Harry How - Getty Images
almost 2 years ago: ANAHEIM CA - AUGUST 13: Peter Bourjos #25 of the Los Angeles Angels makes a diving catch for an out of Aaron Hill #2 of the Toronto Blue Jays during the fourth inning at Angel Stadium on August 13 2010 in Anaheim California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
Since I am assuming it is not Mark Trumbo despite his first major league hit to drive in the final two runs of 2010, is it Catcher Hank Conger, Outfielder Peter Bourjos, relief pitcher Michael Kohn or possible closer Jordan Walden?
0 recs | 36 comments
I'm excited about Bourjos' potential...
but until he bumps his OPS over .700 I’m not gonna be all that thrilled. I voted for Walden.
Nashdiesel - October 3, 2010
Bourjos is the best defensive CFer in the game already
And he’s got some extra-base pop. As long as Scioscia doesn’t ask him to hit leadoff, he should be a huge lift for us next year, particularly with a heavy flyball Big 3 like Weaver/Santana/Haren.
mattwelch - October 3, 2010
Very well said.
He’s an exciting player to watch.
AlanFalcon - October 3, 2010
Why do you say as long as he doesn't hit leadoff? that is where I think he could be most productive for us.
TheAngelsColts - October 3, 2010
Because there is no reason to believe he'll anything but a terrible on base percentage
And OBP is the most important task of the leadoff hitter.
Better let him learn how to battle ML pitching to a draw in a less-pressurized, less-costly spot in the batting order, like 8th or 9th. And put up a certified OBP & pitch-taking machine like Bobby Abreu up there.
mattwelch - October 3, 2010
I like that he got some practice at lead-off
but I think he should start out at 9 next year.
Rally Manatee - October 4, 2010
Gorgeous
norcaliangelsfan - October 3, 2010
Had to vote for Pete.
Agree with Matt that he is the best defensive OF in the game — and people worried about the stick are undervaluing defense too much.
And in the end, I’m not too worried about the stick. I think he’ll hit .240-260 next season. You project even his current stats out to 600 plate appearances, and you have a 20 HR hitter, which I didn’t expect. I think 15-20 HRs a season is well within his toolset, and he’ll improve his contact abilities with more ABs.
Turks Teeth - October 3, 2010
A run saved is a run earned..........
indeed.
norcaliangelsfan - October 3, 2010
What OPS is acceptable for a CF of that caliber?
.600? .650? .700.
I don’t know how I feel about a regular with an OPS of .625. That really concerns me, especially in Hatcher’s Lineup of Hacking Hackers.
I’m hoping that his offense stands to improve with more seasoning. If it doesn’t we’re in trouble.
Nashdiesel - October 3, 2010
If he hits exactly as good as he did this year (.618), he'll be more than acceptable
He’ll finish with around 1.5 WAR in his one-third of a season, which would make him the most productive position player on the team. Even if you don’t like WAR, his defense is just off the charts valuable by every available measure, and when you compare that to our existing options (Hunter, Willits) the .618 is plenty enough for me. Except that he’ll almost certainly hit better than that.
mattwelch - October 3, 2010
Yeah I looked up his WAR for my other thread...
and was shocked to see a 1.5 WAR in only 50 games.
Nashdiesel - October 4, 2010
I liken him to Gary Pettis in '85-86 -- didn't need to hit much to be very valuable
mattwelch - October 4, 2010
Hank's plate discipline will translate well to the Bigs. Pete's K/BB ratio is concerning.
I voted for Hank, I imagine Suzuki like #’s , with a higher OBP.
Wally's World - October 3, 2010
Kurt or Ichiro?
;)
I agree with you, though, I voted for Conger.
Downing Rules - October 3, 2010
I voted Hank Conger for the following reasons....
1. As a catcher, he will control the game next season and will play a big role in the success of the pitchers (if you believe Scioscia).
2. He’s got some good pop, more so than Bourjos, who has impressed so far.
3. His plate discipline is unparalleled among our rookies and maybe on the entire team other than Abreu.
4. Switch hitter, there’s no reason why he should be sat unless he doesn’t perform or he’s tired.
5. Turks Teeth voted Bourjos.
In all seriousness, this rookie class will be as good as any in Angels memory. We have the back end of our bullpen, our starting catcher, centerfielder and a powerful bat off the bench.
Halowood - October 3, 2010
If Conger's got more pop than Bourjos, it didn't show in the stats this year
Pete hit .314 with a .498 SLG in Salt Lake, Hank .300 with a .463. And Pete certainly showed more power in the bigs. Though he’s a year older, and Conger’s lefty swing certainly looks ferocious.
mattwelch - October 3, 2010
Conger had more HR in SLC, and also, just observations, is a more powerful hitter
No slight on either one of them, because I think they’ll both be great, but I think we’ll be lucky to see Bourjos hit 10 HR in a season, his value lies in his speed and defense. I think if we play Conger a full season, we’d see 15-20.
Halowood - October 3, 2010
Pete got 5 in a third of a season so I think he will get more than 10 in a full season. (not garunteed but it seems that way to me).
TheAngelsColts - October 3, 2010
He hit his 6th in 1/3 of a season
ryanfea - October 3, 2010
Bourjos hit 13 HRs in Salt Lake, Conger hit 11
And Pete only had 27 more ABs. Conger did out-homer Bourjos at previous stops in the minors, though.
mattwelch - October 3, 2010
Oops. you're right! I read my BBREF page wrong.
Mistake or not, I’m still of the opine that Conger possesses more of a HR swing than Bourjos. His HR’s in Anaheim aren’t a fluke, but these things do tend to come in bunches.
Halowood - October 3, 2010
I agree with you, though I've been surprised by Bourjos' ML power
mattwelch - October 4, 2010
Well, since Brandon Wood isn't an option since he technically was no longer a rookie, I guess my vote would have to go to Jeff Mathis.
That guy’s premium.
snowhor - October 3, 2010 via mobile
Fleeter peter All-star in 2011
DAD OF VLAD - October 3, 2010
I’m excited about Bourjos, though comparing his power potential to Conger seems silly.
Bourjos has surprising pop and may hit 15-16 home runs in a good season – save for the pigmentation he is more of a Andrew McCutchen type who can do everything well i.e. run, hit, play defense, etc.
Conger looks like he could hit at least 20-25 home runs in a good season – he is probably more of a middle of the lineup guy and if he does while staying healthy at the catcher’s position, he could be a borderline all-star talent.
Walden will probably the Angels’ closer while Kohn is a guy who can give the Angels several decent seasons as a set-up man.
BBFan1 - October 3, 2010
McCutchen has way better plate discipline, with OBP's in both his season;s of .365.
Until he improves he’s looking more like Michael Bourne in 2008. But he has improved considerably from then. If Pete keeps learning, he could become a middle-class man’s Mccutchen. I am assuming Mccutchen will keep getting better too. After all, he is only 24, and when was 23 was the best player on the Pirates.
Wally's World - October 4, 2010
I voted for Walden.
Has amazing stuff and doesn’t give up a lot of hits. Walks too many guys (as do pretty much all of our relievers) but his walk rate isn’t excessively alarming like Kohn’s.
I like Bourjos but as others have said, his K/BB ratio is concerning.
Chzburger Jones - October 3, 2010
Thank you for posting this
It’s the only way to end the season with some joy, thinking about these young guys. I can’t say enough about Walden or Bourjos. Both guys are a lot of fun to watch.
I can’t believe how smooth a delivery Walden has for a guy that throws 100. I can’t believe how much movement he gets on the ball too. And when they showed the X-mo of how both his feet are in the air at one point in his delivery, I was blown away. That means he’s generating all that power from his upper body, not by pushing off the rubber. WOW.
Bourjos is exciting to watch in the field and on the bases. He seems to already have a confidence that Wood probably still won’t have in 5 seasons (if Wood lasts that long). As we all are, I’m pleasantly surprised with his power. I’m also guessing he will evolve into a higher OBP guy with time. Like Ichiro, anytime he hits the ball on the ground, it’s a potential infield single, and we need that kind of a threat. Plus, his ability to already read pitchers well and steal bags tells me he’s the smart kind of player our team was lacking for most of this season.
Rally Manatee - October 4, 2010
Preferred Rookie From 2010
That’s the question. This sounds personal. My answer is Walden, because he looks like the one most likely to accomplish things that this organization (and the people running it) deem important. But the answer is different if you’re asking my personal viewpoint.
Personally, Kohn reminds me of a guy named Scot Shields circa 2001-2002. Think about it: good ol’ Shieldsy was more important than any other Angels reliever in the past decade. This team won with different closers and different middle relievers, but the bottom line for the better part of the decade was the most consistent setup man this organization has ever seen, and one of the best in modern baseball history. If Kohn can seize that 8th inning role, and make it his, then it ultimately won’t matter who is pitching the 9th inning.
Bourjos could change the organization’s perceived needs, and Walden may displace Rodney as early as March 2011, but on a Mike Scioscia team, the setup guy is the single most important player on the entire squad.
jjackflash - October 4, 2010
Those closers were named Troy Percival and Francisco Rodriguez
Hardly slouches in their prime. We’ll need another like them in the long run.
Still, I agree that setup is of equal importance, and hope Kohn or Thompson or someone can be that guy.
Commander_Nate - October 4, 2010
Fleet Pete.
I am betting on upside with this guy because he, at least in my limited eyes, always showed the ability to adjust to struggles as he changed levels in the minors, and he showed slow improvement on the Angels too.
I think he will have incremental improvements in OBP, AVG, and stolen base % over next year. His power is also consistent and improves as he learns at a level. If he has a good season next year he’ll be Mike Cameron (maybe even better defensively). If he really really picks up his skills and learns over the next few years, maybe some seasons he’ll be young Johnny Damon. But I think he’ll be more Cameron, without the big HR seasons, and maybe fewer strike outs as he ages.
That, with hid D, is fine with me.
Walden will be very impressive till his arm explodes. Like JackFlash said Kohn is like Shields, though who can really project to Shield’s consistency over a career, and Conger is Bengie Molina but more athletic and a little less effective throwing runners out.
All of these outcomes would be fine with me…. after our last crop of prospects.
gitchogritchoffmypetis - October 4, 2010
Cameron has been a great player
We’re talking a top-40 CFer in baseball history. I hope Pete gets anywhere near that.
mattwelch - October 4, 2010
Don't insult Fleet Pete by comparing him to Damon.
Damon has no arm. “Looks like Jesus, throws like Mary”.
red floyd - October 4, 2010
Bourjos
We always knew the speed and glove were there, but I’ve been impressed with the power, I didn’t see that coming.
I agree, we are in a good spot, the trio of Bourjos, Conger, and Walden will be nice building blocks for the future.
Let’s just add one piece in free agency, a healthy Kendry and we should be back next season.
The Blake Griffin Era - October 4, 2010
It is hard not to say Bourjos looks like he has the most promise but is that because
he has been the most visible player of the young rookies? The relief pitchers show up for only an inning at most per game but could a young, effective, and cheap bullpen collectively be more important in the long run for our success in the future?
44FAN - October 5, 2010
You must Login with your SB Nation account and be a member of Halos Heaven to post a comment.