Results tagged ‘ Mike Trout ’
Draft Retrospective: Strasburg, Trout and more in 2009
By Jonathan Raymond
With the 2013 MLB Draft scheduled to take place on Thursday, we thought we’d take the next few days to run down how some of the more intriguing picks out of the top rounds from the last few Drafts have fared. We start with 2009.
- Stephen Strasburg, Washington (2013: MLB Nationals) — Strasburg has pretty much panned out as hoped for the Nationals, turning into one of the best pitchers in the big leagues.
- Dustin Ackley, Seattle (2013: MLB Mariners, Triple-A Tacoma) — Drafted as an outfielder out of North Carolina, Ackley soon made the move to second base. He made it to the Majors after just a year and a half in the Seattle system and debuted impressively, hitting .273/.348/.417 in 90 games in the bigs in 2011. The 25-year-old regressed in the following two seasons, though, and now finds himself in the Pacific Coast League after posting a .516 OPS in 45 games with the M’s to begin this year.
- Donavan Tate, San Diego (2013: Unassigned within Padres Org) — Tate signed for $6.25 million in 2009, underwhelmed in his 2010 debut in the Rookie-level Arizona League, then missed much of 2011 due to a suspension for testing positive for a drug of abuse. After hitting .226/.342/.278 in 107 games between Class A Fort Wayne and Class A Advanced Lake Elsinore last year, the outfielder failed to show up for San Diego’s Minor League camp due to a “personal issue” earlier this year and has yet to make an appearance anywhere this season.
- Tony Sanchez, Pittsburgh (2013: Triple-A Indianapolis) — Sanchez has dealt with injuries off and on throughout his career but appears to be healthy and is putting together perhaps his best season to date in the International League this year. He’s hitting .317/.415/.577 with six homers in 39 games for the Indians and put together his first career four-hit game on May 31.
- Matt Hobgood, Baltimore (2013: Class A Delmarva) — Now 22, the right-hander was mostly plagued by injuries in his first three Minor League seasons. The Orioles have the former starter working out of the bullpen in the South Atlantic League, where he’s posted a 2.38 ERA with one save in 34 innings for the Shorebirds.
- Zack Wheeler, San Francisco (2013: Triple-A Las Vegas) – Traded by the Giants to the Mets for Carlos Beltran at the deadline in 2011, Wheeler blossomed into one of baseball’s best pitching prospects, and appears to be close to making his debut with the Mets this year.
Zack Wheeler is MLB.com’s No. 7 overall prospect (Steve Spatafore)
- Mike Minor, Atlanta (2013: MLB Braves)
- Mike Leake, Cincinnati (2013: MLB Reds)
- Jacob Turner, Detroit (2013: MLB Marlins, Triple-A New Orleans) — Turner was given two cups of coffee in the bigs in 2010 and 2011 with the Tigers before becoming the big prize for the Marlins in the trade last year that brought Anibal Sanchez and Omar Infante to Detroit. He had a 3.38 ERA in seven starts for Miami last season and was 3-4 with a 4.47 ERA in the Pacific Coast League this year before tossing seven shutout innings in a win against the Mets on May 31.
- Drew Storen, Washington (2013: MLB Nationals) — The former Stanford closer notched 43 saves for the Nationals in 2011 before being hampered some by injures in the last two years. Has a 3.14 ERA in 183 2/3 innings across four Major League seasons so far in his career.
- Tyler Matzek, Colorado (2013: Double-A Tulsa)
- Aaron Crow, Kansas City (2013: MLB Royals)
- Grant Green, Oakland (2013: Triple-A Sacramento) — The former Southern California star has had trouble sticking at a position, moving off shortstop, to centerfield, to the corner outfield spots, to a few tries at third base to second base, where he’s playing this year for the River Cats.
- Matt Purke, Texas (2013: Class A Hagerstown) — The lefty never signed with the Rangers, instead reentering the Draft the next year where Washington selected him in the third round. He’s battled arm problems, throwing just 15 1/3 innings for Hagerstown last year and making one appearance so far this season.
- Alex White, Cleveland (2013: MLB Rockies)
- Bobby Borchering, Arizona (2013: Double-A Corpus Christi)
- A.J. Pollock, Arizona (2013: MLB Diamondbacks)
- Chad James, Miami (2013: Unassigned in Marlins Org)
- Shelby Miller, St. Louis (2013: MLB Cardinals) — The right-hander debuted late with St. Louis last season and has been one of the best starters in the Majors this year, owning a 1.82 ERA in 69 1/3 innings.
- Chad Jenkins, Toronto (2013: MLB Blue Jays)
- Jiovanni Mier, Houston (2013: Double-A Corpus Christi)
- Kyle Gibson, Minnesota (2013: Triple-A Rochester) — He missed part of 2011 and much of 2012 with Tommy John surgery. He has a 3.38 ERA in 66 2/3 innings for the Red Wings this year, striking out 59 and walking 19, and threw his first complete game following the surgery on May 8.
- Jared Mitchell, Chicago AL (2013: Triple-A Charlotte, Double-A Birmingham) — Mitchell tore a tendon in his left ankle during Spring Training in 2010 that derailed his season before it got out of the station. He returned last year to hit .237/.358/.420 between Birmingham and Charlotte but has mustered just a .156/.305/.229 line between those two clubs in 27 games this year.
- Randal Grichuk, Los Angeles AL (2013: Double-A Arkansas) — For better or worse, Grichuk will likely always be linked to the man who was picked directly behind him. For his part, the 21-year-old is still working his way through the Angels’ system and has a .243/.296/.491 line in 48 games for the Travelers this year. He’s shown good power, with 18 homers and a .488 slugging percentage for Class A Advanced Inland Empire last season.
- Mike Trout, Los Angeles AL (2013: MLB Angels) — He quickly made his way to the big leagues and emerged as one of the best players in baseball, finishing second in the AL MVP race in 2012.
- Eric Arnett, Milwaukee (2013: Unassigned in Brewers Org)
- Nick Franklin, Seattle (2013: MLB Mariners, Triple-A Tacoma) — Franklin began the year in the PCL and caught fire, hitting .324/.440/.472 in 39 games, leading to his Major League debut on May 27.
- Reymond Fuentes, Boston (2013: Double-A San Antonio)
- Slade Heathcott, New York AL (2013: Double-A Trenton) — The 22-year-old has progressed through the Yankees system steadily and owns a .246/.300/.377 line in 46 games for the Thunder this year. He recently outshined Mark Teixeira and Kevin Youkilis while they rehabbed in the Eastern league.
- LeVon Washington, Tampa Bay (2013: Class A Lake County) – Never signed with Tampa, instead opting to return the following Draft, where Cleveland took him in the second round.
- Brett Jackson, Chicago NL (2013: Triple-A Iowa)
- Tim Wheeler, Colorado (2013: Triple-A Colorado Springs)
Supplemental first round:
- Steve Baron, Seattle (2013: Class A Advanced High Desert)
- Rex Brothers, Colorado (2013: MLB Rockies)
- Matt Davidson, Arizona (2013: Triple-A Reno) — Davidson emerged as one of the D-backs’ best prospects over the last couple years. He’s hitting .285/.332/.460 in 51 games for the Aces this season.
- Aaron Miller, Los Angeles NL (2013: Class A Great Lakes) — The former starting pitcher is now trying his turn in the outfield. The 25-year-old hit .297/.333/.541 with a home run and eight RBIs in 28 games for Double-A Chattanooga last year and is hitting .167 in 19 games between Double-A and Class A this year.
- James Paxton, Toronto (2013: Triple-A Tacoma) — The native Canadian never signed with the Blue Jays and became a fourth-round pick of the Mariners the next year. The 24-year-old is 2-4 with a 5.01 ERA for the Rainiers this season.
- Josh Phegley, Chicago AL (2013: Triple-A Charlotte) – Enjoying a breakout year offensively for the Knights, Phegley has a .329/.386/.639 slash line with 11 homers and 14 doubles in 41 games.
- Kentrail Davis, Milwaukee (2013: Double-A Huntsville)
- Tyler Skaggs, Los Angeles AL (2013: MLB Diamondbacks, Triple-A Reno) — Acquired by the D-backs in 2010 as part of the package for Dan Haren, Skaggs turned into one of the best pitching prospects in baseball. The 21-year-old tossed six shutout innings in a spot-start win over Texas on May 27 after posting three straight quality starts for the Aces from May 11-22. Overall has a 5.23 ERA in 51 2/3 innings in the PCL with 54 strikeouts to 17 walks.
- Chris Owings, Arizona (2013: Triple-A Reno)
- Garrett Richards, Los Angeles AL (2013: MLB Angels) — He’s spent the past couple years working mostly out of the bullpen and making the occasional start for the Angels. He has a 4.92 career ERA in 128 big-league innings.
- Brad Boxberger, Cincinnati (2013: MLB Padres, Triple-A Tucson)
- Tanner Scheppers, Texas (2013: MLB Rangers) — Scheppers has worked out of the Rangers’ bullpen the last two seasons and boasts a 0.66 ERA in 27 1/3 innings this year.
- Michael Belfiore, Arizona (2013: Triple-A Norfolk, MLB Orioles) — Belfiore was dealt to Baltimore for Josh Bell in 2012. A reliever since 2011, the 24-year-old has a 4.28 ERA in 27 1/3 frames for the Tides and was called up to the Majors in May.
- Matt Bashore, Minnesota (2013: Unassigned in Yankees Org)
- Kyle Heckathorn, Milwaukee (2013: Triple-A Nashville)
- Tyler Kehrer, Los Angeles AL (2013: Unassigned in Marlins Org)
- Vic Black, Pittsburgh (2013: Triple-A Indianapolis) — The 25-year-old has a 2.63 ERA and 11 saves in 19 appearances for Indianapolis. He posted a 1.65 ERA and saved 13 games for Double-A Altoona last year.
Minoring in Twitter: Fast cars and fast food
By Danny Wild
Ladies, meet Luke Jackson. He’s 6-foot-2, has long, dreamy hair, a few freckles and is one of the Texas Rangers’ top prospects. A first-round pick, he also happens to be spending his summer in picturesque Myrtle Beach.
The guy plays baseball and relaxes by the ocean all day.
He’s a self-described “Chipotle and movie connoisseur.”
But what I’m saying is, the guy might be a little lonely. And not just on the mound.
My girlfriend is like a Ferrari…I don’t have Ferrari.
— Luke Jackson (@YaBoy77) May 23, 2013
I am far from an expert on girls (understatement), but I would assume owning a Ferrari, in addition to playing baseball, can increase one’s odds of finding friends. Jackson received a $1.57 million bonus when he signed with Texas, and Ferraris cost $200,000-300,000, so you do the math.
This guy seems popular enough:
But to counter that, I do know girls like clean laundry. And Mr. Jackson also needs some help in that area:
What’s a healthy/socially acceptable amount of weeks before it is time to wash jeans?
— Luke Jackson (@YaBoy77) May 20, 2013
Moving on, Red Sox prospect Matt Barnes likes being a Sea Dog, but he’s not a huge fan of Portland, Maine.
Does the weather ever get nice in Portland?
— Matt Barnes (@mattbarnesRHP) May 22, 2013
(Weather.com says it’ll be partly cloudy in the mid-70s next week).
Twins outfielder Chris Pettit has bounced around the last few seasons, spending time with the Angels, Rockies, Marlins and Orioles. And for most of this season, he was in the Mexican League. But he’ll always remember those intense table tennis matches with Mike Trout in 2011:
@grichards26 is prolly the 4th or 5th best ping pong player from the 2011 Travs @gjacobo5 @trouty20 @pizzaboy34
— Chris Pettit (@cpettit815) May 23, 2013
Catching up with Cody Decker
Tucson’s Cody Decker isn’t exactly having a great season, but it hasn’t affected his dedication to Twitter.
Can you list hamburgers as a dependent on your tax returns?…. I’m asking for a friend…..
— Cody Decker (@Decker6) May 22, 2013
Why didn’t Abraham Lincoln just say 87 years?…. — Cody Decker (@Decker6) May 20, 2013
What doesn’t kill you only makes you injured and angry…. — Cody Decker (@Decker6) May 19, 2013
Speaking of being angry, Pawtucket’s Jackie Bradley Jr. got a new haircut of sorts and briefly thought his head was pulsing:
These braids were so tight the first 5 hours of getting them. Had a headache and I could feel my heartbeat in my head twitpic.com/crbzo2
— Jackie Bradley Jr. (@JackieBradleyJr) May 18, 2013
There’s only so much to do during a rain delay, and there’s only so many empty athletic tables. Parker Bridwell provides us a look behind the curtain in Delmarva, where trainer’s towels have multiple uses:
This is what happens on a rain delay…out like a light @5creede5 #towelblanket #chucktaylors twitter.com/PBrid91/status…
— Parker Bridwell (@PBrid91) May 18, 2013
That’s Creede Simpson snoozing, by the way — he and Bridwell evidently like photographing each other.
Rockies prospect David Dahl makes this sound worse than it probably is: Waffle House offers much more than delicious waffles:
Looks like Waffle House for breakfast, lunch, and dinner since that’s the only place next to our hotel #minorleaguelife
— David Dahl (@ddahl21) May 19, 2013
Finally, Jeremy Barfield asks Twitter something most of us non-vegetarians have pondered, especially upon walking into a Waffle House:
WHERE’S MY FREAKING BACON?!?!?
— Jeremy Barfield (@Baseclogger) May 18, 2013
Chipotle Tweet of the Week
If you had to spend all day at the ballpark being forced to play and/or watch baseball, it doesn’t leave much time for other important things, like…
Field at 830 til 4? Geez glad to have the rest of the day off tho. #chipotle
— Tyler Holt (@ItsTHoltBaby) May 23, 2013
Prospect Flashback: Angels’ Mike Trout Way Back When He Was Swinging for Cedar Rapids, Arkansas and Salt Lake
I had the opportunity to interview Mike Trout (MiLB career stats) before his 2012 call-up, and the best quote I was able to pull out of the five-tool, old-school ballplayer was most indicative of his playing style:
“We’re having a blast,” Trout told me. “I just go out there, do my thing.”
Now everyone gets to see him do his thing.
Here is a gallery of then-prospect Trout in 2009, 2010, 2011 and 2012 wearing variety of uniforms, including those of Class A Cedar Rapids, Double-A Arkansas and Triple-A Salt Lake. Click on any picture to begin the slideshow. For all past editions of Prospect Flashback, head here.
Lost and Found: Angels Prospect Randal Grichuk
Editor’s note: Lost and Found is an offseason series in which one underrated prospect from each of the 30 MLB clubs will be discussed in a short, snappy post.
Lost: Randal Grichuk will always carry with him this dubious distinction: He was not only drafted before Mike Trout in the 2009 MLB Draft, he was drafted by the same team. To make matters more awkward for him, Grichuk (like Trout) was also a high school outfielder with strong physical tools. So if Grichuk, who was underwhelming in 2011 when Trout was really emerging as the game’s top prospect, was never lost, we can at least agree that he was overshadowed and, perhaps, in the dark.
2011: .256 AVG, 3 HR, 25 RBI in 199 ABs spanning 59 G split between three lower levels
Found: Grichuk finally finished a season healthy. In fact, this was his first season of more than 251 at-bats in his four years as a pro. So it’s no surprise that he established career-highs in all the important categories while returning to the Halos’ list of top prospects.
2012: .298 AVG, 18 HR, 71 RBI in 537 ABs spanning 137 G at Class A Advanced Inland Empire
So Grichuk was lost, now he is found. Now, about the Angels’ returns: Grichuk, now 21, will not be Mike Trout, because there is only one Mike Trout. But as long as expectations are lowered — and his health is maintained — this righty-hitting, toolsy center fielder should find his way to Anaheim by 2015. He’ll just have to move to left field or right, because someone else is already in center and will be for a long, long time.
2013: ??? at Double-A Arkansas (Grichuk will also been polishing his skills in the Arizona Fall League, which kicks off next Tuesday; Trout, you may remember, played in the AFL in ’11)
Randal Grichuk with Inland Empire. (Fernando Gutierrez)
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