LA Angels Weekend News Crash: Pitching

For most of this season I’ve been highlighting the kids on the field and in the batter’s box. And so far we’ve seen levels of growth and reasons for optimism for many of them. But I’ve definitely overlooked what has been the Achilles heel of the Angels for eons: pitching.

Perry pulled an ace out of the hole when he moved Jose Soriano to the rotation. He’s definitely in line for a front line position in the rotation next season.

Soriano and Anderson are locked into two spots. What about the other three?

Jack Kochanowicz stated his case for one of those spots on Sunday. His sinker was sinking which made his fastball play up. This performance is easily the Highlight of the Week.

Expect Jack to get an extended look over the next couple of months to see if he can find some consistency and stick in the rotation. To me he looks like a multi inning reliever. I’ve said the same of Chase Silseth, who is expected to be ready to go in 2025.

Meanwhile in AA, Caden Dana is having a breakout season and is looking like a future MLB stud.

Dana threw another scoreless gem this week and is on a absolute tear right now. I expect him to climb significantly on year end prospect rankings.

In fact, he already is climbing up the MLB Pipeline list along with new teammate Christian Moore.

Perry continued adding arms to the system this week. Nick Robertson and Brock Burke were brought in on waiver claims. Robertson has been good at the MLB level while Burke has shown some really good numbers in a really short time. Odds are neither lottery ticket hits, but these are the types of moves a rebuilding team needs to make.

From around baseball:

Congratulations to Aaron Judge on home run #300.

Enjoy your weekend and link what I missed. If the Angels aren’t playing up to snuff, check out the future MLB’ers in the Little League World Series.

61 Comments
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CAoldskoll
Trusted Member
3 months ago

Who the heck wants a silly hip bag giveaway? Expecting cheap seats x4, not the case. Maybe a bunch of Brave fans are at the stadium tonight.

Twebur
Legend
3 months ago
Reply to  CAoldskoll

Todays Hip Bag was yesterday’s Fanny Pac

CAoldskoll
Trusted Member
3 months ago
Reply to  Twebur

Lol

Cowboy26
Legend
3 months ago

Well at least Perry won one trade this deadline . After 6 Appearances, Luis Garcia has a 12.15 ERA , a 1.95 WHIP while giving up 3 HRs .

If we get at least one useful idiot to excel at the Bg league level like tonights cleanup hitter thats a Homerun. But If Lugo (he’s out for the year with a thumb injury) or at least one of the 2 pitchers ( The ZeferJahn has 2.70 ERA and a 0.90 WHIP in 4 games in the thin PCL air but the just turned 20 year old George Yeferson Vargas has a 2.77 ERA and a 10.4 K/9 in 2 starts at the IE) also can step up thats a Grand Slam trade for a 37 year old rental middle reliever.

Last edited 3 months ago by Cowboy26
Eric_in_Portland
Legend
3 months ago

new guy at cleanup…uh…4th spot

Screenshot 2024-08-16 at 16-02-54 MLB Gameday Braves at Angels Probable Pitchers Lineups and more.png
FungoAle
Legend
3 months ago

That is a three out of a maximum four ping pong 🏓 🏓 🏓 balls lineup.

Everyone seems concerned about wins and losses here on this site but with lineups like this, the FO obviously has thrown in the rosin bag. Breath easy. This is Perry’s MO. In taking this organization to great heights.

steelgolf
Legend
3 months ago

Adell n CF and Moniak in RF?

Eric_in_Portland
Legend
3 months ago

that guy at cbs sports dot com really loves Judge. This is the writer who thinks teams like Toronto and the Angels shouldn’t IBB Judge because…well, it’s really because this dope wants Judge to hit HRs. Now he’s got an article about when Judge will get to 500 and uses Big Pill-Popper as an example of older guys who hit lots of HRs.

HalosFanForLife
Trusted Member
3 months ago

From a reliable source: Mookie asked to be moved back to RF because he felt too uncomfortable at SS. This was his move—not the teams’. Here’s what’s wild: He’s played amazingly well there, given his lack of experience and how hard the position is to play. He had only made nine errors at SS on the season. A scout friend of mine thinks he could become a Gold Glover there in a year or two; he’s that good. Of his nine errors, all of them but one were throwing errors (gettable picks could have saved a couple). I predicted he would struggle, and he did a little, but far less than I expected. To be that great of a talent to play elite-level SS so quickly leaves me more amazed at how amazing that dude is.

RexFregosi
Super Member
3 months ago

I’m picking him for my bowling team.

tanana40
Super Member
3 months ago

It was strange that the Dodgers dropped Rosario when Betts came back. Rosario seemed to be a relatively productive hitter.

Twebur
Legend
3 months ago

MookieBetts is a great betting site for football season. They take Eppei-Bucks

FungoAle
Legend
3 months ago

With Mookie’s arm, RF seemed like the perfect position for him. Never understood bringing him into the infield only to weaken the OF. Dodger baseball….thinking they are the smartest team in the room.

Last edited 3 months ago by FungoAle
Eric_in_Portland
Legend
3 months ago

My crazy dream this morning…

The dodgers, in the field, a play at the plate, the ball bounces off the catcher, the 1b and the 3b bonk heads going for it, it gets worse, eventually it looks like 20 dodgers in a pile looking for the ball when, for no good reason, Hillary Clinton decides to walk her dog on the field and gets swallowed up in the chaos.

It was hilarious! And there were replays, slo-no, close ups. A classic!

Cowboy26
Legend
3 months ago

But can she pitch?

Twebur
Legend
3 months ago
Reply to  Cowboy26

Not great anymore, lots of wear and tear, getting older, but she’s a lefty.
And you know what they say about lefties………………

Twebur
Legend
3 months ago

Moore of Moore.

MLB Network

@MLBNetwork

Christian Moore was the 8th overall pick in the 2024 Draft by the Angels 

 and is already making waves in Double-A! 

The Southern League Player

 of the Week discusses his stellar start to pro ball and the mindset he takes to the ballpark each day.

https://x.com/MLBNetwork/status/1824480236521574415

2002heaven
Super Member
3 months ago
Reply to  Twebur

Resist the temptation to rush him up here. Shouldn’t be up here till summer of 26.

Twebur
Legend
3 months ago
Reply to  2002heaven

Who? Picture pease.

Cowboy26
Legend
3 months ago
Reply to  2002heaven

I was going to say the same thing about you .

2002heaven
Super Member
3 months ago
Reply to  Cowboy26

Uv corse,
you’re a plagerist…. 😂 😂.
No creativity=CB26

Twebur
Legend
3 months ago

DSL Angels won today 11-1, which mathematically guarantees them wildcard spot in DSL playoffs which start Thursday — Angels DSL affiliate holds head-to-head in result of any tiebreaker scenarios

https://x.com/TaylorBlakeWard/status/1824496929998508500

Twebur
Legend
3 months ago

BREAKING: Sources tell me Niko Kavadas will officially be called up to The Angels tomorrow.

https://x.com/ChuckFreeby/status/1824260678699364702

Twebur
Legend
3 months ago
Reply to  Twebur

Assuming this is why Free Willie was set free yesterday.

Cowboy26
Legend
3 months ago
Reply to  Twebur

Still need to make another 40 man/26 man roster move Considering Niko hit .159/.229/.341 in his short voyage on the Great Salt Lake the excitement to see him play in Anaheim is unbearable.

Twebur
Legend
3 months ago
Reply to  Cowboy26

We are Dreary? Angel fans……….and trAdition keeps us full of Hope and Dreams

Last edited 3 months ago by Twebur
Cowboy26
Legend
3 months ago
Reply to  Twebur

I guess so because he lives for another Dreary day In Anaheim https://x.com/JeffFletcherOCR/status/1824504130200801397

By the way Niko’s Offensive numbers in WARchester for the Chowds were extremely offensive in a good way (.281/.424/.551) . But get ready for a shitpile of Strike outs I’m talking epic Trey cabbage levels +35% K’s/PA

Twebur
Legend
3 months ago
Reply to  Cowboy26

Keeping Dreary and starting him every day is more shocking than learning the news that Hollywood elites have drug problems 😱

Free Guillorme
Free the K in
Kavadas

gitchogritchoffmypettis
Legend
Reply to  Twebur

He’s probably taking DH at bats. DH is a black hole at this point, why not try a kid out? He has a .908 OPS in the minors so obviously he’s a piece of shit and Perry is stupid.

RexFregosi
Super Member
3 months ago
Reply to  Twebur

Louie Loiue has been Guillotined

Twebur
Legend
3 months ago

Free Soto

The Orioles called up Livan Soto today.
Been in the Angels org twice. The Orioles three seperate times, and up and down with the Reds several times.
Here’s his full transaction history since the spring.

https://x.com/SamBlum3/status/1824131015360778360

Biggiswrth
Trusted Member
3 months ago

https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2024/08/tigers-to-promote-jace-jung.html

Tigers have called up the guy I wanted to trade for this offseason. I had some fun today looking at who I got rid of and who we would have had in reutrn. Let’s remember this:

Angels trade SP Patrick Sandoval to the Tigers for 2B Jace Jung #4, SP Ty Madden #6, and 3B Issac Pacheco
(Man would this have been a great trade now that Sandoval is out for a long time!!)

Angels trade Taylor Ward to the Dodgers for SP Nick Frasso #4, SP Landon Knack #9, and SP Ronan Kopp #16

The pitching here would be worth way more than Ward has been this year!

Angels trade Luis Rengifo and Ryan Costeiu #21 to the Red Sox for OF Alex Verdugo and SP Luis Perales #10

This would have been an L as Rengifo has been better, but of course is hurt again. Verdugo has been a dud.

Angels trade SP Tyler Anderson plus $7.0 million over 2 years to the Rockies for RP Daniel Bard

Yikes on this one. As we would have traded our best pitcher for a guy who hasn’t pitched yet this year. A big swing and a miss!

This goes to show how hard it is to make trades. It’s tough being where we are, but hopfully this youth movement and development contunies in the right direction. This will be a major offseason for us to decide who the core is moving forward and continue to infuse talent in the entire system while cutting off dead weight!!

gitchogritchoffmypettis
Legend
Reply to  Biggiswrth

Those trades? Did a SIM or anything tell you those were actual possibilities? If so, can you tell me which SIM it was so I can ask it if I am good looking? Yes, I would like those trades, but the Tigers and Dodgers were not gonna do that even if Ward was hot and Sandy healthy.

Biggiswrth
Trusted Member
3 months ago

This was my IIWPM series back in Oct. 2023. The trades were run through the trade simulator and all were balanced. (back when it was free of course!)

MarineLayer
Super Member
3 months ago

Is Minasian trying to get fired by giving Calhoun’s spot to some journeyman IF. I hope he doesn’t take any ABs from Stefanic. I struggle to understand what he’s doing. Aren’t we supposed to be looking for young players to show something, not shuffle deck chairs around the deck of the Titanic.

Cowboy26
Legend
3 months ago
Reply to  MarineLayer

Not sure how DFAing Calhoun for a journeyman infielder who can back up shortstop rises to the level of termination. It seems to me There are a helluva lot bigger issues that
Perry should answer for than that. Like why do we not have any one else in the system that can back up such an important position.

MarineLayer
Super Member
3 months ago
Reply to  Cowboy26

Fair enough, although I stand behind my deck chairs comment.

gitchogritchoffmypettis
Legend
Reply to  Cowboy26

He’s primarily a 1B/DH… didn’t see any innings at SS

gitchogritchoffmypettis
Legend
Reply to  MarineLayer

Drafted by the Red Sox IN 2021. SO HE’S ALMOST FINISHED 3 SEASONS worth of ball. We are his second org since they traded him to us. So if this makes him a journeyman does my driving to Indio make me a world traveler?

YOUknowulovetheIE
Super Member
3 months ago
Reply to  MarineLayer

Willie was released for the potential of signing with a playoff bound team. It was doing him a favor.

GrandpaBaseball
Legend
3 months ago

I’m am convinced that Manfraud does not like the sport he is in charge of…..Arte is in over his head and Carpino is right there with him with Kuhl joining in….Anaheim may lose a tenant and the fans will be more than butt-hurt……I am currently doubting that Los Angeles can replicate the ’84 Olympics in ’28, but this is subject to change….. Of the 8 teams consisting of Angels – Chargers – Clippers – Dodgers – Ducks – Kings – Lakers – Rams – there are three with ownership that knows how to run a Sports Franchise, the big question is which one would you like to see own the Angels? Only two qualify…..Have a great weekend all.

red floyd
Legend
3 months ago

I get four… Doyers, Ducks, Kings, Rams. Five if you add the Bolts.

Cowboy26
Legend
3 months ago
Reply to  red floyd

the Ducks ownership is questionable

red floyd
Legend
3 months ago
Reply to  Cowboy26

OK, I’ll give you that.

RexFregosi
Super Member
3 months ago

Easy. Kings. He needs a baseball team too.

Rams would be fine too.

Born_in_59
Trusted Member
3 months ago
Reply to  RexFregosi

Does the NFL allow its owners to own other sports teams? I seem to recall Jack Kent Cooke had to sell both Lakers and Kings when he became controlling owner of the Redskins.

GrandpaBaseball
Legend
3 months ago

I was thinking about Dodgers, Rams, Clippers.

GrandpaBaseball
Legend
3 months ago

Spectulation on next seasons starting staff is impossible as the names of today will be so much different by next Opening Day and by All-Star Game completely different once again. The constant is always “Change” and is also frustrating. Is Silseth still in the mix? Or Detmers? Will Anderson still be around? Heck for that matter will Arte still be around. Tough subject to cover. But I’ll put my money down and take the odds-on Detmers being double digit winner in ’25. 😂 

steelgolf
Legend
3 months ago

Leave it to Manfraud to break something that isn’t broken.

Twebur
Legend
3 months ago
Reply to  steelgolf

Could our pitchers get some kind of exemption for the first inning?

halofansince1978
Super Member
3 months ago
Reply to  Twebur

Made me laugh Twebes!!

Fansince1971
Legend
3 months ago

Incredibly stupid and shows no knowledge of the game. Sometimes your starter doesn’t have his best stuff. At that point do we want to force him to stay in there and remove the ability to manage from the field manager? Also if a guy has thrown say 100 pitches in 4 innings and is struggling- you have to keep him in and risk injury? Makes zero sense.

MarineLayer
Super Member
3 months ago
Reply to  Fansince1971

I guess he thinks there aren’t enough pitcher injuries already, so let’s manufacture more.

Twebur
Legend
3 months ago
Reply to  MarineLayer

….and while we are at it, let’s expand the league to deplete the pitching more.

YOUknowulovetheIE
Super Member
3 months ago

Worst commissioner in all of sports

Cowboy26
Legend
3 months ago

IDK The Pac 12 commissioner has to be right up there.

MarineLayer
Super Member
3 months ago
Reply to  Cowboy26

His conference no longer exists, so he needs to take credit for that.

RexFregosi
Super Member
3 months ago
Reply to  Cowboy26

Both of Larry and George go 1 and 2

halofansince1978
Super Member
3 months ago

If pitching matchups mean anything we need to win tonight.