Chris Scholl, Second Half Wonder: Angels A-Ball Report

High A Rancho Cucamonga: 62 wins, 51 losses

Chris Scholl, rhrp - (2 appearances) 6.1 IP, 2 hits, 0 ER, 11 K/0 BB, 7 GB's/1 FB

In 12 appearances since the Allstar Break, Scholl has racked up 2 wins and a 0.70 ERA through 25.2 innings, yielding just 15 hits with a 37 K/5 BB ratio. He's fanned 13 batters per nine innings over the last five weeks.  He had a pre-break ERA of 5.22 through 29.1 innings, with 37 hits and a 24 K/10 BB.  Interestingly, he's also getting more grounders this year, compiling a 2.55 GO/AO since the break, versus a 0.80 GO/AO in 2010.  Check him out in the video below.

Orangel Arenas, rhsp - (1 start) 7 IP, 5 hits, 1 ER, 4 K/2 BB

Arenas opened the year in Cedar Rapids, dominating Midwest League hitters with his lively, low 90's heater, but has had a tougher time in the California League.  He put up a 5.16 ERA with a 16 K/13 BB ratio through 4 starts in June, but improved to a 4.11 ERA with a 28 K/14 BB in July. He's on track to be even better in August, which likely reflects improvements in his slider.  Hopefully his change-up shapes up next, since lefties are hitting .321 off of him.

Ryan Chaffee, rhsp - (1 start) 1 W, 7 IP, 7 hits, 2 ER, 6 K/2 BB

Chaffee continues to frustrate those of us who were hoping for a breakthrough this season. He pitched well last Friday, both in terms of peripherals and results, but has yet to flash the dominance that his '09 55% groundball rate and 9.22 K/9 suggested he was capable of. 

Luis Jimenez, 3B - (25 AB's) .320/.320/.600 with 4 dbls, 1 HR, 1 SB, 4 K/0 BB

After hitting just .250 in July, Jimenez finally saw more hits fall in last week. Even when slumping, he didn't strike out very much, but he never walks much either.  How much longer will this approach work for him? 

Cedar Rapids: 66 wins, 43 losses

Max Russell, lhsp - (1 start) 1 W, 6 IP, 6 hits, 0 ER, 4 K/0 BB

His time in Orem was limited, but Russell was on his way to duplicating Will Smith's ‘08 Pioneer League breakout, striking out 31 and walking just 3 over 31.2 rookie league innings.  He has yet to walk anyone through two starts in the Midwest League, but has been hittable, which isn't surprising for a "command" lefty making the jump to A-Ball almost straight out of college. According to www.mlbbonusbaby.com‘s pre draft report, his velocity is average, but he backs his heater with three off-speed offerings and possess above average command.  According to Stephen Smith's footage of him at Florida Southern (mms://205.178.152.128/2025258/fsc_100305_russell.wmv) , Russell has a very good curveball and knows what to do with it.

Justin Bass, Of - (24 AB's) .375/.500/.458 with 2 dbls, 3 K/6 BB

Bass was a 21st round draft pick out of high school back in 2007. Early injuries stunted his development, but he managed to hit .383/.448/.450 over 60 rookie ball AB's in '08.  He's a switch hitter with decent strikezone judgment  (33 K/25 BB for the year), but appears limited to a corner outfield spot defensively, which is a bummer because he was drafted as a second baseman. He had a good week, showing patience and gap power, but Grichuk's return may cut into his playing time. 

Carson Andrew, rhsp - (1 appearances) 3 IP, 2 hits, 0 ER, 2 K/1 BB

Andrew was very good last year for the Orem Owlz, putting up a 2.68 ERA across 50.1 innings in the Pioneer League while rivaling Stephen Locke as the club's most reliable arm. Garrett Richards' took his rotation spot upon joining the club in mid July, so Andrew ended the season as an effective high leverage guy in the pen.  He's remained in the bullpen to start 2010, pitching for the AZL Angels, the Owlz, and now with the Kernels, but I think the Halos are stretching him out to start again, since he's made four appearances of increasing length with Cedar Rapids at 5 day intervals.  Given the undeserved  nature of his demotion last year, I'm rooting for him.