Three LA Angels Prospects to Watch During September Call Ups

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CHICAGO, ILLINOIS – APRIL 12: Taylor Ward #3 of the Los Angeles Angelsbats against the Chicago Cubs at Wrigley Field on April 12, 2019 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images) /

The LA Angels season may be over, but they still have 35 games left to play this season. So, let’s turn our focus towards the youth movement of three names to watch when the Angels begin calling up players when rosters expand in September.

Disclaimer: The LA Angels don’t seem to have plans to bring up top prospect Jo Adell in September, as it’s likely he’ll get work down in the Arizona Fall League following the conclusion of the minor league season. So, without further ado…

Taylor Ward

The LA Angels invested a lot in Taylor Ward – their first round pick in 2015 – and have yet to see a return on their investment. During September call-ups last season, Ward was one of the youngsters who earned regular playing time.

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However, he disappointed with a .178/.245/.333 slashline in his first stint in the majors. This season, Ward has absolutely torn up AAA for the Salt Lake Bees. Hitters in the Pacific Coast League always have an advantage and inflated numbers, but it’d be nice to see Ward given regular playing time.

Ward has fallen behind the likes of Luis Rengifo and Matt Thaiss in the Angels’ pecking order, and the Angels need to know if he’s someone they can depend on developing further or if they need to cut bait now and move on. Their organizational infield depth is exceptional, and Ward’s September could decide his future with the Angels.

ARLINGTON, TEXAS – AUGUST 20: Mike Trout #27 of the Los Angeles Angels is congratulated by his teammates after his two-run home run in the top of the first inning during game one of a doubleheader against the Texas Rangers at Globe Life Park in Arlington on August 20, 2019 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by C. Morgan Engel/Getty Images) /

Jose Rojas

Admittedly, I never got onto the Jose Rojas hype train that most Halo fans have been riding all year. He’s been extremely impressive in Salt Lake, but I still don’t know if he’ll be anything more than a league average utility player.

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What better time to find out that September? Every time there has been an infield injury this season, the Angels have found someone besides Rojas to bring up to the major league squad. However, it’d be hard to find an excuse to do so in September, as his versatility would help out big time for the Halos.

He has been one of the best hitters all year for the Salt Lake Bees, and it may finally be time to see Jose Rojas don the white and red in Anaheim. While he may not be an everyday player, the Angels found ways to consistently get at-bats for their youngsters a year ago, and they’ll surely want to see as much of Rojas as possible.

If he’s overly impressive in his September stint, it’ll make the Angels’ infield situation for 2020 even more cloudy with Rengifo, Thaiss, David Fletcher, Tommy La Stella, Andrelton Simmons, and Albert Pujols all vying for spots.

But hey, you can never have too many good players, and Rojas could very well be the next one to break through for the Halos.

Jared Walsh

Of the three players highlighted in this article, Jared Walsh has seen the most playing time in the majors this year. The two-way player has been a fascination for Halo fans all season long, and it’s extremely likely they get a final dose of him in September.

He has been overall underwhelming in his limited playing time with the Angels. However, in AAA, he has set the season record for home runs by a left-handed hitter. While there’s an insane power boost in the PCL, the player he beat out was none other than Boston legend David Ortiz. That’s no small feat, and it lends to the idea that maybe all Jared Walsh needs to succeed in the MLB is regular playing time.

Well, the first baseman/corner outfielder could find just that in September. He’s almost guaranteed a roster spot due to his pitching (the Angels need every arm they can get), but the real focus will be on his swing. Overall it’s a powerful swing, but it looks like it may need some retooling over the offseason.

As for his pitching, it’s not likely Walsh is ever a regular big league reliever. While his 2.08 ERA in four career appearances is a good start, he has yet to be used in a high leverage spot. There’s also his control issues (Walsh has walked five batters while striking out four in 4.1 career innings).

Next. Five Favorite Free Agents for Angels This Winter

So while there are obvious kinks to work out in both sides of Walsh’s game, he also needs more major league experience before the offseason so the Angels can see how problematic they really are.

September will be the perfect time for doing just that, and finding out just how special of a talent Jared Walsh really is.

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The LA Angels season may be over, but they still have 35 games left to play this season. So, let’s turn our focus towards the youth movement of three names to watch when the Angels begin calling up players when rosters expand in September.

Taylor Ward

Jose Rojas

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Jared Walsh

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