Saturday Morning Review - Los Angeles Angels Minor League Report
8/3/19 - Jay Sheehy - Founder and Editor-In-Chief
As expected Major League Baseball released their new prospect rankings last week. Not many surprises here. The top of the list changes slightly with the inclusion of the Angels first two picks, Will Wilson and Kyren Paris.
1. Jo Adell (Triple-A) - Over the last week, Adell continued to shine. As such, the Angels rightfully promoted him to Triple-A. He remains the #4 prospect in all of baseball. Future superstar.
2. Brandon Marsh (Double-A) - Marsh retains his #2 position on the Angels prospect list, which seemed like a foregone conclusion. Over the last week he had three multi-hit games and hit three home runs.
3. Jordyn Adams (Low-A) - Adams has been on the injured list for the last week. His ranking is all about potential, which stems from his amazing athleticism. I thought Will Wilson might get the call here, or even Jeremiah Jackson and his already visible power as a middle infielder. Adams was going to be around this spot either way. What athleticism…
4. Will Wilson (21) - SS - Orem Owlz (Rookie Advanced)
An advanced college bat out of North Carolina State, some believe that Wilson was a slight reach. Personally, he has the feel of someone who is going to move quickly. He knows what he’s doing at the plate, he can handle both sides of the infield, and the Angels are splitting his time between shortstop and 2nd base (though that might have something to do with being on the same team as Jeremiah Jackson). Shouldn’t be in Rookie ball too long. He’s ready to move on.
34 G, 142 AB, .289/.336/.465/.800; 0/0 SB
5. Jeremiah Jackson (Rookie Advanced) - He is still crushing baseballs. I’d love for the average to tick up a bit but right now but I’ll accept his flaws at 19 years old. Word is that he was selected to the All-Star game (no surprise, he still leads the league in Home Runs…did I mention he’s a middle infielder?). I would like to see the Angels push him up to Burlington, if only for a month. Let him see that next step before the off-season. Definitely trending in the right direction.
6. Matt Thaiss (MLB) - I wrote that I thought Thaiss has been perennially overrated on the Angels prospects list. He proceeded to hit four home runs over his next 17 major league at-bats. Small sample size. Or, hopefully, I was wrong and he turns into a .300 hitter capable of 25+ home runs. I’ll always be okay with being wrong if it means an Angels prospect turn out better than I thought.
7. Jahmai Jones (Double-A) - His dumpster fire of a season has continued. It’s not getting better. There’s no reset button so this will be on his Baseball Reference page forever. Hopefully, it’s a footnote in a long career…not a harbinger of things to come.
8. Jose Suarez (MLB) - He has been jumping back and forth between MLB and Triple-A all year and part of me thinks that it benefits no one (other than him, because those MLB checks have a different look to them than those Triple-A ones). He’s too hittable right now, though, and some of his starts look like he’s out there just praying to get through five innings. Usually, he doesn’t.
9. Kyren Paris (17) - SS - AZL Angels (Rookie)
Only 17 until November, Paris was one of the youngest players drafted when the Angels took him in the 2nd round with the 55th pick and paid him slightly overall slot value. A gifted shortstop, Paris looks to be an above-average hitter with a touch of power. However, the major disclaimer to the power tool these days is that anyone at any given time can develop 30-Homer power in the current landscape of professional baseball. He’s a good athlete who needs to mature, but he looks like a baseball player…if that means anything.
3/8, .375/.500/.500/1.000; 0/0 SB
10. D'Shawn Knowles (Rookie Advanced) - Has cooled off considerably. This is no huge surprise. Along with Deveaux, Knowles was branded “very raw, high ceiling” by most scouts. While I don’t personally know if those things are true of if they are merely attaching the same adjectives to all Bahamian prospects, this was also the feeling the Angels had. There has been mention of “becoming accustom to the long season” and “expecting the highs and lows” so this is right in-line with such statements. He’ll be fine.
11. Patrick Sandoval (MLB) - He has just been called up to the majors and word is he will debut against the Cincinnati Reds at the Great American Ballpark. Incredibly interested to see him in the big leagues. His peripheral numbers in Triple-A were actually solid but the offensive chaos that is the Pacific Coast League made it hard to tell if he had real issues.
12. Jose Soriano (Low A) - Still on the shelf. Word is that he will be activated any day now. Has had an excellent season up until this point. Hopefully, he returns ready to continue it.
13. Trent Deveaux (Rookie) - Arizona remains the spot for Deveaux and though his numbers aren’t eye-popping he is plugging away. He’s another guy that I think might benefit from a change of scenery. Maybe Orem, maybe Burlington.
14. Luis Madero (Double-A) - The promotion to Mobile has not been kind to Madero as a 5.91 ERA and 1.57 WHIP can attest to. Plus, this can be attributed to a couple big blow ups surrounded by quality starts. In his last ten starts he has zero starts where he went 5+ innings and gave up 2 runs or less. He’s struggling. He just needs to keep grinding it out. He’ll definitely start 2020 back in Double-A.
15. Jack Kochanowicz (18) - RHP - Unassigned
Taken with the 92nd pick in the 2019 MLB Draft, Kochanowicz looks the part of a big leaguer. At 6’6” 220 pounds, the Pennsylvania native might not be done growing. Yet, scouts say his ability to repeat his delivery is an added bonus to an arm that has a low 90s fastball (up to 95) and rapidly progressing curveball. Signed over slot, Kochanowicz has yet to report to a team.
16. Aaron Hernandez (High A) - Somehow, despite the meager numbers, Hernandez moved up a spot on the list. Looking at the two prospects directly behind him, it makes sense. The Angels system, for all of the improvement over the last few years under the direction of Billy Eppler and Matt Swanson, still hasn’t acquired the depth of the top tier systems (Houston, Tampa Bay, Atlanta, San Diego). Hernandez might not be starter material, so let’s have a look at that arm out of the bullpen.
17. Chris Rodriguez (High A) - Injured. Again. Still talented, but his back just won’t get better.
18. Livan Soto (Low A) - The glove is what everyone raves about. Well, it better be, because Livan can’t hit very well. .700 OPS is the goal…he hasn’t hit the goal.
19. Hector Yan (Low A) - Time for a promotion. Yan has the occasional blow up game where he gives up four to five runs over two innings but most of his starts (seven of his last ten) are very good (5ish innings and 1 run or less). He has 66 K’s over those last 50 innings with a 0.90 WHIP. It’s about time for the Inland Empire. Yan is still underrated in these rankings. He should probably be ahead of Madero; definitely ahead of Hernandez, Rodriguez and Soto.
20. Oliver Ortega (Double-A) - Welcome to Mobile, Oliver. Another guy that I see as being maybe a tad underrated (though I guess his next month and a half will prove this one way or the other). He dominated High A and if he can get his control under…control, damn it, that’s all I got there, but if he can, then he will really start making some noise. I’m pulling for you, Mr. Ortega.
21. Jeremy Beasley (Double-A) - From #22 to #21; we call that progress. Up to a 3.95 ERA, not progress. He’ll keep moving along because he’s better than most of what the Angels have to offer.
22. Stiward Aquino (Rookie Advanced) - Aquino is Mr. Project as his wiry 6’6” frame allows the front office to dream. His ability to strike people out helps in that dream. His inability to have multiple lock-down innings has been an issue. He’s a young 20, with not a lot of innings, yet he still instills hope in those who watch him. He will get better. His 9.56 ERA doesn’t mean anything with regards to his future. He just needs time.
23. Kyle Bradish (Low A) - As predicted, Bradish moved up the list. But it might not be for long if he keeps hovering around a 5 ERA in Low A as a 22 year old. His strikeout numbers hint at a move to the bullpen which might help him move through the system much faster.
24. Jared Walsh (Triple-A) - I wish they would just throw him up in the majors and call him a reliever. Then, when they need a bat, they can use him. He’s a really good first baseman, and he’s no worse a reliever than half the guys the Angels throw out there every night, so why not get him a little run? Our wild card chances are moving in the wrong direction.
25. Kevin Maitan (Low A) - Remains sub .700 OPS. An exceptional Roberto Baldoquin impression.
26. Alexander Ramirez (Dominican Summer League) - The struggles of a 16-year don’t seem to hurt a prospect too much, and for good reason. With that being said, Ramirez is making incremental progress, with his OPS now up to .756…again, he’s 16.
27. Leonardo Rivas (High-A) - As predicted, a short fall down the list to #27 for Leonardo. There are small positives for him right now, starting with a .151 ISO power mark that would be a career high for him in a full season league (although the California League is traditionally a hitter’s league). Either way, he’s still moving up the ladder and still progressing.
28. Michael Hermosillo (Triple-A) - A fall from #13 to #28 is mostly based on his lack of playing. While on the field, Hermosillo does two things well: He takes a walk and he plays defense. The perfect fourth outfielder. That’s where his future remains.
29. Robinson Pina (20) - RHP - Burlington Bees (Low A)
First off, the kid looks 15. So, he’s not done growing. Pina had an amazing start to his season before the rigors of minor league life took its toll on him. With a 5.53 ERA over his last 40.2 IP (10 starts) it is obvious that he is wearing down a little bit, as to be expected. Nonetheless, at 6’4” 180 pounds, Pina is the essence of potential with a lively fastball, solid curve and improving splitter. He was signed out of the Dominican Republic in February of 2017 for only $50,000. Time will prove that to be money well spent. He should be a little higher on this list already, and I’m sure he will be soon.
91 IP, 118 K’s, .217 AVG, 1.36 WHIP, 4.25 ERA
30. Arol Vera (16) - SS - Unassigned
The second 16-year old on the list, Vera has yet to be assigned to a club. According to his MLB.com prospect profile, Vera is a switch-hitting shortstop who gets “very high marks for his makeup and passion for the game.” Signed out of the Dominican Republic on July 2nd for $2 million, Vera was rated the #9 International prospect during this signing period.