Stock Up, Stock Down for LA Angels' Top 10 Prospects for Week 6
While the big club continues its hot play—winners of eight of its past 11 ballgames—the lower levels are delivering mixed results.
The Los Angeles Angels' top 10 prospects have had growing pains, as expected. They've also battled through a few stints on the disabled list this month and changing tides at the plate. Some, such as Joe Gatto, still have yet to take the field at all because of rookie-ball scheduling.
While not everyone has a sample size large enough to make a grade for Week 6, here is the stock report for (most of) the Angels' top 10.
Andrew Heaney, Pitcher
1 of 10
2015 Stats: 37.1 innings, 5-0, 3.62 ERA
Andrew Heaney's undefeated 5-0 record is misleading. That's not to say he has pitched poorly in Triple-A, because he hasn't. But 5-0 makes it seem like he has been untouchable, which simply isn't the case.
He allowed 19 combined hits in back-to-back starts to begin the month of May. His latest outing was much better, but Heaney continues to pitch unevenly for Salt Lake, making his stock even.
Stock: Even
Sean Newcomb, Pitcher
2 of 10
2015 Stats: 39.1 innings, 1-0, 1.83 ERA
Despite starting eight times in his eight outings this season, Sean Newcomb continues to avoid factoring into decisions. The reason is twofold. On one hand, he is pitching pretty well, thus not accumulating any losses. On the other, he cannot get deep into games.
Newcomb has yet to crack six innings in any start this season. He continues to hold onto a sparkling ERA, though. With a recent move to the Inland Empire 66ers of high Single-A, perhaps a different group of opponents will get a more nuanced result out of him by either tagging him or allowing him to pitch later into games.
Stock: Even
Roberto Baldoquin, Shortstop
3 of 10
2015 Stats: 39 AB, .438 OPS
Unfortunately for his development, Roberto Baldoquin hasn't played since April 23. He has been on the disabled list with a strained lat muscle. And according to Kyle Glaser of the Orange County Register, there remains no timetable for his return.
Before he got hurt, Baldoquin was really struggling at the plate. Hopefully he can get back soon and begin to feel more comfortable in the minor leagues, as this is his first season playing in the U.S.
Stock: N/A
.png?w=256)
Kyle Kubitza, Third Baseman
4 of 10
2015 Stats: 149 AB, .842 OPS
Kyle Kubitza has really been in a slide these past few weeks, but that was to be expected for a player who got off to such a scalding start at the plate. Over the past month, Kubitza's slugging percentage has dropped more than 150 points. His batting average has fallen more than 100 points.
On the plus side, while the strikeouts add up (40 already), he continues to draw walks at a high clip and keep his OBP up where it needs to be.
Stock: Down
Joe Gatto, Pitcher
5 of 10
2015 Stats: N/A
Here's what I wrote about Joe Gatto in a Prospect Stock Up, Stock Down piece from April:
"Joe Gatto was Los Angeles' second-round pick in 2014. He played that season in the Arizona League mostly. Rookie Ball seasons don't get underway until the summer. The Pioneer League, where Gatto finished up in 2014 and will likely pitch this year, starts its season in June.
"
Stock: TBD
Nick Tropeano, Pitcher
6 of 10
2015 Stats: 41.2 IP, 3-1 between Triple-A and MLB
After an excellent spot start in the majors in late April, Nick Tropeano was sent back down to Triple-A. Since that point, he's had four starts for Salt Lake and has yet to duplicate his success from the upper level.
His strikeout and walk numbers remain in line with what he did a season ago in Triple-A, but Tropeano is currently allowing too many hits and baserunners. He has yet to be shelled in any outing, which is a good thing, but there also hasn't been that dominant performance in May.
Stock: Down
Chris Ellis, Pitcher
7 of 10
2015 Stats: 38.2 IP, 2-3, 4.89 ERA
As Chris Ellis continues his minor league season, he continues to get knocked around on the mound, allowing four home runs already in his three May outings. Of course, May also produced Ellis' best start of his young career.
On May 1, he pitched six innings of one-run ball, allowing one hit (a home run). And then, in his next start, Ellis struck out 10 batters in seven innings, his longest outing of the year. April was bad for Ellis, but May has been better. The overall tallies will begin to look good if he can keep the ball in the ballpark.
Stock: Up
Cam Bedrosian, Pitcher
8 of 10
2015 Stats: 19.0 IP, 1-0 between Triple-A and MLB
Cam Bedrosian's time in the major leagues was short-lived yet successful. He pitched three relief innings over two appearances and didn't allow a run. He was sent back down to Triple-A, though, at the start of this month. Since then, the outings have been shakier.
While Bedrosian went the entire month of April without allowing a run, he has allowed four total runs in his three most recent games alone. Salt Lake continues to use him as an extended bullpen guy, often leaving him in to face more than three batters.
That technique, which worked well in April, has been just OK since.
Stock: Down
Alex Yarbrough, Second Baseman
9 of 10
2015 Stats: 149 AB, .619 OPS
After a very poor start to his season, one that saw his batting average drop as low as .147, Alex Yarbrough has really picked it up in recent weeks.
His average has climbed up into the mid-.200s as the multihit games pile up, and while his OBP and slugging percentages remain low, Yarbrough is flashing those contact skills that he became known for last season.
Stock: Up
Victor Alcantara, Pitcher
10 of 10
2015 Stats: 32.1 IP, 1-3, 4.45 ERA
After a promising early going for Victor Alcantara, things have cooled off. The main culprit has been walks, which he was able to keep in check in April. However, he's walked 10 men in his last three outings.
Those outings have also been responsible for his ERA rising from the mid-2.00s to where it stands today.
To make matters worse, the young man was recently activated from the disabled list after suffering a minor injury to his pitching hand. The hope was that his control would come back once the setback was overcome, but he looked no better in his most recent start.
Stock: Down
.png?w=480)
.jpg?w=600 "Colts Release Kenny Moore")
