This has to be the most fun .500 team in Angels history. Sweeps of the hated duo of Boston and LA along with taking 3 in a row in Yankee Stadium means the team is winning the games we most want them to win. And they are doing it mostly due to the emerging young core.
Christian Moore is the newest Angel to help propel the squad to victories. His two home run performance on Tuesday included our Highlight of the Week. June 24 is obviously a big day for the young man.
As great as the two homer performance was, I’m really impressed with his defensive decision making. Last week I linked a great throw to home to cut down a run in NY. This week, he was a key figure in a double play that likely preserved a win. Moore’s awareness to throw back to second base to pick up the second out and end the inning was critical. And his acceleration to apply the tag was nice, too.
Moore doesn’t have to look very hard to find rookies who found success quickly. But not all prospects pan out right away. Jo Adell has taken his lumps as he developed but seems to be fulfilling his promise. His hot week has turned into a hot month and he just might have turned into a really good player.
One thing I can definitely say about Jo is that he’s a good dude. My nephew and I spent a few minutes chatting with him at a Spring Training game years ago. He signed balls for fans, asked their names to customize the signature, and showed a maturity well beyond his 19 years at the time. You can see some of that personality in this interview.
Yeah, yeah, this is supposed to be a links section not just a bunch of twitter links. Video is just soooooo cool, though.
Yusei Kikuchi has been really good this year and has to be considered one of Perry’s best free agent acquisitions. He racked up 12k’s Wednesday to wrap up the sweep against Boston. He really had 13 but the home plate umpire screwed him royally on a call in the first inning.
Zach Neto is the heart of the young core and gave us a scare Tuesday night. But his MRI came back clean and he’s listed as day to day. My favorite tidbit from that piece is this:
He admitted on Tuesday he should’ve left the game after the slide at second base, but wanted to be there for his teammates. He also said it’s just instinct to slide headfirst into second, but will consider sliding feet-first more often going forward.”
Talking about all these kids I have to point out the fact 8 Angels first rounders were on the field Tuesday night. And those 8 contributed significantly to that win and to the team’s overall record.
Reid Detmers is one of those first round draft picks. He’s been nails out of the bullpen lately and I think it is because he is now going pitch to pitch, attacking the zone and thinking about nothing other than the next pitch. The folks at The Athletic seem to agree with me.
From around baseball:
Some fans suck and need to be tarred and feathered. One of them crossed the line and heckled Ketel Marte about his deceased mother and was properly banned by all MLB stadiums.
The outpouring of support for Marte across the league has been great to see. He hit a home run the following day to lead the D’backs to victory in Chicago.
I’m not sure how to tease this piece from FanGraphs about starting pitchers. Just read it.
Draft Links:
We’re just a couple of weeks away from the 2025 MLB Draft and the Angels hold the 2nd overall pick. The team also has picks 47, 79, 105, and 109. The general consensus for this year’s class is that it lacks clear high end talent but likely is pretty deep with MLB regulars. So having 5 of the first 109 picks and a pool of bonus money could really help propel the Angels back into winners.
Who has the best tools in the class? Take a look here.
Now that college baseball is over, the Top 250 prospect list has been updated. I’d be happy if the draft fell exactly this way and the Angels picked up Kade Anderson and Brandon Compton then backed them up with some high school upside plays.
My money is still on Arquette but I think we’re sleeping a bit on Jaime Arnold who has been quietly excellent all season. He’s the only name to consistently be there from pole to pole and his postseason performances only enhanced his profile.
Come back here at noon to see another great draft piece by Turk’s Teeth.
Enjoy your weekend and link what I missed. I’m not sure exactly how I’m going to enjoy this beautiful weather but I know it will be with my wife and son. Hopefully I catch an Angels game as well.
There’s a little bit of light on the farm.
Tri-City won with a comeback in the top of the 9th and have started the 2nd half of the A+ NWL 5-1
https://www.milb.com/gameday/dust-devils-vs-canadians/2025/06/27/788807/final/wrap
Retire already
No disrespect but you are at that age
First he was day to day and now he’s out for the season.
Angels doing Angels things.
Wash news? Or PTP telling the team we are BUYERS at the trade deadline!
…worried it’s Wash news.
https://x.com/samblum3/status/1938709625928614356?s=61
feeling it’s Wash (bad) news. 😟
Jeff Fletcher
@JeffFletcherOCR
·
35s
The Angels announced that Ron Washington will remain on medical leave for the rest of the season. Ray Montgomery will be interim manager.
Press conference happening shortly
Jeff Fletcher
The Angels announced that Ron Washington will remain on medical leave for the rest of the season. Ray Montgomery will be interim manager.
Press conference happening shortly
🙏 Wash
Win4Wash
No line-ups yet?
They are usually posted about 3 hours before first pitch.
Angels posted early today. https://www.mlb.com/gameday/nationals-vs-angels/2025/06/27/777331/preview
A lot of punch 3 thru 6 with Trout, Ward, Adell & Logan. They’ll need to produce tonight.
I’m just enjoying this season, yall. Most fun in a very long time.
It is June 27th, this team is 40-40 and 1 game back in the WC. Other than Joyce, we haven’t lost any key player to serious injury.
Ride the wave, baby. We’ve been desperate for times like this for a long time. We deserve fun baseball. Enjoy it.
🍍 🌊
Agreed. I’m having a lot of fun for the most part. When we win, it is usually because of the kids. When we lose, it is usually due to guys who won’t be part of the next winning team anyway.
Agreed II, it’s nice not hoping for a miracle that may crack the door for an occasional, unlikely and improbable win.
It has been really fun so far. After the games we usually go to the Denny’s across the street from the stadium and it is usually filled with Angels fan .
I think we’re all feeling the same. Even Frosty and I aren’t trading insults.
It’s fun because a true foundation is clear to see.
Hopefully Wash comes thru OK.
WTH is Mia!?
Inquiring minds want to know.
Probably on a Dodgers board.
Doing her thing most likely…. hopefully fun things and not bummer things.
Silseth and Mia disappeared at the same time. Has either been sited?
Coincidence?
I heard she walked on the wrong lawn.
Hey, HEY!!! I had NOTHING to do with this… I was too busy following hockey!!!!
I heard she took ippies job and is doing the bets for Shohei. The difference is she got her millions up front just in case she gets caught
Drone show tonight. Anyone else going to the game?
🙋♂️
I’ll be in Section 236
The three guarantees in life: death, taxes, and the Angels doing at least one incredibly stupid and franchise damaging thing at the trade deadline.
A line that you are very familiar with, Senator:
Yes, I did invent “futile and stupid gestures” before Arte and the boys legitimized them.
Trademark it!
“Otter” would be very proud that you used his speech to Delta Tau Chi at a moment of crisis.
I, Lucas Giolito, am put off by your comments
And think, to that point, Giolito was pitching well for the White Sox but imploded once he got to So Cal. I thought it was a good move when announced, which explains why I’m not a GM.
Giolito was the best rental arm on the market but it wasn’t a strong market. Once he was moved out of the weak AL Central and he imploded.
And even Cleveland couldn’t fix him once the Angels got through with him.
See, that’s what’s sad, both about the team and our JuJu…. and how stupid internet fansperts are. I took a moment one evening and looked at all the guys we got at the 2023 deadline at the time we got them. If we were trying to get say an extra ten wins in the second half and make the playoffs those moves were a good package.
It just fell apart. What that has to do with Perry being stupid I have yet to figure out. But we still list that as his most horrific offense as a GM. That or drafting all pitchers in one draft…. at a time when we had a huge need for pitchers in the system…. in a year when scouting and reports were severely hampered by the Covid mess…. so it made some sense to attention on a limited area… in a draft where basically the Padres picked anyone who has done anything thus far (Merrill/Wood) plus Atlanta with Scwellenbach and it looks like everyone else had our issues.
So stupid.
Trade Moore and Lugo for a starting pitcher.
A pitcher of lemonade, sweet tea or sangria?
Make that Long Island Iced Tea and I’m there.
Margaritas
Cadillac Margaritas and Im in.
We started talking many years ago about “Rebuilding” and that it takes time and some luck. We referred to the Joe Pesci line of “Yuts” and many agreed that it would be much added fun to watch Yuts playing and getting better than watching “Older Players” fail and knowing that the added bonus would be a winning team. Now there seems some here want to jump ship and hold on to guys that are either of some trade value or just taking up space. The only way to improve this team is to keep getting younger and improving with more “Yuts”, not being buyers except for additional young players and to jettison some favorites. We are all enjoying the slow upward change in Adell, fast upward improvement in Neto and Schanny, Moore may be next, O’Hoppe may get a lot better, and others are also working on getting better, so we are a .500 team and we all share being surprised, but this is no way a WS team, much less a winning WS team as currently assembled, so improving is best achieved by getting younger.
Winning is always in the thinking in trying to rebuild, but we are only at best halfway point, not stalling on being hooked on stopping and crossing fingers, but to stick with a plan and achieve the goal of being a long-term winning team. We don’t need to hear how we wasted Neto, O’Hoppe, Schanny, and the rest of our decent players like we hear about how that happened to Trout and Ohtani.
MOAR KIDZ! Even if those kids just get traded, we need kids. The teams that win long term are always rebuilding to an extent. Bad example this year, but look at the Braves. Look at their roster one year and then three years later. Always in flux.
JJ you already know my opinion on relievers.
Reid Detmers needed to succeed as a frontline SP for us. I think we should consider moving him for starting depth.
I know he was a reliever but how tall was Loek van Mil?
7′ 1″ 240 lbs
Unfortunately he passed in 2018.
Damn.
“kangaroos woke him up…'” This would be pretty funny if it wasn’t so tragic.
Actually, I think it is both !
Six foot twenty weighed a fkn ton. And Dutch to boot.
Really am enjoying these kids playiing at a level that has them winning series. It’s fun for sure. Sustainable? That I’m less sure about but it will be fun and possibly exciting to see.
For the first time in a long time, I feel the Angels are building something. It feels a little bit like 1998 or 1999 to me. And with any luck in the upcoming draft there is an opportunity to take it to the next level.
That is why I am actually really concerned that Arte is going to overreact and be a buyer at the deadline. What a mistake that would be. This team is about youth and potential. Trading any of that away to rent a player or two (aka 2023) would be a tremendous mistake. One that could resonate for another decade.
Please Arte, stay on this path and if anything be a seller (Anderson, Ward, Rengifo etc) at the deadline. Let’s keep building to something outstanding as this could get super exciting.
Absolutely agree.
For the rest of the season, go with what you got.
This team is not a clear-cut playoffs team. If we make it, that’s very cool.
But, there’s no need to be buyers.
Let’s hope Anderson/Ward/Rengifo/Kingery/Newman get really hot from now to the trading deadline, and perhaps we can find a sucker (er, trading partner) to do a trade.
Completely agree.
I think it is crucial to keep in mind the team is .500 because the rotation has been healthy. Not a single starter has missed a start.
There’s no depth behind those 5 and Dana has taken a big step backwards this season.
If the Angels do end up selling Tyler and Kyle (obvious choices) and Kikuchi (very bold choice), who are the contenders to take their place?
The only players I can think of is Detmers (if the Angels aren’t going anywhere, might as well let him start the rest of the year) and Dana. Are they willing to bring up Klassen at this point? Aldegheri?
Even if they sell, they still need starters.
Based on the 40-man roster, probably Dana, Eder, Mederos and Aldegheri. Out of those 4, Mederos seems to be pitching the best.
A lost half season would be the perfect time to take a look at Joel Hurtado and see how real he is…. maybe some sweet sweet Barret Kent action….
Kent is building himself up in Arizona right now coming back from injury. He won’t be ready til 2028-29
If the Angels sell anyone right now there’s gonna be a huge hole that will likely be filled by AAAA depth and we will have a rough 2nd half. It’s a tactical retreat. Sacrifice three months of 2025 but get some kids who may help for seven years. But we are gonna hate the line ups and pitching if the Angels do what I hope and trade what ever they can trade.
For example. Soler in the OF. Detmers to the rotation, sure, but someone’s gonna need to fill his spot in the pen… someone with a name like Fulmer or Casey Lawrence or some shit. It’ll be messy.
Sprinkle in some of the kids…. none of whom look good in the minors right now…. fert
going bases on performance:
AAA – Mederos, Eder
AA – Hurtado
other options
AAA – Dana, Silseth if he’s alive (doubtful)
AA – Ferris, Aldegheri
Not buying into Mederos yet. 40 AA starts and 8 MLB appearance, plus a low K rate, have more sway with me than a decent ERA over a short stretch in the PCL.
Still think Hurtado is a reliever, but I’d be willing to try him and Eder for a couple spot starts – though I wouldn’t plan any wild card chase around either.
The others are simply not ready to rock.
Yep hes sucked giant balls before this year at pretty much every level hes been at. But someone in this org sure has loved his stuff.
I agree. I’m fine if they stand pat to appease the hopium crowd and not break the faith with them. Also good if they move a few guys, but I’m not sure that any of the obvious trade chips would net much in return.
Please no 2023 type reaches!
I agree we should be sellers.
But I disagree about trading Ward. We already need another solid outfielder, and have nothing realistic in the minors. Trading Ward would mean needing two outfielders. We’d end up playing two prospects that have no business being in the majors.
Trading Ward next year, no problem.
But that would just be delaying the inevitable though, no?
The Angels would still need an OF whether 2 months from now, or a year from now. And like you said, there are no exciting OF prospects to look forward to.
Unless you’re counting the return of Trout and/or Soler to the field.
And Ward has less trade value at that point….
I don’t think Ward has a lot of trade value. If we can’t get an above-average rated prospect for him, might as well hold on to him.
I think there are teams that value him and think he’ll do well surrounded by a different environment. KC, SF were a coupe of teams tracking him. SF less likely now. I don’t think the Angels miss a beat once he is gone.
Wards got value. He’s cheap power. The sims have him about right, he’s worth +8, which could get us a couple fairly good, but not BIG prospects.
Would the Guardian’s Juan Brito be too big of an ask for Ward? Cleveland can really use some outfield help and the Guardians have a good third baseman already.
Man. I’d like Brito. I think that may be right on the verge, where if there’s demand for Ward maybe we could get him…. that’s right in that “how are GMs thinking in late July” zone.
No rule says we can’t offer two players. Maybe add Rengifo or Lugo or a farm hand. I get that might be over the top, but this opportunity to really build the team may not come around for a while. FO needs to grab it hard. And 3b is a black hole and will be for another 2 to 3 years if we stand pat.
It’s already been reported they’re not selling unless they fall out of the playoff race.
Either you’re rooting for them to lose and sell or win and see what happens.
Sadly, we need to lose a few then, cause this is not a BUY BUY BUY team at all yet.
Gotta hope Perry has Arte’s ear at this point and convinces him to stay pat and ride this season out.
No sell, no buy, no cry
I think this is what will happen.
Perry is big on Clubhouse Culture and selling when you’re within striking distance of a playoff spot is probably not a good way to keep the room positive. It can be argued that the only way to bring in a difference maker would be to trade from the MLB roster which would probably also disrupt the room.
This still a “lost season” even if it’s going better than expected. Who gives a shit if the room is happy right now? The core guys they will keep. The guys they would trade will leave anyway. We need a happy room full of more good young players in 2026-27. Not in August 2025.
The happiest bunch of guys who finish in third place isn’t the goal and I doubt they stay happy long. we don’t have the rpsopect horses to get to “happy winner” without some sacrifices.
I don’t have expectations for the playoffs but as a fan, it’s still a lot of fun so far this year. At this date last year we were 34-46.
I’m sure those players they’ve deemed as core players give a shit but according to your thinking they’ll just smile happily when they’re told, we know we’re in the playoff hunt (the goal management set) but you’re not good enough so we’re going to blow off this season and gamble on being in at least the same position in 2 years.
I know as a competitor, I’d tell them to piss off and start talking to my agent about how to get out of the org. Maybe it’ll get them a better prospect/unproven MLB player.
I didn’t say they’ll smile happily. I said it doesn’t matter what makes you, stupid fans, or those players happy this year. What matters is what makes us good long term. Which will make us happy.
and alienating young players that are future contributors makes the team better? Good to know.
to each their own. Personally, I will never root for my team to lose especially without a guarantee it would be lead to success.
With that being said, I don’t think they should be buying either. If they’re winning, let the team as is play out the season and see where they are at seasons end.
I’ve rooted for losses for tanking purposes across several of my teams. It’s never actually enjoyable.
Rooting for losses to take us out of a playoff race in the hopes that we might trade Jansen and Ward for some middling prospects? I’m good on that lol
Nah it sucks. But “just stand pat with the semi-crap” is how you become the Marlins.
I thought they got into their position by having multiple Owners/GMs with different plans along with making bad trades in order to reduce payroll.
Define falling out of the playoff race. With the advent of the 2-WC spots, need to be Rocky-ish to be considered out of the playoff race.
MLB got what they wanted, all teams are not out of the race in July outside of 2-3 teams.
At this point it would at least mildly surprise me if Tampa and Toronto fail to be WC teams. The third spot is Seattle’s if they hold on which is not a given. I think more teams are out than we like to believe.
That’s a question for Perry. I would assume it’ll depend on how they’re trending and how many games back/ahead they are.