Each month I’ll be providing readers with an overall update on the stock of each prospect, and why they’re either rising or falling. This Angels prospect update is part of an overall effort to provide readers with an ongoing knowledge of Angels prospects and solidify MWAH as your go-to site for Angels prospects.
30. 2B Andrew Daniel – Falling. The reason Daniel made it into the Top 30 in the first place was because he was a middle infield college bat that tore up the Pioneer League and was expected to climb the ladder quickly and begin the year at Advanced-A Ball Inland Empire. Unfortunately, Daniel has begun the year in Class-A Burlington and the results haven’t been there yet. But there’s hope, Daniel remains batting third in the lineup despite contact issues and has logged hits in his last three games. But with the slew of new prospects that will be infused into the Angels system six weeks after the June draft, Daniel will need to hit the ball a lot to stay in the Top 30.
29. OF Miguel Hermosillo – Same. Hermosillo came in with the reputation for having a good eye at the plate, with some contact issues but good speed and power as well as sterling defense in the outfield. Thus far, we haven’t seen much from Hermosillo in terms of speed or power, but he’s played fine defensively and is still reaching base despite hitting only .212 so far. This is important because despite being a raw ball player and one of the younger players in the league, Hermosillo is showing the sort of approach at the plate that could make him a valuable leadoff asset later down the road.
28. RHP Daniel Hurtado – Falling. Hurtado’s been on the DL all year and the fact is, unless you have huge upside, if you don’t pitch, you can’t stay in the Top 30, not with the Angels minor league depth becoming strangely competitive in the last few months.
27. RHP Drew Rucinski – Same. He had a great spring and for a minute there it looked like Rucinski’s role as a prospect may be coming to an end because of a promotion to the big leagues. But Rucinski was roughed up in his lone start with the Angels and has since been sent to Triple-A where he’s had one bad start and one decent start.
26. OF Cal Towey – Same. Towey is in Double-A to begin 2015 and, oddly, it looks like he isn’t overmatched at all. A .261/.358 average and on base percentage isn’t a bad line at all in your first go around in Double-A. It also helps that he’s hitting in the middle of the Travs lineup and has already collected four doubles on the year. But Towey’s status as a prospect was high in the first place because of his ability to play 3B, a spot where the Angels were pretty shallow on the depth chart. It appears that experiment is over, as Towey has shifted to LF/RF. It also isn’t ideal that Towey is 25 years old now, meaning in terms of prospects, it’s a make or break year for Towey and the Top 30.
25. C Jett Bandy – Rising. Bandy was expected to compete for a spot as the backup catcher for the Angels this year, but with the acquisitions of Drew Butera and Carlos Perez that has slowed Bandy’s ascension up the minor league ladder, but only slightly as he’s splitting time with Perez in Triple-A. Bandy made his first appearance in the Top 30 due largely to an impressive power/patience showing in Double-A last season, and it hasn’t slowed in Triple-A yet this season. Bandy’s tearing the cover off the ball right now in Triple-A, but also hasn’t flashed the plus defense and arm that made him a darling of Angel backstops last year. Bandy’s likely to spend the whole year in Triple-A this year, but expect flashy offensive numbers and an improved performance behind the plate before he’s promoted. If anything, this year is serving as proof that Bandy’s bat may be legitimate enough to be a strong platoon catcher in the mold of Chris Iannetta.
24. 3B Zach Houchins – Rising. The Angels landed Houchins so late in the draft because of his Twitter antics after being drafted by the Nationals years before. Luckily for the Angels, Houchins has what seems to be top of the draft class talent and has kept his nose clean thus far. We thought he might go to Inland Empire to start the year, but given that he struggled in A Ball last year, it isn’t a surprise to see him there again. Through the first month, Houchins is giving us a much better showing this year in the pitcher friendly Midwest League. His K/BB ratio is strong and he’s already collected four doubles and two homers on the year while solidifying his spot as a 3B, a spot the Angels aren’t terribly deep at.
23. C Carlos Perez – Rising FAST. Perez was expected to compete with Bandy for the backup catching job this year after coming to the angels in the Conger deal with Houston. However, Drew Butera’s trade put that plan on hold, but Perez did everything in his power to show his future employer that he belongs in the big leagues. He flashed great insticts behind the plate and a very strong and accurate arm in the Spring, which not only caught the attention of catcher-lover Mike Scioscia, but scouts around baseball. GM Jerry Dipoto said he received more calls from other teams inquiring about Carlos Perez than any other player this offseason. In Triple-A thus far, Perez combined with Bandy has made up a formidable catching tandem for the Bees. Perez is currently batting .373/.413 with seven doubles, two homeruns, as many walks as strikeouts and VERY impressive defense. With the Angels catching deficiencies so far this year, it may not be long before Perez forces his way into the majors and into the Angels lineup.
22. RHP Jeremy Rhoades – Rising. When Rhoades was drafted by the Angels, he was seen as more of a collegiate level reliever with a decent fastball and very good slider. Since then he’s transitioned to the rotation and his fastball is still the same 92-93 MPH but his slider has become downright unhittable, at least to A Ball hitters. So far this season, Rhoades has struck out 26 batters in 20 innings, while walking only THREE. His ERA sits at a very pretty 2.21 and after four starts, most importantly, his delivery has become considerably more refined since last season and he now actually looks like a starter out there. The Angels decision to try him out as a starter looks to be paying off big so far.
21. RHP Austin Wood – Rising. Wood is back on the mound after basically missing two full years coming back from arm injuries and Tommy John surgery. He’s even made it back into the rotation now. But there’s still some rust to be shaken off as Wood’s fastball has sat 91-95 MPH instead of the 96-99 MPH we were accustomed to before. What’s still present is his issues with the strike zone though, as Wood has walked 10 in 13 innings. He still looks to be shaking off the cobwebs, but even being in the game is a huge plus for him. We’ll see if Wood can find the strike zone, stay healthy and recover a few ticks on his heater this year.
20. SS Eric Stamets – Same. Stamets was expected to be promoted to Triple-A after a good showing in the Arizona Fall League last offseason, but with the roster crunch at the top level being felt in Triple-A, this meant Stamets was sent to Double-A for a second consecutive season. He’s currently on the DL, but once he’s back, Stamets’ bat should decide whether or not he makes that jump to Triple-A this year. His glove is already good enough.
19. OF Bo Way – Falling. After being drafted, Way’s stock was rising like a helium balloon last year after he tore through Rookie Ball and A Ball in a matter of months. But this year in Advanced-A Ball, Way has scuffled out of the gate, batting only .181. We’ll see if this is a cold streak or if Way was simply on a hot streak last year. Maybe both, but for now, his stock has fallen a bit.
18. OF Chad Hinshaw – Skyrocketing. Last year, Hinshaw was quietly one of the better power-speed products in the minor leagues, but this was dismissed due to his age and the league he was playing in. Now at 24 in Double-A, we’ll get to see what Hinshaw is made of, and so far, it’s impressive. He’s hitting .295/.449 with eight doubles, a homerun five stolen bases and 14 walks already! Right now, it’s looking less like Hinshaw is a fluke and more like he’s been completely underrated. If he keeps this up and the Angels left field situation doesn’t improve, it’s possible we may see Hinshaw in Anaheim at the end of this season or even next season.
17. LHP Tyler DeLoach – Rising. Look, I know he only throws 87 MPH and that he only throws from the stretch and his delivery looks like he hasn’t spent much time throwing a baseball, but the results matter right? 26 innings, 26 Ks, an ERA under 2.00, only 6 BBs. Maybe he is only a lefty reliever, but the fact that he’s cruising through 7 innings per start in the upper minors has to count for something.
16. OF Natanael Delgado – Same. Delgado’s interesting because he’s two to three years younger than everyone else at his level, and he’s a left-handed hitter with power projection. It says volumes that he’s found success at every level and that the Angels keep promoting him. But he’s also very raw, doesn’t walk a lot and the power hasn’t fully translated yet. Once it does, his value will shoot up toward the top of the list, but for now, he’s simply a guy to keep an eye on.
15. RHP Trevor Gott – Same. As was reported last year, Gott was sort of a throw-in from the Huston Street deal last year as an inconsistent RP with some upside. Once he arrived in Double-A for the Angels however, he was hitting 98 MPH on the radar gun. Come game time it was more 94-97 MPH, but that’s still a great fastball with life. This year it’s been more of the same for Gott, 8 innings, a good ERA and 10 Ks. But perhaps what’s more encouraging is that he’s only walked two batters this month. The Angels are loaded on relief pitching depth, but Gott figures to be a big part of the Angels future pen.
14-1 will be concluded tomorrow.
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