Los Angeles Angels Prospect Roundup: June 13-19

The Los Angeles Angels have a lot happening down on the farm here’s a look back.

This week in the minor leagues: one Los Angeles Angels prospect tore up the California League, another started to find his way in Double-A, and a once-promising third baseman was designated for assignment. All prospect rankings are according to MLB Pipeline.

1. Taylor Ward, C, Class A Advanced Inland Empire

This week: .200/.259./240

Season: .224/.283/.259

Ward went 2 for 5 on Tuesday against San Jose and doubled and walked on Sunday against Modesto.

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2. Jahmai Jones, OF, Rookie level Orem

This week: .222/.222/.333

Season: .222/.222/.333

Jones went 2 for 9 with a double in the Owlz’ first two games of the season.

3. Nate Smith, LHP, Triple-A Salt Lake

This week: 1 start, W, 6 IP, 7 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 2 BB, 1 K, 1.50 ERA

Season: 4-2, 4.35 ERA

Smith was excellent on Wednesday against Tacoma, allowing just one run on seven hits over six innings of work.

4. Victor Alcantara, RHP, Double-A Arkansas

This week: 1 start, ND, 6 IP, 3 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 2 BB, 4 K, 3.00 ERA

Season: 2-3, 3.93 ERA

Alcantara pitched well on Thursday against Tulsa, allowing two runs on three hits over six innings of work. Giving up home runs continues to plague him, as he’s allowed eight home runs on the season, good for a 1.1 HR/9 rate.

5. Kaleb Cowart, INF, Triple-A Salt Lake

This week: .273/.385/.364

Season: .288/.343/.429

Cowart went 2 for 4 with a double last Monday against Tacoma and doubled again on Friday against Las Vegas. He walked four times this week to help raise his on-base percentage.

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6. Joe Gatto, RHP, Class A Burlington

This week: 2 starts, 1-1, 6.2 IP, 14 H, 9 R, 8 ER, 2 BB, 5 K, 10.80 ERA

Season: 3-8, 7.47 ERA

Gatto pitched great last Monday against Cedar Rapids, allowing just one run on six hits over five innings while striking out four. His followup effort on Saturday wasn’t good, however, as Peoria rocked him for seven earned runs on eight hits in just 1.2 innings.

7. Kyle Kubitza, INF, Triple-A Salt Lake

Once considered the Angels’ third baseman of the future, Kubitza was designated for assignment on Monday, as first reported by the Los Angeles Times’ Pedro Moura.

The Angels DFAd Kyle Kubitza, the 25-year-old third baseman they acquired for pitching prospect Ricardo Sanchez 17 months ago.
— Pedro Moura (@pedromoura) June 14, 2016

The move was made to make room on the 40-man roster for reliever Al Alburquerque, although it seems odd that the Angels would give up on the 25-year-old, who is still a decent prospect, so quickly. On Tuesday, the Los Angeles Angels traded Kubitza to the Texas Rangers for cash.

8. Jake Jewell, RHP, Class A Advanced Inland Empire

This week: 2 starts, 1-0, 11 IP, 15 H, 5 R, 4 ER, 5 BB, 9 K, 3.27 ERA

Season: 1-7, 6.51 ERA

Jewell was lucky to escape with a no-decision on Tuesday against San Jose, as he allowed 11 hits but somehow only gave up four runs, three of them earned, in six innings of work. He got the win against Modesto on Sunday, allowing just one run on four hits in five innings while striking out five.

9. Chad Hinshaw, OF, Double-A Arkansas

Season: .191/.289/.304

Hinshaw is on the disabled list, retroactive to June 8.

10. David Fletcher, INF, Class A Advanced Inland Empire

This week: .217/.357/.217

Season: .172/.248/.198

The highlight of Fletcher’s week came on Friday and Saturday against Modesto, as he went 2 for 3 with a stolen base in each game.