Post by rymiller (Angels GM) on Nov 13, 2013 16:15:45 GMT -6
PreSeason Rankings and reports from Sickels.
Kaleb Cowart, 3B, Grade B+: Clearly the class of the system. Has developed into a very good fielder, perhaps excellent, and his bat is showing steady improvements. Expect him to be a moderate batting average, solid OBP, good power guy with a great glove. Switch-hitting Mike Lowell?
Jorge Soler, CHC, OF, Grade B+, $5,000,000 (2015): Highly impressive power/speed combo from the Cuban defector. Main advantage Almora has at this point is a better birthday, but I love Soler. Another Sammy Sosa?
Courtney Hawkins, CHW, OF, Grade B+: Pushed very fast to High-A two months out of high school, but held his own. Enormous power, some speed, good arm, has contact issues but considering his age I think he did just fine. Grade may be a notch aggressive given lack of refinement, but upside is huge.
Nick Maronde, LHP, Grade B: Borderline B+. I think he has B+ talent but his durability is questionable and he probably fits best as a reliever, which dings his stock a bit. Still the best pitching prospect in the organization by far.
Alex Wood, ATL, LHP, Grade B-: Borderline B. Unconventional but it works, had some excellent outings and should move quickly through the system. This grade may go up a notch but I have a couple more things to review first.
Johnny Hellweg, MILW, RHP, Grade B-: No surprise here, fireballing right-hander acquired in Zack Greinke trade with Angels has enormous upside as a potential upper-level starter or closer, but he's got to lower his walk rate.
Ariel Pena, MILW, RHP, Grade B-: Another component of the Greinke trade, Pena throws very hard and has a good slider, but gets into trouble when he leaves his pitches too high in the strike zone. He sagged after the trade and is something of an enigma. You can draw a scenario where he becomes a number three starter, or one where he becomes a closer, or one where he becomes nothing.
Donn Roach, SD, RHP, Grade B-: Has the best sinker in the minor leagues and knows how to use it, mixing it with solid splitter and curveball. Combined 11-2, 1.88 ERA in 105 innings with 78/22 K/BB, 3.53 GO/AO in his first year as a starter. Should develop into mid-rotation workhorse.
Andy Oliver, DET, LHP, Grade C+: Acquired from Tigers for catcher Ramon Cabrera. Throws quite hard but hasn't been able to turn the corner due to problems with breaking pitches. Maybe the Pirates can fix him.
Tanner Rahier, CIN, 3B, Grade C+: Very tough to rank. California prep star draws praise for his polish, hitting ability, arm strength and fielding, but he hit just .192/.266/.311 in rookie ball and struggled defensively. This was pretty much the opposite of all the scouting reports so I don't know what to make of it. He did control the strike zone reasonably well and he hustles.
Rob Rasmussen, LAD, LHP, Grade C+: Acquired from Astros for John Ely. I like him better than the stats say I should, feeling that his stuff moves well and that even a minor command enhancement could make him a workable fourth starter. Could also slot in bullpen.
R.J. Alvarez, RHP, Grade C+: Third round pick from Florida Atlantic was top player in 2012 draft class for Angels, since they lacked first and second round choices. Can hit 100 MPH in relief and has a good slider, but command needs work. Closer potential.
Kole Calhoun, OF, Grade C+: Former Arizona State star lacks big tools but has good instincts and polish, hit .298/.369/.507 in Triple-A. Decent on-base skills with occasional pop and underrated glovework, would be an ideal fourth outfielder.
Alex Yarbrough, 2B, Grade C+: Former University of Mississippi star lacks big tools but has good instincts and polish, hit .287/.320/.410 in pro debut in Low-A but can improve on that. Decent on-base skills with occasional pop and underrated glovework, could slot in the middle infield someday.
Luis Jimenez, 3B, Grade C+: Scouts aren't wild about him but he keeps putting up decent numbers, including .309/.334/.495 in Triple-A. Very nice swing, makes contact, slightly above average power, outperforms his scouting reports defensively. At age 25 his upside is limited, but he can be a good role player.
A.J. Schugel, RHP, Grade C+: Strike-thrower with slightly above average stuff, posted 2.89 ERA with 109/55 K/BB in 140 innings in Double-A at age 23. Classic fifth starter or long relief profile.
Eswarlin Jimenez, LHP, Grade C+: Under-the-radar lefty but interesting, stats don't stand out (3.38 ERA, 73/20 K/BB in 117 innings, 136 hits in A-ball) but he's young (pitched at age 20 this year), has a clean delivery that he repeats well, gets into the low-90s, throws strikes, and has a good breaking ball. Candidate for improvement.
Brian Flynn, MIA, LHP, Grade C+
Austin Wood, RHP, Grade C: Stuff is excellent but the results aren't due to poor command, 4.30 ERA with 109/72 K/BB in 128 innings, 125 hits in Low-A. He hasn't been consistently effective since high school, struggling for three different college programs.
Mark Sappington, RHP, Grade C: High ceiling arm drafted out of Rockhurst University in the fifth round this year, can hit mid-90s but very raw with awkward mechanics and secondary pitches, posted 5.15 ERA with command troubles in rookie ball.
Mike Clevinger, RHP, Grade C: Would rank higher but will miss 2013 season with Tommy John surgery, would be somewhere in the B- range if healthy. Four-pitch arsenal projects as number three or four starter.
Travis Witherspoon, OF, Grade C: Super-toolsy outfielder with speed, strong defense, flashes of power had problems adapting to Double-A, where he hit .202/.286/.351 in 54 games. Turns 24 in April, projects best as a reserve outfielder.
Dan Tillman, RHP, Grade C: Horrible in Double-A due to command failure (12.10 ERA with 21/19 K/BB in 19 innings), got sent back down to High-A and recovered (1.88 ERA, 32/14 K/BB in 24 innings). Has plenty of stuff but will his command be sharp enough? Closer prospect if it is.
Eric Stamets, SS, Grade C: University of Evansville prospect drafted in sixth round this year is athletic, fast, good fielder, line drive hitter. Hit .274/.323/.347 in Low-A, lack of power may relegate him to utility role.
Jonathan Walsh, OF, Grade C: 11th round pick from the University of Texas last year, hit .300/.411/.522 in the Pioneer League. Switch-hitter with power and good plate discipline, but rough defense. We need to see him outside the Pioneer League but he has potential.
Sherman Johnson, 2B, Grade C: 14th round pick from Florida State, college fans are familiar with him. Excellent strike zone judgment and solid defense at second base, though his tools are limited. Posted .427 OBP in Pioneer League.
Wade Hinkle, 1B, Grade C: 27th round pick out of Kansas State, hit .338/.443/.586 in Pioneer League. Having seen him in college, I think the power is real, but his defense is awful and it remains to be seen if that kind of batting average/OBP will hold up against better pitching. The college guys in the Pioneer League all have to prove themselves at higher levels but could advance quickly in a thin system if they do.
OTHERS: Yency Almonte, RHP; Cam Bedrosian, RHP; Ryan Brasier, RHP; Ryan Chaffee, RHP; Chevez Clarke, OF; Ty Kelley, RHP; Matt Long, 2B-OF; Carlos Ramirez, C; Andrew Romine, SS; Jose Rondon, SS; Michael Roth, LHP; Reid Scoggins, RHP; Brandon Sisk, LHP; Michael Snyder, 1B; Wendell Soto, SS; Andrew Taylor, LHP; Zach Wright, C; Shawn Tolleson, LAD, RHP; Daniel Renken, CIN, RHP; Luke Montz, MIA, C; Kenny Diekroeger, KC, INF; Adam Bailey, HOU, OF; Ruben Alaniz, HOU, RHP; Kevin Mattison, MIA, OF; Alphonso Alcantara, RHP; Jeremy Moore, LAD, OF;
« Last Edit: 03/02/2013 at 16:08:23 by RyMiller (Angels GM) »
Kaleb Cowart, 3B, Grade B+: Clearly the class of the system. Has developed into a very good fielder, perhaps excellent, and his bat is showing steady improvements. Expect him to be a moderate batting average, solid OBP, good power guy with a great glove. Switch-hitting Mike Lowell?
Jorge Soler, CHC, OF, Grade B+, $5,000,000 (2015): Highly impressive power/speed combo from the Cuban defector. Main advantage Almora has at this point is a better birthday, but I love Soler. Another Sammy Sosa?
Courtney Hawkins, CHW, OF, Grade B+: Pushed very fast to High-A two months out of high school, but held his own. Enormous power, some speed, good arm, has contact issues but considering his age I think he did just fine. Grade may be a notch aggressive given lack of refinement, but upside is huge.
Nick Maronde, LHP, Grade B: Borderline B+. I think he has B+ talent but his durability is questionable and he probably fits best as a reliever, which dings his stock a bit. Still the best pitching prospect in the organization by far.
Alex Wood, ATL, LHP, Grade B-: Borderline B. Unconventional but it works, had some excellent outings and should move quickly through the system. This grade may go up a notch but I have a couple more things to review first.
Johnny Hellweg, MILW, RHP, Grade B-: No surprise here, fireballing right-hander acquired in Zack Greinke trade with Angels has enormous upside as a potential upper-level starter or closer, but he's got to lower his walk rate.
Ariel Pena, MILW, RHP, Grade B-: Another component of the Greinke trade, Pena throws very hard and has a good slider, but gets into trouble when he leaves his pitches too high in the strike zone. He sagged after the trade and is something of an enigma. You can draw a scenario where he becomes a number three starter, or one where he becomes a closer, or one where he becomes nothing.
Donn Roach, SD, RHP, Grade B-: Has the best sinker in the minor leagues and knows how to use it, mixing it with solid splitter and curveball. Combined 11-2, 1.88 ERA in 105 innings with 78/22 K/BB, 3.53 GO/AO in his first year as a starter. Should develop into mid-rotation workhorse.
Andy Oliver, DET, LHP, Grade C+: Acquired from Tigers for catcher Ramon Cabrera. Throws quite hard but hasn't been able to turn the corner due to problems with breaking pitches. Maybe the Pirates can fix him.
Tanner Rahier, CIN, 3B, Grade C+: Very tough to rank. California prep star draws praise for his polish, hitting ability, arm strength and fielding, but he hit just .192/.266/.311 in rookie ball and struggled defensively. This was pretty much the opposite of all the scouting reports so I don't know what to make of it. He did control the strike zone reasonably well and he hustles.
Rob Rasmussen, LAD, LHP, Grade C+: Acquired from Astros for John Ely. I like him better than the stats say I should, feeling that his stuff moves well and that even a minor command enhancement could make him a workable fourth starter. Could also slot in bullpen.
R.J. Alvarez, RHP, Grade C+: Third round pick from Florida Atlantic was top player in 2012 draft class for Angels, since they lacked first and second round choices. Can hit 100 MPH in relief and has a good slider, but command needs work. Closer potential.
Kole Calhoun, OF, Grade C+: Former Arizona State star lacks big tools but has good instincts and polish, hit .298/.369/.507 in Triple-A. Decent on-base skills with occasional pop and underrated glovework, would be an ideal fourth outfielder.
Alex Yarbrough, 2B, Grade C+: Former University of Mississippi star lacks big tools but has good instincts and polish, hit .287/.320/.410 in pro debut in Low-A but can improve on that. Decent on-base skills with occasional pop and underrated glovework, could slot in the middle infield someday.
Luis Jimenez, 3B, Grade C+: Scouts aren't wild about him but he keeps putting up decent numbers, including .309/.334/.495 in Triple-A. Very nice swing, makes contact, slightly above average power, outperforms his scouting reports defensively. At age 25 his upside is limited, but he can be a good role player.
A.J. Schugel, RHP, Grade C+: Strike-thrower with slightly above average stuff, posted 2.89 ERA with 109/55 K/BB in 140 innings in Double-A at age 23. Classic fifth starter or long relief profile.
Eswarlin Jimenez, LHP, Grade C+: Under-the-radar lefty but interesting, stats don't stand out (3.38 ERA, 73/20 K/BB in 117 innings, 136 hits in A-ball) but he's young (pitched at age 20 this year), has a clean delivery that he repeats well, gets into the low-90s, throws strikes, and has a good breaking ball. Candidate for improvement.
Brian Flynn, MIA, LHP, Grade C+
Austin Wood, RHP, Grade C: Stuff is excellent but the results aren't due to poor command, 4.30 ERA with 109/72 K/BB in 128 innings, 125 hits in Low-A. He hasn't been consistently effective since high school, struggling for three different college programs.
Mark Sappington, RHP, Grade C: High ceiling arm drafted out of Rockhurst University in the fifth round this year, can hit mid-90s but very raw with awkward mechanics and secondary pitches, posted 5.15 ERA with command troubles in rookie ball.
Mike Clevinger, RHP, Grade C: Would rank higher but will miss 2013 season with Tommy John surgery, would be somewhere in the B- range if healthy. Four-pitch arsenal projects as number three or four starter.
Travis Witherspoon, OF, Grade C: Super-toolsy outfielder with speed, strong defense, flashes of power had problems adapting to Double-A, where he hit .202/.286/.351 in 54 games. Turns 24 in April, projects best as a reserve outfielder.
Dan Tillman, RHP, Grade C: Horrible in Double-A due to command failure (12.10 ERA with 21/19 K/BB in 19 innings), got sent back down to High-A and recovered (1.88 ERA, 32/14 K/BB in 24 innings). Has plenty of stuff but will his command be sharp enough? Closer prospect if it is.
Eric Stamets, SS, Grade C: University of Evansville prospect drafted in sixth round this year is athletic, fast, good fielder, line drive hitter. Hit .274/.323/.347 in Low-A, lack of power may relegate him to utility role.
Jonathan Walsh, OF, Grade C: 11th round pick from the University of Texas last year, hit .300/.411/.522 in the Pioneer League. Switch-hitter with power and good plate discipline, but rough defense. We need to see him outside the Pioneer League but he has potential.
Sherman Johnson, 2B, Grade C: 14th round pick from Florida State, college fans are familiar with him. Excellent strike zone judgment and solid defense at second base, though his tools are limited. Posted .427 OBP in Pioneer League.
Wade Hinkle, 1B, Grade C: 27th round pick out of Kansas State, hit .338/.443/.586 in Pioneer League. Having seen him in college, I think the power is real, but his defense is awful and it remains to be seen if that kind of batting average/OBP will hold up against better pitching. The college guys in the Pioneer League all have to prove themselves at higher levels but could advance quickly in a thin system if they do.
OTHERS: Yency Almonte, RHP; Cam Bedrosian, RHP; Ryan Brasier, RHP; Ryan Chaffee, RHP; Chevez Clarke, OF; Ty Kelley, RHP; Matt Long, 2B-OF; Carlos Ramirez, C; Andrew Romine, SS; Jose Rondon, SS; Michael Roth, LHP; Reid Scoggins, RHP; Brandon Sisk, LHP; Michael Snyder, 1B; Wendell Soto, SS; Andrew Taylor, LHP; Zach Wright, C; Shawn Tolleson, LAD, RHP; Daniel Renken, CIN, RHP; Luke Montz, MIA, C; Kenny Diekroeger, KC, INF; Adam Bailey, HOU, OF; Ruben Alaniz, HOU, RHP; Kevin Mattison, MIA, OF; Alphonso Alcantara, RHP; Jeremy Moore, LAD, OF;
« Last Edit: 03/02/2013 at 16:08:23 by RyMiller (Angels GM) »