The Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim - MLB The Show

[k_mac]

Quote: Originally Posted by Number999

Really cool to see someone boost up an Angels franchise! Trout is such a freak and it'd be awesome if over time you could build an awesome core around him and have him be an All-Time legend. He's only been to the playoffs once in his career and LA just ran into the red-hot Royals in 2014. Definetly interested to see what you can do with them, especially considering Pujols mammoth contract and how he's projected at the age of 41 to get paid $30M a year. O_O

Building around Trout was really the main selling point in starting this franchise. I like a bit of a challenge, and the Angels being handicapped by deals like Pujols' and having the worst system in the league presented something unique.

Thanks for the interest!

Quote: Originally Posted by Totte

Will definitely be following along! Assuming you're playing with IRL injuries in regards to what you said about Richards and Heaney? What are the goals from the game? Play .500 Ball and reach the postseason? What are the top three guys you're thinking of selling off? Would Kole Calhoun be available for the right type of package?

Yeah, the injuries and dates might not line up perfectly but they'll be out for the same amount of time (or as close as I can get it) in the franchise that they are in real life. Heaney and Richards' outlooks look pretty grim, but I'll get Tyler Skaggs back at some point this season. Other guys like Simmons will start the year on the DL instead of getting injured on the corresponding date in-game, just seems like too much work, and honestly I would forget to do it.

The yearly goal from the game is to finish over .500 and the contract goal is to reach the postseason. Might not finish over .500 this season, but reaching the playoffs (at least the WC) is something that I think can be done.

I'm not sure I really have a "top three" at the moment, so I'll just give you a list of names: Matt Shoemaker, Hector Santiago, Joe Smith, Huston Street, and Yunel Escobar. These are the guys who I think have a pretty good shot at playing/pitching well enough to warrant the attention of other teams. I doubt that I can realistically move them all, but those are some guys to keep an eye on. I'm trying to not give too much away, as I already have a move or two up my sleeve, just haven't had a chance to do it/write about it. Have a post or two before I get there.

For the right package, Kole Calhoun is definitely available. I didn't realize prior to this franchise how valuable Calhoun really is. Since the start of 2014, he's put up 7.1 WAR. He's also controlled until 2020, so I think there's some potential for a pretty good return there.

[Totte]

Would Smith step in as the closer if Street is dealt? Or are you looking at Salas or Bedrosian? I understand that it'll come down to who performs the best during the season. Just trying to get a feel for what you have in mind from the get go

[k_mac]

Quote: Originally Posted by Totte

Would Smith step in as the closer if Street is dealt? Or are you looking at Salas or Bedrosian? I understand that it'll come down to who performs the best during the season. Just trying to get a feel for what you have in mind from the get go

I'm honestly not sure who I'd select to close out games if Street was dealt (or gets injured). I haven't pitched much with these guys, so I think it would come down to who I feel the most comfortable with/has good stuff. It would probably be Smith, but I wouldn't count out Mike Morin as a dark-horse type of candidate. Love pitching with him and the fact that he can fluctuate speeds around 20 MPH is awesome.

I enjoy answering the questions, so if you've got any more throw them my way. Getting some quality insight into a franchise instead of just reading box scores and game write ups is something that I enjoy, so I'd be happy to provide that.

[k_mac]

The State of the Angels: Preseason Report
Spring Training Comes to a Close
By k_mac / OperationSports.com | April 1, 2016

LOS ANGELES - At 19-8, the Angels exit Spring Training with the second best record in the Cactus League. However, starting the season with eight, yes eight, major league players on the disabled list has overshadowed what was one of the more successful teams of the 2016 preseason.

Staff ace Garret Richards suffered a torn ulnar collateral ligament, shutting him down indefinitely. Instead of electing for Tommy John surgery, Richards has received stem-cell injections and will be re-evaluated again in six weeks. Andrew Heaney, suffering from a flexor muscle strain in his left arm, will not throw again until mid-June. C.J. Wilson, suffering from left shoulder tendinitis, accompanies Heaney and Richards on the 60-Day disabled list. Long time Angel Jered Weaver has been tapped by manager Mike Scioscia to take the mound as the Opening Day starter on April 3rd, when Los Angeles welcomes the Chicago Cubs to town.

Injuries aren't limited to the pitching staff, as both sides of the newly signed left field platoon (Daniel Nava and Craig Gentry) find themselves on the DL to open the season. Geovany Soto is recovering from surgery to repair a torn meniscus, and will be out for a month, possibly more. Starting shortstop Andrelton Simmons, who was acquired in a blockbuster deal over the summer, is scheduled to have surgery on his injured left thumb soon. He is expected to miss around a month of game action as well.

On paper the Angels look incredibly shorthanded, dealing with injuries to a little over 30 percent of their major league roster. What is unanimously regarded as the worst minor league system in the MLB will have to find players to contribute in a big way in 2016. If they system fails the Angels, the consequences are grim and the year could easily be lost.

ESPN's Kieth Law says of the Angels minor league system: "I've been doing these rankings for eight years now, and this is by far the worst system I've ever seen. They traded their top two prospects in the Andrelton Simmons deal and had no one remotely close to top-100 status. They need a big draft this year to start to restock the system or we're going to start talking about whether it's time to trade Mike Trout."

Pictured Right: Angels Top Prospect Taylor Ward

Kieth Law is right, the Angels system does lack a single top 100 talent, and many around the league feel as strongly as Law. With the offseason trades and the retirement of former top prospect Hunter Green due to a multitude of injuries, the farm is as thin as ever. MLB.com rates the Angels top 10 prospects as followed:

Taylor Ward, C

Spoiler

Scouting grades: Hit: 50 | Power: 40 | Run: 40 | Arm: 65 | Field: 50 | Overall: 50
As big of a surprise as it may have been to most when the Angels took Ward out of Fresno State in the first round of the 2015 Draft, it may have been an even bigger shock that he hit his way to full-season ball and finished with a combined .348 average and .895 OPS during his pro debut.
Ward's advanced approach at the plate is what really sticks out. He never chases out of the zone, allowing him to draw 16 more walks than times he struck out (23). He is focused more on line-drive contact than power right now, but he does have some bat speed and he should be able to learn how to turn on some balls in hitter's counts as he progresses. Ward's best defensive attribute is his plus arm, one that can control the running game, especially as he cleans up his release. The other parts of his receiving need some work, especially his game-calling skills, something he didn't have to work on in college.
The industry may have seen Ward more as a future backup initially, but if he can continue on the trajectory he started during his opening summer, Ward has the chance to be a big league regular behind the plate.

Jahmai Jones, OF

Spoiler

Scouting grades: Hit: 50 | Power: 45 | Run: 60 | Arm: 55 | Field: 55 | Overall: 50
While the Angels went the college route in taking catcher Taylor Ward in the first round of the 2015 Draft, they went for a toolsy high school athlete in Jones in Round 2. Jones, whose father played college football and briefly in the NFL and whose brothers also played football at a high level, looks like a tailback or safety, albeit one with a feel for baseball.
Jones does bring explosive athleticism to the field. He has terrific speed that helps him on both sides of the ball. He has a flat, line-drive stroke at the plate right now and he's shown a willingness to make adjustments. He does have bat speed and some strength, so when he adds some lift to his swing, he could grow into 12-15 home run type power. His speed works well in center field and he can outrun mistakes as he learns to improve his routes.
More than his raw tools, Jones' aptitude and off-the-charts makeup stand out and give him the chance to succeed at the highest level, with a chance to be an everyday center fielder in the big leagues a strong possibility.

Nate Smith, LHP

Spoiler

Scouting grades: Fastball: 50 | Curveball: 45 | Slider: 50 | Changeup: 55 | Control: 50 | Overall: 50
Expectations for an eighth-round pick taken out of a school like Furman and signed for just $12,000 tend to be on the low side. Thanks to his combination of solid average stuff, feel for pitching and makeup, Smith has already exceeded them, with much more potentially to come.
While none of his pitches jump out at evaluators, Smith does have a four-pitch mix, all of which he can throw for strikes. He has enough fastball, touching 90-91 mph, where hitters have to respect it. His outstanding feel for his secondary offerings makes everything play up. That's particularly true of his above-average changeup, which can miss bats. He throws both a curve and a slider, with the latter slightly better than the former. They run into each other at times and he needs to separate them more consistently, but he might need both to keep hitters guessing.
Smith is a quiet competitor on the mound, one who pitches with a bit of an edge. His plus makeup should allow him to maximize his ceiling, which is that of a No. 4 or 5 starter.

Victor Alcantara, RHP

Spoiler

Scouting grades: Fastball: 65 | Slider: 55 | Changeup: 40 | Control: 40 | Overall: 45
While Alcantara's progress, at least when measured statistically, is tough to see, the hard-throwing right hander has made tremendous strides since he first came to the United States in 2013. His future may very well be out of the bullpen, but he is headed in the right direction.
Alcantara's fastball is still as electric as there is in the system, sitting 95-96 mph with heavy sink to it. He can touch 98-99 mph, and he can throw it below right-handed hitter's bats. When he first came to the U.S., he couldn't remember how to grip a slider, so they had to draw fingers on the ball so he could remember. Now, he has a true power slider, 91-92 mph, which is a plus pitch at times. He tends to throw his below-average changeup too hard, though occasionally he'll throw it with good depth and sink. While he'll never be a command guy, he has cut his walk rate in each of the last two years.
Alcantara will continue to start so he can work on his delivery and all of his pitches, but most feel his plus sinker-slider combination will be extremely effective in a short relief role.

Kaleb Cowart, 3B

Spoiler

Scouting grades: Hit: 40 | Power: 45 | Run: 40 | Arm: 60 | Field: 60 | Overall: 45
What Cowart did is perhaps one of the better comeback tales in the prospect world. After two straight seasons of scuffling at Double-A, Cowart accepted a demotion to the California League in 2015, righted the ship, jumped back up to Triple-A and hit his way to the big leagues.
More than anything, Cowart's ordeal speaks to his off-the-charts makeup. He's always had tools and despite his struggles, the 2010 first-rounder is still young. Cowart was able to rediscover a solid approach at the plate. His walk rate went back up and while he still struck out a fair amount, he was able to work counts more to his advantage and tap into his ability to drive the ball. Throughout it all, Cowart continued to be an outstanding defender at the hot corner, with good hands, range and an outstanding arm.
It had been a while since Cowart had experienced success and despite his work ethic, that has to weigh on a young player. With new-found confidence, Cowart could finally be ready to fulfill the promise that made him the No. 18 overall pick six years ago.

Joe Gatto, RHP

Spoiler

Scouting grades: Fastball: 60 | Curveball: 50 | Changeup: 45 | Control: 45 | Overall: 45
The Angels went pitching-heavy at the top of the 2014 Draft, using their five top picks for hurlers. Two of the top three were sent to Atlanta for Andrelton Simmons, leaving the second-rounder Gatto, also the lone high school pick from that quintet, the earliest-drafted member of the class still in the organization. Things have progressed slowly for the New Jersey native who spent his first two summers trying to figure things out in Rookie ball, but he has made some progress. The velocity in his fastball has crept up a bit, from sitting 91-92 mph to hitting 93 mph consistently. He throws it with a ton of sink and has been a groundball machine. When he entered pro ball, Gatto had a big high school curve, with a feel to spin it. He's since tightened it up and gotten more aggressive with the solid average pitch. His changeup is still inconsistent, but he's taken to throwing it more and does so with sink on occasion.
With Gatto finally having a better understanding of what it takes to be a professional pitcher, he's ready for full-season ball. He has the ceiling of a Nos. 4 or 5 starter, though it's possible there's more in the tank yet to be unlocked.

Kyle Kubitza, 3B

Spoiler

Scouting grades: Hit: 50 | Power: 40 | Run: 45 | Arm: 55 | Field: 45 | Overall: 45
Kubitza was coming off of a solid year in Double-A in the Braves' system when he was sent to the Angels in a deal for Ricardo Sanchez in January 2015. Kubitza continued to perform as he usually does, with good extra-base and on-base skills during his first year with the Angels' organization, making his big league debut in the process. In some ways, Kubitza is similar to fellow Angels third base prospect Kaleb Cowart in terms of tools and build. Kubitza has largely performed better, hitting pretty much everywhere he's been. He has a bit of a funky swing with a little load or hitch in it, but when he's on time, he can really barrel balls up and drive them. While he strikes out a lot, he also works counts and draws walks. He's not nearly as good a defender at third as Cowart is, with stiff movements at the hot corner, albeit with a tick above-average arm. He has shown some positional flexibility, seeing time in left field in particular.
Kubitza is ready for a longer look at the highest levels after 36 at-bats during his debut. They could come in a bench role or utility job when all is said and done.

Jake Jewell, RHP

Spoiler

Scouting grades: Fastball: 60 | Slider: 45 | Changeup: 50 | Control: 50 | Overall: 45
After struggling as a starter at Northeastern Oklahoma A&M initially, Jewell found success closing games for the school. The Angels liked what they saw enough to give an over pick value deal in the fifth round to sign him away from heading to the University of Oklahoma. The Angels liked what Jewell brought to the table and wanted to see what it might look like for him as a starter. He pitched well initially out of the bullpen during his first full season in 2015, then had some growing pains as he moved into the rotation. Jewell throws a big, heavy fastball, a 90-94 mph heater that will touch higher and make hitters unable to square it up, like they're trying to hit a bowling ball. He'll flash a good slider at times, with good line and break, but he gets around it at times. He has a legitimate swing-and-miss changeup now. Jewell throws strikes, but is more control over command at this point.
Even though Jewell tired by the end of his first full season, his size, strength and legitimate stuff give him the chance to progress, even if he eventually ends up back in a bullpen.

Chad Hinshaw, OF

Spoiler

Scouting grades: Hit: 50 | Power: 40 | Run: 60 | Arm: 50 | Field: 55 | Overall: 45
A senior sign in the 15th round out of Illinois State, Hinshaw jumped on the prospect map during his first full season in 2014 and continued to impress with a move to Double-A in 2015. He capped it off with a very strong performance in the Arizona Fall League. Since joining the organization, Hinshaw has developed into a much more viable offensive threat. He came out of the college ranks with a very bad and choppy swing, almost with a downhill swing path. He's worked since to get some usable length to his swing to allow him drive the ball through the middle of the diamond, rather than just chop at it and use his legs to get on. He'll never be a big power guy, but he should be able to drive the ball to the gaps. He runs well and is a basestealing threat and offers excellent range in the outfield. He's always taken pride in his defense and can play all three spots.
Hinshaw missed time in 2015 with a thumb injury, but made up for it with his outstanding AFL turn. He's nearly ready to reach his ceiling of a valuable fourth-outfielder type.

David Fletcher, SS

Spoiler

Scouting grades: Hit: 50 | Power: 30 | Run: 45 | Arm: 50 | Field: 50 | Overall: 45
Fletcher is not the flashiest player in the world, but the Angels took him in the sixth round of the 2015 Draft and gave the draft-eligible sophomore more than pick value to keep him from returning to Loyola Marymount. He responded to perform his way to the full-season Midwest League and perhaps put himself on a slightly faster track.
Fletcher gets praise as being a real "baseball player," one who draws inevitable comparisons to former Angel David Eckstein for how he plays the game. Defensively, he's very steady, catching everything he can get to and making consistently accurate throws. He makes consistent contact and had more walks than strikeouts during his pro debut, though there's no real power. While he's not blessed with speed, he is heady and smart on the basepaths and can be a threat as a result.
Fletcher can handle playing shortstop every day, but his long-term future might be in a utility role. He might play mostly short for now, but he'll likely see time at second base and third as a result, with an Eckstein or Darwin Barney type career a possibility.

[k_mac]

Okay guys, I've loaded up all of the first round picks into the hybrid roster, so it's about time to get started!

Simulated Spring Training and put various guys around the league on the DL that are out for a significant amount of time in real life, so that should be set. For some reason it threw Jered Weaver on waivers, so he isn't available to start opening day (frustrating). Got an update before the start of the season, so stay tuned.

[k_mac]

Angels, Orioles Complete Three Player Deal
Opening Day in Los Angeles Looms
By k_mac / OperationSports.com | April 2, 2016

LOS ANGELES - Just two days before the Angels open up the 2016 season against the Chicago Cubs, General Manager Billy Eppler has decided to bolster the starting rotation. Talks between the Angels and the Orioles began at the beginning of Spring Training, but gained steam over the last 24 hours. John Heyman, of MLB Network, reported at 11:49PM last night that the Angels had agreed to trade right fielder Kole Calhoun to the Baltimore Orioles for a pair of pitchers, Kevin Gausman and prospect David Hess.

Calhoun, coming off a successful 2015 season with the Angels in which he put up a .256/.308/.422 slash line, said that he was "shocked" by the news, but added that he was "looking forward to playing in Baltimore." Calhoun, the incumbent starter in right field for the Angels, hit 26 home runs last season, and was good for 3.0 wins above replacement level-player (WAR). The team will look towards rookie Rafael Ortega to fill the void in right field, as Shane Robinson will presumably slide into the starting role in left.

GM Billy Eppler highlighted his thoughts on the trade this morning during an interview on AM830 KLAA: "With the recent injuries to guys like Garret [Richards], and Andy [Andrew Heaney], coupled with the existing injuries to Tyler Skaggs, and C.J. Wilson, it was apparent that our starting rotation needed a boost. Kevin [Gausman] gives us an immediate upgrade, and slots in as our number one starter. At 25 years old, he has the potential to be a very good pitcher for us for a long time." said Eppler of the deal.

Gausman joins an ailing Angels rotation, and Eppler indicated that the plan was for him to start on Opening Day against the Cubs in two days. Drafted 4th overall out of baseball powerhouse Louisiana State University by Baltimore in the 2012 MLB draft, Gausman has been in and out of the major leagues for three years. He is coming off of a 2015 season that saw him pitch 112.1 innings at the major league level to the tune of a 4.25 ERA in the American League East, not known to be pitcher friendly.

The last piece of the deal, pitching prospect David Hess isn't getting a lot of attention, but was considered by Kieth Law to be the 3rd best player in Baltimore's minor league system. Hess, 22, was drafted out of Tennessee Tech in the 5th round of the 2014 MLB Draft by the Orioles. Hess ended the 2015 season as a member of the AA Bowie Baysox, going 7-1 with a 1.80 ERA over his last 12 starts of the season. On Hess, Eppler added "This deal allowed us to not only improve our major league roster, but add a very talented arm to our prospect base. David has a bright future, and we are excited to see what he can do as a member of the Angels once he reports to Arkansas (to the Angels AA affiliate Arkansas Travelers)."

When asked if trading members of the major league team, helping bolster the minors to build for the future was going to continue as a theme of the 2016 season, Eppler said, "I'm not going to count anything out. Improving depth in both areas (major and minor leagues) is our priority right now."

[k_mac]

Series Recap
Chicago Cubs @ Los Angeles Angels
April 4 - 5, 2016

Chicago Cubs at Los Angeles Angels
Apr 4, 2016	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	R	H	E
Chicago (1-0)	0	1	0	0	0	0	0	2	0	3	7	0
Los Angeles (0-1)	0	0	0	1	0	0	0	1	0	2	8	0
W: Jake Arrieta (1-0) L: Kevin Gausman (0-1) S: Hector Rondon (1)

Chicago Cubs
HITTERS	AB	R	H	BI	BB	SO	AVG
BATTING 2B: Zobrist HR: Heyward, Zobrist RBI: Heyward 2, Zobrist

Chicago Cubs
PITCHERS	IP	H	R	ER	BB	SO	ERA
Arrieta	8.0	8	2	2	1	6	2.25
Rondon	1.0	0	0	0	1	1	0.00

Los Angeles Angels
HITTERS	AB	R	H	BI	BB	SO	AVG
BATTING HR: Pujols RBI: Pujols 2 SAC: Pujols GIDP: Cron

Los Angeles Angels
PITCHERS	IP	H	R	ER	BB	SO	ERA
Gausman	7.2	6	3	3	0	7	3.52
Morin	0.2	0	0	0	0	0	0.00
Mahle	0.2	1	0	0	0	0	0,00

Chicago Cubs at Los Angeles Angels
Apr 5, 2016	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	R	H	E
Chicago (2-0)	0	0	0	0	1	2	3	0	1	7	12	0
Los Angeles (0-2)	0	0	0	2	0	0	0	0	0	2	8	0
W: Jon Lester (1-0) L: Hector Santiago (0-1)

Chicago Cubs
HITTERS	AB	R	H	BI	BB	SO	AVG
BATTING 2B: Rizzo, Bryant, Szczur HR: Baez 2, Bryant RBI: Baez 2, Bryant 3, Rizzo SF: Rizzo

Chicago Cubs
PITCHERS	IP	H	R	ER	BB	SO	ERA
Lester	8.0	7	3	3	1	5	4.50
Grimm	1.0	1	0	0	0	1	0.00

Los Angeles Angels
HITTERS	AB	R	H	BI	BB	SO	AVG
BATTING 2B: Escobar, Trout, Petit HR: Cron RBI: Cron, Petit
BASERUNNING SB: Trout 3

Los Angeles Angels
PITCHERS	IP	H	R	ER	BB	SO	ERA
Santiago	6.0	7	3	3	1	5	4.50
Salas	0.2	2	3	3	1	0	40.50
Bedrosian	1.1	1	0	0	0	3	0.00
Smith	1.0	2	1	1	0	0	9.00

[Gronk4M13]

Following, great so far.