Angels #1 Prospect?

by 101halo on Jul 4, 2008 1:55 PM PDT Comment 38 comments

It's a bit early to call this, maybe, but we might have a new #1 prospect after this year. Here are the numbers from 2008 so far, and what they project to based on 575 AB at SLC.

AAA - SLC	AB	R	RBI	HR	SB	AVG
2008	131	36	27	12	3	.305
Proj Full Season	575	158	119	53	13	.305

Want to take a guess who that is?

No, it's not Brandon Wood. It's our very own 23-year-old Sean Rodriguez. Think it's kind of fluky? Clearly he had a poor 2007, but go back and check out his 2006 MILB stats. He may not have 40-50 HR power, but the 30 HR potential is there with a decent average. He has also reduced his K rate from 26% of the time in 2007 to only 17% in 2008.

Towards the end of his time in the majors before Figgy and Howie came back he started showing signs of coming to life. While he's primarily played 2B this year in the majors and minors, in 2006 and 2007 he spent most of his time at SS. While Aybar is working to become our everyday SS, if S-Rod keeps this up, he might force the organizations hand in 2009 or 2010!

Thoughts?

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SRod es en fuego

This is BAD Vlad and his band of wimps!

by K3YEROUT on Jul 4, 2008 2:02 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

kinda off topic: adenhart....wtf??

has anyone looked at his numbers since he was up here? the guys fallen apart

ER given up his last starts: 6, 6, 3, 3, 7, 7….

his K/BB ratio would suggest its not just the new park either, his control is just bad this year.

what happened?

by ihearhowie2.0 on Jul 5, 2008 11:50 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

I think he lost his sh*t in that one game at the Big A...

... when he forgot how to pitch from the stretch, and walked everything that moved. It was a bad, bad mental breakdown, the kind of thing that can become like a bad acid trip of self-fulfilling nightmareology until you snap out of it. I just hope (and in fact am confident) that at his tender age he can erase it from his memory before pulling a full Steve Blass/Rick Ankiel.

by mattwelch on Jul 6, 2008 10:35 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

He'll come back

in a few years as an outfielder with power

I swear, if one more person tells me to "work smarter, not harder"...

by Rally Manatee on Jul 7, 2008 12:58 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

I swear

I posted that before I saw your Ankiel referrence. Funny.

I swear, if one more person tells me to "work smarter, not harder"...

by Rally Manatee on Jul 7, 2008 12:58 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Well, S-Rod originally showed good patience in A ball

Then switched over to an extreme K guy for A+ and AA, and now is back to a patient hitter.

S-Rod has had a couple of 2-homer games lately which tremendously jacked up his stats. Certainly it can only be considered a good thing if one of our prospects is doing well, but the question remains whether S-Rod will actually play out the projection. His time has been very cut down due to being called up, so it’s tough to say he can produce like this over a full season.

The only other consideration is that S-Rod has only put up these kinds of numbers in high-altitude parks (SLC, Rancho) Whether he can produce this way over a full season outside of those parks is anyone’s guess.

~Till the Halo burns out...

by Zu Long on Jul 4, 2008 2:12 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Agreed for the most part

Like I said above, I doubt he has 40-50 HR potential, but like in 2006, 30-35 potential is probably there.

As far as power translation from SLC and Rancho to the majors, I think it’s hard to say. We haven’t had a big power bat come up from SLC, ever (Dallas was too small of a sample size in my opinion, 18 HR in 360 MLB AB is not terrible, though). Whether that’s a sign that SLC greatly distorts power numbers, or just a sign that we haven’t had many power prospects over the years, that I don’t know.

Willits needs to play, every, single, freaking, day. Now.

by 101halo on Jul 4, 2008 2:20 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Dallas had genuine power (watch some clips in the MLB.tv archives of him clobbering the ball to dead center)

and Wood possesses power but presently lacks the ability to apply it to the ball regularly. We haven’t had a lot of power prospects though. (Mike Napoli is another guy with crazy sheer strength).

But if he does keep hitting this way, we’ll need to re-evaluate our outlook. He can play SS, 2B, or even 3B with alacrity, and a guy who hits like that in AAA at 23 needs to become a permanent part of our gameplan.

~Till the Halo burns out...

by Zu Long on Jul 4, 2008 2:40 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Accomplished Middle Infielders

can often become competent outfielders. Mr. Rodriguez may need to get introduced to left field.

by jjackflash on Jul 4, 2008 3:26 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Once again, small sample

But I thought he impressive at second base. Maybe gold glove caliber. Looking forward, HK at third base might make sense.

Touch'em all

by THE VOICE on Jul 4, 2008 3:31 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Believe it or not

But Howie’s defense at 2B > S-Rods. And S-Rod did have great glove skills, so that makes it even more interesting. I guess the question would come down to, which one has the better arm? The owner of a hand-cannon is better placed as short or 3rd.

jjackflash’s suggestion was my thought as well. An outfield move, if he could pull it off, would be ideal.

~Till the Halo burns out...

by Zu Long on Jul 4, 2008 5:52 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Rock and Roll Prospect Caveat:

“You’ll find out when you reach the top, you’re on the bottom.”
—Bob Dylan

by Rev Halofan on Jul 4, 2008 2:18 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

I like Sean Rodriquez and agree he could be our #1 prospect.

Had we been able to afford him more time I think he would have produced sufficiently to stay up in The Show. He was starting too, just as he got sent back down, his defense was good and his presence at the plate showed confidence and that no-fear attitude of I have what it takes to be in the big leagues.

by 44FAN on Jul 4, 2008 2:20 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

I agree

before being sent back to SLC he was having some decent at bats.

Also, remember his 2 run shot in the last TOR series where Howard had the RBI Hit By Pitch and Maicer drove in the winning run? I do.

by TheTypingFiend on Jul 4, 2008 3:52 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

He seems like a good kid with his head in the right place

Best of luck to S-Rod, though I don’t think his future lies within our middle infield.

Don't call me Desmond

by highlandhalo on Jul 4, 2008 5:46 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

could SRod become another Soriano type player?

their stats and body types are eerily similar… SRod could be Soriano 2.0, but with less power. 30 HR potential is there. if we could shift him to 3B or use him at SS, we’d be set.

this is in 1-2 years, of course, but what could it hurt?

if Figgins is let go, we could let SRod, Izzy and Wood battle over 3B during Spring Training, or we use one of Izzy/Aybar as trade bait during the offseason, and let SRod come up then.

he could be a very exciting player to have

Mike Scioscia: He provides to unlike method of your team member.

by howiestheman on Jul 4, 2008 11:01 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

I propose we trade one of them to the Dohhgers who need a SS right now!

go here

This is BAD Vlad and his band of wimps!

by K3YEROUT on Jul 4, 2008 11:57 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

i've thought that since the news came out about the Doyers lack of SS

We’ve got 2 very good shortstops. if we can get something good for either of them, i say do it, especially if we can get someone that’ll help us in the playoffs

Mike Scioscia: He provides to unlike method of your team member.

by howiestheman on Jul 5, 2008 12:14 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

S Rod

Is the next George Arias.

No, maybe not – but he seems more like a 10-15 home run guy to me, than a legitimate 25-30 home run guy.

by BBFan1 on Jul 4, 2008 11:03 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

in his prime, if he pans out

he could definitely be a 25-30 HR guy. from the looks of it, anyway

Mike Scioscia: He provides to unlike method of your team member.

by howiestheman on Jul 4, 2008 11:18 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Take off the Rose colored glasses

Sean Rodriguez is most likely a utility guy with some power (not 25-30hr power).

by riktermiller on Jul 5, 2008 7:05 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

And this statement is based on...

what again?

~Till the Halo burns out...

by Zu Long on Jul 5, 2008 10:05 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Clearly not any of the stats provided.

Gut, maybe?

Willits needs to play, every, single, freaking, day. Now.

by 101halo on Jul 5, 2008 2:02 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Could be.

But I don’t see how rose-colored glasses comes into it for a guy hitting the way he is at 23 in AAA.

~Till the Halo burns out...

by Zu Long on Jul 5, 2008 2:20 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Especially when 2006 suggests that it's not a fluke.

Willits needs to play, every, single, freaking, day. Now.

by 101halo on Jul 5, 2008 2:23 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

2004 and 2005 actually suggest he's legit as well.

He hit the cover off the ball in Provo at 19, and Cedar Rapids isn’t an easy place to hit out of. He’s always had pop, and at Cedar and Provo he had good discipline. His initial struggles with plate discipline at High-A and AA struck me as an need to adjust to breaking balls.

He’s always had great power for his age. I think in there’s plenty of evidence that he could be a patient 20-30 HR hitter in the majors-basically Kotchman from the right side, though he probably will hit closer to .270 than .300, I think. But he also seems to be a learner adding skills as necessary. His progress reminds me a lot of Saunders for some reason.

He’s kind of lived in Woods shadow until now though. Wood was basically outhitting him every year (and at the next level) his whole career. S-Rod’s success gives me hope that Wood can pick it up too.

I think part of 2007 was just playing on a team that didn’t have any other good hitters. Texas League can be tough on you that way. In Rancho, everybody hits, so it’s hard to notice, but in Arkansas, S-Rod was The Guy, and all the other teams knew it.

~Till the Halo burns out...

by Zu Long on Jul 5, 2008 2:51 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

it all depends on how he's used

if he gets consistent playing time at one position (SS, 2B, LF, 3B), then his bat will come around. it’s all about getting consistent ABs

Mike Scioscia: He provides to unlike method of your team member.

by howiestheman on Jul 5, 2008 10:29 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Indeed.

As others were pointing out, he seemed to be getting the hang of it right before Howie got back. 4 for 8 with a homer and a walk in in his last three games.

~Till the Halo burns out...

by Zu Long on Jul 5, 2008 10:51 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

yup

it’s easy to expect every young guy that comes up to be Jay Bruce, but the fact of the matter is, some guys just need the every day time before they can get the hang on things.

Mike Scioscia: He provides to unlike method of your team member.

by howiestheman on Jul 5, 2008 12:04 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

I think it's a lot more difficult on a team like the Angels.

Jay Bruce basically got told to relax and go hit. He had a guaranteed spot, and his team wasn’t going anywhere anyway. For our hitters, it’s instant pressure. There’s talent behind you, talent above you, and this team is committed to winning. That pressure can fall pretty hard on guys.

~Till the Halo burns out...

by Zu Long on Jul 5, 2008 12:17 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

you're probably right

i’m sure it’s not easy to come up with a team like the Angels and automatically fall into a groove, especially if you’ve been highly touted (Wood, Adenhart).
i seem to have a little more patience with the young guys though… we have a lot of very talented young players that just need the playing time.

i guess the easiest time for them to get experience is early on in the season, or maybe if we clinch really early.

Mike Scioscia: He provides to unlike method of your team member.

by howiestheman on Jul 5, 2008 12:30 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

The best way is really just to give them the job and let them play the same spot every day.

That’s how Reggie, Howie and Casey all had their initial hot streaks. They’ll cool off once people get used to their zones, but it’s the best thing for them. Part of it is how the rest of the team is hitting. It may run against the sabermet knowledge, but I think there really is such a thing as team momentum. Hitting is contagious, and more chances generally results in more hits. When you get teams averaging 5 PA per game, that’s when you know they are really hitting well.

~Till the Halo burns out...

by Zu Long on Jul 5, 2008 1:15 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs