Jeff Gross - Getty Images
almost 2 years ago: ANAHEIM CA - JULY 11: U.S. Futures All-Star Hank Conger #24 of the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim at bat during the 2010 XM All-Star Futures Game at Angel Stadium of Anaheim on July 11 2010 in Anaheim California. (Photo by Jeff Gross/Getty Images)
Angels prospects Hank Conger and Mike Trout were human highlight reels in the MB Futures Game at Angels Stadium of Anaheim this afternoon. Conger was 1 for 3 with a 3-run HR in the 5th inning to put the then 2-1 contest between the USA stars and the World stars out of reach. Trout was 2 for 4 with a Double and a SB.
The Futures Game is played at the All Star Game's host stadium annually on the Sunday before the big game.
Angels prospect Luis Jimenez was 1 for 2 playing for the World on a day when the world was watching the World Cup. Is MLB marketing geniuses or what?
Conger was named the game's MVP. Clear some shelf space, Hank, we'd all like to believe that this is the first of many chunks of hardware that you earn at the Angel Stadium plate.
0 recs | 54 comments
It was 2-1 before Hank's HR
I believe.
Slyintine - July 11, 2010
Rev Halofan - July 11, 2010
Way to go boys!
Conger truly is a stud and has made this fan proud. Now I fully expect the front office to reward Conger’s performance with…..a trade lol.
Halowood - July 11, 2010
Trade? We don't do that with prospects...
no he’ll languish in the minors for another few years, forget he is good, and then stink it up when the Angels promote him at the age of 26. Then we’ll DFA, he’ll get scooped up by the Royals and have a 10 year career as a journeyman.
Nashdiesel - July 11, 2010
epic.
rec’d.
clover_black - July 11, 2010
Take it to the Bank
Hank will be the 2011 starting catcher for the World Series bound angels
DAD OF VLAD - July 11, 2010
Conger unseating Scioscia 3rd favorite person in the whole world Jeff Mathis?
Impossible! Quinny and Reggie take the top two spots.
Halowood - July 11, 2010
In light of the Halo's dismal performance of late
It’s nice to see a glimpse of a more positive dynamic future in the performances today of these these stellar young men.
Raaddad - July 11, 2010
Something Angel related that is great!
Nice to see!
Monkeyspanked - July 11, 2010
Here's a question....
Napoli, Mathis, Wilson, Budde, Conger. Who’s not going to be an Angel in 2011?
- Napoli’s showing he’s not DH worthy with his horrific numbers with RISP and his defense at catcher leaves something to be desired.
- Mathis is a strong defensive catcher, close to Scioscia’s heart that will never hit enough to be a full timer.
- Wilson hits a bit more than Mathis but his defense is also a bit weaker than Mathis’
- Conger’s the real deal. His pitch recognition is great his OBP is great, he’s a switch hitter, hits for power ad average and plays good defense.
- Budde’s the emergency guy.
I’m willing to bet that both Napoli and Wilson will be dealt before next season.
Halowood - July 11, 2010
except Mathis isn't a strong defensive catcher, he's average at best.
Fred Fredrix - July 11, 2010
Who are you kidding?
Give credit where it’s due, he’s one of the best and most athletic defensive catchers in baseball. This coming from Mike Scioscia, who knows more about the position than pretty much anyone on the planet.
Halowood - July 11, 2010
He is one of the best
except when a single defensive metric is required to prove the claim.
Rev Halofan - July 11, 2010
Doubting Scioscia's judgement?
Halowood - July 11, 2010
Soth is making the best out of what he has to work with
Plus, Soth never bad-mouths any of his players to the press.
There’s no doubt that Mathis is a great athlete, but with all due respect to Soth’s superior baseball knowledge, Mathis is demonstrably not one of the best defensive catchers in baseball.
rspencer - July 11, 2010
Soth goes out of his way to praise Mathis and play him.
Halowood - July 11, 2010
i will fix your original statement:
“he’s one of the best and most athletic defensive catchers
in baseballon the Angels 25-Man roster that Scioscia has to choose from.”Rev Halofan - July 11, 2010
lol yeah. Not saying much.
Halowood - July 11, 2010
I know throwing out runners is not the only job of a catcher
But it sure is frustrating to watch people like Jack Cust and Kouzmanoff run on your catcher. When it comes to throwing, Napoli is as good or better than anyone on the team.
RallyMonkey5 - July 12, 2010
Watching the game on DVR
and man I just fell in love with King Conger. At least when he misses he intimidates you. He swings like a damn BEAST! And Trout, nothing else to say but we finally have that stud we’ve all been waiting for. This guy hits the ball so hard! And I think he will jump aboard to fast track to the majors.
angelskid2210 - July 11, 2010
After I wrote this
I went over the minorleagueball.com and someone wrote a tweet from Peter Gammons stating
“Trout will be playing for the angels next year, Scoscia thinks sooner.” Lol that’d be fing awesome!
angelskid2210 - July 11, 2010
I hope you're right.
By the way, does anyone know where I can watch the full game at? It isn’t archived on mlb.tv.
Halowood - July 11, 2010
espn3
Slyintine - July 11, 2010
i can haz video?!
i left before our guys went crazy… i want to see the homer!
howiestheman - July 11, 2010
Beastly swing!
angelskid2210 - July 11, 2010
Nothing Hatcher cannot, and will not, fix.
Stirrups - July 12, 2010
Good thing I've got it on DVR
so when Hatcher does screw it up I’ll be able to watch this game. lol
angelskid2210 - July 12, 2010
Proud of the Angels boys
Watched the game, Conger’s HR was towering. And he looked solid enough behind the plate, some good blocked balls.
Trout… well, just looked so comfortable, and had an advanced approach at the plate. When you think he is only 18… (one of the youngest, if not the youngest positional prospect on show)
One of my favourite comments about him from the game came from Keith Law:
The future is exciting (if the now is a little bit disappointing)!
TheQuestforMerlin - July 11, 2010
I watched Trout's double, he's the only player in the Angels system that would have made that a double
In the big leagues, professional hitters smack a ball like that and jog to firstbase pleased with themselves. Not Mike Trout. He ran hard straight out of the box, rounded first base like an aggressive player should, saw an opening when the center fielder made an unecessarily fancy spin and elongated crow hop and took the extra base.
He’s the most gifted, hungriest ball player I’ve ever seen. You just don’t see guys like Mike Trout or Dustin Pedroia for that matter very often anymore. They love the game, and play it the way it was meant to be played and never stop pressing. Most guys like that don’t have the talent to go pro.
Halowood - July 11, 2010
since i razz you a lot i will take time to compliment you on that tobservation
There are hundreds of college, high school and minor league players who play all-out but just do not have the skill set to get to the majors or make an impact there.
Meanwhile there are many guys with all star caliber talent who coast into being a league average player becaause they do not have to bother hustling to maintain the amazing level f play that they naturally possess.
Halowood distinguishes that these two skill-sets rarely line up with each other and that Mike trout possesses them both indicates his special status among all baseball players. Thanks for the insight!
Rev Halofan - July 11, 2010
I appreciate the compliment
Hustle makes a world of difference. It’s what gets guys on rosters that otherwise shouldn’t be and get them playing time. Just ask David Eckstein and Reggie Willits. It’s all heart and EVERY manager and fan appreciates it.
Halowood - July 11, 2010
Just watched Rudy again today...
He fits that mold, too.
Downing Rules - July 11, 2010
This is why I loved Ersty
What you said about the two skill-sets lining up was true of him as well. It’s a tragedy that he couldn’t have been just a wee bit more careful with his body.
rspencer - July 11, 2010
I watched that trout double
And I can honestly say I haven’t been that excited watching a baseball game since I myself use to do that. And am eons away from being any where near trout. He is my favorite player and he is going to win us a world aeries guaranteed.
angelskid2210 - July 11, 2010 via mobile
It's the way I was taught, it's the way I still play
I am blessed with fast feet and hands and good hand eye coordination. However I never had the physical strength, power or arm to play any higher than my current level. Speed, hustle, determination is all someone like me has. Like most people, I’ve had to work my tail off just to keep up, and I find it hard to root for those who have hit the genetic lottery and think it’s an excuse not to hustle. Mike Trout, you’re a hero lol.
Halowood - July 11, 2010
I think he's
the only player in anyone’s system that makes that a double.
RallyMonkey5 - July 12, 2010
Balls to the wall determination
with some of the best talent I’ve ever seen.
Trout is scary good.
TheKingfish - July 12, 2010
Will go to Qaukes games
now that he is there. I kept checking for him to get the promotion and he finally did. He is the real deal folks. if everything works out he will be one of the Angel greats in my opinion.
CaptainCarlos - July 11, 2010
Trout and Conger were great to see live. Got Conger's autograph!
Also, everyone watch the Celebrity and Legend Softball game on tv tomorrow. Tim Salmon was absolutely amazing tonight. It may have only been a fun exhibition but watching Tim Salmon and Chuck Finley take the field again, reminded me of great childhood and teen memories.
ryanfea - July 11, 2010
Great crowd response for our guys
Got the privilege to see our youngsters in action at the Futures Game today and it was great to see the Angel fans give the guys great rounds of applause and more than a healthy share of support. The excitement for these guys to reach the next level was truly palpable, Trout especially.
Put on your Nostradamus thinking cap here guys… if you had to guess, when do we see Conger and Trout get called up to the bigs?
Dubby Dub - July 11, 2010
Conger in September, Trout, September next year
Conger will be promoted and immediately inserted into the lineup. They’ll let him have his chance at taking that spot away from Mathis, Wilson and Napoli. They prefer Conger doesn’t play everyday so he stays healthy and they prefer Mathis not to play every day because he doesn’t hit. Going into next year we’ll see a split of the duties.
My feeling is the Angels will try and add offense and sign Carl Crawford in the offseason. Then they’ll package Juan Rivera for Edwin Jackson or Roy Oswalt. Finally when they get sick of Abreu’s defense in RF they slide him over to DH and give Petit/Bourjos a shot. They will have mixed results. End of the season they’ll bring up Trout for a cameo and he’ll take over full time in 2012.
Halowood - July 11, 2010
I agree with both conger and trout.
I think they start trout in rancho next year, unless he kills it starting today, and move him to up to AA around the same time and then give him a little sniff. Also, Crawford is probably going back to the rays because they are trying to get rid of upton to sign Crawford, but we shall see.
I think gorgeous will be on the big club next year also along with conger making this team a little bit more exciting to watch.
angelskid2210 - July 12, 2010 via mobile
Conger in September a la Halowood. Trout Opening day 2013.
Something tells me they are going to be extremely careful with Mike Trout. They won’t want to Brandon Wood him and shuttle him back and forth for three years. In reality, Torii Hunter should not play centerfield next season, but he will, and will be there for the duration of his contract. He’s too proud not to hold on and skip…. well you know him and his veterans.
Troutmania in 2013!
sheisalovelyladyandmyapologiestoher - July 11, 2010
Anybody else read the Angels website write up on the game?
And notice the typo at the end?
I’m watching it soon and can’t wait.
halofan4life - July 11, 2010
Settle down everybody.
It’s only natural to be very excited about a prospect with the talent of Mike Trout, but let’s give him some time in the minors to develop a bit. I think he, as well as any prospect should be allowed to take their lumps. I am hopeful like everyone that Trout is every bit as good as we all think he is, but remember, he’s only eighteen! Eighteen, good lord, forget what I said, let’s get ready for our new baseball messiah. Let Troutmania begin!
sheisalovelyladyandmyapologiestoher - July 11, 2010
What you have to remember about trout
Is that he is as mature as Jason Heyward is. The only difference is he has better plate discipline. Trout will be up by next September if he keeps growing as a player as rapidly as he has been.
angelskid2210 - July 12, 2010 via mobile
I got Conger's autograph on my ticket and video of his HR!!!
Will post sometime in the next day or two.
Also got autographs from the two guys on the Royals – Moustakas and the other guy (forgetting his name now). All 3 of them were pretty cool.
Commander_Nate - July 11, 2010
Eric Hosmer?
~MMP~ - July 11, 2010
Bingo
Commander_Nate - July 11, 2010
I also got Conger's
As well as the Phillies Domonic Brown and the Rangers Tanner Scheppers.
ryanfea - July 11, 2010
Harumph!
I’d just as soon see these young guys come up early as suffer through McAnulty and that other has-been we’ve seen lately.
SurfCityTom - July 12, 2010
That risks severely breaking a future stud.
Basically you play worthless. low ceiling scrubs like McDonut so you dont mentally destroy Trout by bringing him up when hes 18.
PhiSlamma - July 12, 2010
From watching Trout
I don’t think he’d be mentally destroyed in the majors. He could probably join the big league team and hit .260 right now.
There are good reasons to let him play at the other levels of the minors first, even if this is true:
1) service time. If he came up today, and stuck in the Angel lineup through 2016, he’d be a free agent when he’s only 25. I would rather get 6 years of him hitting .300 or better than 2 years of .260 until he’s ready to be a big league star.
2) basestealing. Obviously he can run all day on single A pitchers and catchers. Yesterday he was gunned down at 2B by a mile, and it was because he got a terrible jump. He needs to learn to read pitchers better as he moves up, at the higher levels you cannot be a great basestealer on pure speed alone. Just ask Aybar. At some point he needs to hang out with Bobby Abreu, who is a great basestealer despite average speed.
RallyMonkey5 - July 12, 2010
Very true, very observant.....
Mike Trout is extremely fast. You see it in the field and on the base paths. But there’s a difference between fast and base thief. Those are little things that Trout will inevitably learn on his way to the majors or in the majors.
Halowood - July 12, 2010
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