There’s nothing more quintessentially American than fathers and sons playing a game of catch in the backyard. Baseball is the ultimate father and son experience and I’m beyond blessed to experience it as both a father and a son at this time.
I wrote this ode to watching Spring Training with my dad a few months ago. Hopefully I can have that type of relationship with my son when he’s an adult.
To those of you who are fathers, Happy Father’s Day! For those of you missing your fathers, our condolences.
How about our Angels? Well, Logan O’Hoppe might not be a dad for a while.
I feel bad for linking that but the segue wrote itself. On the week, O’Hoppe represented both the best and the worst things that happened. His walk off home run capped an epic day at the plate on Sunday and is easily the highlight of the week.
The Astro left fielder who almost caught that ball is former Angel Trey Cabbage. It is good to see such a great guy living out his dream. In addition to the interviews he did with me he made sure to meet up with me and my son at Spring Training. Not only did Trey sign a ball and take a picture with my son he called over other Angels players as well.
My little guy was 5; his first season in tee ball. And he was meeting Angels players. I can’t thank Trey enough for the smile he put on my boy’s face that day.
Jose Soriano was a big time stud this week, highlighted by a career high 8 innings in a dominant win over the Diamondbacks on Wednesday night. His wicked raw stuff is translating to a starting role and the Angels might have a really nice long term piece on their hands. Soriano is starting to get noticed around the baseball world.
Perhaps the most interesting player on the Angels roster right now is Luis Rengifo. He’s now raked for about a full calendar year, he’s setting new highs in stolen bases, and he’s a versatile defender and switch hitter. He’s 27 years old and living up to or exceeding all expectations, currently 27% better than the average MLB player offensively.
He’s also going to be 30+ and a free agent by the time the Angels might be decent again. So he’s a great trade chip.
The infield is developing another interesting piece, though, in shortstop Zach Neto who has found a power stroke as of late. He was a triple shy of the cycle on Wednesday, but should’ve had a triple on a ball hit high off the wall and originally ruled a home run. His HR, however, left no doubt.
The Angels now head to my favorite ballpark, whatever they are calling San Francisco now. The Giants seem to be great at getting to .500 but allergic to getting much over that mark.
Their rotation is in flux and they are looking at options. But sitting a 34-35 have a great chance to finish this series at the .500 mark.
After the three games in the Bay, the boys come home to face the NL Central leading Milwaukee Brewers. The Brew Crew’s bullpen is shocking and effective. Yes, they are winning the division and pitching well despite the fact injuries have ravaged their Opening Day staff.
The Dodgers added Cavan Biggio. Seems like the Angels could’ve made that upside play, but the lottery ticket the Dodgers sent to Toronto probably would’ve been a top 15ish prospect in our system.
What will I be watching this weekend? The College World Series. If you’re just jumping in, here’s a primer.
If you’re putting on your GM hat, Florida State right fielder James Tibbs is connected to the Angels in the draft. The kid won’t win a Gold Glove but he can absolutely mash and keeps coming up with huge hits for the Seminoles.
Most of the pitchers expected to go early in the draft are on teams that are already eliminated, but there are still some bats of interest.
Enjoy your weekend and link what I missed.
Tonight’s Lineups
https://www.mlb.com/gameday/angels-vs-giants/2024/06/14/745326/preview
I would rather see the Plumber leading off and Shanny hitting behind Neto, but otherwise I like it.
Latest mock draft by MLB.com has my pitching crush Chase Burns going at 2.
I loved it when Burns was mocked in the 6 range because it gave me some hope.
I highly doubt the Angels take Kurtz like the mock here. Going first base back to back is admitting the last draft was a waste. Although Kurtz looks like a legitimate middle of the order bat for years to come and I’d love to add him to the rebuild.
If the board breaks the way MLB expects it to, the Angels take Tibbs IMO. The other possibility is to go below slot and snag the one good third baseman left on the board in Cam Smith
This is what is disappointing and why it’s hard to feel sorry for them. Tibbs would be an excellent addition but you don’t pass up a hitter like Kurtz to do so. That just shows a complete lack of knowing what you’re doing. Selecting Kurtz doesn’t mean Shanuel is a bust, it just means that Kurtz too good of bat to pass up. If Schanuel turns into a great player, one can be a DH or you can trade one for a comparable player at a different position. You have to view them as assets. And, if Shanuel is a bust, you’ve corrected your mistake and you would have to replace him anyway. Admit your mistakes and move on, don’t marry yourself to the mistake. Always take the best guy. It’ll be a few years anyway before the team is good so just stockpile the best guys and worry about the rest later.
If Kurtz goes ahead of us, I would be ok with Weatherholt.
my best guess is Yesavage but as long as we get one of the top 8, i’ll be happy. Kurtz would be great but doubt he gets to us.
my head will explode if we stray from anyone outside a consensus top eight, but yeah, Yesavage pitching in Anaheim in September and from what i saw, he’s below Silseth
I’m with you on this Rex, I would definitely be happy with the best of whoever is left of the top 8, and my head will explode also if that doesn’t happen. Yesavage is #11 with some HS kids in front. We definitely want a consensus top 8.
This.
We need everything and there’s no reason to draft a guy to be here in a few months. We’re rebuilding.
There’s also no reason to go with a high school kid. But the plethora of college talent plus our draft slot should add up to a top talent.
The only 5 guys I’m 100% confident will be gone at 8 are Bazzana, Burns, Condon, Caglianone and Hagen Smith.
Then there’s a group consisting of Montgomery, Kurtz, Weatherholt that could go in any order.
That puts us at 8, all college players. So we could get one of that group.
Tibbs is having a superb post season and could go higher than expected, pushing somebody else down. Cam Smith is the top third baseman in the draft. Yeseavage is the only decent arm likely to be around.
Somebody will pick a high schooler at some point. S
Mostly likely we’ll have a quality player available at 8 but dropping back that one spot is probably going to hurt.
Assuming you are right, in what order would you want one of those 3 and would you take Cam Smith or Tibbs ahead of any of them. Also tell us what you know about Montgomery and Cam Smith.
I don’t think I’m an expert on the level of Turk’s Teeth but I think I’d go Weatherholt, Kurtz, Montgomery.
Weatherolt has the most overall value, Kurtz is the best bat. Montgomery is decent on both sides of the ball.
I could see Tibbs going ahead of Montgomery based on the last month or so of the season. Players have ridden hot finishes to higher draft slots before.
Cam Smith is a need pick, but an enticing one. I’d love to hear Turk’s take on the kid, but 6 foot 2, 230 pounds with a video game slash line of .402/.497/.677 in the ACC has a lot of appeal to me. Not much defensive value at the moment, but it seems like third base has been a perpetual need since Glaus left.
In 2 to 3 years I will be looking at Gavin Grahovac of Texas A&M, local Villa Park kid, 6’ -2” 220 lbs hit a tad over .300 this year as a freshman with I think 22 home runs. Used to see him at A2D indoor training facility when my son would go there.
Thanks, this makes sense. I’d like to know from Turks why Cam is at #14 and If he would take him ahead of any of the other 4.
This x1000
The Astros announced Friday they released former White Sox 2020 MVP Jose Abreu.
https://sports.yahoo.com/astros-release-former-white-sox-182445253.html
coming soon to a ballpark near you
Signed him to 3 years at almost 20M per, when he was already 35 years old.
Good thing we’re not the only team handing out horrible contracts.
but we are the best at it.
Father’s Day is always kind of bittersweet. A few years ago I was driving to Vegas with the kids and we passed a camper with a sign, Desert Honey, Beef Jerky, DNA Testing. Got some Teriyaki jerky and had the kids tested. Turns out they weren’t mine. Traded them to the jerky guy for a few large bags of jerky. Often wonder how they turned out. They weren’t particularly well behaved so it’s likely they ended up as Authentic Western Jerky.
Heartwarming story, Jim!
That got me all teared up Jim.
You got a good deal!! 😂😂😂
That’s awesome and got a genuine laugh out loud.
Thank you.
The thing about Father’s Day and this site that amazes me is that any woman would have voluntarily procreate with any of you!! 😂😂 Just joshing. Happy Father’s Day to all
So there is that. Were all lottery winners which explains the great amount of hopeium and optimism you see here. 😎
My wife may have an aversion to admit it was voluntary, she said it was just part of her job.
(Hopes wife doesn’t see this post)
Hahaha!!😂
Minasian is such a fool. He focused on the bullpen this offseason and it is a joke. Not that he will be replaced with anyone better, but he needs to be replaced. Maybe the next amateur would do better.
His focus was on improving the Bullpen, which is the hardest part of a team to be precise on. Ever noticed that the pitchers in the “Pen” are really good every other year or if lucky every 2 out of 3 years. It is a very rare pitcher who is successful in the pen almost every season. Only a handful of relief pitchers are in MLBHOF because it is a difficult job to accomplish. The best teams may have their Bullpens perform for only 2 or 3 seasons at a high level, KC Royals 2014-2016, Asstros 2021-2023. Perry has made some very good choices, but some have failed and then moved on to become good again. Because of the heavy influence of Moreno, who has never embraced paying for a BP, the team has had issues for many years in all areas of operation that make being successful team a chore at best, but it takes a lot of luck to also to putting a BP together. Just for fun pick out some pitchers to make up a BP and see how you do, it might be fun.
I get the feeling Perry was so limited with the budget that all he could afford were bullpen guys and scrubs like Hicks. So “we’re improving the bullpen” was a cover for the fact that he couldn’t do anything else! No money for a proven starter, no money for a solid hitter.
I’m with you two but a little of each.
We weren’t going to get any offensive stud. The kids needed to play and the rotation was pretty much set. So Perry focused on the bullpen.
The thing is he completely misplayed the market and handed out more money to relievers than quality starters ended up receiving.
During the offseason, Minasian shared a 2023 stat on how the Halos lost games because of innings pitched mostly by relievers, so that made sense. Unsuccessful, but made sense…..
Tonight’s game is a damn AppleTV game. 😤
Ugh!
One more reason to hate Manfraud!
Oh AppleTV I curse you and the ground in which the next five generations of your family will be buried!!
Too much?
Not enough?
At least that means we get Wayne on a Friday instead of Patrick.
At least it’s a Patrick-free Friday.
i couldn’t watch the last three games because the game was 11 miles from my house.
also am unable to see NBA Finals.
so fucking stupid. i just watched US/Brazil in soccer and was content.
Fortunately, only 1 of the las 3 games were watchable.
Good morning, it’s bright and sunny and a great time for a great weekend to hopefully see the time do well up in another Northern California cesspool-San Fran (I know, I know, they hate that reference. 😄 ) I very much dislike the Giants, from my father’s influence of his being a Yankee and Dodger fan from his growing up in New York, to my being a Dodgers fan back in the day to the Bud Selig led Bonds Admiration Club for the steroid cheaters. Who can ever forget Roseboro head bashing to McCovey smacking Drysdale around for 10 years. Oh yes I still want loses to pile up on us, but even I would like to see these games bee high scoring and winning events.
I, like Bob Costas, worshipped Mickey Mantle and his HRs and because of my forementioned father saw Willie Mays as the National League version of a Mickey Mantle and always did appreciate getting the “Willies” when The Say Hey Kid and Willie Mac came to town. By 8 O’clock my clock radio on my bedside table was on with Vinny and by the 7th inning Jerry would put me to sleep. I knew the rest of those that played up there too. Haller, Davenport, Perry, Cepeda, Jim Ray Hart, etc.
While not a big fan of inter league play, I do like playing the Giants, Dodgers, and Padres, a California thing, I guess. We may not be the Champions of MLB, or even the American League West, we still have a chance to be the Champs of California. Go Angels. ⚾ 🏆 🏅
Call it Frisco. They hate that the most. I live there but am currently visiting SoCal and love it as much as ever.
Yes it’s “The Bay Area.” 🙄
Nor Cals have more disdain for term “Frisco” than San Fran. And I make sure to use the term when talking to my Nor Cal raised wife! 🤪
I’ve always liked the Giants because they are the Dodgers biggest rival
The enemy of my enemy is my friend
My favorite NL team is the Giants because I hate blue.
Plus I really dig those cream colored home uniforms!!
How can you not like the team that gave us our only World Series Championship?
If you mean because of Scioscia…he was no longer a dodger from the point that they passed him over for manager. Just like they did to Kevin Kennedy.
I was talking about the Giants.
Okay, thanks.
Strong disdain for the winning Patriots and Tom Brady (all due to jealousy). But a shit-ton of admiration and respect for what they accomplished as an organization. Probably will never be repeated in today’s professional sports. Yeah some of it is cliched, but he believes it, and more importantly it’s true. (Warning: he obviously had a recent teeth whitening appointment, may be temporarily blinded) and (none of these qualities exist in the Angles organization, the opposite of this is prevalent).
Happy Father’s Day to all! Sports are one of the best things for teaching our kids.
https://youtu.be/0bnd_K3dhRk?si=jBBo0kL32lFyirGq&t=953
It is almost like illegally videotaping things and making the game balls incapable of being fumbled helps win games or something.
On a lost season like this, it’s nice to see the growth of Logan, Zach, Jo and Jose. Jose’s been really impressing because he’s able to self-correct after a bad/mediocre start, kinda what I was hoping happen to Reid.
Even Mickey’s got a modest 5-game hitting streak. I really hope he starts hitting soon because come end of July, he may end up being an everyday player out of sheer necessity.
From PTP on watching his young players:
What else is he going to say. 🙂 I definitely agree regarding Neto, O’Hoppe and Soriano. Schanuel and Adell are just wishful thinking at this point. Adell has certainly improved defensively. He has not stopped the base running blunders though, he still strikes out at a tremendous rate, and he’s currently hitting .194 with a 92 OPS+, 8% below average for all positions and worse for RF. He has ninety something more games this year to improve or adjust. Until I see it, I am not confident it will happen. Even though he seems to look better sometimes at the plate, his improvement consists of going from horrible to below average. Until the club becomes competitive, or they replace him with someone who is good, he can play everyday and hopefully become something useful. Even without improvement, he may be out there for several more years. Schanuel has shown little to no improvement either offensively or defensively. He’s hit a few more HRs but everything else is really bad. He is only 22, and has virtually no minor league experience which is not his fault, but is in my opinion a horrible comment regarding the organization. 2 years from now, he may become a good player, but for now he doesn’t really belong here. He should have been a rookie next year or the year after. I like him and I want him to succeed but he needs a lot of work. He needs to watch Walker from the Diamond Backs who demonstrates textbook hitting and swing mechanics.
You are far too easy on yourself Minasian. Your team sucks.
One of our lost sheep last night in Las Vegas.
Detmers – 6 innings 92-59, 2 runs 2 earned, 4 hits, 3 walks, 7 K’s, 1 HR
Decent enough.
Baby steps.
one month away…..some of CTPG favorite bats Kurtz and Tibbs still can be had according to this most recent predictions
8. Angels: Nick Kurtz, 1B, Wake Forest (No. 4)
Given their track record of late, talk persists of the Angels looking to potentially save money on a college hitter who will move quickly, so guys like James Tibbs from Florida State also get mentioned. But Kurtz’s power — which should also get to Los Angeles in a hurry — might be too good to pass up.
https://www.mlb.com/news/mlb-pipeline-2024-mock-draft-june-13
I would like Kurtz first even though he plays 1B. Take the best bat and sort it out later.
If they don’t grab the best starting pitcher on the board, it’s professional malfeasance.
I think that our need for pitching has been tied by our need for hitting.
At least we have some arms that might give us some hope, maybe. (Probably not😀)
Tell me one bat in our system is going to help produce runs? Adams? Paris? I don’t think we have a young bat that is worth mentioning.
Let’s be honest, we are about 5 or 6 drafts away, if we choose wisely, from having something to talk about.
-Bonnie Raitt
I’m going to hope it’s more like 3-4
Grabbing a pitcher doesn’t mean Minasian is capable of drafting the best one.
Hitters are usually more predictable than pitchers which is one of the reasons I want them to go with a hitter.
Honestly, other than Trout – the Angels first round selections (hitters and pitchers) have been bad. The list since 1990 (it’s okay to cry….)
2023 Nolan Schanuel 1B
2022 Zach Neto SS
2021 Sam Bachman RHP
2020 Reid Detmers LHP
2019 Will Wilson SS
2018 Jordyn Adams OF
2017 Jo Adell OF
2016 Matt Thaiss C
2015 Taylor Ward C
2014 Sean Newcomb LHP
2011 C.J. Cron 1B
2010 Taylor Lindsey SS
2010 Chevez Clarke OF
2010 Cam Bedrosian RHP
2010 Kaleb Cowart SS
2009 Mike Trout OF
2009 Randal Grichuk OF
2006 Hyun Choi Chonger C
2004 Jered Weaver RHP
2003 Richard Wood SS
2002 Joe Saunders LHP
2001 Casey Kotchman 1B
2000 Chris Bootcheck RHP
2000 Joe Torres LHP
1998 Seth Etherton RHP
1997 Troy Glaus 3B
1995 Darin Erstad OF
1994 McKay Christensen OF
1993 Brian Anderson LHP
1992 Pete Janicki RHP
1991 Eduardo Perez 3B
As usual you speak the truth. Ward, Detmers, and Neto are about it for the last 10 years. Jury is still out on Shanny and Bachman. Things have gotten better under Perry.
I’d like to see the team take on bloated contracts on some past their prime vets in exchange for acquiring solid prospects.
And Jo Adell
Omg I forgot about Will Wilson
He and Jordyn Adams are the biggest whiffs in the last 10 years. Yeesh.
Very nice write up Jeff. I went to spring training with my grown sons a few years ago and we had a wonderful time both watching games and going out to dinner. Someday, maybe I’ll write about little league parents. Youth sports and even college and HS are really about the present and not about the future. Kids of all ages should be able to play for the pure enjoyment of the sport. My fondest memories even in HS and college were about my teammates and going for ice cream after, when I was growing up. The smell of my uniform when it came out of the wash. Sanitaries and stirrups back in the day, and the process of getting dressed to play. I went to a ton of Angel games with my dad growing up as well. All good stuff. I have the same wishes you have regarding Father’s Day for everyone here. Good time to rewatch The Sandlot. I have a daughter who played as well so I am including them too. And it’s great fun watching your kids play even in HS and college. They’re still your kids to you no matter how old they get. Cherish this time Jeff, it goes fast.
If we can draft a really good bat this year and next, and acquire some talent via trades as well, there is hope for the Halos future. Everyone have an awesome weekend.
Luis Garcia- 4.25 million for a 5.14 and climbing ERA and a -0.4 WAR. I actually like Perry, but this was and is a head scratcher. And it is turning out pretty much like I thought it would.
Him and suarez are such trash pitchers
Just rub a little dirt on it. Given Logan’s pre-game routine (posted below), the in-game “incident” was clearly just looking line up post-game sympathy.
That’s just NUTTS!!!
Concern for O’hoppe’s nuts? What about Angel fan nuts? This has been a daily occurrence for us for the last 15 years, that’s all that happens, one giant kick to nuts!
To be an Angel fan it’s required to be a eunuch for the reasons you listed.
Did you know that the term “Buttercup” actually refers to the need to wear a cup for the nut shots you take as a fan ?
Just spray some windex on it
😅 😂
That O’Hoppe clip is just brutal…glad he’s okay.
Define okay!
Indeed!!