Brandon Wood Promoted to Angels, Kendry Morales sent to minors

by Rev Halofan on Apr 26, 2007 12:29 AM PDT in Angels News

Why Brandon Wood? And Why Now?

Chone Figgins is going to rehab 7 - 10 days in AAA Salt Lake. He needs as much time defending at 3B as possible. This cuts into the playing time of Brandon Wood.

So the Angels are calling up Wood to the big club. Orlando Cabrera has not had an off-day and will likely be spelled by Izzy/Aybar, the two of whom could use a break.

Kendry Morales gets sent down, as Robb Quinlan, who is not exactly lighting the world on fire, can back-up at 1st Base, so why not make use of the organizational shuffle with Wood?

And who will Brandon Wood be facing?

Tampa Bay on a warm afternoon in Anaheim with Jae Seo on the mound.

The Homer-Friendly Chicago Comiskey (albeit against three solid pitchers - Garland, Buehrle and Vasquez)

Four Games in Kansas City against an improved Odalis Perez, Zack Greinke, young lefty hotshot Jorge De La Rosa and the $55 Million Dollar man Gil Meche.

If Figgy needs any more rehabbing, it is back to the Big A to face the Chi-Sox while fresh in the young hitter's memory.

This is a good move - Figgy does not block a prospect, expectations are lowered on the kid, some infielders get a little rest after ten percent of the season has gone by and the competition is easier than average in five of the first 8 games and in a hitter's paradise when the pitching gets good. He gets the hometown butterflies done away with first, then travels with his new teammates for a stretch.

This is a win/win situation.

Update: Poster Bilko-420 added a link to the Angels' press release in the comments here, noting that the club placed Juan Rivera on the 60-Day Disabled list, allowing them to promote Wood without deleting anyone from the 40-Man Roster.

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Comments

good analysis

forgot about the figgy rehab. that totally explains everything.

this is why you're the man rev!

by 101halo on Apr 26, 2007 12:34 AM PDT reply actions

'Official Info'

by Bilko 420 on Apr 26, 2007 12:43 AM PDT reply actions

I like it

not a whole lot to lose, but something to gain.

by Caseys Kiss of Death on Apr 26, 2007 12:46 AM PDT reply actions

If they're gonna bring him up

they better damn well give him at-bats. If Figgy needs some time at third they could have let him DH with the Bees.

Light Up That Halo! ...and tell Clutch to chill!

by cardinalwraith on Apr 26, 2007 12:47 AM PDT reply actions

Wood!

Exactly what the team needs.

by ligtreb on Apr 26, 2007 1:12 AM PDT reply actions

He'll play opposite a familiar rival in KC.

KC's 3B Alex Gordon's stats shouldn't intimidate him there although the two played against each other a lot in AA last year. Their awards/honors are comparable. Gordon is one year older than Wood.

by wumbug on Apr 26, 2007 4:14 AM PDT reply actions

Major Woodie

DH all the way!

"Only if you have been in the deepest valley can you ever know how magnificent it is to be on the highest mountain." President Nixon

by roidrage on Apr 26, 2007 5:00 AM PDT reply actions

The Halos could use some power -

even temporarily.

This might say more about Izturis, too. He is what he is: a handy utility guy, not an everyday player.

I don't believe Figgins presence at AAA necessitates this move, however. Wood could have slid back over to SS for a few days without blocking another major prospect.

"When you don't know that you don't know, it's a lot different than when you do know that you don't know" - Bill Parcells

by johnnyangel101 on Apr 26, 2007 8:11 AM PDT reply actions

And Figgins is?

I'd take Mice Tits over Figgins everyday.

by cupie on Apr 26, 2007 8:36 AM PDT up reply actions

I think this is more about Aybar

I think I'd put him 3rd on that list although he came up with a clutch hit last night.

by thewebb on Apr 26, 2007 9:24 AM PDT up reply actions

No argument

I think many of us believe Figgins is best served in a super-utility role. If only our Fearless Leader (Scioscia, not Rev) agreed.

"When you don't know that you don't know, it's a lot different than when you do know that you don't know" - Bill Parcells

by johnnyangel101 on Apr 26, 2007 10:44 AM PDT up reply actions

Yo Tambien

Izzy over Figgy. Most regs here know I'm not a Figgy fan - been saying to trade him for a while now. If Kendrick hadn't gotten hurt, I really saw no reason to keep him at all when he has value in a trade. Even so though - Izzy, Aybar, AND Figgy is too many for the roster once Howie is back. One should be traded (coupled with someone else) for a bat of value...

Wake up the bats!

by gorams77 on Apr 26, 2007 8:45 PM PDT up reply actions

hard to argue with anyone...

although I could maybe stomach Figgins as a 9 hitter and super utility. Every day 3rd baseman in the top 3rd of the lineup, no way.

by thewebb on Apr 26, 2007 9:34 PM PDT up reply actions

Will Wood be here today?

I might have to ditch work to watch his debut.

'86 never happened!

by Downing Rules on Apr 26, 2007 9:43 AM PDT reply actions

Wood will be here this morning.

I heard on the post game last night that Wood would indeed be here this morning for the day game.

by goodvibe61 on Apr 26, 2007 9:50 AM PDT reply actions

The plan?

I wonder what they intend to do with him? I would let him watch the first game, then start him for his 2nd game up.

by elricsi on Apr 26, 2007 10:22 AM PDT up reply actions

The Plan

A great song by Built to Spill

by cupie on Apr 26, 2007 10:41 AM PDT up reply actions

you said Morning Wood

'86 never happened!

by Downing Rules on Apr 26, 2007 10:48 AM PDT up reply actions

I'm not getting a Woodie

I understand why Wood is being called up, but in a perfect world I would prefer to see him get a full season of triple A ball under his belt first. I still feel that Morales is our best in house option in terms of offense, but with Shea showing signs of getting warm he's the logical choice for everyday DH, leaving Morales without a position as Kotchman is doing OK at first. I hope Wood does well, but my gut feeling is he's not ready. I recognize the Halos are starved for power, but promoting Wood now seems like a rush job. He might hit a bomb, but Woods is probably going to strike out so often that he'll make MacPherson look like a disciplined hitter. Prove me wrong Brandon!

by Johnny Angel on Apr 26, 2007 10:52 AM PDT reply actions

Question

How is Shea showing signs of warming up? If he is warming up then his bleeders and bloops will start ending up in the gloves of the outfielders.

Neither Wood or Morales is ready for the bigs. This is more of positional depth move than it is anything else.

I hope someone on this team can make a clutch hit without the other team fumbling the ball.

by cupie on Apr 26, 2007 11:00 AM PDT up reply actions

Answer

Shea has had a few hits in recent games. I'm not saying he's setting the world on fire, but he does appear a little more comfortable at the plate and on the base paths.

I think Morales is close to being ready, maybe another half year at triple A. Remember Morales was playing for Cuba's national team when Wood was in college, maybe even high school.

All talk of clutch hitting should start with GA. He's been a disaster! I bet he's left more guys on base than some clubs.

by Johnny Angel on Apr 26, 2007 11:16 AM PDT up reply actions