Seems pretty crazy to type but by next week’s Weekend Links regular season MLB games will have started. Even crazier is that after playing two regular season games, the Padres and Dodgers go back to preseason games only to go back to regular season games.
The Angels are chugging along through Spring with really no news. On the injury front that is a good thing. On the player acquisition side, perhaps not.
Some really cool things are happening in camp. Like Torii Hunter dropping knowledge on Jo Adell.
Still not much in the way of walks but Adell’s new swing is showing some promise. In a year in which we are letting the kids play, might as well let the kid play.
Here’s something I didn’t plan on typing in my lifetime: Miguel Sano stole a base. Yes, that really happened.
The biggest news in baseball this week was the Padres acquiring Dylan Cease. He’ll immediately jump to the front of their rotation and hopefully beat the Dodgers next week.
And now for some family business. We are way overdue for a site meet up at a game. I’m going to assume most of us work so a Saturday night or Sunday afternoon game would be best. Please let me know which would work best for you then I’ll find a game.
Sorry about the short links this week. I’ll make it up with preseason writeups. My mouse died and the pad on my laptop is driving me insane.
Please help me out and link what I missed below. And be safe on St. Patrick’s Day. If you can afford to have a few drinks you can afford a cab or rideshare.
I just read that Snell 3yrs for 66mil.is doable
FYI
“Blake Snell has told the Astros he’s seeking at least a two-year, $66M deal with an opt-out after 2024, per@BNightengale”
I sure hope Perry just lets them do it.
Interesting. MLBTR has: “Nightengale reports that the club has “balked” at the asking price from Snell’s camp, which he adds stands at a $60MM guarantee over two years that includes an opt-out following the 2024 season.”
This is going to sound funny, but, because of his inconsistency, the shorter the contract the greater the risk. Based on his history, with a five year contract he’s likely to be really good once or twice, and average or better the rest. If you only have him for one year and he’s just average and you’ve way over paid with no opportunity to recover your investment. There’s absolutely no reason to pay a lot of money for a pitcher in 24 when they have no chance at success. I would want a long term investment. 5-6 years at 25M per year like he’s already been offered is the fair market price for him based on his performance. Unlike the Angels though, in the Astros case, he could be the difference maker for them for winning the division and in the post season. If I was someone offering a one year deal, I would want it to be incentive based. From an Angel perspective, if you just want another starter for depth this year, I’d rather have Lorenzen because he is much cheaper.
For 2/60ish we could have both Clevinger and Lorenzen and option Silseth plus one more and have actual depth.
And still have about $20 million left over.
Hard pass on Snell. Just not enough innings pitched to justify the salary.
My concern was locking him up for four plus years. If Snell has an awesome year, he’ll opt out after a season. If he doesn’t, it’s not a 10 year commitment. The risk is capped at two years. Why not add the 2023 Cy Young award winner?
Because we absolutely don’t need what he’ll give us for the price we’ll pay.
Not to mention that losing our second round pick will be about $2.0 million less in our total bonus pool in this summers draft. Now I know prospects can be mostly suspects but looking at our system it will take a lot more successful draft picks and international signings to fill the many holes in our system. Considering that one our top prospects Caden Dana was lured away form High School in the 11th round getting around a $1.5 million bonus that was $1.35 million over slot. Keeping this pick along with the Comp pick will allow the Angels opportunity to draft at least a couple more Caden Danas this year as well.
https://www.mlb.com/gameday/angels-vs-d-backs/2024/03/17/747920/preview
Todays lineup.
After 3 weeks, our clean up hitter is yet to drive in a run. He’s saving himself for the games that count.
Without a true lead off hitter, Hicks seems like the best choice for now. That will give Rengifo time to get caught up and ready to play by the time Rendon gets hurt.
Today’s A Game Lineup
https://www.mlb.com/gameday/cubs-vs-angels/2024/03/16/747940/preview
Nada on the Spring Breakout game yet.
“Perry Minasian, their GM, has been lobbying Arte Moreno all winter to sign a Blake Snell, to sign a JD Martinez. And Arte Moreno has held fast and said ‘No, we’re not doing that, at least Blake Snell, to this point.’“
Per Ken Rosenthal via Foul Territory
I must admit, even though I am not an advocate for signing Snell, this bums me in 2 ways. 1, that Perry really thinks we should sign him, and 2, that Arte thinks we shouldn’t.
Because I don’t think Arte’s reasons are the same as mine. I just think he doesn’t want to spend to compete, which isn’t good for us.
It’s going to suck when Trout tells the next GM to free him from Arte
I’m certain Perry would want Snell (+ coughing up a compensation pick) and others. He is in the final year of his 4-year GM contract. If Arte is not committed to Perry, maybe Stoneman has Arte’s ear looking at the bigger picture.
Let’s hope Stoneman doesn’t have Arte’s ear anymore. He’s even older than Arte and he has had the same consulting gig ever since he retired in 2009. So unless they have just been ignoring him for the last 15 years and just woke up, I would be dubious of any advice he has left to give.
So what happens after this year when Perry’s contract is up. Does Arte hire another person who’s never done it before? What happens to the new staff? One of the worst things you can do with a professional sports team is continually start over. If he continues not to spend it will just be a downward spiral. I’m going to enjoy watching the team this year without expectations. It will be just like going back to the 70s.
Hell, I don’t really know. But is seems the owner won’t listen to GM and the GM is on the final year of his 4-year deal. These facts seems to be on a collision course or sorts.
Also, if Washington impresses Arte, he will be the second most powerful baseball guy on the payroll and any new GM will be forced to keep Washington in-place. So new a GM will not necessarily equate to coaching staff turnover. Aka…the Scioscia days.
That is a reasonable prediction based on past behavior.
Arte isn’t cheap, it’s a pride thing. He wants to show the MLB world Angels are a great team without Ohtani. LOL. Like how parking doubled $10-20 last yr before Ohtani left. How about knocking it down to $15 since he’s gone and your saving money Arte!!
Overpaying for Snell’s career year would be the most Angels move available, and a perfect way for Minasian to leave the team in bad shape when he departs.
Congrats Red Baron!
I’ll always remember Kole for his cannon arm and his all-out, hardnosed effort. IMO, we never replaced these attributes once we set him free. We need Kole-types, today.
Unfortunately I will remember him for his antics after every pitch.
A’s to sign JD!!
JD Davis, that is.
😀
The Red Baron calls it a career…
https://www.instagram.com/p/C4jXIizvQnl/?igsh=aTdtemd3YWlhMWpw
Good dude. I enjoyed watching him play.
I met his dad a few years back at spring training with Fletcher’s dad. Two blue collar guys whose kids made MLB. They hung out together at games.
Should have given him a one day contract so he could retire an Angel.
One thing you can count on is the Angels will always elect not to do that kind of stuff.
I don’t remember Weaver getting that respect.
I’ve got a number 11 patch to honor Jim Fregosi that, correct me if I’m wrong, Turk’s Teeth had to make since the Angels ignored his passing
That was stirrups who created the patch. I have one on my Angels jacket and on a hat.
thanks steelgolf. I wasn’t quite sure. I knew it was one of us.
I thought they did with Vladdy ?
That was to help secure the oh-so-sacred “Angel Cap in the HOF”.
MLBTR “Astros are in serious pursuit of Snell”…
Of course, we’ve heard lots of rumors before.
They’ve had SP injuries, it’s possible.
https://bleacherreport.com/articles/10113210-blake-snell-rumors-astros-in-serious-pursuit-of-star-in-2024-mlb-free-agency
Bonus they wouldn’t have to face him multiple times a year if they beat out the Halos for him. .
Well…we’ll just have to pound the crap out of him.
We have a new coaching staff and I expect better strategy this year. Last season we’d face a guy who throws a lot of pitches and is gone after 5 but we’d help him out by swinging at the first pitch.
I believe we’ll be more patient this year
I certainly hope so.
Apparently scouts for the Giants and Astros were at his latest show.
(And we weren’t).
That might mean something.
The media is going to have a complete melt down about how the Astros “swooped in and STOLE Snell from the Angels, who were the obvious choice to have him”.
Perry: “well, with Shohei gone we have that $30million to spend on other players, right?”
Arte: “no”
Wash on Trout DH’ing:
“We’re going to get Mike off his feet at least once a week. I think it’s going to be very substantial for [Trout’s] workload, especially with him roaming center field. He knows that he can do it.
“So I’m going to allow him to do it and give him the breaks when he thinks he needs the breaks. But I’m not going to make it two or three times a week. We don’t want it to get in his head.”
It’s always interesting how people inadvertently contradict themselves when speaking:
“At least once a week” – which necessarily implies more than once a week at times.
“Not going to make it two or three times per week” –
I suppose this means that Trout will DH once per week or less?
C’mon man, it is simple math.
He means one and a half times a week….
8 days a week?
With 4 day work week.
Silly me.
If Trout plays one day a week then of course he won’t DH twice or more in that time
To me, the coolest part of ST… link and content for everyone but cowboy26
https://www.mlb.com/news/spring-breakout-rosters-2024
https://www.mlb.com/news/angels-spring-breakout-roster-2024?t=mlb-pipeline-coverage
Prospects Nelson Rada and Caden Dana both offered glimpses of their potential this spring in their first taste of Major League Spring Training.
Their talent will be on full display when the Angels host the Dodgers in the Spring Breakout game featuring top prospects from both clubs on March 16. It’s part of a doubleheader that begins with the big league club facing Cubs at Tempe Diablo Stadium. The nine-inning game featuring prospects is expected to start at approximately 4:10 p.m. PT.
Rada, the club’s No. 2 prospect in the 2024 MLB Pipeline rankings, and Dana, No. 3, highlight the 26-man roster for the Angels. The roster includes 12 pitchers, three catchers, seven infielders and four outfielders. Of that group, 20 of those 26 players are ranked among the club’s Top 30 prospects.
Dana has been impressive this spring, throwing four scoreless innings, including two against the White Sox on Sunday. The 20-year-old right-hander, with his 6-foot-4 frame and long blond hair, resembles former Angels pitcher Noah Syndergaard. Dana said he’s excited for Spring Breakout, especially against the rival Dodgers.
“I think it’s great,” Dana said. “I think it’s a chance to get your name out there. And we’re playing the Dodgers. So beat the Dodgers.”
Rada, 18, is considered the franchise’s center fielder and leadoff hitter of the future. He played well against older competition this spring before he was reassigned to Minor League camp on Sunday. Rada went 2-for-6 with two RBIs, two walks and three stolen bases in four games.
The Venezuela native also posted a .395 on-base percentage and stole 55 bases in 115 games with Single-A Inland Empire last year despite being four years younger than his average competition. Rada impressed manager Ron Washington, who has encouraged him to steal even more this year.
“We just want him to play his game,” Washington said. “He puts the ball in play, and we want him to be more aggressive on the basepaths. But he’s just 18 years old, so he’s in his head. We just told him to trust his speed. And we got an interpreter and told him, ‘If you steal and you get thrown out, get up, brush yourself off — and when you get back out there, do it again.’ He’s got carte blanche.”
Other players ranked among the club’s Top 10 prospects who are participating in the event include infielder Kyren Paris (No. 4), right-hander Barrett Kent (No. 6), infielder Denzer Guzman (No. 7), catcher Dario Laverde (No. 8) and right-hander Jack Kochanowicz (No. 10). Paris and Kochanowicz are both on the Angels’ 40-man roster and in Major League camp.
Does Nolan count as (No. 1)?
trAdition
https://www.si.com/mlb/angels/news/angels-high-paid-reliever-suffers-setback-unlikely-to-be-ready-for-opening-day-ml0802
This is a bad look for the organization. He was hurt before he came here.
Doctor Nick strikes again
I thought he was originally expected to not be ready for Opening Day. If that is true, this is just a roll back of improved expectations?
You are correct, I wasn’t really referring to the set back. I believe he was damaged goods when they signed him. He had shoulder problems right off the bat.
Hopefully he eventually recovers but Shoulder discomfort is often a precursor to Rotator Cuff surgery.
And of course as expected, TrAdition dictates this little tidbit of news from Jeff Fletcher’s article on Stephenson’s Angels plight so far:
Wait…you mean the elbow bone is not connected to the shoulder bone?
Or God forbid he’s ruptured a capsule. I doubt if they would be calling that “discomfort” though.
Raining in Tempe
so even if we signed Snell or Montgomery they wouldn’t be ready for Opening Day. I take that to mean we won’t sign either. Looking back at the IIWPMs I guess the plan was not to spend $68mil, it was more like $20mil.
That’s ok. There’ll be some benefits of this upcoming disaster.
Except we still have to win the draft lottery to really excel.
Good luck with that.
I have a hunch that Boras is telling them to not worry about the start of the season and, in fact, not worry about what it would mean for any team for 2024. I think he’s looking for long term deals and if they have to sacrifice 2024 in order to get 6 years or more then so be it.
But now instead of just being inconsistent they will also have year where they didn’t pitch. That would lower their value even more and potentially increase the risk of signing them.
Or waiting for a team with a real need after one of their front line guys develops an injury.
That’s true as well.
We’ll just have to draft 21 pitchers again….
Well we drafted 26 Pitchers in 2019 and 28 in 2018 so not sure it really matters.
Today, offensively, we have most of our starters in other than Rengifo and Thaiss instead of O’hoppe. The spring stats sure do look pretty dismal.
Actually, two thirds or our starting position players look like their ready or will be ready to go. O’Hoppie, Trout, and Redone though are the guys that don’t look so good right now. Rendon is what he is, he’s doing just what he did last year when he was healthy, walking and hitting singles. O’Hoppie and Trout are out of synch right now but they have another week to sharpen up. Salmon observed on the broadcast a few games ago that O’Hoppie was trying to pull everything and opening up his front shoulder. That’s easy to fix as long as someone else recognizes it and does something about it. I’m hoping their new hitting coaches are a little more proactive and with it than the last ones. With Trout, we’ll just have to wait and see. The others are all looking pretty decent right now.
I’m still trying to outgrow my “little baby body” everyday.
Off to the buffet – SEE YA!
Wait for me…
Do your best John Pinette impression
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HXNXocJQJzc
Aren’t we all!
Jordyn Adams feels more prepared for his next big league opportunity than he was for his first one. (let me know when he looks more prepared, I’ll wait until 2026, lots of preparing is needed)
Ron Washington sees big things for Adams once he outgrows his “little baby body.”
https://x.com/JeffFletcherOCR/status/1768023906886320629?s=20
I’m with you on this. I don’t care how anyone feels, I want to see results. I did like the fact that he seemed to walk more this spring.
I know there are late bloomers but is it possible for someone who got a minimal amount of quality coaching in his formative years to turn into a viable major leaguer? it seems like the odds are stacked against him.
I agree, I guess we’ll see.
I don’t know how much baseball Bo Jackson played in his early years but I think Eppler was hoping to find a Jackson type
I’ve said this before but, being a multi-sport athlete and just being athletic are totally different. Michael Jordan was the best example.
I find all this sturm and drang about Adams today and yesterday weird. What if he just had the yips/nerves/deer in Headlights, overwhelmed by playing in the Show for the first time and will just learn from his mistakes? For me, his play last year is simply a too small sample size. Besides, I seem to remember many others who had solid careers looking horrible their first time up.
If “sturm and drang” means looked completely lost and shouldn’t have been on an MLB roster last year, then I agree with you. The Yips was pretty much all he showed.
I would encourage you to find video of his defense last year and his hitting approach…….check that, not fit for human consumption.This is Major League Baseball. Only thing worse is that we have an organization that thought that it was a good idea to bring him up 3 years to early.
Rooting for the kid, great athlete, but seems a long ways from MLB.
Mike Trout wasn’t so great during his 1st Cup of Tea.
Except I believe Trout was 19 and not 24. Physical mistakes are one thing, not knowing where to throw the ball, hit the cutoff man, or catch a fly ball after 6 years in professional baseball is entirely different.
I’m rooting for Adams by the way, he runs well just like Adell. He has potential if he ever realizes it.
If the Unicorn is the new Bambino, and he left the Angels instead of being traded, does that possibly mean that he will now be cursed, and the Angels will have great luck in the future? Maybe he needed TJ surgery again because he was coming up on a curse? Hopium for the Angels?
So much for no news….
https://twitter.com/JeffFletcherOCR/status/1768680405149069597
Set back from injuries….that is one of the classic trAditions of all our trAditions.
Tied for last:
28. Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim (total score: 10/30)
Young MLB hitters (5/10): SS Zach Neto, C Logan O’Hoppe, 1B Nolan Schanuel, OF Mickey Moniak, OF Jo Adell
Young MLB pitchers (4/10): LHP Reid Detmers, RHP Chase Silseth, RHP Jose Soriano, RHP Sam Bachman
Prospect hitters (1/5): SS Kyren Paris, OF Jordyn Adams
Prospect pitchers (0/5): RHP Ben Joyce, RHP Victor Mederos, RHP Jack Kochanowicz, RHP Caden Dana
At the 2023 trade deadline, the Angels found themselves at a fork in the road. They could either do the rational thing — flip impending free agent Shohei Ohtani for a generational haul — or the bold thing — deal away the last few highly touted prospects in an already weak farm system to make one final push behind their two-way star. The Angels did the bold thing, which also turned out to be the wrong thing, and now, they have neither Ohtani nor the building blocks to compete in the next half-decade.
That this farm has zero pitching prospects of note two years after the organization chose pitchers with all 20 of its picks in the 2021 MLB Draft is an utter disaster. There is volatility in pitching, sure, but it’s a legit failure that the only real contributor from that class is 11th-rounder Chase Silseth (who is actually pretty good).
On the hitting side, one can gaze at the quartet of shortstop Zach Neto, catcher Logan O’Hoppe, outfielder Mickey Moniak and first baseman Nolan Schanuel through rose-colored glasses and see hope. But while those four have shown flashes in spurts, none has anything close to a track record (though we are big believers in O’Hoppe and Neto). And even if they all turn into every-day players, the dearth of young arms makes it incredibly difficult to envision a world in which Mike Trout experiences success in Orange County.
The idea behind this project is simple: Rank all 30 MLB teams by the talent in their organizations age 26 and under.
Prospect lists and farm system rankings do a phenomenal job of highlighting the future impact players still developing in the minor leagues. But that exercise overlooks the importance of young talent already at the big-league level. Players aged 26 and under produced 246.2 fWAR in 2023, the second-highest total ever by that contingent. In other words, young big leaguers have never been so crucial.
This is the second year we’ve conducted this exercise, having introduced the rankings last spring at FOX Sports. After the inaugural run, we reflected on some of the biggest strengths and weaknesses of the project and looked at which teams proved us especially wrong or right. Ultimately, we opted not to change our methodology. Once again, each organization was assigned a grade in four categories:
-Young MLB hitting
-Young MLB pitching
-Prospect hitting
-Prospect pitching
In an effort to properly weigh the contributions of players already making an impact at the big-league level, the young MLB hitting/pitching categories were scored from 0-to-10, while the prospect categories were scored 0-to-5. This ensures that teams with more young MLB talent score higher on the whole than those that simply have a bevy of promising youngsters in the minors.
We also placed a greater emphasis on prospects expected to reach the majors at some point in the next two seasons. While promising youngsters thriving at the rookie levels and in A-ball are valuable in the grand scheme of things, the longer the road ahead of them, the less likely they are to become relevant to a team’s outlook. If a prospect-eligible player is expected to be on a team’s Opening Day roster — Evan Carter or Jackson Chourio, for example — we evaluated him as part of the young MLB group.
After assigning each team scores in the four categories, we added them up to produce a total 26-and-under grade, with 30 the highest possible score. Conversations with people in and around the industry helped inform our scores and when it came to breaking ties between organizations with identical totals.
Players included in these rankings must be entering their age-26 seasons or younger, defined by Baseball-Reference as a player’s age on June 30, approximately halfway through the regular season. It’s an imperfect cutoff that produces some unfortunate and admittedly arbitrary outcomes — Yordan Alvarez (born June 27, 1997) is “too old” to be included, while Luis Robert Jr. (born Aug. 3, 1997) is not — but it’s a crucial one nonetheless.
Why 26, you ask? As much as we celebrate the phenoms who race to the big leagues in their early 20s, swaths of players on prospect lists and/or players still finding their MLB footing are in their mid-20s. Last season, hitters such as Nolan Jones, Spencer Steer, James Outman and Josh Jung all broke out in a big way as 25- or 26-year-old rookies. Orioles outfielder Heston Kjerstad, 25, or Cubs infielder Michael Busch, 26, could have a similar impact in 2024. As such, 26 seems like an appropriate upper limit for the age range when evaluating each organization’s core of young talent.
With that, there are some wonky side effects. For instance, Juan Soto, a 25-year-old set to hit free agency after this season, is included as part of the Yankees’ batch of young talent. However, in cases such as Soto and other arb-eligible veterans still 26-and-under, including Bo Bichette and Vladimir Guerrero Jr., we adjusted the teams’ ratings accordingly. If the spirit of the exercise is to focus on which teams have the strongest cores of talent secured for the long haul, we didn’t want to over-reward teams for players reaching free agency in the near future.
https://sports.yahoo.com/mlb-26-and-under-power-rankings-evaluating-all-30-teams-by-the-young-talent-in-their-organizations-from-the-rockies-to-no-1-155931913.html
Ok, we got it. The Angels screwed up, the sky is falling and everyone should despair. That said, we still have a team to follow, there are 162 games, and hopefully some enjoyment to be had watching. Regardless of what national media think, the Halos have some young talent as starters at 3 spots and hopefully they will continue improving. The bullpen should be decent this year.
If they can be competitive, they may make more moves also. With this club, fans might as well see the glass as half full. There is much else to do. We already know the past mistakes. Hence, the recent changes at CM and manager.
Weird reply. Not sure why you’re taking anything written by ‘national media’ personal. If you have a positive story to share (half full) then please share it. I’d take some volunteer work or even the obligatory CHOC halos visit at this point too. There’s no narrative Im trying to push here. Thats all there is link wise to report. Come back when you can have some fun?
I read articles like this and am still happy to be an Angels fan. That’s what it is to be a true fan imo, here for the not so good times as well as the climb up and hopefully successes.
I’m not sure if your response to Stan’s response isn’t weirder? Or are we not allowed to respond not to any of your unsolicited postings of Angel subject Media Commentary even though you are graciously performing a public service?
Maybe yours is weirdestest?
Jeff asked for links, most mastheads do the same. This entire page is called links, not jump into an online commentary pit. Your opinion of an opinion of a thought (I rarely give opinions and/or beliefs). I consider thoughts not as strong as opinions or beliefs. My links and/or copy and pasta (sic on purpose) are actually solicited. But I don’t care if you have a thought/opinion/belief any which way. Most likely the least sensitive person here (opinion).
Capisce? 😉
So self awareness is not your strongest suit?
Got it.
Pot calling the kettle black? In the words of pineapple12 not looking to get into a back and forth. If ‘Stan’ wants 1/2 full, provide it? Thats what I thought was weird (unusual definition of the word).
‘Hey I don’t like all the negative spin the media is portraying us in… here’s an article/social media content/whatever I’ve seen that makes me happy/stoked on XYZ player/coach/janitor we have’ *might* have been a more full circle way to present a glass 1/2 full approach?
There’s plenty of good to come from the season, check out Jeff’s article on going to ST with his Dad. I can’t wait to get back to going to games in person. I don’t know if I’ll watch much on TV but I always enjoy reading content on Angels Baseball. Good, bad, indifferent.
So you’re speaking for P12 now too?
In the words of… if angelstan is your secondary account I understand. Not sure why you’re speaking for them when they can do it themselves. But again, do you boo
Why is it every poster with two 2’s and two 0’s in their handle typically gives me a headache?
Boy this is going to be a long year…
As far as I’m concerned CtPG Pathetic Loser Guy says we’re going to win the World Serious every year…until we don’t. Hopium Rules. HALO POWER BABY!!!
This year peaks my interest,
More than most. I don’t expect much as far as wins and losses but with a new coaching staff and letting the young’s kids play, I can only hope for progression along with tightening up the defense. I just want to see solid baseball. As currently constructed, this could be Perry’s best year. It’s great to see thus far, Angels not compounding past mistakes by signing free agent, high-dollar arms who in my opinion, do not offer a good ROI. Maintain the salary flexibility once a game changer, Tier 1, FA comes along.
While I generally agree with the article, I think the rating they give to Neto, O’Hoppe and Schanuel is way too low at 5/10. I’d give these kids a 7 or 8. They are really the main source of excitement for me this season.
Respectfully the point of the article was not to rank the excitement level of fans for the upcoming season, the purpose was to rank all 30 MLB teams by the talent in their organizations age 26 and under.
From an excitement level, I would agree with you that Neto and O’Hoppe are 7 or 8. From a talent perspective, a 5 or 6 isn’t a bad rating given their time period (# of years in professional baseball) of performance.
I can see your point. Though if Neto, O’Hoppe and Schanuel end up being only midling prospects as the article implies with a 5/10 rating, this team is in big time trouble. For this team to have any chance those 3 have to perform like Allstars which is a lot to put on those young kids.
I like your view, many of us hopeful’s are banking on those 3 having a a good year. But what is considered good? My wishful projections for each w/ avg and power: O’Hoppe .255/21hr, Neto .270/14hr, Schanuel .289/10hr. Is that too high? Or even enough to make serious impact??
This year, I’m looking for growth and movement in the right direction. Neto was an 86 OPS+ last year, O’Hoppie 111, and Schanuel 103. I would be happy with Neto this year at 105, O’Hoppie 115-120, and Schanuel 112-115. Considering their positions, if Neto was 105 or higher and O’Hoppie was 115 or higher for their careers, they would be valuable players. Because he plays 1B, I would really like to see Nolan eventually become a 120-130 player.
If those 3 perform in the range you mention, they will have had very successful seasons I’m not sure you can expect those power numbers from Neto and Schanuel but if they can bat in the .275 range while showing patience at the plate and not striking out much all while playing good defense, I think that would be a huge step forward. O’Hoppe could get to 20+ HR and if he does that would be an excellent sophomore campaign particularly with good defensive and limiting strikeouts.
I also agree with Roy’s analysis of OPS+ for all 3.
This year we will get to see what these kids can realistically contribute which should be very interesting to watch.
I agree!! Hope they can prove themselves in their own right and be apart of many good seasons to come
The most damning statement is: “That this farm has zero pitching prospects of note two years after the organization chose pitchers with all 20 of its picks in the 2021 MLB Draft is an utter disaster. There is volatility in pitching, sure, but it’s a legit failure that the only real contributor from that class is 11th-rounder Chase Silseth (who is actually pretty good).”
So as many have stated before, beyond the first couple of rounds is really hope for winning the lottery. Perry was fortunate with Silseth.
The first two were Bachman and Ky Bush.
Perry chose college pitchers that year probably because Arte said he wanted cheap immediate help in pitching to try to support Ohtani before he left.
Bachman has dealt with some injuries, and Bush (like it or not) was actually traded to get us what was supposed to be quality help for the playoffs.
I wonder if Arte wasn’t pushing Perry to get pitchers fast and cheap, if that draft would have been different.
I need a pair of those glasses. The actual level of our 26 and under talent is unknown at this time and difficult to assess. After the season we’ll have a much better idea. The Jo Adell situation really presents a challenge. The only way to really evaluate him is to play him every day or almost everyday and live with the results. You can’t care about winning, and he’ll have to play over players you believe are superior or who are performing better. It has to be a conscious decision.
100% agree on Adell. This season would be an excellent opportunity to determine whether he will progress and is worth keeping or whether it’s time to cut bait.
Isn’t he out of options?
Last year was his showcase year, unfortunately he got injured.
Yes he is out of options. It’s one of those imponderables that Taylor Ward still has options but Adell doesn’t.
He is – so you keep him on the MLB club and play him – until he either succeeds or fails. If the latter, you have to cut him loose (unfortunately).
If I was an owner, it would start with developing youth, specifically pitching. It’s what Arte destroyed. The farms have not produced a great talent since Trout or an Ace since Weaver.
When I became an Angel fan, I thought they were well managed and had money to spend near the top of the league. Looks like they just have money to spend on bad contracts.