Pioneer League batting champ and Angels' 2009 11th round draft pick Dillon Baird heads to Rancho Cucamonga, skipping the A-level Midwest League, in what may be the Halos' most surprising roster decision this side of sending Rob Quinlan back to Anaheim.
Kendry Morales is the only big-name Angels' position prospect to jump Cedar Rapids in recent memory. The Halos even had polished college-product Dallas McPherson play a full season with the Kernels at the same stage in his career.
The move likely stems from lack of organizational depth at the hot corner, rather than a desire to fast-track Baird. Nevertheless, a strong start would put the University of Arizona alum in the prospect spotlight.
Other minor league roster tid-bits...
Salt Lake's lineup is going to be scary -- Corey Alderidge and Michael Ryan join home-grown boppers Hank Conger, Mark Trumbo, and Freddy Sandoval, while Nate Sutton and Pete Bourjos set the table.
Ryan Mount anchors a potentially punchless Arkansas line-up. Clay Fuller, Jeremy Moore, Julio Perez, Andrew Romine, Jay Brossman and minor league FA Paul McAnulty are going to have to step up big time for that club to score many runs.
Keep an eye out for Travs' starter Ryan Brasier, who hit the mid 90's in big league camp. He's a sleeper.
Cedar Rapids looks as good as advertised, though there is no sign of intriguing 2009 draftees Jon Karcich, Travis Witherspoon, James Mallard, Jake Rife, Richard Cates or Stephen Locke. Rolando Gomez and Terrell Alliman are also notably absent. The Kernels' roster will likely see significant turnover as the season progresses.
Minor League opening day is Thursday.
2 recs | 22 comments
Sounds like a billionaire's name
I could see Thurston Howell the Third waxing nostalgiac about his yacht race with Dillon Baird when they were both in Skull and Bones at Yale.
Rev Halofan - April 6, 2010
The best thing about the televised spring training games this year was
being able to become familiar with many of these minor league players in your stories. It is a good thing I paid such close attention because now I can pick them out and comprehend quite a bit more of what you are reporting about. I hope they broadcast even more games next year because getting to watch these guys play is why spring training matters to me. Too bad their games are not broadcast somewhere all summer long.
44FAN - April 6, 2010
I'm confused?
You say that Dillion is heading to Rancho, skipping A-Ball? I think Cucamonga is A-Ball.
It’s just considered a “high” A-Ball.
EstebanHalo - April 6, 2010
Yeah, I think he forgot 'low'.
No biggie, we got it.
Slasher52 - April 6, 2010
Isn't Baird an Alum of Uof A not ASU?
Just wondering.
angelskid2210 - April 6, 2010
Correctamundo.
Slasher52 - April 6, 2010
and fixed
Thanks
rghan - April 6, 2010
Doing a great job.
I love the organizational reports. GREAT stuff.
Slasher52 - April 6, 2010
Trout and others
Rghan, want to run down where the top 20 Angels prospects are starting the season for us? Trout, Reckling, Fabio, etc?
Sethy - April 6, 2010
Do you know where
Ortega
Bell
Mosebach
PJ Phillips
Estrella
and Tobin are?
land4sale - April 6, 2010
According to MiLB.com player search…
Ortega: SLC Bees
Bell: SLC Bees
Mosebach: SLC Bees
Phillips: RC Quakes
Estrella: RC Quakes
Tobin: RC Quakes
Downing Rules - April 6, 2010
I checked each affiliate's website
There is no mention of Phillips at all. If he is at RC…man, this will be his 4th year in A ball (CR and RC). Not looking good for Brandon’s kid brother.
Slasher52 - April 6, 2010
Ortega is on the 15-day DL
and
PJ Phillips is going to be out most (if not all) of the year with a broken collar bone or something like that
the other guys are probably in extended Spring Training
Vladd#27 - April 6, 2010
Bell is probably getting stretched back out as a starter in Arizona. He’ll go to SL when he’s ready.
Mosebach might be a little banged up. Or the Halos are keeping him temporarily on hand in Arizona, in case one of the current bullpen guys goes down.
Tobin had a setback in his rehab following TJ surgery, so a May return no longer likely. Hopefully he pops up at Rancho at some point this year.
Don’t know about Estrella. He was on the ST roster, so he may be hurt as well.
Heard about Philips. Sucks for him, after a strong-ish showing in the AFL.
rghan - April 6, 2010
It is the curse of Glaus
We will never have a great 3b prospect ever again
DAD OF VLAD - April 6, 2010
get your so a glove
so he can prove you wrong in 2031
Rev Halofan - April 6, 2010
I guess Bell and Mosebach
got banged up a bit in ST.
land4sale - April 6, 2010
i didn't see ryan chaffee listed for rancho...
he had a good 09’ but i don’t know if was injured in spring training.
thejd - April 6, 2010
What do we mean.....hot corner?
“The move likely stems from lack of organizational depth at the hot corner”.
I thought his position was 1B. I wonder if he has played 3B before……or even corner outfield?
wumbug - April 6, 2010
This and this and this say 1B.
wumbug - April 6, 2010
I suspect the Angels are looking hard for prospects who bat left handed.
wumbug - April 6, 2010
Halos have been working him out at 3B all offseason
He and Jacobo might alternate, but from what I’ve heard, Baird should get most of the 3B innings.
He started there in college before U of Ari bumped him over.
rghan - April 7, 2010
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