Angels Prospect Roundup: April 18-24
Many of the Los Angeles Angels’ top prospects continued to struggle this week, and seem to be proving all of the talent evaluators right. However, two unranked prospects continued to play well, and one prospect fell a triple short of the cycle on Saturday. All prospect rankings are according to MLB Pipeline.
1. Taylor Ward, C, Class A Advanced Inland Empire
This week: .208/.269/.208
Season: .211/.297/.211
Ward had a better week this week than last, although that’s not saying much. He’s shown signs of life with the bat, however, as he’s working on a four-game hitting streak and had his first multi-hit game of the season Saturday against Stockton. He still hasn’t had an extra-base hit this season.
2. Jahmai Jones, OF
Jones, 18, is in extended spring training and is expected to begin the season with the Rookie level Orem Owlz, who begin play June 17.
3. Nate Smith, LHP, Triple-A Salt Lake
This week: 1 start, 1-0, 8 IP, 1 R, 1 ER, 1 BB, 4 K, 1.13 ERA
Season: 2-0, 1.75 ERA
Smith continued his great start to the year in his lone start this week, Friday at Fresno. He threw a season-high eight innings and allowed just one run on three hits while striking out four.
4. Victor Alcantara, RHP, Double-A Arkansas
This week: 1 start, ND, 5 IP, 7 H, 5 R, 5 ER, 2 BB, 2 K. 9.00 ERA
Season: 1-1, 6.28 ERA
Alcantara earned a no-decision in his one start this week against Frisco. He allowed five earned runs on seven hits over five innings, while walking two and striking out two.
5. Kaleb Cowart, INF, Triple-A Salt Lake
This week: .260/.333/.391
Season: .254/.308/.305
Cowart had a pretty average week until the Bees’ doubleheader Sunday against El Paso. He hit three doubles in the twinbill.
6. Joe Gatto, RHP, Class A Burlington
This week: 2 starts, 0-2, 9 IP, 15 H, 12 R, 10 ER, 8 BB, 4 K, 10.00 ERA
Season: 0-3, 7.11 ERA
Gatto had a rough week for the Bees. He allowed six earned runs on nine hits and four walks against Cedar Rapids on Monday and four earned runs on six hits and four walks on Saturday against Beloit. He took the loss in both games.
7. Kyle Kubitza, INF, Triple-A Salt Lake
This week: .250/.269/.346
Season: .244/.300/.333
Kubitza’s week was highlighted by a 3 for 5 game Thursday against Fresno.
8. Jake Jewell, RHP, Class A Advanced Inland Empire
This week: 1 start, ND, 4 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 3 BB, 6 K, 0.00 ERA
Season: 0-2, 7.98 ERA
Jewell had his best start of the season against Stockton on Friday. He lasted only four innings, but allowed only two hits and no runs while striking out six.
9. Chad Hinshaw, OF, Double-A Arkansas
This week: .185/.267/.185
Season: .200/.300/.200
Hinshaw has shown signs of breaking out of his slump. He has two multihit games in his last three: Friday he went 2 for 4 and stole 2 bases, and he went 2 for 5 and stole another base on Sunday. Like Ward, he still has yet to get an extra-base hit.
10. David Fletcher, INF, Class A Advanced Inland Empire
This week: .200/.238/.200
Season: .164/.224/.197
The highlight of Fletcher’s week came Thursday against Stockton, as he went 2 for 5 with a run scored.
Other notable performances:
Caleb Adams, OF, Class A Advanced Inland Empire
This week: .393/.433/.500
Season: .379/.446/.545
Adams, the Angels’ no. 21 prospect, continued to rake. He had three multi-hit games, including going 3 for 4 last Monday against High Desert and 2 for 4 with a home run Sunday against Stockton.
Tyler Carpenter, RHP, Class A Advanced Inland Empire
This week: 1 start, 1-0, 7 IP, 5 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 0 BB, 5 K, 1.29 ERA
Season: 2-0, 0.50 ERA
Carpenter continued to pitch well. In his one start this week, Thursday against Stockton, he went seven innings, allowing just one run on five hits. He didn’t walk any batters and struck out five.
Hutton Moyer, INF, Class A Burlington
This week: .375/.438/.741
Season: .308/.386/.590
Moyer, the son of 25-year MLB veteran Jamie Moyer, went hitless just once this week. The highlight of his week came Saturday against Beloit, as he fell a triple shy of the cycle.