Major League baseball is over and the countdown has begun for opening day 2018.
148 days until #Angels #OpeningDay2018!!! ⚾️
— Victor Rojas (@VictorRojas) November 2, 2017
But have no fear - baseball is not over! The Winter Leagues are a happening place for prospects - although the Angels don’t have anyone all that shiny playing there. Angels minor leaguers are currently playing in 3 different leagues so let’s take a look at who is still playing and how they are doing.
LVBP (Venezuelan) - runs through 12/29
LMP (Mexico) - runs through 12/29
LIDOM (Dominican) - runs through 12/17
Zach Houchins (25, 3B) LVBP
Houchins has already racked up 60 ABs and 3 home runs along with 14 RBIs. He has struck out 11 times and walked 7 for a .348 OBP. Houchins was a late in the year call up to AAA where he should start the season next year. The Angels run very thin on 3rd base prospects and Houchins is about the only guy who could be major league ready in the next few years.
Jose Briceno (25, C) LVBP
Briceno has just 1 hit in his 14 ABs. He spent most of last year in AA before logging a few games in Salt Lake where he will probably land this year as catching depth for the big league team.
Julian Leon (21, C) LMP
Leon has only 11 AB and 3 hits. He’s stuck out 5 times with 1 walk. Leon spent most of 2017 in Burlington where he hit .304 with a .386 OBP and 59 Ks over 207 ABs.
Abel De Los Santos (24, RHP) LIDOM
De Los Santos is having a pretty good winter so far with a 3.12 ERA in 8.2 innings. He’s struck out 9 and walked 3. All 3 of his home runs allowed came in just 1 of his 8 appearances. De Los Santos is the only player in the winter leagues that is on the Angels top prospects list and he rolls in right at #30.
Dayan Diaz (RHP) LIDOM
Diaz has allowed just 1 run through 8 innings. He has also struck out 8 and walked 4.
Luis Diaz (28, RHP) LVBP
Diaz has started 3 games and has given up 4 ER over 12 innings of work. He has struck out 11 and walked 3. Diaz was claimed off waivers in September from the Astros.
Drew Gagnon (27, RHP) LVBP
Gagnon has allowed runs in each of his 3 starts for 4 total over 13.1 innings. That’s not too bad, but his 8 walks are not so great. He also has 11 Ks. Gagnon had a not so great 2017 in Salt Lake, spending time as a starter and reliever.
John Lamb (27, LHP) LVBP
Lamb is having a forgettable winter (much like his forgettable summer). He has racked up 9 ER in just 12.1 innings over 3 starts. He has 5 walks to just 3 Ks. Can’t win em all Billy.
Jhondaniel Medina (24, RHP) LVBP
Medina has thrown 9 innings and allowed only 1 run for a nice round 1.00 ERA. He has 5 Ks and 2 walks with 1 home run allowed. Medina had a really solid time in Mobile this year with a 2.89 ERA and .198 BAA over 28 IP.
Osmer Morales (25, RHP) LVBP
Morales hasn’t had a great winter so far, giving up runs in each of his 3 starts for a total of 6 ER in 8 IP. He’s also struck out 3, walked 2, and allowed 2 home runs. Morales had a solid 3.22 ERA and 1.34 WHIP over 50 innings in Salt Lake this past season.
Felix Pena (27, RHP) LIDOM
Pena has only tossed 2.2 innings and has given up 1 run. He’s also walked 3 and struck out 3. Pena was picked up in a trade with the Cubs for a PTBNL just a few weeks ago. He had a less than impressive 2017 at the AAA and big league level.
Carlos Salazar (RHP) LMP
Salazar has so far allowed 4 runs in 5 innings along with 5 Ks and 4 walks. The Angels signed him in May as a free agent to a minor league contract. He had a pretty decent season in Burlington but has a very high walk rate that he needs to get under control.