Angels links: Matt Thaiss, home opener, prospect rankings

Ben Carsley at Baseball Prospectus wrote a wonderful story of a baseball-connected friendship, and how the coronavirus pandemic has affected us all. Among the connections between the friends was a recent pack of 2020 Topps baseball cards, with 11 of the 12 cards of Angels cornerman Matt Thaiss.

Enjoy these Saturday baseball tidbits.

Links

• The MLBPA will provide assistance for non-roster invitees with major league service time, from $5,000 up to $50,000 depending on each player’s service time.
• ESPN is running a “second-chance World Series” bracket, pitting excellent teams that failed to win it all against each other. Included among the entrants are the 2014 Angels, who won 98 games but were swept in the AL Division Series.
• This is a day late, but Jeff Fletcher of the Orange County Register answered Angels questions.
• FanGraphs simulated what was supposed to be the Angels’ home opener against the Astros on Friday, using MLB The Show.
• The Board at FanGraphs ranks baseball’s farm systems by future value. Eric Longenhagen explained the methodology here, especially for teams whose rankings are in progress, like the Angels.
• Angels top prospect Jo Adell recorded a PSA for his home state of Kentucky to promote social distancing: