SB Nation - Reggie Willits

Best Angels Prospect Performances, Going Back to 2005

rghan — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 22:02:48 -0000

Below is a compilation of the Halos' best prospect performances going back to 2005. I give two run values for position players: the "+ bat" is how many more runs that prospect created over their league's average player according to a widely-used runs created formula. The "+ glove" is how many runs that player saved in the field according to Sean Smith's "TotalZone" defensive metric. For pitchers, I compare their runs allowed per game to the league average to generate the "runs saved" metric. Both pitchers and position players are then ranked by "WAR," or "Wins Above Replacement," which is an inclusive metric that incorporates each player's runs values with adjustments for playing time and position. Using the replacement-level concept for minor leaguers brings up all kinds of theoretical sabermetric questions, but I have my reasons for keeping the calculations as similar as I could to those used for major leaguers.

Lastly, keep in mind that WAR is a counting stat and minor leaguers play at least 10% fewer games than their major league counterparts, so a 3.9 WAR here is more impressive (for temporal reasons only) than a 3.9 WAR over a 162 game schedule.

30) Anthony Ortega, 2007, High A

7 wins, 11 losses. 163.1 IP, 4.02 ERA, 127 K / 68 BB. +13 runs saved, 3.9 WAR.

29) Mike Napoli, 2005, AA

.237/.372/.508 with 31 HR's and 12 SB's. +18 bat, 3.9 WAR

28) Freddy Sandoval, 2008, AAA

.335/.389/.514 with 15 HR's and 6 SB's. +18 bat, +3 glove, 4.0 WAR

27) Hainley Statia, 2006, A and High A

.298/.380/.382 with 1 HR and 24 SB's. +7 bat, +12 glove, 4.0 WAR

26) Peter Bourjos, 2009, AA

.281/.354/.423 with 6 HR's and 32 SB's. +7 bat, +15 glove, 4.1 WAR

25) Sean Rodriguez, 2008, AAA

.306/.397/.645 with 21 HR's and 4 SB's. +24 bat, +6 glove, 4.1 WAR

24) Brok Butcher, 2007, High A and AA

6 wins, 9 losses. 139.1 IP, 3.36 ERA, 77 K / 35 BB. +22 runs saved, 4.1 WAR

23) Trevor Bell, 2009, AA and AAA

7 wins, 7 losses. 140 IP, 2.70 ERA, 89 K/36 BB. +22 runs saved, 4.1 WAR

22) Sean Rodriguez, 2007, AA

.254/.345/.423 with 17 HR's and 15 SB's. +11 bat, +7 glove, 4.2 WAR

21) Matthew Brown, 2008, AAA

.320/.373/.580 with 21 HR's and 4 SB's. +25 bat, +6 glove, 4.3 WAR

20) Freddy Sandoval, 2007, AA

.305/.392/.468 with 11 HR's and 21 SB's. +21 bat, +3 glove, 4.4 WAR

19) Peter Bourjos, 2008, High A

.295/.326/.444 with 9 HR's and 50 SB's. +0 bat, +24 glove, 4.4 WAR

18) Trevor Reckling, 2009, High A and AA

9 wins, 9 losses. 154.1 IP, 2.68 ERA, 122 K/78 BB. +25 runs saved, 4.4 WAR

17) Nick Adenhart, 2006, A and High A

15 wins, 4 losses. 158.1 IP, 2.56 ERA, 145 K/42 BB. +27 runs saved, 4.5 WAR

16) Anthony Norman, 2008, High A

.257/.381/.468 with 15 HR's and 36 SB's. +13 bat, +22 glove, 4.5 WAR

15) Chris Pettit, 2006, Advanced Rookie Ball

.336/.445/.566 with 7 HR's and 5 SB's. +24 bat, +14 glove, 4.5 WAR

14) Reggie Willits, 2006, AAA

.327/.448/.426 with 3 HR's and 15 SB's. +12 bat, +19 glove, 4.6 WAR

13) Alexander Torres, 2009, AA

13 wins, 4 losses. 147.1 IP, 2.75 ERA, 149 SO/80 BB. +28 runs saved, 4.7 WAR

12) Roberto Lopez, 2008, Advanced Rookie Ball

.400/.480/.667 with 14 HR's and 3 SB's. +42 bat, -3 glove, 4.7 WAR

11) Joe Saunders, 2006, AAA

10 wins, 3 losses. 135 IP, 2.67 ERA, 97 K/38 BB. +31 runs saved, 4.8 WAR

10) Clayton Fuller, 2008, A

.260/.379/.425 with 9 HR's and 36 SB's. +20 bat, +9 glove, 4.8 WAR

9) Sean Rodriguez, 2009, AAA

.299/.4 00/.616 with 29 HR's and 9 SB's. +36 bat, -2 glove, 5.0 WAR

8) Chris Pettit, 2007, A and High A

.327/.411/.538 with 18 HR's and 30 SB's. +43 bat, -7 glove, 5.1 WAR

7) Howie Kendrick, 2006, AAA

.369/.408/.631 with 13 HR's and 11 SB's. +33 bat, +7 glove, 5.2 WAR

6) Carlos Ramirez, 2009, Advanced Rookie Ball

.389/.514/.695 with 10 HR's and 0 SB's. +36 bat, +8 glove, 5.3 WAR

5) Stephen Marek, 2006, A and High A

12 wins, 5 losses. 151.1 IP, 2.38 ERA, 133 K/ 37 BB. +36 runs saved, 5.3 WAR

4) Alexia Amarista, 2009, A

.319/.390/.468 with 4 HR's and 38 SB's. +18 bat, +20 glove, 5.8 WAR

3) Howie Kendrick, 2005, High A and AA

.367/.406/.614 with 19 HR's and 25 SB's. +44 bat, +8 glove, 6.7 WAR

2) Sean Rodriguez, 2006, High A

.307/.387/.557 with 29 HR's and 15 SB's. +35 bat, +13 glove, 7.4 WAR

1) Brandon Wood, 2005, High A

.321/.383/.672 with 43 HR's and 7 SB's. +54 bat, +8 glove, 8.7 WAR

Abreu Signing Signals Chone Figgins Adios

Rev Halofan — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 11:25:42 -0000

More photos » by Kathy Willens - AP

Figgy Stardust (AP Photo/Kathy Willens)

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The Angels wasted no time in re-signing Bobby Abreu. The terms appear to be $19 Million Guaranteed money ($9 M each year and a $1 Million buyout for 2012 if they do not pick up the option for then - and it kicks in if Abreu posts 550 PA in 2011 or a combined 1200 PA in 10-11). With team leader Torii Hunter in CF signed thru 2012 and a bargain priced Juan Rivera signed thru 2011, the Angels have a foundation in the outfield to wait for Mike Trout to develop into the Tim Salmon of the future. Some fourth outfielders await in the minor leagues along with Reggie Willits in case there is an injury, but minus Vlad Guerrero in 2010, the Angels look like they can have a healthy rotation of this AARP brigade thru the DH slot.

The near term future seems like the end of the Halo road for Angels 3B Chone Figgins. He could play outfield... but with over $30 million committed there on three guys already in their 30s, and with a league-minimum Brandon Wood bat ready to power the lineup from the hot corner for LA of Anaheim in 2010... this looks like the door is slammed shut on the return of Chone Figgins to play for the Angels. Figgy will be getting $9 million a season easily and his D at 3B makes him irresistible to many teams.

Seriously. It seems the Abreu signing was a goodbye...

Poll

Would You Be Bummed at a Figgy Departure

Totally, dude

447 votes

Kind of a bummer but we'll manage

445 votes

Nah, unless Wood tanks

261 votes

1153 votes | Poll has closed

Trade Gary Matthews Jr. for Milton Bradley?

Rev Halofan — Wed, 28 Oct 2009 18:00:36 -0000

More photos » by Paul Battaglia - AP

Gary Matthews Jr. is a hot one... It's a Twister. (AP Photo/Paul Battaglia)

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With his three-year no-trade clause with the Angels expired and two years left on his contract, like clockwork, Gary Matthews Jr. announced that he wants to play every day. His salary pretty much demands that we trade him for someone else's overpaid headache and one dude sticks out like a sore thumb. Chicago Cubs outfielder Milton Bradley. And I give this trade thumbs up.

Yes I just heard you scream in protestation over his chemistry issues. His temper. His rage against the machine, the fans, the teammates, the coaches, hell, against the peanut vendors. But hear me out...

Would not Bradley benefit form the absolute terms of engagement set for him by an unassailable manager such as Mike Scioscia? Unlike Ron Washington, Mike has reached the playoffs with an iron hand. Unlike Lou Piniella, Mike is a fixture - there is no battle to be won with the Papacy-like permanence of Scioscia the First. Milton's trouble with authority could vanish when Scioscia's reasonable expectations and culture of winning are presented as a chance at redemption and his only option to get a ring.

Bradley quit on the Cubs and blamed racist fans. With Torii Hunter a fixture in Centerfield and Wally George dead, ya can't say that about the O.C.!

Gary is owed $23 Million over the next two seasons. He turned 35 in August.

Bradley is owed $21 Million over the next two seasons. He will turn 32 a week after opening day.

The Angels could use Bradley in RF and at DH and toss in a speedy leadoff hitter in the field when Milton needs the rest that comes from DHing. With Brandon Wood at 3B, Mike Napoli DHing when Milton was in the field and Reggie Willits or Chris Pettit in RF on the days he DHs, we get speedy leadoff hitters to replace Chone Figgins, and two power bats to replace Bobby Abreu and Vladimir Guerrero (bot over 35 on opening day). We get younger, have the bucks to re-sign John Lackey and the Gary Matthews contract is suddenly giving us and OPS of .900 ... I dunno, think about it...

Bobby Abreu: Should He Stay or Should He Go?

Rev Halofan — Tue, 27 Oct 2009 10:12:42 -0000

More photos » by Charles Krupa - AP

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Veteran outfielder Bobby Abreu was a key contributor in 2009 for the Angels.

With incentives, he was paid $6 Million (a bargain that arose due to financial uncertainties in the world economy over the past Winter) and scored 96 runs, walked 94 times, hit 15 HRs and batted .293. He is one of 19 Angel players to drive in more than 100 runs in a season in franchise history.

Bobby is a free agent. Should the Angels re-sign him?

We have no player in the minor leagues with a skill set anywhere near what Bobby Abreu has, although his Age 36 Season is far from a guarantee (though he proved doubters in the Bronx wrong this year). And of course, with an improved world economy and a weak free agent class, he is likely going to get a pay increase and a guarantee for 2011 as well.

Without Bobby Abreu the Angels corner outfield depth is as follows:

Juan Rivera, Gary Matthews Jr., Reggie Willits, Terry Evans, Chris Pettit.

Sure, Chone Figgins can be re-signed and moved to an outfield corner. Sure, Jason Bay or Matt Holliday could be signed (and we will be dealing with Scott Boras in Jered Weaver's arbitration hearing this winter so we can and do and will deal with him for Holiday over any player we want whom he represents).

Is $8.5 Million per year for two years going to bring in Bobby and will he be the plate discipline Messiah he was in 2009? How high should we bid, how long can he play and would Bay or Holliday be a better investment if we are shelling anything like that out? Should he stay or should he go?

Poll

Should the Angels Re-Sign Bobby Abreu instead of pursuing Jason Bay or Matt Holliday as Free Agents?

Yes

550 votes

Let's see what Bay and Holliday want

515 votes

No, at 36 he is a big risk.

118 votes

1183 votes | Poll has closed

October, here we come! Yankees win nail-biter (and playoff spot), 6-5

Travis G — Wed, 23 Sep 2009 06:13:04 -0000

More photos » by Jae C. Hong - AP

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Chad Gaudin was surprisingly good (again), and it was Alfredo Aceves who disappointed. Gaudin's shining moment came in the bottom of the third with two on and two out: he put Abreu away with a splitter.

How big was that catcher's interference call (apparently a trend with Anaheim, for it happened with Tex just a week ago) that led to Matsui reaching on a groundout? Posada followed with the second two-run homer of the inning.

The Yankee scoring was rather ironic. The first five runs were all via the longball, yet the sixth and deciding run scored via 'small-ball.'

A-Rod had a great game (outside of a K with two runners on in the first): he drove in half the Yanks runs and made a great, diving stab in the sixth (with the bases-full and two outs) that kept the Bombers ahead by one.

The defense as a whole went for a beer in the eighth inning: Robbie Cano botched a grounder, allowing Howie Kendrick to reach first. Then Posada skipped a throw past Jeter (more DJ's fault) on Kendrick's steal, allowing him to reach third with no outs. Two batters later, Posada allowed a passed ball, letting the go-ahead run to second. Fortunately, Hughes escaped further damage with consecutive strikeouts.

Speaking of relievers, there's no way in hell Marte should make the playoff roster. He came in to face one batter, fell behind 2-0, and served up a double.

1-10 with RISP. Anaheim went 4-14. We've said it countless times, but it has to improve.
The offense almost seemed to give up after getting a 5-0 lead. As if that would be enough to win by, and then when Anaheim tied it, they got to work again to take the lead.

Ballsy move to have Damon bunt with two strikes, but it worked - A-Rod hit a sac-fly to center, scoring Gardner. Torii Hunter made it a surprisingly close play at home with a strong throw. (I see from the poll on the right that almost twice the votes favor Melky in CF, but my opinion is to go with Gardner for two reasons: speed and defense. Melky has more power and a better arm, but that ain't as important as speed and D, especially in the playoffs.)

That aggressive Angel baserunning certainly hurt them in the bottom of the ninth, when Reggie Willits (GGBG's brother from another mother) was gunned down on a strike-'em-out, throw-'em-out DP. After playing horrendous D in the eighth to let Anaheim tie the game, we've got to give credit where it's due: Posada threw an absolute bullet to nail Willits. That might be the best throw he's made this season.

The postseason magic number was one, so the Yanks were ensured of playoff baseball before Mo nailed down the last out because Texas lost earlier in the evening. Let's enjoy it!

Can it Be Jepsen AND Fuentes?

Rev Halofan — Fri, 18 Sep 2009 23:01:18 -0000

More photos » by Charles Krupa - AP

3 months ago: Los Angeles Angels closer Brian Fuentes, left, celebrates with Howie Kendrick after the Angels beat the Boston Red Sox 4-3 in a baseball game at Fenway Park in Boston, Thursday, Sept. 17, 2009. Fuentes got the save, and Kendrick drove in the go-ahead run. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)

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With all the talk about thinking outside the box when it comes to relief pitching roles, why not think way beyond the box as well and consider keeping pitchers in the game by slotting them in defensively negligent positions for a batter or two?

Would Mike Scioscia I just posted a comment on Rob McMillin's blog about a distant memory I had and if you are a retrosheet whiz perhaps you can find the game in question.

Without recalling the specifics of the situation, I recall Tommy Lasorda bringing in a reliever to face a batter late in a game. I do not recall the specific matchup, but let's say he brought in a LHP to face a Lafty batter. Instead of taking out the RHP, though, he took out the Left Fielder (again, the precise details of this memory may be incorrect, but the overall details occurred and are well within a manager's right to do) and moved the RHP to LF. After the LHP got the batter out, he moved the LHP to RF, the RFer to LF and allowed the RHP to continue pitching. I don't recall if it was the 9th inning, but the outfielding pitcher could of course switch positions once again until he was replaced by an adequate fielder once the manager was happy with pitching matchups ahead in the lineup.

This method would work seamlessly under the National League rules, but late in a game with the lead forfeiting the DH for the best possible pitcher withot definitively using a bullet MUST be soemthing that Mike Scioscia can at least investigate.

So last night is perfect example. Kevin Jepsen could have been removed from the mound, sent to LF and waited for Brian Fuentes to dispatch of David Ortiz and then move back to the mound with Fuentes going to RF and Gary Matthews Jr. or Reggie Willits moving to LF. IF Scioscia was pleased enough to think that Jepsen could handle any possible Red Stocking Pinch Hitter, he could have brought in a defensive replacement for his pitcher in the outfield.

John Lackey Still a Giant Killer, Angels Win in Frisco

Rev Halofan — Tue, 16 Jun 2009 05:27:16 -0000

FINAL SCORE IN FRISCO: 2002 World Champions 9, Home Team 7

So John Lackey is still a candidate for being the Angels Ace. On a day when it was announced that the Ervin Santana has a sore elbow and will be mssing a start and the Kelvim Escobar will be headed to the Disabled list and then most certainly to the bullpen, Lackey had a night to remember, striking out 10 Giants as if it were Game 7 of the World Series.

Robb Quinlan had 3 hits including a rally-starting 2 run double at the beginning of a 7-Run 4th inning. The Giants probably wished for the return of Scott Spiezio in the face of a such a rally. That Juan Rivera and Bobby Abreu hit homeruns was a nice surprise, but not totally unexpected, and even a HR by Sean Rodriguez, the minor league callup who currently leads the PCL with 21 bombs was an affirmation of Angel fan hopes, but an Erick Aybar mash to deep left field basically showed that the mojo was on the Halo Side of the fence tonight, even though it did come off of a shell of his former self Barry Zito.

Torii Hunter got a rib contusion slamming into a wall so the smart money is on a Reggie Willits callup after Sean O'Sullivan finishes his emergency start in place of Santana Tuesday Night. So even as the Angels celebrate their 4th win in a row and creep closer to Texas division lead (they are now only two games back), they are breaking out the scotch tape and elmers glue to hold together what many had mistaken for smoke and mirrors.

Oh... there was this whole problem late in the game with the Angels bullpen but it helped Brian Fuentes get a Save, Yippee!

Poll

Panther of the Game

John Lackey

175 votes

Brian Fuentes

7 votes

Robb Quinlan

56 votes

238 votes | Poll has closed

At the Depths of Angels' Depth

Rev Halofan — Tue, 21 Apr 2009 03:05:26 -0000

More photos » by Jim Mone - AP

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Let's look at the Angels Projected Rotations in the past 60 days...

On February 21: John Lackey, Ervin Santana, Jered Weaver, Joe Saunders and Dustin Moseley until Kelvim Escobar is ready.

On March 21: Weaver, Saunders, Moseley, Shane Loux, Nick Adenhart until any one of Lackey, Santana or Escobar are ready.

On April 21: Weaver, Saunders, Darren Oliver, Loux and TBA until any one of Lackey, Santana, Escobar or Moseley are ready.

Unless Weaver pitches on three days rest, we will know who TBA is on Saturday. If it is a 25-Man roster candidate it will have to be Daniel Davidson. Barring a 40-Man roster switch, it will have to be Davidson or current Salt Lake Bee Anthony Ortega as it is unimaginable that the team will try stretching a relief arm besides Darren Oliver into a starter.

Meanwhile, Kevin Jepsen has complained about a balky back and the team has a chance to retrieve Darren O'Day from the Mets. They would have to clear a space for O'Day on the 40-Man roster. Are the Angels ready to throw Jason Bulger to the waiver wire? Do they still feel attached from trading infielder Alberto Callaspo for him?

With Jepsen tanking in such a terrible manner, a trip to the 60-Day DL could solve the problem, as a spot on the 40-Man roster would then be available for O'Day.

WAIT A MINUTE HERE... Darren O'Day and Jason Bulger are the solutions to the Angels terrible 4-8 start? I think not. The Angels can flip a coin at this point on any of these possible pitching solutions.

With all the chaos surrounding the rotation, the Angels have 6 infielders, 2 catchers and 4 outfielders on their active roster. Reggie Willits and Brandon Wood are the only real major-league ready players that could conceivably contribute full time at a league average (or hopefully better) level of production.

The depth has been plumbed, planted and is seeding toward fruition. This is it, Angels fans, the worst case scenario is this depth on parade. League average, yes, but nowhere else to go but up toward the summer sun.

Ryan's Minor League Report

Rev Halofan — Mon, 20 Apr 2009 18:37:48 -0000

FROM RYAN GHAN:

Salt Lake - 7 and 3, half a game out

Brandon Wood - 22 AB's .318/.400/1.000 with 4 HR's, 1 trpl, and 1 dbl against 5 K's
Bradley Coon - 19 AB's .368/.455/.737 with 2 HR, 1 dbl and 1 SB against 1 K
Reggie Willits - 27 AB's .370/.387/.444 with 2 doubles and 1 SB
Terry Evans - 29 AB's .364/.400/.545 with 1 HR, 3 doubles and 2 SB against 9 K's

Brandon Wood picked up right where he left off in Arizona, hitting for outstanding power while maintaining a reasonable strikeout rate. Outfielders Bradley Coon, Reggie Willits, and Terry Evans have also thrown up great numbers, with Coon belting the go-ahead 11th inning homerun last night - he doesn't hit those often, but they always seem to count. On the other hand, infielders not name Wood have been slow to get into the groove and the pitching... well, let's just say that the pain felt in Anaheim is also felt in Salt Lake.

Arkansas - 4 and 6, 2 games out

Willits, Five Others Out of the Picture

Rev Halofan — Sun, 05 Apr 2009 05:48:36 -0000

The Final Roster for the Angels has been set for Opening Day and who is NOT on it is bigger news (although no surprise) than who IS on it...

Reggie Willits, Brandon Wood, Matt Brown, Sean Rodriguez, Bobby Wilson and Byan Budde are all headed to join the AAA Salt Lake Bees.

The biggest surprise, as reported by Sam Miller at the OC Register, is that Jason Bulger will be the 7th Man in the bullpen to open the season. And it is hardly a surprise.

The Five Man Rotation to begin the season: S - M - A - W - L ...

Saunders, Moseley, Adenhart, Weaver, Loux

Ready or not, here it comes...