Tyson Auer does it all: Angels A-Ball Report

by rghan on Jun 14, 2010 4:05 AM PDT in Minor Leagues

High A Rancho Cucamonga: 37 wins, 27 losses

Tyson Auer, CF - (28 AB's) .536/.567/.786 with 2 trpls, 1 HR, 5 SB's, 3 K/2 BB

Auer pummeled the baseball all week for the Quakes, pushing his season line up to .329/.384/.444 with 2 HR's and 36 stolen bases, and earning a trip to his league's allstar game for the second consecutive season. Nevertheless, he's remaining true to his small ball roots: he laid down a successful bunt to move runners over last night, despite stepping up to the plate in a prime RBI situation. Auer also has a reputation for being a top-notch defender: managers voted him best centerfielder in the Midwest League last year, where he saved 17 runs according to TotalZone.

Tyler Chatwood, rhsp - (1 start) 1 W, 8 IP, 3 hits, 0 ER, 6 K/0 BB

From Halos Heaven community member Balls and Strikes:

"We took my family out to the Quakes/ 66ers game last night to celebrate my son's 2nd birthday. We were fortunate enough to see Tyler Chatwood pitch and this kid was filthy dominant. He allowed two hits (both to the same guy) in 8 innings with no walks and 6 k's. His fastball was sitting 95-96, touching 98 five or 6 times and 99 once. His offspeed stuff was dirty, dropping down to 72-75 with excellent movement and command. This kid looks like a future star."

First, happy birthday to the son of Balls and Strikes. Second, I'm thrilled to hear that Chatwood's hitting the upper 90's frequently, especially on a night when he walked no one. He's putting together an outstanding season.

Gabe Jacobo, 1B - (31 AB's) .419/.419/.839 with 1 dbl, 4 HR's 11 RBI's, 1 SB, 5 K/0 BB

Jacobo went on a homerun binge last week after going a full month without going yard. His .311/.346/.498 season line is above average for the Cal League - though not overwhelmingly so - but he also brings a fine glove to the table. Despite some recent misplays, he's generally been an outstanding defender so far in his professional career, saving 12 runs above average last year with the Kernels according to TotalZone.

Eddie McKiernan, rhrp - (3 appearances) 3 saves, 3 IP, 0 hits, 0 ER, 5 K/0 BB

McKiernan is a guy whom I'd really like to see in person. At 5'11", he's your classic Angels' undersized righty. According to pitch F/X., his stuff didn't look that impressive in spring training: the fastball averaged just under 90 mph, backed with an upper 70's curveball. Both pitches must have lots of movement, because for the third year in a row McKiernan has improved his peripherals and missed more bats, and is now boasting a 28 K/11 BB ratio and stingy .215 BA against in 25.1 California League innings.

Cedar Rapids: 41 wins, 21 losses

Garrett Richards, rhsp - (1 start) 1 W, 6 IP, 1 hit, 0 ER, 4 K/0 BB

Stephen Locke, lhsp - (1 start) 1 W, 8 IP, 5 hits, 2 ER, 7 K/1 BB

Tyler Skaggs, lhsp - (1 start) 5 IP, 5 hits, 1 ER, 5 K/0 BB

The Kernels are in the midst of yet another win streak, this one at 5 games so far, and the rotation deserves much of the credit. Garrett Richards notched his sixth quality start in his last seven tries, and the fourth in that time where he allowed no earned runs. As recently as June 5th, however, he yielded 11 hits in just 5 innings, so it remains highly debatable whether he's fully transitioned from enigma to top flight pitching prospect. Here's Halowood's scouting report for that game. Locke tossed his second straight gem Thursday evening, but Skaggs continues to look like the most impressive pitcher of the bunch: the eighteen year old has posted a 2.55 ERA and 55 K's to just 10 BB's in 53 IP. If his change comes around, he has a shot at becoming a true four-pitch guy.

Casey Haerther - (19 AB's) .474/.500/.632 with 1 dbl, 1 trpl, 5 RBI's, 2 SB's 2 K/1 BB

Matt Long - (20 AB's) .400/.400/.650 with 3 dbls, 1 trpl, 2 SB's, and 2 K/0 BB

Mike Trout - (20 AB's) .350/.409/.600 with 3 dbls, 1 trpl, 1 SB, and 1 K/2 BB

Jeremy Cruz - (18 AB's) .444/.474/.611 with 1 HR, 1 SB, and 5 K/1 BB

Like the rotation, the whole line-up is on fire, making it difficult to recognize just a couple of guys. Haerther's June .450/.463/.600 line has pushed him to sixth in the league in batting average, and he now ranks third in RBI's despite spotty playing time in April. He also stole two bases last week, certainly notable for the 6'2" 210 lbs first baseman. Long is ripping the cover off of the ball from the two hole, behind Mike Trout, who makes yet another appearance on this list. Two weeks ago, Abe Flores told us a little about Jeremy Cruz, who is replacing both Luis Jimenez and Eric Oliver in the lineup: "He can do a lot of things well, can play both corners of the outfield adequately, can play both corners of the infield, so he's a very versatile guy... He has good pitch recognition, he covers the strikezone, two strikes don't bother him, runners on base don't bother him, he can drive balls to the opposite field and he has some power."

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Comments

Tyson Auer

The batting numbers look great, especially recently, he’s got 36 steals already and his glove is outstanding. The only negative I see is on his birth certificate: He’s 24 and only in A+ ball. He’s older than Bourjos, who’s playing 2 levels higher.

I think he needs a promotion soon. We need to find out if he’s got talent that can play in the upper levels, or if he’s just beating up on a bunch of little kids.

The HK-47 hitting droid is the finest line drive machine ever built

by RallyMonkey5 on Jun 14, 2010 6:58 AM PDT reply actions

ya if he was 22-23

it would be a lot better

R.I.P. Nick Adenhart #34

by Vladd#27 on Jun 14, 2010 7:15 AM PDT up reply actions

I'm not a big fan of that age argument

Kendry Morales was 26 years old before he was our everyday starting 1B. Just as long as these guys are in the majors for ages 26-32, I’m fine. I don’t expect to see 22 year olds starting for the Angels, it’s just not how we do things, or at least it’s pretty rare.

We betrayed Vlad, the greatest Angel. Epic fail.

by Halowood on Jun 14, 2010 8:14 AM PDT up reply actions

well K-Mo

played 100 games in the big leagues before he was 25, 43 at 23, and 57 at 24

Auer wont even be in Triple-A by the time he is 25

R.I.P. Nick Adenhart #34

by Vladd#27 on Jun 14, 2010 8:48 AM PDT up reply actions

Agreed, and chances are he's destined to be a role player

Like Reggie Willits, but better defense. We need players like that too.

We betrayed Vlad, the greatest Angel. Epic fail.

by Halowood on Jun 14, 2010 9:31 AM PDT up reply actions

Age of first appearance in an Angels uniform.

Morales — 23
Kendrick — 22
Kotchman — 21
Aybar — 22
Wood — 22
SRod — 23
Erstad — 22
Glaus — 21
GA — 22
Salmon — 23
B Molina — 23
F Rodriguez — 20
Mathis — 22
Lackey — 23
Santana — 22
Weaver — 23

Introducing impact players between the ages of 21 and 23 is exactly “how we do things.” Just like most every other team in the Majors. Players introduced at 24+ are the exceptions, not the norm — and they’re typically relievers or role players.

Our recent exceptions:

Exceptions:
Napoli — 24
Saunders — 24
Figgins — 24
Willits — 25

The Angels have not introduced a single home-grown player in the past decade who was age 25 or over who was not (a) a relief pitcher or (b) a reserve who plays irregularly.

by Turks Teeth on Jun 14, 2010 9:39 AM PDT up reply actions 1 recs

Rec'd for the research.

And for disputing the (inaccurate) claims that the Angels always move prospects up too slowly.

"That's the true harbinger of spring, not crocuses or swallows returning to Capistrano, but the sound of a bat on a ball." ~Bill Veeck

by LAASurfin on Jun 14, 2010 9:56 AM PDT up reply actions

COMPLETELY FALSE

When was Morales a full time player? 26 years old.
When was Kotch a full timer? 23.
When was Wood a full time major leaguer? 25 years old.
When did Figgins become a full time 3B?

I specifically said STARTING and you go and research something different, yet related in order to get claims that you proved me wrong.

You did nothing more than miss the point completely, as usual.

We betrayed Vlad, the greatest Angel. Epic fail.

by Halowood on Jun 14, 2010 10:13 AM PDT up reply actions

Except his argument was much more germane to the actual point

The kid is 24 in A ball. He won’t see ANY time in the majors until he’s 26. Even though the players you mentioned didn’t become regulars until a later age, they were introduced to the majors gradually when they were younger. The age argument is very relevant.

Also, why the heck does it matter when Figgins became a full time third baseman? The Angels MO with good prospects seems to be: get these guys some time in the big leagues while they’re young (21 – 23) and move them into full time roles shortly thereafter (24 – 26). That Auer hasn’t seen any big league time yet is telling, and you admit that above. I don’t see what your argument with Turks’ point is.

Defending maligned chants since 2009

by Gorbachav5 on Jun 14, 2010 10:41 AM PDT up reply actions

Using ALL CAPS now, Halowood?

Like blinking rapidly in an argument, it’s usually an indication you’re weaseling.

C’mon, now, don’t be a weasel. You were just in your “shoot first, think later” mode, and made an assertion that was simply false.

If your point was that the Angels never start a young kid everyday-at-a-single-position, then that’s what you should have said. It’d still be false, of course. Our most promising rookies — Lackey, Kendrick, Erstad, Glaus, Weaver — all began getting everyday starts at 22-23.

The Angels typically “start” players, ie, introduce them and start them at their positions for a few games, at age 21-23. If the rookie is good, they may claim that position quite early. If they struggle, or are blocked by another player, they may not claim the position for a couple years.

Kendry played 57 games at age 23 — a third of a season. Kotchman played 38 games at 21 and 47 games at 22. Who cares when the first season was that they received 600 plate appearances at a single position was? That’s a function of player health, player contracts, free agent signings, platooning tendencies, the depth chart, etc etc

The whole context of this conversation is player development schedules — when they arrive, at what age, what’s normal, what’s exceptional. The Angels are simply not unusual in this regard. Promising rookies tend to arrive between the ages of 21 and 23, with some rarer exceptions at 24 or so. They may get intermittent play for a year or two. Completely typical.

by Turks Teeth on Jun 14, 2010 11:42 AM PDT up reply actions

Still didn't adress the issue, and you're posts and getting longer and longer windbag.

Did you even read my post. I said “starting” and I meant exactly what I said. To clear it up for you, I’m not talking about getting in a few games as a tryout, I’m talking full season starter.

Kotchman’s came in 2007 at age 24 (mostly due to injury or illness)
Morales’ came in 2009 at age 26.
Figgins came in 2004 at age 26.
Wood’s has come in 2010 at age 25.

No one said anything about keeping guys in the minors too long. But you lied in your post and now you’re trying insult and talk your way out of your lie. The stats are right there. Don’t bend them.

We betrayed Vlad, the greatest Angel. Epic fail.

by Halowood on Jun 14, 2010 4:24 PM PDT up reply actions

Willits

Reggie was 23 at Rancho (hit .283, .373 OBP, 44 steals), then 24 in AA, 25 in AAA, and 26 for his first full season in the majors. He was slow to the majors because he was not an impact talent. That’s where our expectations should be for Auer.

I fully expect the Angels will move him up to AA, maybe at midseason. There really can’t be much value to having a 24 year old dominate A+ ball. He probably started there because he was looked at more as organizational depth, but his play may have put him onto the prospect list. And as such, he needs to be challenged.

The HK-47 hitting droid is the finest line drive machine ever built

by RallyMonkey5 on Jun 14, 2010 10:01 AM PDT reply actions

And this is a totally reasonable expectation for Auer.

A late-innings defensive replacement who may have to take a starting role in the event of significant injuries.

by Turks Teeth on Jun 14, 2010 11:44 AM PDT up reply actions

Impact player, or . . .

a player who has exceeded every expectation.

When I saw that Auer made the Cali all-star team, I wondered why it was that I couldn’t remember when the Angel’s drafted him, or why he never was viewed as a prospect. When I did a little checking, I found out that he was signed as as a nondrafted free agent!

Honestly, when was the last time anyone thought that an undrafted free agent (I will exclude international signings) would amount to anything other than minor league organizational depth. Auer has exceeded every reasonable expectation, and I will be thrilled if he makes the parent club as a 4th outfielder.

by oater on Jun 14, 2010 2:30 PM PDT up reply actions

That is a big reason why he is one of my favorite Halos farmhands

According to runs created/TotalZone defensive stats, he was the 13th most productive guy in the system last year, and is on pace to be around there again this year.

by rghan on Jun 14, 2010 3:12 PM PDT up reply actions

This is encouraging!

My cousin recently (like a week ago) signed a contract with the Nationals as an undrafted free agent. He’s had arm troubles in the past, but I’m hoping he can put those behind him and move up the system.

Defending maligned chants since 2009

by Gorbachav5 on Jun 14, 2010 4:38 PM PDT up reply actions