15. Chuck
    Photo by: Cristina Byrne-Sternberg/Rocket City Trash Pandas
    By Chuck Richter, AngelsWin.com
    August 21st, 2022
    MADISON, Alabama – Coming off an electric walk-off win the previous night after an hour long rain delay in the 9th inning, all of the players were loose and in good spirits on Sunday. Zach Neto the Angels first round pick in the 2022 amateur draft talked with us for nearly 10 minutes and described the clubhouse's positive atmosphere, the talent on the ball club and his journey from a young man playing baseball to draft day, as well as his short time in professional ball. 
    The Angels #2 ranked prospect according to many publications had his first day off with the Rocket City Trash Pandas on Sunday, but Zach got to cheerlead from the dugout and watch his teammates come back again after a 3-0 deficit to win late, 6-5. 
    In our interview, Zach Neto also defined what playing with 'swag' means to him, how he enjoys interacting with the fans at the ballpark and much much more. 
    Check out our AngelsWin.com exclusive interview with the Angels 2022 first round pick Zach Neto below.
    he c
    Here is the complete interview transcript for the hard of hearing and for quotes. 
    AngelsWin.com: All right. Chuck Richter here as AngelsWin.com, here today with Zach Neto. Zach, how’re you doing?
    Zach Neto: I’m doing good; how about you?
    AngelsWin.com: Good, good. Hey, real quick, the Trash Pandas, the run they’re on; it’s got to be exciting to be a part of that.
    Zach Neto: For sure. Yeah, it’s awesome. You know, I just able to be a part of this team, and I’ll be a part of a winning team, good coaching, the locker room, on the field; great atmosphere here in Rocket City. It’s just awesome to be a part of; being able to put on the uniform every day and feel proud about it. It’s, honestly, a dream come true, and just being able to go out there with the guys in the locker room, and the coaching staff that we have, it’s just stress free, you know? Just being able to go out there; play your game, and whatever happens, happens. But be able to know that no matter what happens, the team got your back and the coaches as well.
    AngelsWin.com: Right. Yeah. What was Draft Day like for you? It must’ve been exciting.
    Zach Neto: Oh, yeah. Draft Day was awesome. Actually, being able to be there, get my name called; being there with my family. It was just a dream come true; you know? First all-star game, first home-run derby, it could’ve happened the year I got drafted. So, it was awesome.
    AngelsWin.com: That’s awesome. When did you know when the Angels were interested in you?
    Zach Neto: The Angels, I found out about a couple days before they were on the clock. They didn’t really know if I was go Angels or not, but they took the front step forward, and they’re on the clock, and it was there, and I’m glad to be an Angel; I wouldn’t want to be anywhere else.
    AngelsWin.com: Awesome. Yeah. What will Angel fans come to learn of you the player, your style of play, and you the person?
    Zach Neto: Yeah. So, style of play. It’s just somebody who’s going to have a lot of fun on the field, very energetic; he likes to be the crowd attention, somebody behind the scenes. I’m just working on my craft every day, you know, trying to get perfect at one thing at a time, and just being able to go out there on the field, have a smile on my face no matter how good or bad the day is going for me; just being able to go out there, have fun, be electric, and just be me.
    And then it’s just something that I like to do before the game, I just like to go out there. The game’s already mental itself, so just trying to go out there, kind of, get some stress out of my head, and just have some fun with the kids, you know? The kids don’t come all the games, so just being able to make that day memorable for them to be able to meet a professional athlete. It’s just something that I’ve always wished I did, and I’m just giving it back. I’m playing a lot of pressure for a game, for a baseball. It’s just awesome and being able to have that winning mentality and making that competition for them as well.
    AngelsWin.com: That’s awesome. What do you take most pride in in your game: hitting, baserunning, defense?
    Zach Neto: Yeah, I take pride in a lot of things, you know? The biggest thing I take pride in is just making the least amount of mistakes, you know? Hitting, defense, baserunning, it all comes together, but just being able to make the least amount of mistakes is going to win ballgames. You could be batting a thousand, but if you’re making mistakes on the field, you might not win that day.
    So, to be able to make the little mistakes, be able to correct those, and be able to have a good game on and off the field, it’s just a day of success, you know? Even if the day doesn’t go your way, it’s just something that you’ll feel proud about going into the next day and just keep going from there and not stopping what you’ve been practicing and just keep going.
    AngelsWin.com: Awesome. So, what do you think you need to work on to reach your full potential and make it to the big leagues?
    Zach Neto: Yeah. I think the biggest thing for me is just being able to, like, take the pressure off of myself. Draft Day is already over. I have a lot of expectations coming into this year, next year, the years after that. It’s just being able to take that pressure off my shoulders just going back to being the player that I was. Just going out there; I’m having fun and producing on the field.
    I could see myself having—I see myself sped up a little bit right now, you know, making a couple of mistakes I shouldn’t be making and being hard on myself a little bit right now. But the coaching staff is doing a really good job of, kind of, like, taking it off of me and just telling me to, like, just to shake it off and go on to the next day. And I think that’s going to be the biggest thing for me, just being able to take all that pressure off my shoulders, and know that if I have a bad day, that tomorrow’s a new day, and I could be the best player I can tomorrow.
    AngelsWin.com: Awesome. Are you, kind of, left to your own devices in terms of, you know, like, your workout, your goals, diet, anything like that? Or does the organization, kind of, instruct you on what you should do?
    Zach Neto: Yeah. So, they’re, kind of, letting me do my own thing. They’re there just there for support. Of course they’re there to help me through it and stuff like that, but they’re, pretty much, there to just—whatever I need, they’re going to be there for me; whatever I want, they’re going to try to get for me. But they’re, pretty much, lenient about that, letting me, kind of, see the player that I want to be and just not do too much with it. Just, kind of, let it be and just let me go out there and have success.
    AngelsWin.com: Okay. Who has impressed you the most, teammate or opposing player, so far in the minors here?
    Zach Neto: Hmm, that’s a good question. I would have to say the whole, like I say, locker room, you know—
    AngelsWin.com: Yeah. Talented.
    Zach Neto: —bunch of guys I’ve never met before, only the draft guys when we’re at mini-camp. But pretty much everybody in there you know Just being able to see people play for the first time, it’s always an impression, and being able to go to Biloxi, not play that first game, and I was there. And just being able to see how everything gelled with team. It was just awesome.
    You know, I mean, I’m not a big fan of watching baseball, but, I mean—I tell you what—I love watching that game of baseball, because it was just awesome; awesome game to watch. The guys were awesome. And even the coaches as well, they were very electric, very energetic, into the game, and it was just something fun to watch, for sure.
    AngelsWin.com: Cool. What was your best game to date: high school, college or even professional?
    Zach Neto: I would probably have to say—I would probably have to say in college. You know, we played a series at Liberty. And we didn’t start off the way we started—started off hot. And we went to Liberty—they hadn’t lost a game yet—and able to go over there, hit my first home run of the season start. And then my next at bat, being able to hit one over the batter’s eye, that was probably my farthest home run in my life—
    AngelsWin.com: Wow.
    Zach Neto: —able to go out there and do that and then being able to win, I just had that positivity going into the weekend; that was probably the best game of my life.
    AngelsWin.com: That’s awesome; that’s great. When did you really first commit to playing baseball?
    Zach Neto: I would say, probably, around, like, three or four. I have an older brother who’s nine years older. So, just being able to grow up watching him, kind of, see the love for the game that he had, and it just carried over to me, you know, being able to see him in high school. And then me growing up in Little League and stuff like that, I’ve always wanted to be just like him, because he was having a lot of success. And just going to the games, major league games like this, and just being able to see other guys play, kind of, pinpoint things and stuff, it was awesome to see. And it just gave me the love for the game even more.
    AngelsWin.com: Awesome. Who were your favorite baseball players growing up?
    Zach Neto: My parents are big Yankee’s fans growing up, so I ‘ve always grown-up watching Derek Jeter. Derek Jeter’s always been my favorite player. Today, I would probably say Kiki Hernández is my favorite player just because of his versatility; just reminds me of myself; being able to play anywhere, anywhere, anytime; being that coach’s best friend; being able to put him anywhere in the lineup; being able to put him anywhere on the field and know that you’re going to get the best version of himself. And, yeah, but those two are my favorite position players.
    AngelsWin.com: So, who do you model your play after?
    Zach Neto: I try to model myself over Derek Jeter—
    AngelsWin.com: Derek Jeter, yeah.
    Zach Neto: —yeah.
    AngelsWin.com: If you’re to make it to the big leagues, what would your walk-up music be? [laugh]
    Zach Neto: I couldn’t tell you right not, but it would probably be something that gets the crowd going just to, kind of, get that feeling. I like to play with a lot of pressure. I feel like I do good under pressure. So, just to be able to get the crowd going nice and quickly while I’m making my major league debut, it’s probably going to be something electric, for sure.
    AngelsWin.com: That’s cool. You did mention that you do play with a lot of swagger. Define what is ‘swagger’ mean to you?
    Zach Neto: Yeah. So, ‘swag’ to me is just something that I just try to go out there, not to be too flashy, but something that I’m flashy, but being able to make the plays look easy. Being able to make plays that guys really won’t be able to make. And just being able to go out there with a lot of energy, you know? I think swag—I think the definition of ‘swag’ is just being able to play with a lot of energy. Like, really, not caring about what the outcome is, and just be able to go out there and be the best version of yourself.
    AngelsWin.com: Okay, Lightning Round real quick. Favorite movie?
    Zach Neto: Favorite movie? Top Gun.
    AngelsWin.com: Top Gun, awesome. Yeah. The original, or the new one?
    Zach Neto: The original.
    AngelsWin.com: Okay. Favorite song?
    Zach Neto: Favorite song? “Dead or Alive,” Jazz Cartier.
    AngelsWin.com: Okay. Favorite video game to play against?
    Zach Neto: Call of Duty.
    AngelsWin.com: Okay. What would be a perfect day away from the ballpark for you? What does that look like?
    Zach Neto: Beach— anytime at the beach.
    AngelsWin.com: Okay. When you’re done playing baseball, what’s your next career?
    Zach Neto: Just being able to continue going with the development, you know, and just being able to show little kids the game of baseball; giving them my sense, and just being able to show them how to be successful and just have fun on the field.
    AngelsWin.com: Awesome. Well, thank you for meeting with us today.
    Zach Neto: Yes, sir.
  16. Chuck
    By Taylor Blake Ward, AngelsWin.com Columnist
    GENERAL THOUGHTS
    Perspective only comes with a full view. I write this as a caveat, as most will make an initial knee-jerk reaction to any club's first-round selection and make that the brash opinion of the entire draft for the club as it has the most value and is the one with the most accessible perceptions as to the player taken. For example, speaking to a Texas Rangers fanatic on Sunday night, he was distraught that Texas spent their first-round pick on Kumar Rocker much earlier than anticipated he would go and could not surrender the thought of losing value with the pick, and later altered his opinion when the team took Brock Porter in the fourth round. It's easy to make a reaction, but a full view can give you proper perception to how any given team did with their draft on paper.
    In the case of the Angels, their first-round selection gives them upside at a premium position. With position players suddenly being the lack of depth of the organization, the Angels went against what the industry felt would be one of the first landing spots for a pitcher and selected Zach Neto, the second-best college shortstop in the nation behind only Brooks Lee. With a firm belief he will stay at shortstop, a challenging position to fill organizationally that has long-lasting effects, there is an opportunity for not only a premium position player but also one that has everyday upside due to his hit and power balance.
    As the Angels went into day two and three of the draft, there was some repetition to what they did in 2021, altering from taking 20 pitchers in 20 picks to taking seven college power hitters with their final 16 selections.
    "Things just fell that way," said Tim McIlvaine, Angels Amateur Scouting Director, following day three of the draft. "We talked about a lot of different types of players on day one, and then day two as well, and then it gets tough to sign some of the high school kids. They end up going down the college road. We talked to a lot of high school kids for day three as well. Ended up taking one with our first pick (of the third day). It's kind of how it shakes out. You go down all the avenues you can, you talk to all the players you can, you try and get as much information on them as you can, then you try and make the best decision."
    As a general proviso among the industry, if two or three players make it to the big leagues with some form of Major League success (three-or-more years of average value), you can call the draft a success. In this scenario and with last year included, if two pitchers from the 20 taken in 2021, and one of the power hitters taken in 2022, have moderate success at the Major League level in the coming years, you can call these drafts successful. As opposed to altering options across 20 rounds, the Angels have set themselves up well to have hopes of one of their power bats finding success and being successful in the draft room for 2022. Of course, more could find success and make it even more beneficial to the club. The same can be said of the pitchers taken, hoping that one or more will find a relief role or be even more successful finding a true rotation option which is near as rare as finding an everyday shortstop. Notably, four of the Angels draft picks were among the top nine in college baseball in 2022 in both OPS and SLG% (Zach Neto, Sonny DiChiara, Matt Coutney, Luke Franzoni).
    "It's something we certainly look at," McIlvaine said. "We looked at a lot of different avenues of players. We looked at some guys that are huge speed guys, we looked at some that are big hit guys that didn't have a ton of power and ended up being able to take guys with a lot of power. It's something in our system that we wanted to improve a little bit and I think a lot of these guys are gonna help do that. We got some big boys with some big power that like to hit homers. Hopefully, it gets into the system and translates for us, but you know, it's something we want. OPS has been shown to be a good determining factor of moving forward, what guys are gonna be able to do. I wouldn't say it's just what we were targeting or what we were looking for. It kind of fell that way but we're excited to have it. Power is fun to watch. I think there's going to be some fun batting practice at a few of the affiliates this year. I can't wait to go see it."
    Every year the question will always arise: will the [insert team] sign all of their draft picks? Just as a generality, there are usually one or two total players taken in the first two days of the draft, combined, that do not sign, so it's fair to just believe anyone taken in rounds 1-10 will sign with ease. Day three is where the questions will arise, and once again as a generality, high schoolers, college juniors, and JUCO players will be the ones with the biggest question mark attached to their name. In the case of the Angels, there was one high schooler taken on the third day (though we will touch on that later and the likelihood he will sign); with four juniors in Jared Southard (a re-draft for the Angels), Bryce Osmond (the biggest question mark due to his day two opportunities), Sammy Natera Jr., and Max Gieg; and two JC players in Tucker Flint and Sabin Cabellos. Any questions about signability with this group will not come with answers until the end of the signing period, though as a reminder, most will sign and have already spoken to the club about what is expected for their signing bonus and future with the organization.
    "Some of these kids are in great situations with where they are," said McIlvaine. "Some of them have expressed to us that they're ready to get started with their careers even though they have other opportunities still. I'm sure there's other colleges or schools - other opportunities that will be tugging on them, but a lot of these kids are ready and wanna get going. It's part of what we try and talk to them about before the draft. Make sure pro ball is the avenue they're looking to go down at this point. With that you take a risk every once in awhile that a kid is ready to go, and this is what they want to do, and you put that opportunity in front of them and if they're ready to go now then we're happy to make that a reality."
    I don't give out grades for drafts as it takes at minimum four to five years to really see how successful a draft was when players are reaching their Major League potential, and another four or five years beyond that to see how productive each pick has become. On paper, I like what the Angels did. They addressed organizational needs, though I would have liked to have seen more outfielders taken but sticking to the best player available with each pick, there is a lot to like in the upside of this class for the Angels.
    PICK ANALYSIS
    1st Round: Zach Neto, SS, Campbell
    - I think everyone and their brother expected the Angels to select a pitcher in the first round, but it was nice to see them pivot to a position player with some premium position value. Zach Neto is two-way player in the traditional sense (non-Ohtani version) of being solid at the plate and in the field. Neto is a solid hitter who has a wood-bat track record - hitting for average and power in the Cape Cod League - who has plenty of power potential at the plate. His setup and load are quite unorthodox as he starts with a big inwards leg kick while his hands move all around but it doesn't keep him from getting direct to his separation and in a good position to cover the zone with strength - not dissimilar to Bo Bichette or Javy Baez though I wouldn't compare him to either as he doesn't have the immense bat wrap of Bichette or elite bat speed of Baez. Though unorthodox, Neto syncs everything together and is able to be a rhythmic hitter who utilizes his hand-eye coordination and above-average bat speed to drive the ball with authority and with his natural loft that bat-speed and raw power should be able to produce some easy double-digit home run production. With the load being complex, there may be some offensive inconsistencies and streakiness that are timing based for Neto, which shouldn't deter from the overall full-season offensive production. He's an aggressive baserunner who has average speed and pending the Angels approach to stealing could be an easy double-digit stolen base threat.
    Possibly the most important part of Neto's game, and in particular to the Angels, is the belief he can stay at shortstop long-term. I've mentioned it many times over but finding an everyday shortstop - i.e., one who can hit and play solid defense at the position - is hard to come by and even looking at each Major League club in 2022, only about two-thirds of the league have a player of this caliber (same can be said about catcher). Neto's primary value will be in staying at the premium position of shortstop. He's a solid athlete who has soft hands and makes the transfer with ease. He has more than enough arm strength for the position - he's pitched in the past and been up to 93 on the mound though the Angels will not try to utilize him in a two-way role - but the use of that arm will draw questions as he has shown tendencies to try and throw runners out by a mile whether the runner is close or far and will lose some accuracy, which may lead to having to tone down some of his throwing decisions. Neto is light footed with good-but-not-great lateral movement, which could be the only hinderance to his long-term ability at the position. He's shown versatility playing all over the dirt, but there's little question to him staying on the left side of the diamond, and a strong enough chance to stay at shortstop for a lengthy period of time.
    Comments from Tim McIlvaine: "First of all, he's athletic. He moves really well. He's got great body control. He goes well laterally, in, out, to his left, to his right. Then when you get to the box, he's got a nice big swing. He's got big bat speed and he'll show you surprising power for his size. He can really get into the ball. What we really like too is how well he knows the strike zone. He doesn't get himself out. He doesn't chase. He makes pitchers throw pitches in the zone and then he hits them hard. There's a lot to like with him. We really hang our head on the athleticism up-the-middle. That was a big focus for us."
    Zach Neto 2022 college stats: 256 PA, .407/.514/.769, 65 R, 50 RBI, 15 HR, 19 SB
     
    3rd Round: Ben Joyce, RHP, Tennessee
    No arm in the 2022 draft class had as much attraction or as much anxiety as Ben Joyce. A true unicorn, Joyce is the owner of the third hardest pitch ever thrown in baseball's metrically recorded history at 105.5 miles-per-hour, only topped by Aroldis Chapman. With the only challengers to his premier velocity being Chapman and Jordan Hicks, Joyce saw his average fastball sit at 101 miles-per-hour and peak at over 105 multiple times, which again is only challenged in metric history by Chapman and Hicks who have reached the feat a combined 10 times (Chapman, 8; Hicks, 2). A transfer from Walters State, Joyce did not pitch in 2021 after having Tommy John surgery in October of 2020, and returned with fire in 2022, hitting 103 in his second outing which sparked attention from Rob Friedman (a.k.a. Pitching Ninja) which led to attention from the masses. Joyce will use his fastball over three-quarters of the time and can disappear on hitters not only with its velocity but it's angle, coming in from a lower three-quarter arm slot with some inversion to his arm action. It has minimal movement which can make it easier to square up, and also among the reasons he was expected to go in the third or fourth round as opposed to first or second. As much of a rarity it is to have Joyce's velocity, there is some alternate weapons in his arsenal. Grades on his slider will range from "meh" to "plus" pending who you ask, but it is a pitch separated by some 15 miles-per-hour to his fastball and sweeps through the zone. The knock here is that Joyce has little command for the pitch, and it is predictable with advanced hitters who aren't automatically setup for the fastball. There is a changeup with some progressive signs, but it is a distant third pitch at the moment. His frame may indicate a starter profile, and the Angels haven't ruled out using him as a starter in development somewhere down the road (not this year), but his limited health track record, violent velocity, and irregularity to sync up his body should keep him in the bullpen. I believe that if the Angels were in the playoff race, he could be an arm you throw out at any given time during the 2022 campaign as a velocity-only weapon that Major Leaguers haven't seen, but with the Angels timeline and current state this year, he should be destined for development with a potential shutdown for 2022. In recap, you can't just find velocity like this, and it will always be worth the gamble to take something no one else has or may ever have.
    Comments from Tim McIlvaine: "He's probably one of the more famous amateur players. His fastball touching 105 and just all the hoopla that has come with him. It's fun to watch. I live in Nashville, Tennessee myself so I've seen him a good bit when he was in Junior College, and then as he went to University of Tennessee seeing him there, so kind of seen him grow into this a little bit and grow up. It's really fun to watch. It's a big arm and he has stuff and I think we feel like there are a few things that we can work on with him to make him even more effective instead of just having him throw as hard as he can all the time. He's got a nice breaking ball in there too that he doesn't always get to because he doesn't need it a lot of times but it's a big fastball and he's a good kid. He's got a good head on his shoulders - very disciplined. We met with him at the Major League Baseball Combine all together and we were very impressed coming out of that as well. For us it's not just how hard you can throw or how hard you can hit it but also in between the ears and what's inside. He checks that box for us as well.
    "We may explore (the opportunity to let him start). We're gonna see how Ben feels and walk him through that. We're not going to close the door to that. We're going to leave that possibility open but for now as he goes out, we're going to run him out of the bullpen and see where it goes. He had a few extended outings this year out of Tennessee and making one start so it's not out of the realm possibility but we're going to take it slow and see where it goes."
    Ben Joyce 2022 college stats: 32.1 IP, 2-1, 2.23 ERA, 14 BB, 53 K, 0.990 WHIP, 14.8 K/9
     
    4th Round: Jack Madden, RHP, Northwest Florida State
    A standout for Florida scouts in the spring coming off Tommy John in 2020, Jake Madden is a tall and lean on-mound athlete at six-foot-six with a loose and free arm with electric stuff. He works primarily off of his fastball which has boring action when thrown down and can run away like a two-seamer when up. It simmers around 93-96 but can get as high as 97 early in outings. Madden's slider is a real weapon as it has power in the mid-to-upper 80's and shows sweeping action against right-handed hitters and he can bury it to the back foot on lefties. His firm changeup has inconsistencies but can be a solid pitch against lefties as he'll throw it to the outer part of the plate and let it drop and fade out of the zone, while it has only worked against righties when located down. Madden is athletic on the mound and has a free-and-easy arm and room for physical development that could aid in power and durability, but his inability to throw regular strikes and below-average fastball command will leave lingering questions to his long-term ability to start. He has the looks of an electric two or three-pitch power reliever.
    Jack Madden 2022 junior college stats: 47.2 IP, 4-4, 4.53 ERA, 24 BB, 76 K, 1.34 WHIP, 14.4 K/9
     
    5th Round: Sonny DiChiara, 1B, Auburn
    They call him Thicc King in Auburn, and there's not much debate once laying your eyes on Sonny DiChiara. Listed at six-foot-one and 263 pounds, DiChiara is a big boy who is known solely for his prowess at the plate. He has a simple power load and gets to his big boy strength with relative ease. There is no doubt about DiChiara's raw and in-game power. An ambush hitter who feasts of fastballs, even those with high velocity, there is discipline in the approach (led D1 in on-base percentage in 2022) to find his pitch to drive, which will be vital to his ability to hit for any average as he'll have to continually line the ball. Though more athletic than expected for someone his size, he is a well below-average runner and has little-to-no defensive value even at first base. The comparisons may be unfair and solely based on his size, but a hopeful outcome would be that DiChiara becomes a similar player to Billy Butler or Dan Vogelbach.
    Sonny DiChiara 2022 college stats: 286 PA, .383/.549/.777, 59 R, 59 RBI, 22 HR, 0 SB
     
    6th Round: Victor Mederos, RHP, Oklahoma State
    Once seen as a projectable power arm in high school, the projection hasn't disappeared, but the performance has faltered Victor Mederos some into mid-day-two territory. Strong with a starter's kit physical profile, strike-throwing ability - or the lack thereof - has altered Mederos' projection and may land him in a relief role down the road. The inability to find the zone cost him a weekend rotation spot with Miami his freshman year and he transferred to Oklahoma State as a draft-eligible sophomore where he was able to start but with lackluster performance. His fastball can be explosive in the mid 90's, sitting 93-96 while touching 98-99 at times, though it is solely arm-speed based and is a dart that has been hit. The slider is Mederos' best weapon as he can alter its shape while getting whiffs in different forms, whether it be a tight two-plane offering playing off his fastball, or sweepy breaker that can force chases out of the zone. Mederos will throw a spike curve and changeup that both show promise, but he struggles to locate either making them purely raw average-or-better offerings at present. Mederos will get a look as a starter in development but with his high-effort delivery, irregular strike-throwing, and high-tempo on the mound, he seems like a reliever with some high-leverage upside.
    Victor Mederos 2022 college stats: 66.0 IP, 4-4, 5.59 ERA, 21 BB, 62 K, 1.36 WHIP, 8.5 K/9
     
    7th Round: Roman Phansalker, RHP, Oklahoma State
    Going back-to-back on Oklahoma State arms, Roman Phansalker differed from his counterpart as a solid mid-relief arm. Scrapping his traditional four-seam for a two-seam fastball, Phansalker has impressive arm-side run upwards of two feet that will sit 91-95 that plays well from a lot three-fifths slot. He compliments this with a changeup that is mostly slot-and-separation based but will fade similar to his two-seam. Altering paths and crossing over, Phansalker can miss bats with his tight slider. He has enough fastball command to focus on the secondaries in hopes of a weak contact mid-relief profile.
    Roman Phansalker 2022 college stats: 54.2 IP, 6-3, 3.46 ERA, 22 BB, 45 K, 1.23 WHIP, 7.4 K/9
     
    8th Round: Dylan Phillips, TWP, Kansas State
    Taken as a two-way player by some surprise, Dylan Phillips will enter pro ball as a DH/reliever with intrigue to follow on his two-way progression. At the plate, Phillips has a swing meant for damage while throwing the barrel through the zone and lift with an uppercut finish. His defensive profile will be held to corner outfield or first base. On the mound, he has been up to 95 from the left-side and the Angels had interest in him as a pitching prospect, as well as at the plate, though most believe his value is on offense.
    Comments from Tim McIlvaine: "We do want him to pitch so we're gonna be careful with that. Right now, we're probably going to DH him and let him pitch out of the bullpen until he can kind of get it going a little bit and get a little more comfortable in that role and figure out how much he's able to do. He will be doing both. We like him both ways. We had him as a prospect as a hitter and we had him as a prospect as a pitcher as well. He wants to do both. We talked to him about it and he's all good for it."
    Dylan Phillips 2022 college stats: 257 PA, .283/.362/.513, 40 R, 44 RBI, 13 HR, 8 SB / 20.1 IP, 0-1, 2.66 ERA, 3 BB, 26 K, 0.79 WHIP, 11.5 K/9, 8 SV
     
    9th Round: Joe Stewart, OF, Michigan
    Joe Stewart is one of the eldest players for the class as a senior at Michigan, who put together two strong performance seasons for the Wolverines. A solid athlete, Stewart has the defensive traits and above-average speed (used on the basepaths as well) to chance him staying in center field long term. The athleticism plays at the plate as he can make adjustments quickly and has some natural strength and power in his lofty swing.
    Joe Stewart 2022 college stats: 303 PA, .349/.409/.572, 73 R, 56 RBI, 13 HR, 23 SB
     
    10th Round: Matt Coutney, 1B, Old Dominion
    Finishing their second day of the draft, the Angels day two tone didn't alter when taking another big-bodied masher in Matt Coutney. A fifth-year senior, Coutney was among the eldest statesmen for the class who punished younger talent throughout two years at Old Dominion. The left-handed hitter has excellent barrel control that helps gives him plenty of zone coverage. His swing has some natural loft and will put the ball in the air with normality. Among the college leaders in home runs, OPS, and slugging, Coutney’s calling card is his all-fields power that should translate into pro ball, and he has more value than a standard fifth-year senior sign with upper-level and Major League platoon upside. His defensive value is limited to first base.
    Matt Coutney 2022 college stats: 275 PA, .376/.473/.808, 66 R, 70 RBI, 27 HR, 3 SB
     
    11th Round: Caden Dana, RHP, Don Bosco HS (NJ)
    Kicking off the third day with a big projection arm, Caden Dana is a New Jersey prep whose data-based pitches were a drawing tool upwards of the third round and will be an over slot sign for the Angels. Dana's projection starts with his frame, standing tall at six-foot-four and physically stout at 215 pounds, he has the present body of a workhorse starter already as a high school senior. With a clean and easily repeatable delivery, Dana is an arm-strength based pitcher, Dana will work his high-spin fastball 92-95 and has touched higher in shorter stints, and let's it play all over the zone with feel for command. Dana's curveball is the calling card as another high spin offering with some power. It's a big-breaking pitch that arcs high with a late vertical drop. In its raw present state, it's a plus offering, but he'll have to locate it better through development to make best use of it becoming a premier swing-and-miss option against more advanced hitters, but it should serve well through the low minors. There will be focus on his other breaking ball, a sweepy mid 80's slider, and changeup, as he shows some feel for both but are below-average offerings currently. Although a big kid, there is room to fill in the frame to leave little doubt about his durability and chance to remain a starter, and potentially see some velocity jumps. Everything in the package has the makings of a workhorse starter.
    Caden Dana 2022 high school stats: 47.1 IP, 1.33 ERA, 70 K
     
    12th Round: Jared Southard, RHP, Texas
    A re-draft from 2019, the Angels took Jared Southard eight rounds earlier than when they did in 2019 out of high school in Leander, Texas, just north of Austin. Southard has filled out well into his physical frame and has a power relief arm. His two-pitch arsenal is pro ready, starting with his fastball that sits 92-96. His fastball has life and ride up in the zone but is best suited blending and tunneling with his slider, as the two alternate breaks across the zone. He'll work his fastball running away to his arm-side and counter it with a mid-to-upper 80's slider with a tight and late vertical break to his glove side. He comes at hitters with a low three-quarter slot that gives deception and allows the two pitches to work off of each other. There's some low-risk relief ceiling here.
    Jared Southard 2022 college stats: 29.1 IP, 4-1, 2.76 ERA, 19 BB, 46 K, 1.159 WHIP, 14.1 K/9
     
    13th Round: Tucker Flint, OF, Chipola College (FL)
    Starting a back-to-back on junior college standouts, Tucker Flint went from a contact-first athlete in high school to a more power-toned hitter at the plate that was an offensive leader for one of the top JUCO's in baseball. There's some balance at the plate to believe in him getting to his power and potential for hard contact to the gaps. He can work counts and put together competitive at bats leading to some hopeful on-base potential. He is likely destined for a non-premier corner position.
    Tucker Flint 2022 junior college stats: 242 PA, .370/.496/.708, 71 R, 41 RBI, 14 HR, 12 SB
     
    14th Round: Sabin Ceballos, C, San Jacinto College (TX)
    Sabin Ceballos is a converted catcher from the infield with twitchy athleticism to move around the field, anywhere from behind the plate, to the dirt, to the grass. He comes equipped with a plus-plus arm registered at 99 from shortstop. An MLB Draft League standout, coaches liked his potential behind the plate, and he shows good lateral movement. He has a physical and athletic build so there's hope of offensive upside, though it will likely come with some swing-and-miss.
    Sabin Ceballos 2022 junior college stats: 281 PA, .338/.470/.530, 54 R, 46 RBI, 8 HR, 7 SB
     
    15th Round: Bryce Osmond, RHP, Oklahoma State
    Among all the Angels draftees, Bryce Osmond may have the biggest signability question and a return to Oklahoma State wouldn't be out of the realm of realities. Viewed as a day one pick as a high-schooler, Osmond still has top five rounds kind of stuff and upside in the bag. An athlete on the mound who was a shortstop prospect in high school, Osmond has a tall and lean build at six-foot-three and 185 pounds, giving indications of a lengthy workload. He works from a high arm slot with present arm speed and strength with some effort. Osmond is at his best when he can command his fastball to all quadrants of the zone and let's it play and ride up in-and-above the zone, sitting 91-95 with some mid's at its peak, though it is hittable due to its minimal movement. His slider is a true out pitch, with a sharp and late vertical break that he can locate well to the bottom of the zone and get under swings. He'll work in an occasional curve and changeup with the curve being the better of the pair, though they are distant to his fastball and slider. With his athleticism and size there is rotation upside but to reach that he'll have to develop his curve and/or changeup, and throw better strikes as his control is fine but command will come-and-go
    Bryce Osmond 2022 college stats: 60.2 IP, 4-2, 4.75 ERA, 31 BB, 77 K, 1.37 WHIP, 11.4 K/9
     
    16th Round: Casey Dana, OF, Connecticut
    Going to another fifth-year senior, Casey Dana is the older brother of Caden Dana who the Angels took the 11th round. The organization's original interest came in the elder of the Dana's due to his grit and toughness, as well as his offensive toolset. Spending most of his time in the corners, Dana profiles as a hit-first left fielder or first baseman.
    Comments from Tim McIlvaine: “We were talking about the older brother, Casey, who goes to UConn. We were talking about him the other day as just a guy we were targeting to begin with. Our scout up there has seen him at UConn. He's a tough kid. He got 28 stitches and missed like two days and then the next series went 8-for-13 in the series. He had a .926 OPS, 12 homers this year, hit a few really long home runs while we had guys in attendance there so he's actually a guy we were targeting as a draft pick to begin with and then once it kind of came together that we took his brother with our first pick on day three, that's when we said, 'We gotta get this guy. It'll be such a great story and what a neat thing for two brothers to play pro baseball together.' We were really excited about it. We're glad it came together, and we can't wait to see where that story goes. I think it'll be really fun.”
    Casey Dana 2022 college stats: 310 PA, .313/.381/.546, 57 R, 61 RBI, 12 HR, 4 SB
     
    17th Round: Sammy Natera Jr., LHP, New Mexico State
    Pitching at a launching pad, you can toss any of Sammy Natera Jr.'s pitching performance numbers out the window as is the case with most New Mexico State arms. Natera has plenty of projection in a solid physical starter's kit frame at six-foot-four and 195 pounds. Natera will work his fastball in the low 90's and has been up to 95 from the left side. His breaking ball has plenty of growth remaining and there will be some questions answered quickly once he gets into pro ball as the thin air of Las Cruces made it challenging to project the future of the pitch with irregularities to its break, though it has bat-missing potential. Natera will have to improve his strike-throwing ability and find some more consistent command to have further success.
    Sammy Natera Jr. 2022 college stats: 26.0 IP, 2-1, 6.92 ERA, 20 BB, 44 K, 1.65 WHIP, 15.2 K/9
     
    18th Round: Max Gieg, RHP, Boston College
    Seen more as a thrower than a pitcher, Max Gieg was a swing type for Boston College. A fastball dominant pitcher, he'll work in the mid 90's with some considerable run to his arm-side and ride up in the zone that plays best inside to right-handers and away from lefties. His slider has some sweeping action in the mid 80's. He'll have to throw more strikes. Gieg has a limited track record, but the frame (6'5, 200) and green arm suggests he could have some excess power in the arm.
    Max Gieg 2022 college stats: 22.2 IP, 4-2, 2.78 ERA, 19 BB, 26 K, 1.46 WHIP, 10.3 K/9
     
    19th Round: Luke Franzoni, OF, Xavier
    After focusing on physical strength, Luke Franzoni had a power surge this spring, hitting 29 home runs which landed him second across Divison-1 baseball. Though it's a brief history of power output, scouts have faith that it will play in pro ball as his bat speed and physicality improved. Franzoni is a passive hitter who steadily awaits his pitch and will work counts and draw his fair share of walks. Despite a quiet setup that gets him to separation with ease there is some swing-and-miss in the game. He fits solely in a non-premier corner profile.
    Luke Franzoni 2022 college stats: 270 PA, .358/.489/.825, 64 R, 78 RBI, 29 HR, 1 SB
     
    20th Round: Brendan Tinsman, C, Wake Forest
    Working as one of the primary catchers over his four years at an elite program, Brandon Tinsman brings an advanced backstop skillset to the Angels. Catching some premier arms and high-end velocity, which includes two first-round picks in Jared Schuster and Ryan Cusick (both first-round picks for Atlanta in 2020 and 2021), Tinsman has some fine qualities behind the plate, supported by a strong and accurate arm that will keep runners honest. Steadily becoming more aggressive at the plate over his time with the Deacons, Tinsman is an ambush hitter who found some success in driving the ball this spring, leading to a school single-season record, 24 home runs. There is a blend of enough offense and defense in the profile to feel comfortable in a long-term depth catcher with some backup hopes.
    Comments from Tom Walter, Head Coach at Wake Forest: “Tinny (Tinsman) had one of the greatest seasons in school history. Throwing out nearly 40 percent of would-be base stealers and leading a really good offense in home runs and second in RBIs while catching 59 games in 15 weeks is beyond impressive. He is going to be a steal of the draft for the Angels.”
    Brendan Tinsman 2022 college stats: 268 PA, .355/.397/.710, 63 R, 69 RBI, 24 HR, 1 SB
  17. Chuck
    NHK has followed baseball's two-way sensation Shohei Ohtani closely since his Major League debut in 2018.
    This program unravels the story behind Ohtani's ability to both pitch and bat at the highest level. We hear from his interpreter and team personnel who have supported him on and off the field. We also take a look at the importance of his father's training in his emergence as a baseball superstar.
    Join us behind the scenes at such pivotal points as Ohtani's battle to recover from elbow surgery and reclaim his place as a baseball virtuoso like no other.
    You can watch the entire 49-min documentary brought to you by NHK World - Japan on Shohei Ohtani here.
  18. Chuck
    Our old friend Rob Goldman who brought us Once they were Angels, Always an Angel (Tim Salmon biography) and Nolan Ryan - The making of a pitcher and so many historical articles years ago, is back with a video production - Facing Nolan Ryan. Available in theatres on May 24th and at some point on streaming platforms as well. 
    You can check your local theatres to see where it will be playing here: https://www.fathomevents.com/events/Facing-Nolan-
    Check out the trailer. It looks awesome!! 
  19. Chuck
    PART ONE: Angelic Offense & the Dynamic Duo
    As of today, May 2, the Angels have had one of the best offenses in baseball, leading the majors in both runs scored (110) and wRC+ (126), and ranking highly in other categories like home runs (28, 3rd), stolen bases (16, 2nd), and walk rate (10.0%, 6th). To put that in context, the most recent player with a season similar to the Angels' overall offense was Jared Walsh last year, when his .277/.340/.509 and 29 HR yielded a 127 wRC+. Meaning, the overall Angels offense is roughly equivalent to having a lineup of nine Jared Walshes.
    Or put it another way, that 126 team wRC+ is the same as the best hitting team since 1901, the 1927 Yankees. Ignoring 2020, only eight teams have reached 120 wRC+: three times by the Yankees in '27 and 1930-31, twice by the Astros in 2017 and '19, and once each by the Big Red Machine in 1976, the 1982 Brewers, and the 2003 Red Sox. 
    A lot of this is driven by the performance of two players, Mike Trout and Taylor Ward:
    Trout: .344/.481/.766, 255 wRC+, 1.8 fWAR
    Ward: .400/.507/.764, 267 wRC+, 1.4 fWAR
    Trout is edging closer to the major league WAR lead, currently tied for 3rd behind leader Manny Machado (2.1). Ward is 4 PA short of qualifying, but would be 6th if qualified. More to the point of offense, they are 1st and 2nd in wRC+, with a 29 point gap to #3, Nolan Arenado (226).
    After the Dynamic Duo, there is a big drop-off, although Brandon Marsh--despite going 0-9 in his last two games with 7 strikeouts--has a 135 wRC+, and four other players--Max Stassi (107), Tyler Wade (109), Anthony Rendon (118), and Jo Adell (104)--have all been above average offensive contributors.
    Now obviously, Trout and Ward won't continue hitting like this. But for Trout, at least, there's the possibility of surpassing his career best (188), or at least the 180 benchmark for a historically great hitting season. It seems clear that any predictions of his decline are premature, at least in terms of his hitting. And Ward seems to be having a legitimate breakthrough season, although where he'll finish is anyone's guess, be it a Walshian performance (127 wRC+ in 2021) or something more.
    As far as the overall offense is concerned, a pessimistic view would say that once Trout and Ward eventually slump, or at least settle down, the offense will decline. But consider that the three players who were considered the Angels' 2nd, 3rd, and 4th best hitters coming into the season, have all started slowly: Ohtani (99), Rendon (118), Walsh (87). Meaning, as Trout and Ward regress, those three should at least pick up some of the slack.  Rendon, for instance, after going 1-15 in his first four games, has hit a more solid .259/.375/.448, or a 143 wRC+ which is closer to his peak norms. That triple-slash might not look sexy, but considering that overall deflated offense in baseball, it isn't far from what we should expect going forward.
    And, of course, there's no reason that Ohtani shouldn't figure things out, and Walsh improve. So, barring disaster, the Angels offense should continue to be--at least--one of the best in baseball, even if a 126 team wRC+ is probably not sustainable.
    PART TWO: Trout and the Quest for 200 wRC+
    Let's take a look at wRC+, historically speaking. The highest wRC+ among all players with 500 PA is 244 from Barry Bonds in 2002, when he hit .370/.582/.799. Only four players--Bonds, Babe Ruth, Ted Williams, and Rogers Hornsby--have ever had 220 wRC+ seasons, and there have only been 30 seasons in which a player has had a 200 wRC+.
    200 wRC+ Seasons (500 PA)
    10 Babe Ruth 6 Ted Williams 4 Barry Bonds 2 Ty Cobb, Rogers Hornsby, Mickey Mantle 1 Lou Gehrig, Stan Musial, Mark McGwire, Frank Thomas Among active players, only five players have surpassed 180 wRC+; here are the active leaders:
    Best wRC+ Seasons (Active Players)
    197 Bryce Harper, 2015 193 Miguel Cabrera, 2013 188 Mike Trout, 2018 185 Mookie Betts, 2018 184 Albert Pujols, 2003 184 Albert Pujols, 2008 180 Mike Trout, 2017 180 Albert Pujols, 2009 So as we enjoy one of Trout's best starts, dare we ask: Is there a chance that he reaches the hallowed 200 wRC+? Well, as mentioned, no active player has done it, and only Bonds, Thomas and McGwire have reached it since Ted Williams in 1957--and those three during the height of the Roids high-offense era. So the answer is, probably not.
    As a brief aside, you'll note that of the 30 200 wRC+ seasons, 24 are 1957 or before, and the six after were all in the 1994-2004 range, meaning the heart of the high-offense era. Are hitters just worse these days? Obviously not. Over the course of baseball history, there is a general trend that we could call the "equalization of statistics" - we tend to see fewer outliers. For example, no player has hit .350 since Josh Hamilton hit .359 in 2010. Part of this is the takeover of Three True Outcomes baseball, which sees a rise in walks, strikeouts, and home runs, and a corresponding reduction in batting average and stolen bases. But part of this is equalization of stats, as we haven't see a .400 BA since Ted Williams in 1941. 
    In a way we could say that ".330 is the new .350" - what a .330 batting average is today, is what .350 used to be up until about a decade ago. Similarly with wRC+, although over a longer span of time: What a 180 is today is what a 200 used to be up through the 1950s. Or let's look at a chart, with the percentage of players with 500 PA in different wRC+ ranges, by decade:

    As you can see, the vast majority of 200+ wRC+ seasons were in the 1910s-50s, with the 1920s having by far the most. This was the decade that Babe Ruth revolutionized power-hitting in the AL (and, to a lesser but still substantial extent, Rogers Hornsby in the NL). And it wasn't just power: from 1901-21, there have been 13 player seasons (500+ PA) of a .400 BA or higher, 7 of which were in the 1920s (1 in the 1900s, 3 in the 1910s, and 1 each in the 1930s and '40s). And most of those were just by a few players: three each by Cobb and Hornsby, two by George Sisler, and one each by Nap Lajoie, Joe Jackson, Harry Heilmann, and Bill Terry.
    In the chart, you can also see the decline of high wRC+ seasons in the 1970s and 80s, and then a resurgence in the high-offense 1990s and 2000s, with 2010s returning to be exactly the same as the 1970s. Given that we've only had one full season in the current decade, it remains to be seen how it will compare.
    So to return to Trout, what are his chances of reaching 200 wRC+? Very unlikely. That said, he's one of probably only four active players who are serious candidates - the other three being Bryce Harper (he is the closest among active players, with 197 in 2015), Juan Soto, and Vladimir Guerrero Jr. 
    That said, if I was asked who I think is the most likely active player to have a 200 wRC+ season, it would be Juan Soto, followed by Vlad Jr, and then Trout. The main factor is age: Soto and Vlad--both 23-years old--just have more time. But in the next year or two? Trout would be number one.
    But again, 200 is probably out of reach - and we should be very happy if he manages another 180 wRC+, which he's done only twice (2017-18). He'd also join Albert Pujols as the only active player with three such seasons.
    TLDR Summary
    The Angels strong offense is driven by Ruthian starts by Trout and Ward, with a solid supporting cast. As the season wears on, and the performances of Trout and Ward equalize, players like Ohtani, Rendon and Walsh will at least partially make up for it - and thus it seems likely that 2022 Angels should remain one of the top offenses in baseball, even if they likely won't challenge for the wRC+ team record of the 1927 Yankees.
    As for individual performances, while it is very unlikely that Trout or Ward continue at even close to their current pace, it does seem that two things are true: One, Trout's bat hasn't declined at all, and Ward is having a legitimate breakthrough.
    Trout's chances of surpassing 200 wRC+ (let alone Ward's) are very slim, but he does have a chance at his third 180 wRC+ season.
    Oh, and by way of a bonus, if I were to put myself on the line and guess what their year-end wRC+ will be, I'm going with 182 for Trout and 141 for Ward. 
     
     
     

     
  20. Chuck
    by AngelsWin Prospect Posse 
    Introduction
    Ranking the Angels prospects over the last two seasons has been tricky, largely due to the lost minor league season in 2020; we still don’t know how that will affect prospects in the long-term.
    Another factor that has defined the Angels farm recently is that the talent is largely pooled at the lower levels – especially with the graduation of players like Jo Adell, Brandon Marsh, Chris Rodriguez and now, Reid Detmers. Only Detmers has retained his rookie status entering the 2022 season.
    What was true last year is still mostly true: While it is not a strong farm system, there is still plenty of upside at the lower levels, with a deeper field of high-floor arms from the 2021 draft, including Sam Bachman, Ky Bush, Landon Marceaux, Chase Silseth, Luke Murphy, and Mason Erla.
    Most analysts quite understandably rate the Angels farm system in the bottom third, but there’s a lot of volatility at play. A year from now, the Angels farm could drop further, or it could jump a tier. In other words, 2022 is an important year to assess the actual talent level of the Angels organization, and whether or not that talent will actually start percolating upward more, or trickle away. 
    The top 30 is almost evenly split between 16 pitchers and 14 position players. The former tend to be more prep-heavy high-floor types, while the latter is more high risk/reward. Three players on this list—Detmers, Warren, and Ortega—are already on the major league pitching staff, while a couple others—Daniel and Junk—are AAA depth and could see major league time this year. Of the position players, Stefanic and Davis are the only players who could conceivably get major league playing time this year.
    As you can see, the list is headlined by two pitching prospects, both with high floors who should be fixtures in the major league pitching staff for years to come. After those two, however, the questions become larger, with a host of mostly very young position players that could be anything from busts to good or better major leaguers, as well as an assortment of arms, mostly brought in through the “Year of the Pitcher” 2021 Amateur Draft.
    Each entry includes a Ranking Range, which gives you a sense of how the nine members of the Angelswin Prospect Posse varied. We also included Other Rankings to compare ours to: Baseball America (BA), MLB.com (MLB), and Fangraphs (FG).
    On to the list…
     
    1. REID DETMERS (LHP, 22, MLB)

    Ranking Range: Unanimous #1
    Other Rankings: BA 1, MLB 1, FG 1
    2021 Stats: AA/AAA: 3.19 ERA in 62 IP, 19 BB, 108 SO; Majors: 7.40 ERA in 20.2 IP, 11 BB and 19 SO.
    Our consensus #1 pick is a bit of a no-brainer, combining good upside with a very high floor. Detmers dominated the high minors last year resulting in gaudy peripherals, though struggled in his first cup o’ coffee with the major league club. The Angels liked what they saw in Spring Training, so he’s penciled into the Angels’ rotation to start the year. While he’s going to give up some home runs, his arsenal still speaks of a solid mid-rotation starter or better. We could have our next Chuck Finley: an organizational workhorse whose baseline is that of a mid-rotation starter but could have a year or two better than that.
    2. SAM BACHMAN (RHP, 22, AA/IL)

    Ranking Range: Unanimous #2
    Other Rankings: BA 2, MLB 2, FG 2
    2021 Stats: A+: 4.40 ERA in 14.1 IP, 4 BB and 15 SO.
    The 2021 first-round draft pick held his own in his first exposure to professional hitters, though it was in very limited time. Bachman could rise quickly, although the Angels will be watching his pitch count. The big question is whether he, due to a somewhat violent delivery, can handle the workload of a starter, or if the Angels will have to eventually transition him to the bullpen where he could be an elite closer. Either way, his stuff is probably the best in the Angels system other than Ohtani—including a fastball that has reached 102 –and his upside is higher than Detmers, although with much more risk. There’s an outside chance he could reach the major league team sometime in the second half, although more likely they’ll protect him and he’ll make his major league debut midseason in 2023. If he stays healthy, he’s going to be very good. Note: As if on cue, Bachman begins the season on the Injured List with back spasms.
    3. KYREN PARIS (SS/2B, 20, A+)

    Ranking Range: 3-4
    Other Rankings: BA 3, MLB 4, FG 10
    2021 Stats: Rookie/A/A+: .267/.388/.459 in 47 games, 4 HR, 22 SB
    Depending upon who you ask, Paris could either be an above average hitting major league shortstop or a fringe bench guy with limited defensive abilities. On paper, though, it is hard not to like what Paris offers: He sprays line-drives and has plenty of speed to turn singles into doubles and doubles into triples, and may even develop average home run power. The jury is out on his future position: most project him as a second baseman, but he’s young enough that he could stick at short. He hit an impressive .274/.434/.491 in 29 games in low-A Inland Empire, but missed a lot of time due to injury and struggled to adjust in A+ ball. All things told, though, he’s a 20-year-old who could end the season in AA and, in a best-case-scenario, could get his first taste of the majors as soon as the end of 2023.
    4. AROL VERA (SS/2B, 19, A)

    Ranking Range: 3-7
    Other Rankings: BA 7, MLB 3, FG 3
    2021 Stats: Rookie/A: .304/.370/.401 in 57 games, 0 HR, 11 SB
    The $2 million international signing from 2019 finally made his professional debut, hitting well in the ACL. It remains to be seen whether he can develop the power or plate discipline to become an everyday player in the majors, but the talent is there. If you were to imagine an ideal future for the Angels, it would feature Vera at SS and Paris at 2B, but as with Paris, Vera still has a wide range of outcomes.  
    5. JEREMIAH JACKSON (IF, 22, AA)

    Ranking Range: 3-6
    Other Rankings: BA 5, MLB 8, FG 9
    2021 Stats: Rookie/A: .277/.358/.548, 10 HR, 13 SB in 51 games
    While he lost a lot of time to injury, Jackson proved in 2021 that the power he displayed in 2019 is legit. His walk rate increased a small amount, but he continued to strikeout at a very high rate. How his plate discipline develops may determine whether he becomes a major league starter. Right now, he looks like a Javier Baez-type with the bat, but he doesn’t have Baez’s defensive skills to fly in the majors, and is probably most likely destined for a platoon role. But there’s significant up-side here: If he develops better plate discipline and refines his defense, he could be one of those rarest of jewels: a power-hitting shortstop in the majors.
    6. KY BUSH (LHP, 22, A+)


    Ranking Range: 4-10
    Other Rankings: BA 6, MLB 5, FG 5
    2021 Stats: A+: 4.50 ERA, 5 BB, 20 SO in 12 IP.
    The Angels 2nd round pick in the 2021 amateur draft, Bush struggled with command in college, but has enough to his arsenal to give him a chance at a major league rotation spot. Look for 2022 to be a year of refinement, but he could also have a Daniel-esque season and rise quickly if things come together. His likely future is as a good reliever or back-end starter, but he’s got a very good chance of being a major leaguer.
    7.  DENZER GUZMAN (SS, 18, R)

    Ranking Range: 5-12
    Other Rankings: BA 9, MLB 6, FG 4
    2021 Stats: DR Rookie: .213/.311/.362, 3 HR, 11 SB in 44 games.
    The Angels’ top international signing early last year, Guzman has a promising hit tool, although it remains to be seen whether he sticks at short. At 18, he’s got a long road ahead of him, but look for his hitting skills to start manifesting in the stat line this year, probably stateside in the ACL.
    8. ALEXANDER RAMIREZ (OF, 19, A)

    Ranking Range: 5-12
    Other Rankings: BA 10, MLB 12, FG 22
    2021 Stats: Rookie/A: .206/.323/.367, 5 HR, 4 SB in 54 games
    There’s a good argument that, with the graduation of Adell and Marsh, Ramirez is the highest upside bat in the Angels farm system. But he’s very raw at this point, with excellent bat speed and power, but strikes out a ton. His stat line is deceptive, as he hit quite well in 35 Rookie ball games (.276/.396/.512) before being completely overmatched in 19 A-ball games (.083/.185/.111). One could imagine a future anywhere from Manny Ramirez to Jabari Blash.
    9. JORDYN ADAMS (CF, 22, A+)

    Ranking Range: 9-15
    Other Rankings: BA 4, MLB 7, FG 6
    2021 Stats: A+ .217/.290/.311, 5 HR, 18 SB in 71 games.
    Of all the players on this list, none are as in the hot-seat as Adams. Two years ago, he was sometimes mentioned in the same breath as Adell and–some even claiming his upside was higher. Certainly, the athleticism is there: he’s probably the fastest player in the organization, is a strong defensive center fielder with elite potential, and has a bit of pop to his bat. But at this point, he’s still a raw talent who has not only shown little improvement in three minor league seasons, but took a step back last year, with almost no signs of a refined plate approach; or to put it another way, he ended 2019 in A+ and is starting 2022 in A+. At 22, it is too soon to give up on Adams, but he’s going to require patience. At this point he probably projects as a toolsy fourth outfielder, which would be a disappointment because the talent is there to be so much more. 
    10. EDGAR QUERO (C, 19, A)

    Ranking Range: 7-20
    Other Rankings: BA 27, MLB 9, FG 12
    2021 Stats: Rookie/A: .240/.405/.463, 5 HR, 2 SB in 39 games
    Quero was one of the biggest surprises in the Angels minor league system last year, and gives the organization an actual catching prospect to dream on. But at this point, it is just that: a dream. The potential is there, both offensively and defensively, to be a major league regular, but it is really too soon to predict what he might become. Most scouts seem to indicate his offensive potential is more tied to his hit tool than power.
    11. DAVIS DANIEL (RHP, 25, AAA)
    Ranking Range: 10-20
    Other Rankings: BA 13, MLB 13, FG 13
    2021 Stats: A+/AA/AAA: 4.08 ERA, 34 BB, 154 SO in 114.2 IP
    After missing the 2019 season due to injury, Daniel jumped two levels in his professional debut. He dominated A+ (2.31 ERA in 46.2 IP) and AA (2.68 ERA in 47 IP) but was bombed in AAA, giving up 7 home runs in 21 innings (10.29 ERA). At the very least, Daniel could be an above average middle reliever, but could conceivably get major league starts this year and still has a chance for a spot in the Angels rotation.
    12. ADRIAN PLACENCIA (2B, 19, A)
    Ranking Range: 16-Honorable Mention
    Other Rankings: BA 17, MLB 10, FG 8
    2021 Stats: Rookie: .175/.326/.343, 5 HR, 3 SB in 175 PA.
    A strange stat-line for Placencia: He put up a passable OBP despite hitting .175, due to 28 walks in 43 games. Placencia started strong, with a .903 OPS through his first 18 games, but then struggled afterwards. All we can really say at this point is that he’s a work-in-progress with good offensive potential.
    13. BRENDON DAVIS (IF, OF, 24, AAA)
    Ranking Range: 10-Honorable Mention
    Other Rankings: BA 33, MLB 22, FG 29
    2021 Stats: A+/AA/AA: .290/.362/.561, 30 HR, 16 SB in 545 PA
    On one hand, Davis is another middle infielder with power but a ton of swing-and-miss. On the other, he dominated three levels, and his AAA performance (.333/.409/.641 in 31 games) was his best. At the very least, this was a great waiver pick-up by the Angels, and if Davis is capable of playing adequately at multiple positions—he played a bit of SS, 2B, 3B, and LF last year—he could be a useful player going forward.
    14. JACK KOCHANOWICZ (RHP, 21, A)
    Ranking Range: 8-27
    Other Rankings: BA 25, MLB 16, FG 26
    2021 Stats: A: 6.91 ERA, 35 BB and 73 SO in 83.1 IP
    An ugly first professional season for Kochanowicz, who have up a ton of hits (102), and it wasn’t like he improved as the season progressed: he was hit hard all year long. On the other hand, it was his first year in live games--after being drafted in 2019, he didn’t play and then lost 2020 to the pandemic--and at this point in his development, the stats are secondaery.. Kochanowicz is another wait-and-see prospect: we just don’t know how he’ll develop, although there’s room for optimism, with his big frame and projectible stuff, and reportedly good mental make-up. He’s a solid break-out candidate for 2022.
    15. MICHAEL STEFANIC (IF, 26, AAA)
    Ranking Range: 9 – Honorable Mention
    Other Rankings: BA 22, MLB 27, FG NR
    2021 Stats: AA/AAA: .336/.408/.493, 17 HR, 6 SB in 554 PA
    Stefanic has quietly ascended the minor league ladder, from being an undrafted and unsigned player in 2018 to dominating two levels of the minors last year, and impressing in Spring Training this year. He’s going to hit for average in the majors and has a bit of pop; he lacks speed and there are concerns about his defense, but none other than Joe Maddon declared that his defense has “been actually better than I was told.” Stefanic is the type of player it is fun to root for, and he’ll almost certainly get his chance in the majors sometime this year. 
    16. JANSON JUNK (RHP, 26, AAA)
    Ranking Range: 8 – Not Ranked
    Other Rankings: BA 18, MLB 11, FG 7
    2021 Stats: Majors: 3.86 ERA, 2 BB, 10 SO in 16.1 IP; AA: 2.81 ERA, 27 BB, 97 SO in 93 IP
    With a name like this, Junk is just destined for a major league career. Brought over from the Yankees in the Andrew Heaney deal, Junk pitched very well in AA and earned a call-up, holding his own in 16.2 IP. As the season starts, he’s first in line in AAA to get a call-up if the Angels have need for a starter. He’s generally seen as either a back-end starter or middle reliever, but he’s got one of the highest floors among Angels pitching prospects.
     
    17. COLEMAN CROW (RHP, 21, AA)
    Ranking Range: 15-30
    Other Rankings: BA 28, MLB 23, FG NR
    2021 Stats: A: 4.19 ERA, 29 BB, 62 SO in 62.1 IP.
    After Crow was drafted in the 28th round in 2019 out of high school, and given a fifth-round bonus to convince him to opt out of his college commitment, he didn’t pitch in 2019 and lost 2020 to the pandemic, and thus is a bit of a sleeper prospect. Perhaps most noteworthy is his AZFL performance: in 17 IP he walked 2 and struck out 20, with a 1.59 ERA. By season’s end, he’s a good bet to be knocking at the door of our top 10.
    18. NELSON RADA (16, OF, R)
    Ranking Range: 11 – Not Ranked
    Other Rankings: BA NR, MLB 20, FG NR
    2021 Stats: NA
    Consider this: Venezuelan center fielder Nelson Rada was born in 2005. He also wears braces and thinks he could be Ken Griffey Jr. As with his fellow 2021-22 international signee Randy DeJesus, he’s really only one to dream on at this point, and we should probably learn our lesson from Trent Deveaux and D’Shawn Knowles. 
    19. MASON ALBRIGHT (LHP, 19, A)
    Ranking Range: 13 – Not Ranked
    Other Rankings: BA 29, MLB 14, FG 14
    2021 Stats: Rookie: 0.00 ERA, 2 BB, 8 SO in 8 IP
    Another high school pitcher bought out of his commitment to enter the Angels farm system with the largest bonus ever given to a player outside of the first 10 rounds.
    20. AUSTIN WARREN (RHP, 26, MLB)
    Ranking Range: 9 – Not Ranked
    Other Rankings: BA 11, MLB 17, FG 21
    2021 Stats: Majors: 1.77 ERA, 5 BB, 20 SO in 20.1 IP
    Warren was surprisingly good in his major league call-up last year, earning him a spot in 2022’s bullpen. But it is probably worth reminding ourselves that his minor league career, while solid, isn’t quite as good as his MLB debut would imply. 
    21. LANDON MARCEAUX (RHP, 22, A+)
    Ranking Range: 9 – Not Ranked
    Other Rankings: BA 9, MLB 15, FG 25
    2021 Stats: Rookie: 14.73 ERA, 0 BB, 6 SO in 3.2 IP
    Marceaux pitched batting practice for a few innings last year, but still features as a high floor college arm that should rise relatively quickly. His best quality is his command, which takes his rather pedestrian stuff up a notch. Perhaps more than any other 2021 draftee, he exemplifies the Angels strategy of filling out the minors with usable arms. In another year or two, he’ll be a very nice depth piece for the major league club.
    22. CHASE SILSETH (RHP, 22, AA)
    Ranking Range: 16-30
    Other Rankings: BA 12, MLB 18, FG 28
    2021 Stats: Rookie/AA: 10.13 ERA, 1 BB, 7 SO in 5.1 IP
    Take Marceaux, and rinse and repeat: at least as far as the 2021 draft strategy. But Silseth has better stuff and is thus more of a higher upside, lower floor variation on the theme. His main concern is durability, which may imply that a move to the bullpen is in his future. But he could be a quick riser.
    23. WERNER BLAKELY (IF, 20, A)
    Ranking Range: 14 – Not Ranked
    Other Rankings: BA 23, MLB 24, FG 20
    2021 Stats: Rookie: .182/.339/.284, 3 HR, 15 SB in 186 PA
    Not a promising professional debut for Blakely. But consider that he went 1-for-50 to end the season, and was hitting .241/.382/.380 through 32 games played at the end of August. His walk rate is encouraging, and he’s got enough tools that there’s a path before him towards a major league job, probably as a utility in fielder, but he’s quite raw at this point.
    24. ALEJANDRO HIDALGO (RHP, 19, A)
    Ranking Range: 16 – Not Ranked
    Other Rankings: BA 34, MLB 19, FG 11
    2021 Stats: Rookie: 4.67 ERA, 9 BB, 31 SO in 27 IP
    Signed out of Venezuela in July of 2019, Hidalgo fits in nicely with the other second tier Angels pitching prospects: He’s got a good chance of reaching the majors, but with limited upside.
    25. LUKE MURPHY (RHP, 22, AA)
    Ranking Range: 18 - 29
    Other Rankings: BA 20, MLB 29, FG 36
    2021 Stats: A+: 3.00 ERA, 1 BB, 15 SO in 9 IP
    Another example of the Angels’ Year of the Pitcher, in terms of the amateur draft. In case you’re counting, he’s the fifth guy on this list – after Bachman, Bush, Marceaux, and Silseth. With a strong fastball-slider combo, Murphy could ascend quickly and be ready for the major league bullpen sometime within the next year or two.
    26. OLIVER ORTEGA (RHP, 25, MLB)
    Ranking Range: 14 – Honorable Mention
    Other Rankings: BA 21, MLB NR, FG 34
    2021 Stats: Majors: 4.82 ERA, 2 BB, 4 SO in 9.1 IP; AA/AAA: 5.48 ERA, 18 BB, 61 SO in 42.2 IP
    It seems that Ortega has been hanging around the last third of this list for years upon years. He finally reached the majors in 2021, and is set to join the bullpen this year. He has very dominant stuff, but also a penchant for walks and inconsistency all around. Meaning, he’s the type of pitcher who, if used properly and with a bit of improvement in his control, could be a positive contributor to the major league bullpen.
    27. ROBINSON PINA (RHP, 23, AA)
    Ranking Range: 19 – Not Ranked
    Other Rankings: BA NR, MLB NR, FG 34
    2021 Stats: A/A+/AA: 4.44 ERA, 56 BB, 140 SO in 95.1 IP
    It is hard not to take notice of those 140 SO in 95.1 IP last year, but also hard to ignore the 56 walks. Pina had quite a wild ride in 2021, starting the year by struggling in five starts in A+ Tri-City (7.20 ERA in 15 IP), then was demoted to A-level Inland Empire where he dominated in four starts (1.19 ERA in 22.2 IP), then pitched well back in Tri-City (3.40 ERA in 42.1 IP), before being promoted to AA Rocket City, where he got shelled in four starts (9.39 ERA in 15.1 IP).
    28. ADAM SEMINARIS (LHP, 23, A+)
    Ranking Range: 17 – Not Ranked
    Other Rankings: BA NR, MLB NR, FG 18
    2021 Stats: A/A+ 4.86 ERA, 26 BB and 112 SO in 83.1 IP
    The Angels’ 5th round pick from the 2020 draft out of Long Beach, Seminaris may be one of the pitchers on this list most likely to eventually reach the majors, although probably as a middle reliever. A lefty with mediocre stuff, Seminaris is athletic and with a plus change-up. His performance improved throughout last year, with a 2.84 ERA in his four A+ starts.
    29. MASON ERLA (RHP, 24, AA)
    Ranking Range: 17 – Not Ranked
    Other Rankings: BA 24, MLB 25, FG 27
    2021 Stats: Rookie/A+ 1.23 ERA, 0 BB and 11 SO in 7.1 IP.
    A late round pick in 2021, yet another highish floor pitcher that the Angels filled the draft with. His stuff is quite good, with a fastball in the 94-97 range but a violent delivery that make him an injury risk. But he’s the type of player who could be in Anaheim within the next year or two, and be a strong bullpen piece.
    30. D’SHAWN KNOWLES (OF/IF, 21, A)
    Ranking Range: 22 – Not Ranked
    Other Rankings: BA 14, MLB 30, FG NR
    2021 Stats: A: .227/.280/.355, 5 HR, 31 SB in 393 PA
    There are two silver linings to Knowles’ disappointing year: One, he dominated the base-paths, getting caught in just one out of 32 attempts; two, he played eight games at shortstop, somewhat adequately (although committed 3 errors). After a surprisingly good debut in 2018, Knowles’ prospect status has fallen each year. Yet he still has the skill-set to become a 4th outfielder, and the Angels might be considering a multi-positional future for him.
    HONORABLE MENTIONS IN BRIEF
    Other prospects that received a top 30 vote from at least one of our nine members include:
    For pitchers, Jose Marte saw a few innings last year for the Angels and contended for a bullpen job out of spring, and is part of the AAA “extended bullpen.” Elvis Peguero – see Jose Marte. Hector Yan’s stock has fallen with reduced velocity; if he can get it back, he has a future as an Ortega-esque reliever. Stiward Aquino has been around forever (well, since 2017 in Rookie ball), but hasn’t really advanced due to an assortment of injuries. Ah, William Holmes, formerly English – wherefore art thou? Erik Rivera tantalized in his first pro start last year in A ball, but then promptly got injured – but don’t sleep on him as a promising pitcher. Fernando Guanare is very young, but he dominated the DSL last year, walking only 1 batter while striking out 49 in 46 IP – definitely keep your eye(s) on him.
    For position players, the Angels hope that David MacKinnon could be a solid OBP bench piece – he’s another older minor league hand who has transformed from non-prospect to fringy. Some like Orlando Martinez’s bat; he’s a high floor, low ceiling bench type, but good defensively in the outfield who could play all three spots. Livan Soto has settled in as a bench prospect but could be useful on a major league bench for his defensive skills.The speedy David Calabrese disappointed in his first taste of professional ball, so his prospect stock dropped, but he’s still worth keeping an eye on. Natanael Santana, another toolsy outfielder, is raw but very athletic and just missed the cut. Randy DeJesus is the Knowles to Rada’s Deveaux in terms of being major international outfield signees this past offseason; the 17-year old is a big guy with a potentially big bat.  
    Last but not least, we’ll have an especially honorable mention for Kevin Maitan, if only for Scotty’s sake; we haven’t forgotten you, Kevin, for better or worse.
  21. Chuck
    By @Hubs, AngelsWin.com Contributor
    For the 2022 Season, most pundits put the Angels somewhere in the 82-88 win range, second or third in the division, with the Astros universally the pick across the board to repeat as division winners. If they’re healthy, if they can get enough pitching, if things all work, then… maybe the Angels contend for the division but mainly if they’re picked for the post season, then they are picked as a wild card. 
    They’re wrong.
    Every team in the league is dependent on their core players, their stars, and hope for little to no injuries. Every team has pitching questions, or lineup questions, and that is why they play the games. So why the Universal prediction of the Astros, and doubting the Angels (or Mariners) chances at the division?
    I’ll save my deep thoughts on the Astros cheating scandal, as that usually gets me in trouble, but I’ll just say that the new PitchCom devices are going to be bad for the Astros. I bet more teams use it against them than don’t and I love that the league waited until two days before opening day before announcing that this was going to be used in the 2022 season. Even if teams knew that this was possible, because they clearly knew it was being used in the Spring, but I don’t think teams expected to be able to use this tech in the regular season this year. With a team that has been proven to steal signs during their lone World Series win in 2017, and lets just say suspected of continued stealing, the lack of signs to be stolen will be terrible for their overall offensive output.
    But that aside, let’s run through the 5 AL West teams and see how they stack up position group by position group, and see how close or how far they truly are.
    Starting with the OF, here’s the five teams starters and primary reserve OF.
    Angels: Mike Trout (CF), Jo Adell (LF), Taylor Ward (RF), Brandon Marsh (OF).
    Mariners: Julio Rodriguez (CF), Mitch Haniger (LF), Jered Kelenic (RF), Kyle Lewis (OF).
    Astros: Chas McCormick (CF), Michael Brantley (LF), Kyle Tucker (RF), Jose Siri (OF). 
    Rangers: Adolis Garcia (CF), Brad Miller (LF), Kole Calhoun (RF), Eli White (OF).
    A’s: Christian Pache (CF), Seth Brown (LF), Stephen Piscotty (RF), Ramon Laureano (OF-Suspended).
    We all know the Angels group, and are all undoubtedly excited to see them perform together. But the Mariners group also looks to be young and stacked. If Trout is completely healthy, he alone brings the Angels group ahead of the Mariners one… but they could also use a breakout from one of the three young guys to a mid .800 OPS. I have Marsh listed as primary reserve, but I actually think they will all get similar playing time after Trout. Health for Trout is the primary question, and then will the three young OF hit and how well.
    For the Mariners, Julio Rodriguez is gonna be a star, but when is the question. He’s made the team and will start, which relegates 2020 AL Rookie of the Year Kyle Lewis to the bench after a sub-par 2021. Their other young OF prospect, Jered Kelenic, struggled mightily last year, but still hit 14 HR in just 93 games. And while his average dipped, Mitch Haniger hit 39. Their young guys need to produce for this unit to be successful, and even if they have higher pedigrees than the Angels trio of young players, they have plenty of questions. Defensively they’re solid, but will Rodriguez and Kelenic hit? If not, does presumptive DH Jesse Winker get time in the OF? 
    The Astros will continue to have issues in CF with McCormick or Siri starting, plus young Jake Meyers who will be ready later in the season. The 2017-2020 Astros had George Springer patrolling CF and still miss him, even with Kyle Tucker developing into one of the best OF in baseball. Brantley is a stud too, and one whose health is the only question. The Astros won’t have a ton of power from their OF, unless one of the young CF takes a huge step forward. Tucker likely leads the trio with around 30 HR again. They also have playing time concerns, as they didn’t really field a full time starter in 2021 at CF or in LF or RF, as Brantley and Tucker only managed 121 and 140 games. Defensively they’re solid, but this is not their best group.
    The Rangers group is noticeably lacking and would be the worst in the division, if not for the A’s. There’s not much to say here and I expect the trio of starters to look very different in 2023. They could still add a FA, but since they’re not expected to be big contenders, it’s hard to see why. Former Angel Kole Calhoun probably plays better in Texas than he did in Arizona. Brad Miller is almost 33. 
    The A’s most accomplished OF is suspended for PED’s, while their next best, Piscotty is 31 seemingly going on 40. Seth Brown was a 19th round pick. They’ll cycle through a lot of names here, but again, aren’t really aiming to compete in 2022.
    To Summarize the OF groups, all three of the contenders have young guys expected to compete and take a step forward. All have playing time and health questions.
    Let’s turn to the infield now. Here’s the four starting infielders and primary reserves for each team.
    Astros: Yuli Gurriel (1B), Jose Altuve (2B), Alex Bregman (3B ), Jeremy Pena (SS), Aledyms Diaz (INF).
    Angels: Jared Walsh (1B), Tyler Wade (2B), David Fletcher (SS), Anthony Rendon (3B), Matt Duffy (INF), Jack Mayfield (INF).
    Rangers: Nathaniel Lowe (1B), Marcus Semien (2B), Corey Seager (SS), Andy Ibanez (3B), Charlie Culberson (INF/OF).
    Mariners: Ty France (1B), Adam Frazier (2B), Eugenio Suarez (3B), J.P. Crawford (SS), Abraham Toro (INF).
    A’s: Stephen Vogt (1B), Tony Kemp (2B), Elvis Andrus (SS), Kevin Smith (3B), Sheldon Neuse (INF/OF), Chad Pinder (INF/OF). 
    The Astros do have the best infield in the division — but it’s not without questions. Altuve rebound in 2021 from an abhorrent 2020, while veteran 1B Gurriel is almost 38 years old. They’re hyping Jeremy Pena, but he’s got very limited experience and will not come close to replicating Correa’s production. Bregman is back and a perennial MVP Candidate.
    The Angels didn’t sign Correa or one of the other top FA SS, and appear to be shifting 2021 2B Fletcher there. However, I don’t think its as simple as that. They will not be playing Fletcher every day after he turned in one of the worst hitting performances in the majors in 2021. Wade, Duffy, Mayfield, and others will all get starts at SS.  At third, Rendon is back and healthy, and I expect him to come back to his 2019 numbers or close to it. Walsh is gonna hit better against lefties, but will get spelled occasionally by right handed Ward and Duffy. Wade comes over from the Yankees, and should produce excellent defense. Also, youngster Michael Stefanic opened up a lot of eyes with his bat in Spring — all the guy does is hit. But can he field? And What about Jose Rojas? He’s a classic late bloomer, at 29, if he can ever translate his AAA and ST offense to the majors, they’ll find a spot for the lefty. 
    The Rangers did sign a top FA SS, actually two of them, but the inexperience at the corners drops them to third. Unlike the Angels and Astros, there are two suspect positions, though Lowe did ok, in his second year. I might have ranked them second actually, but it’s close. Semien was among the best hitters in the majors last year and Seager was as well. So they’ll produce. This is the best part of the Rangers team, by far, but they certainly spent on it.
    The Mariners group is interesting, but again, questions abound. Ty France is a solid 1B. Think of Walsh but less power. Adam Frazier and Toro will be solid at 2B, but defensively neither is elite. But their SS is the opposite. Crawford might be the best defensive SS in the league, but is offensively limited. Mariners keep waiting for him to break out offensively, but he’s a good player regardless. And at 3rd, they acquired Eugenio Suarez from the Reds to take over for long time 3B Kyle Seager. Suarez didn’t hit well at all in 2021, but the M’s hope he can rebound with a change of scenery. Reserves Toro, Torrens, and Moore will play sparingly. They can be ranked 3rd or 4th.
    The A’s again are clearly 5th. Vogt used to be a good bat, but he’s 37. Kemp is basically average. Andrus’s defense used to be elite, but his offense never materialized in Texas. Smith at 3rd is going to strike out…a lot. Their reserves are middling.
    Astros take the cake, but have questions with health and an unproven SS. Angels have solid corners, questionable middle, Rangers the opposite. Mariners are solid but not spectacular.
    At Catcher, the write-ups will be shorter.
    Astros: Martin Maldonado (C), Jason Castro (C)
    Angels: Max Stassi (C), Kurt Suzuki (C)
    Rangers: Mitch Garver (C) Jonah Heim (C)
    A’s: Sean Murphy (C), Austin Allen (C)
    Mariners: Tom Murphy (C), Cal Raleigh (C), Luis Torrens (C)
    Astros lead the way with two solid catching options, but neither is good offensively. Angels have one good offensive catcher who’s also good defensively, and one backup that is questionable at both. They have former first round pick Thaiss at AAA, though, and he may force his way into the backup job in Anaheim. The Mariners trio of Murphy, Raleigh, and Torrens is going to be interesting to watch. And the Rangers added former twin Garver to go along with former A’s Backup Heim. The A’s may have the best offensive catcher in Sean Murphy, along with former highly regarded backup Allen.
    None of these groups are significantly better than the others. All should be decent. The best defender is probably Maldonado, and offensively, it’s probably Stassi or Sean Murphy, but Garver also had good offense in his career, as did Tom Murphy.
    I’d rank all five of these groups as basically even.
    With the DH coming to the NL, it deserves it’s own grouping. A lot of defensively challenged hitters will now have jobs.
    Angels: Shohei Ohtani (SP/DH).
    Astros: Yordan Alvarez (DH/OF).
    Mariners: Jesse Winker (DH/OF).
    Rangers: Willie Calhoun (DH/OF/INF).
    A’s: Jed Lowrie (INF/OF/DH).
    Again, the Angels group is the best. Shohei Ohtani is the reigning MVP, and a two-way star. The only reason he’s not a position player is to save his energy for his turn on the mound, as he would likely be a premium defender if he played any position on the diamond. As the best or second best player in the game, because of his two way status, it’s hard to concentrate just on his offense, but by most metrics, he was the among the best hitters in the game… just slumped a bit in the second half as the Angels lineup deteriorated around him.
    The Astros Yordan Alvarez is the second best DH in the division, and is an elite hitter. He’s not Ohtani, but he’s pretty darn good. Health is his only question mark, and he may play some OF, but he’s not a good defender.
    The Mariners obtained Winker in a trade with the Reds to be their DH. He took a huge step forward offensively and defensively for the Reds, but he still profiles best as a DH. He’s an All-Star Level Hitter.
    The Rangers have tried former top Dodgers prospect Willie Calhoun everywhere, but he just isn’t a good fielder. He hasn’t been a great hitter either. This is a significant drop off from the first three teams.
    The A’s recently signed Vogt, which I though was to be their DH, but It’s Jed Lowrie projected on Fangraphs. Neither are good hitters anymore, and they’re gonna miss Olson and Chapman. This lineup is basically terrible. Why didn’t they at least bring back Khris Davis, I have no idea. 
    Now on to Starting Pitching. The Angels most often mentioned weakness. Here are the Rotations:
    Astros: Framer Valdez (SP), Jake Odorizzi (SP), Justin Verlander (SP), Jose Urquidy (SP), and Luis Garcia (SP). Lance McCullers (SP-INJ).
    Mariners: Robbie Ray (SP), Logan Gilbert (SP), Marco Gonzales (SP), Chris Flexen (SP), Matt Brash (SP)
    Angels: Shohei Ohtani (SP), Patrick Sandoval (SP), Noah Syndergaard (SP), Jose Suarez (SP), Michael Lorenzen (SP), Reid Detmers (SP). (Griffin Canning SP-INJ).
    A’s: Frankie Montas (SP), Cole Irvin (SP) Daulton Jeffries (SP), Paul Blackburn (SP), Brent Honeywell Jr (SP-INJ), James Kapriellan (SP-INJ).
    Rangers: Jon Gray (SP), Martin Perez (SP), Dane Dunning (SP), Taylor Hearn (SP), Spencer Howard (SP)
    The Astros have solid 1-5. Especially if Lance McCullers is healthy, as he’d bump someone out.  He’s still not though. They have depth in the minors, but Brandon Bielak, Peter Solomon, and Tyler Ivey are the only ones with major league experience and its all very limited. Injuries are a concern, with McCullers still out and as Verlander didn’t pitch very much in 2020 or 2021, and is 39. But he’s still Justin Verlander and most pundits are predicting he comes 100% back to form, some even predicting the Cy Young! He just as easily could be ineffective or not hold up. He’s looked good in Spring. Their other veteran Odorizzi, is coming off a injury limited year where he pitched just 104 innings at a 4.21 ERA. Solid, but not spectacular.
    Framber Valdez though gets the opening day start as Verlander isn’t quite ready, he’ll pitch Saturday instead. Valdez pitched 22 games last year, with a great 3.14 ERA but his FIP didn’t quite match it (4.01). Jose Urquidy pitched 20 games last year, and also had the same ERA/FIP discrepancy. Luis Garcia managed 28 starts and a very consistent 3.48 ERA / 3.63 FIP.
    The three younger guns of the Houston rotation all stepped up last year, and so hopefully for Houston they all repeat with slightly more innings. But that’s not a sure thing. Prior to 2021, Garcia had just one start in 2020, and was at High A in 2019. Urquidy had 12 starts combined in 2020 and 2019 in the majors, though he started 18 games in the minors in 2019 as well. His numbers have been the most consistent in recent years, and if not injured he has a chance to be the best starter of the three. Valdez pitched a full season in 2020 (albeit a limited season), and was up and down in the 2019 season. He was a back and forth to the pen that year, and most of his minors career. He’s never come close to the 134 IP he managed last year, and was injured quite frequently, so who knows how he’ll hold up in 2022.
    The Mariners rotation 1-5 features former journeyman and current Cy Young winner Robbie Ray at the top, there are no questions if he competes as he did in Toronto in 2021. Logan Gilbert is up next, and he managed 119 IP last year at a middling 4.68 ERA. But unlike the Astros two young starters Gilbert actually had a better FIP than ERA in 2021. Still not a lot of innings though and just one start in the minors. Marco Gonzales is up third, he made 25 starts and 148 IP for the 2021 club with a 3.96 ERA but a terrible 5.28 FIP. Does not spell long term success. He’s been with the club a few years now and was pitching full time without injury really in 2018-2020, and with much better FIP/ERA differences. Still He’s like Odorizzi, Solid, not Spectacular. Chris Flexen and Matt Brash round out the five projected starters, and Flexen has managed 31 starts for the M’s in 2021, after pitching in Korea in 2020. His last two years are unlike anything he’s thrown up before, however, so he must’ve figured something out. Brash pitched in AA last season, and made just 10 starts. It will be a big jump to the majors. Their minor league depth isn’t great, free agent Tommy Milone is the most experienced pitcher in the AAA staff. Their top minor league guys are at AA.
    The Angels have major durability concerns, as Ohtani’s 130 IP was the top number on the entire staff. Detmers managed 19 starts last year in his first professional year, but his stuff plays now and he won the 6th starter job in ST. Syndergaard is coming off 2 straight seasons of not really pitching, just like Verlander. And Sandoval managed just 14 starts. Lorenzen is a converted reliever and Suarez too pitched in the pen last season, and in the rotation. Canning also is coming back from injury. He may have been their best starter in 2020, but last year didn’t go well. 
    The A’s had the best pitching in the division last season with Chris Bassitt, Frankie Montas, Sean Manaea, and Cole Irvin and James Kapriellan last year. Bassitt and Manaea are gone. Montas could be moved. Kapriellan is hurt. So only Irvin and Montas start the year in the rotation. They’re cobbling together a rotation, with only 4 healthy starters to start the year, but both Montas and Irvin pitched a lot of innings last year and well, so they won’t be the worst in the division.
    The Rangers staff is middling, with journeyman Perez and Jon Gray being their top two starters. Not much of a staff honestly, but they have some intriguing young guys. This is the worst rotation on the list though and its’ not close.
    Bullpen. I’m not gonna list every guy here, as the teams will all cycle through a lot of relievers. But the Angels have the best pen in the division based on last years results, with a bunch of nice veterans and a lot of intriguing young arms. Iglesias was among the best closers in baseball, and Tepera, Loup were both excellent. Mayers and Bradley also did well, and the Angels have a lot of young hard or funky throwers, and they’ll have the best pen clearly.
    The Astros are probably next, headlined by Ryan Pressley at Closer and then Ryan Stanek. They’re also pretty deep with a lot of solid arms. The Mariners lack a solid veteran closer, but Steckenrider did well for them last year. They have a few good arms at the top of their pen too in Paul Sewald, Diego Castillo, and Sergio Romo. Enough for third place.
    The Rangers have Matt Bush and Greg Holland fighting it out with holdover Joe Barlowfor closing role, and the A’s feature veteran Lou Trivino and AJ Puk at the top of their pen with Doming Acevedo and a lot of young arms.
    Ok, I’m not gonna go deeply into coaching or anything else here. It’s important, but between the three contending teams, there isn’t a huge gap between Maddon and Servais or Baker. Chris Woodward is ok. The A’s not bringing back Melvin is gonna cost them a few wins.
    So overall, the Astros rank 3rd in OF, 1st in INF, a tentative 1st in SP, 2nd in RP, 2nd at DH, and are even with the other groups at C. They’re not as far ahead as everyone thinks they are. And if their offense slumps, their pitching has any injuries, they’re gonna fall to the middle of the pack. They aren’t as loaded as recent Astros teams.
    The Angels have the best OF, due entirely to Mike Trout, and the second best infield due to their corner infielders. Their third on this list in starting pitching, and 1st in bullpen by a clear margin, Yes we’d like it if they’d signed another elite starter, but they have faith in their depth and young guys, just like the Astros did in 2021. They’re even at C and the best at DH. Yes they need health, but that’s the case across the board and with every team. Yes, the Angels have three of the best players in the league, and they need them all to be healthy. They need innings from their starters. I do not understand why young pitchers without a lot of success or innings under their belt get a lot more credit on other staffs than the Angels guys get. I don’t see why Syndergaard and Verlander aren’t viewed more similarly. If the Astros lost Altuve or Bregman (or they suddenly didn’t hit like they used to) can Tucker, Brantley, or Gurriel carry that offense? 
    While the addition of Robbie Ray or Kevin Gausman or another premier starter would’ve been nice, in July if The Angels do need another starter, they can go get him then. 
    The Mariners have the arguably second best OF though I could see the Astros taking that spot if the M’s vaunted young OF all struggle. They’ve got the fourth best infield, as they’re solid, but no star power. The Angels, Rangers and Astros all have stars in their infield. They have the second best starting group, but they have questions. Their pen is not great, but not bad, one elite veteran reliever would’ve helped them significantly. Getting a proven closer would have helped. Their DH is great, probably not too far from Alvarez for 2nd place, and their catching is even. 
    The Rangers might hope to compete sooner than later, but they don’t have a good enough pitching staff and I don’t see a lot of high upside guys in AAA or AA that will make a difference. Their infield is the best part and I bet they finish in fourth but maybe third if someone slips. 
    The A’s aren’t trying to compete and are in the middle of a major reset. There is just not a competitive team, but they also always compete with less than other teams have. Maybe in 2023.
    While I’m not ready to throw the Astros from the top of the division, this will be a much closer race between the top three teams in this division than in recent seasons. I’d expect all three to be between 87-93 wins, and the Rangers to finish with 77 or so, while the A’s finish at 67-70.
    Let’s go Angels. 
     
  22. Chuck
    By @Dochalo, AngelsWin.com Contributor
    The Angels are a good team.  Probably the best team fielded in 5 years. 
    They could have been better.  
    It would have taken money though. Probably a decent chunk more money.  The Angels opening day payroll is projected around 189 million.  That's pretty good.  Good enough for other teams to be jealous. Double or at least a lot more than that of some other really good teams.
    Here's a fun article:
    https://thecardinalnation.com/ranking-major-league-baseball-teams-financial-strength/
    First of all the caveats.  I have no idea if their numbers are totally accurate and it's some dude from a site called 'the cardinal nation'.  I know how I feel about all things cardinal related.  But I thought it was an interesting look.  But we've had this discussion.  Financial people smarter than I have made their valid points etc.  
    But here's my point.  It doesn't matter if other teams are figuring out how to be more efficient in terms of talent relative to the opportunity that the Angels have right this second.  Yes it matters for long term viability and success.  But not for 2022 and maybe even 2023 and 2024.  The team is clearly in reasonable if not very good financial shape.  
    So let's digress for a second and I promise I'll come back to the actual topic.  The Angels have the highest percentage of non-arb and non pre arb players.  Hmm, I wonder why that is.  Why does it always feel we are limited on a yearly and that there's always the sentiment of 'well, wait till that guys off the books'?  So I'll provide the obvious answer to my own semi-rhetorical question.  We just haven't drafted and developed all that well.   That's catastrophic for many reasons but it does impact this years team and how we're gonna get back on topic.  Sort of.  
    The other way to make your team better than spending is to trade for really good players.  But you have to have some players that are going to be really good in the future to do that.  And let's talk about that for a second.  Trades are really really hard.  More difficult than throwing a truck of money at a guy to convince him to play here.  You need scratch.  Dinero.  Moolah.   Greenbacks.  (in terms of trade capital of course).  And with all due respect ( @Lou )to @totdprods, no one wants Jordyn Adams for a really good player.  And no one is going to properly value Arol Vera or Denzer Guzman because they haven't done much yet.   And if you do have a couple good players that are in line to contribute then you can't part with those guys.  Every phone call Perry took as it relates to a trade was Detmers, Adell and Marsh.  Oh My!  And the answer was always going to be and should be no!   So you're either stuck with accepting lesser value or damaging the absolute core of your major league club.  SO NO TRADES! (yet). 
    Which leads us back to spending to make this work.   So there's an important question to ask about that.  Do you have a window?  Some might contend that it's a small, frosted glass one looking out from your shower but I think it's a bit bigger and more clear than that.  This is already long enough without getting into that having to do with some young guys and the ages of a few key player and how long it might take for the next wave etc.  But it's there more right now than it's been for awhile.  That's good enough for me.  
    So why am I optimistic yet disappointed? (finally right?)
    Let's break it down by position:
    C 
    Optimistic - Max Stassi of course.   That extension is great.  Locking him up for the foreseeable future.  He won't be confused with an elite C and at 31, there's some age concerns for a 3+ year deal, but he's not being paid like and elite guy by any means.  He's a good receiver and handles the staff well.  A better hitter than I ever expected and even if he tapers off a bit, he's only being paid a few mil more than most backups these days.  
    Disappointed - Are you kidding me Perry?  Kurt Suzuki?  I know it's a pretty small thing but great teams care about small things.   They missed a win here.  Easily.  And I'll never be convinced what he does off the diamond makes up for his poor on field play.  And it really wouldn't have cost much to do better.  And extra 2m to get Manny Pina.  Less than what they're paying Suzuki to get someone better.  
    INF
    Optimistic - Rendon is back healthy.  Excited to see Walsh take a step forward.  Fingers crossed, rabbits foot, horseshoes all ready to help Fletcher get back to form.    Matt Duffy is a decent depth piece.  Wishing and hoping and dreaming still on Rengifo.  Davis can repeat last year?  Stefanic can rake.  Mayfield become a late bloomer?  He's got so pop and plays really good defense.  Wade and Velazquez can pick it and they can run.  So a lot of unproven depth with some upside that likely requires timing get these guys optimized.   Finally, I'm just gonna assume they've fixed whatever plagued what should have been a decent defense last year.  
    Disappointed - Walsh can hit lefties.  They might have figured out Fletcher.  And they'll likely play him at a position that doesn't maximize is defensive value.  And waiver pickups plus minor league depth for a team looking to make the postseason?  C'mon.  You can do better Perry.  You should have done better.  Not Correa or Semian or Seager better, but at least Villar better for 6m.  Switch hitter that could have spelled Walsh if he still struggles.  Can play 3b if Rendon gets hurt.  A starter in the MIF if Fletch fails again or even if he doesn't.  They were a decent depth piece away from making thing acceptable and giving everyone a fair amount more comfort.  
    OF
    Optimistic - Trout.  I could probably stop there but I pumped about watching Adell and Marsh.  Adell looked really good.  Marsh is gonna quietly be valuable.  People might get a bit frustrated with him at times but the contribution will be there.  Don't sleep on Taylor Ward.  He's becoming a better defender with increased reps and he's a better hitter than he gets credit for.  And he can run.  Rojas and Fletcher and Walsh and maybe even Lorenzen can get thrown out there in a pinch if needed.  And Rojas can hit.  And there's a bit of low ceiling depth in AAA in Martinez, Cabbage, Thomas and Sierra.  
    Disappointed - not much other than I'm sad to see Upton go because he seems like such a good dude.  Not sure the timing was perfect, but his best days were behind him.  Probably even his palatable days.   A little concerned about Marsh and Adell not continuing their progress.  But not enough to go out and sign another OFer.  So no spend here.    
    SP
    Optimistic - Thor looks great.  Detmers looks great.  So much more like the successful guy in the minor last year as opposed to the nervous rookie last year.  Lorenzen looks capable of handling a starters role.  Suarez and Sandoval ready for the next level.  Bachman moves quick.  There's some depth in Junk, Barria, Daniel, Smith, Diaz.  
    Disappointed - Health, depth, and attrition.  The first one is just a given but relates to depth.  And even if they all do well, you're back to having significant needs again or doling out a big time contract for Thor and/or the additional value that you've enabled Lorenzen to obtain if he succeeds.   Outside of Bachman, there still no high ceiling depth until Rodriguez comes back and hopefully Canning can heal quick.  A year or two from now, I think I'll feel a lot better.  But I'd have spent on one more stable piece.  Even if it were underwhelming to some who have pined for that TOR arm.  Cost would have been in the 10-20m range.  Deal with the good problem of having too many SP should it ever occur like Santa riding a unicorn during a Martian eclipse.  
    RP
    Optimistic - best pen on paper we've had in a long time (get it?).  Dare I say it's almost good enough to save Joe from himself?  And there's a ton of depth with some potential fast risers.  There's like 20 guys who could fill out the AAA pen.  Seriously.  And then all the A+ and AA college guys we just draft.  
    Disappointed - They overspent.  Almost 95m on the pen for the next 2-4 years.  About 30m for 2022 alone.  Again, I'm certainly not complaining on Iglesias or even Loup for that matter.  But there are a ton of arms in the system that can be here pretty quick and smart GM's figure out how not to spend on the pen.  It's not that I don't love a good pen it's just that I see money better spent elsewhere.  Especially when you have the depth we do now.  
    DH 
    Optimistic - Ohtani.  How cool is it that the collectively bargained to make sure that Ohatni gets as much mlb face time as possible.  Just thought he deserved his own category.   
    Disappointed - nope
    Was going to add a coaching category but I'll leave it alone.  Bottom line is that another 10-20 could have made a difference and I think would have been worth it for this team.  Basically, Robbie Ray + Villar - Tepera = an additional 5-6 wins.   It's a good team that's a bit more thin in certain areas than I'd like and that easily could have been addressed.  But I am glad they didn't do anything drastic or desperate.  Which I was frankly a bit worried about going into the off season.  
  23. Chuck
    By Jonathan Northrop, AngelsWin.com Columnist
    @Dochalo's discussion about the "most important player" sent me down another line of thought, in terms of how to consider the team players in terms of their potential impact on the 2022 season. I didn't offer a serious answer in that thread because I couldn't answer it seriously without mentioning the one player that the good doctor asked us not to mention (Mike Trout). Very simply, the importance of a player really comes down to their potential contribution to the team. Meaning, the most important player is the best player; the second most important player, is the second best player, etc. You can adjust this for the depth behind that player, but as a general rule, that ordering holds true.
    How to rank the players in this regard? Obviously the easiest way to do so would be via WAR, although one could argue that pitchers should be adjusted upward somewhat. To illustrate this, imagine you could choose for either Anthony Rendon or Noah Syndergaard to have a 4 WAR season in 2022. Who would you choose? 4 wins are 4 wins, regardless of how you come by them, right? The answer should be "Noah Syndergaard" without too much thought, in my opinion. If Syndergaard produces a 4 WAR season it means he was relatively healthy and close to his peak level, or at least his almost-peak level of 2018-19. If Rendon has a 4 WAR, it means he was OK, but far from his peak level. One could argue that both produce the same value, but I think a Syndergaardian 4 WAR season is more important to the team's success than a Rendonian 4 WAR season.
    On the the other hand, Rendon's potential impact on the team is arguably greater because there's a solid possibility he performs well above 4 WAR, his last full season being his best, with 7 WAR in 2019. 
    But the point is, while WAR gives us our best easy baseline, it isn't only about WAR, or at least we can't divorce WAR from context. Potential replacements matter. For instance, imagine if Max Stassi goes out with an injury: the Angels are left with the catching options of Suzuki, Romine, Wallach, and Thaiss. Meaning, there is a huge gulf between Stassi and the rest of the pack, who are all various shades of mediocre back-up options. On the other hand, because Stassi's potential contribution is far less than, say, Anthony Rendon's, he's not as important to the Angels in 2022 (that is, having to swap out Rendon for a replacement level player is far more devastating to the team than swapping out Stassi).
    Let's consider the team in tiers of relative importance:
    Tier One (Key Players): Trout and Ohtani
    These two are arguably the two best players in major league baseball, and certainly the duo with the highest potential. There's even a far-from-non-existent chance that they finish 1st and 2nd in WAR in 2022. If that seems crazy, consider that Ohtani led the majors in overall WAR in 2021, and Trout led it in his last full season in 2019 (and a bunch of years before that). An Ohtani repeat of 2021 (8.1 WAR) and Trout even just going back to his 2019 (8.4 WAR) gives the Angels 16.5 WAR from just two players. To put that in context, here are the best team duos over the last decade (16+ WAR duos in bold) :
    2021: Phillies - Harper and Wheeler 13.9
    2020: Padres - Tatis and Machado 5.5 (projected to 14.9 over 162 games)
    2019: Astros - Bregman and Cole 15.8
    2018: Red Sox - Betts and Sale 16.6; also Indians - Ramirez and Lindor 15.8
    2017: Indians - Kluber and Ramirez 13.8; also Nationals - Rendon and Scherzer 13.4
    2016: Red Sox - Betts and Bradley Jr 13.6; also Angels - Trout and Shoemaker 13.4 (note: they were second the best duo, despite Shoemaker ranking 81st in combined WAR...Trout was just that good)
    2015: Nationals - Harper and Scherzer 16.2
    2014: Dodgers - Kershaw and Puig 13.9
    2013: Cardinals - Molina and Carpenter 15.0
    2012: Tigers - Cabrera and Verlander 14.1
    2011: Red Sox - Ellsbury and Pedroia 17.4; also Dodgers - Kemp and Kershaw 16.1
    In other words, there are only four pairs of team-mates over the last ten full seasons who surpassed 16.0 WAR. That's 4 out of 300 teams (10 years x 30 teams), or 1 out of 75 teams (or 1 ever 2.5 years), or 1.33%.
    So while Doc said "anyone but Trout," this angle on the question really requires mentioning him, and pairing him with Ohtani. No players are as important to the team's success in 2022, and it isn't all that close. The questions around them both are similar:
    Can Trout stay healthy and, if so, will he return to his peak level of performance and, if so, will he be the "super-dooper great Trout" of 2012-13, 15-16, and 18--five seasons in which he reached 9.3 WAR or higher and averaged 9.8--or merely the "garden variety great" Trout of 2014 and 19, when he had 8.3 and 8.4 WAR, respectively?
    Can Ohtani stay healthy and repeat 2021 (8.1 WAR) or even, dare I hope, improve upon it and reach 9 WAR total? While that might seem greedy, consider that all you have to do to get Ohtani to 9 WAR is increase his BABIP a bit closer to his 2018-19 levels and add a few more innings. In other words, you don't even have to make him prove, just add a bit of luck and adjust his innings upward a touch, as is likely to happen.
    Meaning, looking only at these two players yield a wide range of potential outcomes. Trout at his very best and even just minor improvement from Ohtani could yield 18 WAR, which would be the best combined performance of the last decade. In fact, to find an 18 WAR pair of team-mates, you have to go back to Barry Bonds who, with his 11.9 WAR, combined with Jason Schmidt for 18.5 in 2004.
    On the other hand, disaster is also possible. I don't want to describe it, but you can use your imagination. But the key point is that there are reasonable scenarios--based upon the last four or five seasons of performances--in which these two players produce anything from 5 to 18 WAR. Where they end up on that spectrum will be the most important factor in how good the Angels are in 2022.
    Tier Two: Other Key Players - Rendon and Syndergaard
    We could do a similar chart to the above, but Dynamic Trios, adding Rendon into the mix. Taking their last healthy full seasons yields 23.1 WAR (Trout 8.4 in 2019, Ohtani 8.1 in 2021, Rendon 7.0 in 2019). That's a big ask--not only hoping that they're all healthy, but all performing at or close to their best. But it is possible, especially when you consider it is just combining their best performances from the last three seasons. Or to put another way, all three have exhibited a superstar caliber of performance within the last two seasons: Rendon in 2020, Trout in 2020-21, Ohtani in 2021. All that needs to happen is that they stay relatively healthy. Given recent history, that's easier said than done, but certainly not impossible - and maybe not even all that unlikely (if we emphasize "relatively").
    To put that 23.1 WAR in context, the last time a trio of team-mates produced that high a combined total was the Red Sox in 2011, when Ellsbury (9.5), Pedroia (7.9) and Adrian Gonzalez (6.2) combined for 23.6 WAR.
    As a more reasonable benchmark, if these three produce 20 WAR, the team is in great shape. That could be something like Trout 8, Ohtani 7, Rendon 5: all below their best, but good enough to mean good news (i.e. mostly healthy and playing well). 20 WAR trios happen somewhat frequently, but generally mean the best trio in the majors. The last trio to do so was the Astros in 2019, with Bregman (8.4), Cole 7.4), and Springer (6.4) combining for 22.2.
    Or we could consider 400 total games played as an over/under for the team having a legit shot at the playoffs. Meaning, if by year's end those three combine for 400 or more games, chances are the Angels were, at least, still legit contenders in September.
    I include Syndergaard with Rendon not because I think he's capable of Rendon's potential impact (6+ WAR), but because a healthy season from him gives the Angels a legit #2 or better starter, something they haven't had in years (although Ohtani was close in 2021, but just lacked the innings). We probably shouldn't even hope that "Thor" reclaims peak year of 2016 (6.0 WAR), but a return to 2018-19 (4.2 and 4.3) would give the Angels their first 4 WAR starting pitcher since Garret Richards in 2014 (4.3). They haven't had a 5 WAR starter since 2011, when both Dan Haren and Jered Weaver surpassed that number.
    With both Rendon and Syndergaard, it isn't all-or-nothing. Even reduced performances from them, say 5 WAR from Rendon and 3 WAR from Syndergaard, greatly benefits the team.
    Tier Three: Very Important Players - Sandoval, Suarez, Fletcher, Stassi, Iglesias
    Here we have a group of players whose performance is very important to the team's outlook, but less so than the above quartet. Our eyes will be on Sandoval and Suarez to see if they can build upon 2021 with, if not improvement in quality, at least more quantity (that is, innings). Both performed as middle-of-the-rotation starters, but just in limited innings. If you get them both to qualifying innings (162 IP) at last year's performance level, Sandoval is at 2.8 and Suarez 2.1 WAR. Meaning, a solid #3 and a good #4. 
    Who is the real David Fletcher? The guy who produced 6.5 WAR in his first 283 games, averaging 3.7 per 162 games played, or the mess of a player we saw in 2021, with 0.3 WAR in 157 games? We can hope that we see at least something closer to the former, as the middle infield without the good (or, at least, better than replacement) version of Fletcher is a big weakness in the lineup. The Angels are already potentially carrying the shortstop position in 2022--unless someone emerges from the bag of mixed infielder nuts that is Luis Rengifo, Matt Duffy, Tyler Wade, Andrew Velazquez, Michael Stefanic, and Brendon Davis. Even a solid 2-3 WAR Fletcher would go a long way to stabilize 1/9th of the lineup.
    As mentioned in the intro, the gap between Stassi and the rest of the catching options is enormous. Out of 56 catchers with at least 200 PA over the 2020-21 span, Stassi has quietly been 10th in overall WAR with 3.6. More tellingly, everyone above him on that list has more playing time. If a healthy Stassi means 3 WAR or so, there is no internal option that is likely to produce better than replacement level production, with the lone possible exception being Matt Thaiss, but who is likely to start the year in AAA to work on his catching skills and is buried behind Suzuki, Romine, and possibly Wallach on the depth chart.
    Finally, Iglesias. Of all the players mentioned so far, he both has the fewest questions and also the lowest impact in terms of WAR. But this is also where WAR as a singular barometer breaks down a bit. 2021 was his best year by WAR at 2.0 (though he's had three seasons in the 1.4 to 1.9 range, and was on pace for about 2.5 in 2020), so even if he falls back to his 2019 level of 1.2, we're only talking about a 0.8 loss, far less than the potential loss of an injured Stassi or the 2020 version of Fletcher (both 2-3 WAR). But we cannot understate the psychological importance of having a reliable stopper in the bullpen.
    As an aside to illustrate the importance of relievers, some people like to say wins are wins, no matter when they occur in the season, just as runs are runs, no matter when they occur in the game. But what is true for both, and especially true within the context of a game, is that there's a huge difference between being down 3-2 in the 2nd inning and 3-2 in the 9th. In the former, you have tons of opportunities to make up that one run, while in the latter, just one more chance. Or, conversely--and more relevant to Iglesias--being up 3-2 in the 2nd vs 3-2 in the 9th. This further points to the limitations of WAR in terms of the valuation of relievers.
    Regardless, thankfully this year Raisel will have more help, but he's still a very important player for the Angels in 2022.
    Tier Four: Important but not Crucial - Marsh, Adell, Walsh, Lorenzen, Barria, Canning, Loup
    It is not that these guys aren't important, just less so than the first three tiers. Marsh and Adell are very important for the team's future, but really only need to hold their own in 2022, at least unless two of the three key trio goes down. I'd argue that Marsh gets the edge over Adell, because of his defensive utility.
    Similarly with Walsh who, along with Stassi and Fletcher, only really need to produce more of the same. As nice as his breakout over the last year and change has been, it wouldn't be terribly devastating to lose Walsh's 2.8 WAR at 1B: Matt Thaiss could probably re-produce at least half that, not to mention Stefanic or Davis, or even Upton.
    Lorenzen is in a similar category as Marsh and Adell in that his importance is more about what he could add rather than what he must add. Obviously every starter is important, but one could argue that a 2022 season that sees Lorenzen return to the bullpen is good news for the Angels, as it would mean that the younger starters (e.g. Detmers, Daniel, Canning) emerged to take his place. But Lorenzen is also a player who could be a stealth contributor, whether as a solid starter, good reliever, or hybrid. 
    With Barria, the Angels just need vaguely decent innings out of the 6th spot in the rotation. He doesn't have to make a surprise emergence, just be decent enough to pile up much-needed innings. I would put Canning in a similar category, that he either needs to pitch a quantity of vaguely decent innings or needs to be solid when he returns from injury to give the rotation a bit of help.
    After Iglesias, Loup is the highest upside reliever in the bullpen, and the best candidate to form a strong duo of relievers, something the Angels desperately need. But if he isn't as good as he was in 2021, there are other candidates who could potentially fill his shoes as second fiddle to Raisel. Arguably both Ryan Tepera and Mike Mayers should be in this category, but I wanted to rank them lower than Iglesias and Loup, so put them in tier five.
    Tier Five: Worth mentioning but not as important - Upton, Ward, Rengifo-Wade-Duffy-Stefanic-Davis, Suzuki, Mayers, Tepera, Warren, Buttrey, Daniel, Thaiss, Bachman, etc.
    I won't go through these guys individually, because any one of their individual performances is less importance than that, as a group of depth, bench, and role-players, they are vaguely decent. Or rather, that a bunch of them are decent. The importance of depth is crucial: not that they need to be really good, but that they need to be adequate and in quantity. In a way, it is not as much that you win because of your depth, but that you lose when you lack it.
    Players like Daniel, Thaiss and Bachman shouldn't be relied upon to contribute much in 2022, whether because they're far down the depth chart (Thaiss) or they are unlikely to be ready sooner than late in the season at the earliest (Daniel and Bachman). But they are all players who could have an impact, if they both get an opportunity and make good of it. Meaning, I mention someone like Bachman not because of what he needs to bring, but because of what he could add to the team.
    Here is a list of players from tier 4 and 5 who are the "swingiest" in terms of being able to be significant contributors
    Brandon Marsh Jo Adell Michael Lorenzen Taylor Ward Mike Mayers As I implied above, the pressure is only minor to moderate on Brandon Marsh and Jo Adell: all they really need to do is continue to improve at a modest pace, building upon their "semi-breakthroughs" in 2021. As I and others have mentioned, despite being a below average offensive contributor (86 wRC+) in 2021, Marsh produced 1.0 WAR in 70 games, which is a pace of 2.3 over 162 games. Meaning, he could make a significant impact if he continues as is defensively and on the base-paths, and just reaches average with the bat: A 100 wRC+ over 140 games could yield 3-4 WAR.
    Similarly with Adell: continued improvement with the bat and approaching adequate defense makes him a solid regular. It is not hard to imagine that 90 wRC+ reaching 110 in 2022.
    Michael Lorenzen is a bit of a lottery pick, but is a candidate to put together smatterings of what he's done in the past. He's the type of player who might not attract much notice during the season but, when all is said and done, could add 2-3 WAR through some combination of starting, relief, and even a few at-bats.
    Taylor Ward: the misbegotten child. As much as he's been seen as both a drafting guffaw and no more than organizational depth, he actually hit pretty well last year (.250/.332/.438, 111 wRC+). While he was sub-par in the outfield, he was at least a warm body. I'm starting to Brian Goodwin vibes. Goodwin was a clean peanut pick-up who procued a 106 wRC+ and 1.7 WAR in 136 games in 2019. That is really only a mediocre regular, but it is the type of player you want as depth. Meaning, Ward is a player who could become important if one or both of Adell or Marsh struggle and/or Upton doesn't bounce-back.
    Finally, Mike Mayers. While 2021 seemed like a disappointment after his breakout 2020, which saw him with a 2.10 ERA and 1.0 WAR in 30 IP, he was still solid (0.7 WAR, 3.84 ERA in 75 IP). A middle-ground between those two performances could make him the third best reliever in a good bullpen.
    Honorable Mention: Ty Buttrey. While the Angels aren't relying upon him, if his returned interest in baseball also means a return to 2018-19 performance, all of a sudden the Angels bullpen isn't just good, but deep and strong. 
    Conclusion: The List
    Alright, I'll take a stab at arranging these in order of importance. 
    Mike Trout  Shohei Ohtani  Noah Syndergaard  Anthony Rendon  Patrick Sandoval  Max Stassi  David Fletcher  Raisel Iglesias  Jose Suarez  Brandon Marsh  Joe Adell  Aaron Loup  Jared Walsh Michael Lorenzen  Jaime Barria  One of Luis Rengifo, Matt Duffy, Tyler Wade, Andrew Velazquez, Michael Stefanic, Brendon Davis*  Ryan Tepera  Mike Mayers Justin Upton Austin Warren Taylor Ward Ty Buttrey Sam Bachman Matt Thaiss Davis Daniel A bunch of other guys in the high minors Or something like that. The higher up the list, the more important the player's performance is to the team's overall success.
    *Quick note: I struggled with how to rank these guys. Taken as a single player, none of them are all that important because they come in quantity, but it is pretty important that one of them is at least decent.
  24. Chuck
    Leading Trading Card Company Kicks off 2022 Baseball Card Season with Annual Set

    (New York, NY, February 8, 2022) – The Topps® Company, a leader in sports and entertainment trading cards and a part of Fanatics Collectibles, today announced the launch of its annual, highly anticipated 2022 Series 1 Collection to welcome back the official start of this year’s baseball card season, and to continue its rich heritage in trading cards.
    Available starting on February 16, and boasting a brand-new bordered base card design, the 2022 Series 1 Collection features a 330-card base set including modern day stars, rookies who debuted during the 2021 season, 2021 league leaders, and team cards. Reigning AL MVP Shohei Ohtani, who was voted card number one in the checklist by fans, is doing double duty as this year’s cover athlete, being shown both pitching and hitting on the box and pack wraps. This year, a new wave of young talent including Wander Franco, Jarren Duran and Luis Gil will receive their first Rookie Cards. Collectors can also look for autographs and game-used memorabilia cards featuring Mike Trout, Aaron Judge, Fernando Tatis Jr., and more.
    Angels fans, here's what the Mike Trout card will look like. 

    Here's Topps autographed Baseball Stars card of Mike Trout and Shohei Ohtani.

    “We’re thrilled to deliver another Series 1 collection signifying the start of baseball card season.,” said David Leiner, VP of Global Sports and Entertainment at Topps. “Over the last 71 years of producing baseball cards, we have welcomed collectors and fans of all ages to our Topps family each year, and we’re proud to honor another season of baseball cards with memorable moments, rookie players and groundbreaking all-stars as we continue our commitment to bringing fans closer to their favorite athletes.”
    Within the collection, fans should also look for base card parallels sequentially numbered from 2022 all the way to unique 1/1 cards, along with insert sets including Generation NOW, Diamond Greats Die Cuts and Flashiest Fleet. Topps also honors the 35th anniversary of its iconic 1987 woodgrain design, which makes its return in 2022 Topps Series 1 Baseball featuring current stars and legends of the game.  The Home Run Challenge is back for another year where collectors can rip, flip and predict which MLB Superstars will hit a homerun, all for a chance to win special cards and tickets to the 2023 MLB Home Run Derby.
    2022 Topps Series 1 Baseball will be available online at Topps.com and in local hobby shops and retailers starting February 16th. In addition, Topps will host its first-ever Series 1 Premiere Party on Tuesday, February 15 in Los Angeles, providing guests with an exclusive look at this year’s collection in celebration of its release.
    For more information on Topps collectibles and offerings, please visit Topps.com
    View the full article
  25. Chuck
    He's a hometown home run! Celebrate the roots of the Halos' one-of-a-kind two-way player from Japan to L.A. with this Shohei Ohtani Los Angeles Angels Hometown Bobblehead from FOCO! This exclusive from FOCO portrays Ohtani wearing his gameday uniform in a swinging action pose, ready to launch another blast over the fence. He stands atop a Japanese inspired base that captures some of the elements from his hometown of Ōshū. The Japanese flag stands proud on the back of the bobble, while the base also includes rice paddy fields, with a picture of Shohei and text that says SHO-TIME. Front and center is Shohei’s name in Japanese to make sure nobody forgets who the face of the MLB is.
    The bobble is limited to just 521 individually-numbered units and retails for $60. Each unit stands approximately 8 inches tall and is handcrafted, and hand painted so no detail goes overlooked. So don’t miss your chance to get your hands on the Shohei Ohtani Los Angeles Angels Hometown Bobblehead for your Angels collection! While you’re visiting FOCO, make sure to check out the rest of their Los Angeles Angels Collection!
      
     
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