kevinb

What makes Walsh and Ward interesting, and why I think many are dubious about the sustainability of their performance, is that they seemed like classic quad-A guys that put up gawdy numbers in Salt Lake, but at an older level that implied they had maxed out and wouldn't be able to translate to the majors beyond bench level. If a 22-year old hit like they did in AAA, we'd expect greatness, and perhaps coupled with some other past disappointments (e.g. Wood, McPherson), we are in the habit of expecting the worst.
But they both really dominated AAA. And I think Stradling is right for looking to find the reason for how they have performed as they have this year. You'd think it would be easy for every player to just re-vamp their swing, but that usually--at the least--takes awhile to be successful, if it ever is.
A book will be formed on them, but it is also rare that players hit as well as Walsh is for a sustained period and not retained at least some of the success. This isn't a hot three-game stretch; he's been doing it for about three weeks.
But again, the numbers will settle down. My guess is that Walsh is more of a .270-.280ish hitter, but I think he'll also walk more, and that the power is real and he'll hit 30+ HR and slug .500+ next year, if given the opportunity.

Maddon has gone on record denouncing the "launch angle revolution", which as you guys already know is the idea of putting the ball in the air. It definitely worked for some guys, Josh Donaldson, Justin Turner and Cody Bellinger come immediately to mind. 
But I think across the board application hurts prospects as often as it helps them. Ward shortened his swing and has focused on driving the ball wherever it is pitched. It's back to basics and the basics work for him. 
For Walsh, it seems to have been the opposite. His leg kick and drifting hands and supercharged his swing. But the encouraging part, at least to me is that he's not uppercutting the ball to lift it. He's simply driving through the pitch and the ball is flying.
I don't know if either is sustainable. If I had to guess I'd say Ward's is, and Walsh's isn't because of the timing it requires. But then again, Harper has used a similar seeing throughout his career and it has worked. But the k/bb ratio is something to keep an eye on for sure. 
I'd give credit to Maddon. Whether he specifically helped them or his philosophy in general. 

Combination of all of the above, including the players themselves for being receptive to information and trying to adjust their game to deliver results.
The potential was certainly there, but I'm sure some combination of the FO + coaching staff helped them unlock their talent and start producing results.
And, I would say, it's fairly obvious that Dipoto deserves credit for drafting them, in that if he didn't, they wouldn't even be here to begin with.

Or maybe the answer is in the question? Gotta give these guys some credit.

Strad you honestly crack me up. When did I call him a villain or make him out to be a villain. I said it is what it is. It's selfish but that's what he wants to do. So be it. I think it's quitting on his team. He is thinking about his future and about free agency. You are the only one that thinks something is going on with his family. No one in the organization knew anything before he called it quits on the season. I'll gladly take my lashing if something turns out that he walked away because of a family emergency. But I think you will eat crow way before I eat crow on this one. You an have a different perspective and a different take that's fine. But don't put words in my mouth when I didn't say anything that you have accused me of saying. 

At what point would you have been bothered by it? 10 games? 15 games? 20? Do you care if they show up at all? 

I don't feel super-strongly about it one way or another but I voted "no" because really, with 5 games left, and not even eliminated from playoff contention, he's under contract and should be with the team.
Unless there's a really good reason that I haven't heard yet.
 

Where did I say temper tantrum? I said he quit on his team. There’s 5 games left he’s over it and quit. Doesn’t want to play for the Angels anymore or doesn’t want to play while risking injury before free agency. It makes perfect sense. Youre the only one who sees it as well he quit cause someone in his family was sick and he’s doing the unselfish thing. This is selfish. He quit. It’s fine it is what it is. But you can’t just ignore the facts. No one even knew. It’s not a good look I’m sorry. The family issue that it is, is that he doesn’t want to risk losing millions by getting injured before free agency. So in that terms yes it is a family issue. 

Strad you honestly crack me up. When did I call him a villain or make him out to be a villain. I said it is what it is. It's selfish but that's what he wants to do. So be it. I think it's quitting on his team. He is thinking about his future and about free agency. You are the only one that thinks something is going on with his family. No one in the organization knew anything before he called it quits on the season. I'll gladly take my lashing if something turns out that he walked away because of a family emergency. But I think you will eat crow way before I eat crow on this one. You an have a different perspective and a different take that's fine. But don't put words in my mouth when I didn't say anything that you have accused me of saying. 

At what point would you have been bothered by it? 10 games? 15 games? 20? Do you care if they show up at all? 

That Maddon quote is concerning. Sounds like the dude just dipped without telling anyone. Real dick move. I love Simmons but I lost an incredible amount of respect for him.

What sort of precedent does this set? Unless there are serious issues not disclosed it is the antithesis of team spirit and solidarity. Or loyalty to team mates. Also reinforces the idea the Angels are more a collection of individuals than a close knit unit.
Doesn't say much for his professionalism or leadership. Could be a red flag in free agency, though I doubt it. 

Where did I say temper tantrum? I said he quit on his team. There’s 5 games left he’s over it and quit. Doesn’t want to play for the Angels anymore or doesn’t want to play while risking injury before free agency. It makes perfect sense. Youre the only one who sees it as well he quit cause someone in his family was sick and he’s doing the unselfish thing. This is selfish. He quit. It’s fine it is what it is. But you can’t just ignore the facts. No one even knew. It’s not a good look I’m sorry. The family issue that it is, is that he doesn’t want to risk losing millions by getting injured before free agency. So in that terms yes it is a family issue. 

If people have a problem with what Dipoto did and what Simmons did just now then I don't know what to say. They're the same thing. Simmons calling it quits on the Angels with 5 games left is the just a bad look. Good luck in the off season Simmons, I hope the Angels don't try and re sign you and I hope you get all the money you are looking for. I am not a fan of this at all, I am not a fan of players quitting on their team. I bet there are multiple people inside that locker room who feel the exact same as I. 

If you quit on Arte, chances are you’re not coming back. 

Rendon? Fletcher? Walsh over Pujols?

one thing i never thought he was was a quitter... this feels really wrong.

You have no idea if that is true or not.  You don’t know if his family is dealing with something or not.  So no, it is not all folks.  

Fletcher will be our everyday SS and Barreto/Rengifo will be given every opportunity to take the starting 2nd base job. That Simmons money should be going towards pitching anyways.

Very well could be. Oh well. 
There are 2B available via FA, I'm fine with going with Fletcher at 2B and saving that Simmons $$$ for SP and RP. 

I would guess it's the opposite @Chuckster70.  If a deal was imminent, I think he'd keep playing.  This smells like him protecting himself for his impending free agency.  
plus, I know it's a tremendous long shot, but the team hasn't officially been eliminated from the playoffs.  For him to opt out when there's still a slim chance wouldn't sit well with me if I were his teammate.  

Weird.

I think the Angels go the budget route on any lineup needs. 
2B: Rengifo/Barreto, possibly Jones if he takes a big step forward early in the year. At most they'll sign a one-year rental and/or journeyman infielder type.
RF: Ward seems like a solid option until Adell/Marsh are ready. At most the Angels sign a 4OF/platoon type.
Catcher: Stassi seems solid, Bemboom a decent 3rd option to have, so they might sign a person to platoon with Stassi.
So we're talking about, at most, three platoon/bench types. I suppose there's a chance that they trade Rengifo or Ward or Marsh in a package for a pitcher, and then sign a better player to man 2B or RF, but those are needs created by hypotheticals. Right now they only need, at most, two or three bench players to provide depth and insurance.