MLB.com is running through the top prospects at each position (click here for direct link), but the most intriguing ranking is the fight for the top spot in the outfield between Angels' stud Mike Trout and Washington's Bryce Harper: Prospect Watch: Top 10 outfielders - MLB.com. This post picked Trout as #2; "...Yet Trout's lack of prolonged success in the big leagues left some a touch disappointed. It would be a mistake to put too much stock in that, as Trout's ceiling as a game-changer on both sides of the ball is still very, very high." You should probably click the above link just so you can glory in the douchiness of the Bryce Harper picture/video. Obviously, I don't know the kid, nor have I even met him, but geez...he just comes across as such a tool. Which leads to this question...
Would You Rather Have: Trout or Harper? - CBSSports.com. CBS bases their decision, as they should, on baseball skills. But when does personality become a factor? As I wrote above, I've never met either player, but based on their public persona, true or tabloid-generated, how much does Trouts "good-guy" make-up add to his rating as a top prospect over a publicly perceived ass like Harper? Maybe more importantly, should we even care what their personality is? Anyway (spoiler alert), CBS takes Harper, "Our call I'm going Harper. Trout is going to be a stud who visits the All-Star Game perennially while gathering MVP votes, but Harper is going to be better."
Minor League Ball takes a look at each organization's minor league system and then ranks them. You'll have to read the post as to how they've actually done the ranking, but here's the link: 2012 Baseball Farm System Rankings - Minor League Ball. "18) Los Angeles Angels: Not terrible, there is some depth behind Mike Trout but a lot of questions, too, and most of the tool-heavy bets in recent drafts haven't paid off as well as Trout has. " Although the Halos placed in thelower half of the league, the more troubling point to take away from this ranking is how high the other teams in their division ranked; Texas #3, Seattle #4 and Oakland #10. If the Angels' farmhands don't start panning out, the club is going to have to rely more on free agents and trades to stay competitive in the near future.
Chris Jaffe over at The Hardball Times has an entertaining post about breaking up no-hitters: Ten least-likely guys to break up a no-hitter - The Hardball Times. "Oftentimes, the guy getting the hit is a star, perhaps even a Hall of Famer. More often he’s at least a solid player. Yeah, but then there are other times. There are times the guy isn’t a star or a role player. He’s someone who, well, sucks. Sometimes the player getting the hit is a guy who has no business whatsoever getting the hit. Yet he did anyway." He also has an interesting post about just-retired, and former Angels shortstop Orlando Cabrera: Career highlights: Orlando Cabrera. "This list includes the greatest and most memorable games Cabrera played in, his personal bests (and some worsts), as well as some oddities he was on hand for and great moments by other players that occurred in games in which he participated."
I wish this guy would just sign somewhere and get it over with: Angels making pitch for reliever Francisco Cordero - latimes.com. "But when asked if the Angels wanted Cordero as a closer or set-up man, Cordero's agent, Bean Stringfellow, said, "That's a delicate situation. I'd rather not comment." Interesting situation if Cordero wants to close and the Halos sign him to be Walden's set-up guy. I'm sure that'll be something that will get figured out prior to putting pen to paper. Within the post, there was also this: "Stringfellow did say that the Angels, who have already added veteran right-hander LaTroy Hawkins to their bullpen, "were one of the first teams to contact me [about Cordero], and we've had regular contact with them throughout the winter -- they've been pretty consistent." Bean Stringfellow. Great name.
We've been hearing about this since the Angels signed Pujols: Angels’ Trumbo ready to attack third-base challenge - The Orange County Register. "Our intention is not to put him out there 120 times next year," Dipoto said. "The introduction to third base — it's not as if we were looking to turn him into an every-day third baseman. That was not the goal. But if Mark can become comfortable enough there to be an option at times along with first base when Albert needs a blow, DH and the corner outfield spots ... it puts Mark in position to make his impact on our roster." I have never heard the term "needs a blow" in this circumstance. Kind of made me feel "funny".
Angels-Rangers. The new Dodgers-Giants: Alden Gonzalez: Rangers, Angels to collide in heated-up rivalry - angels.com. "The Rangers and Angels have competed in the same division for 40 years, and for most of that time, it hasn't exactly reminded anyone of Yankees vs. Red Sox. Following a highly competitive offseason, that has all changed." Screw the Yankees and Red Sox, I want to see Darvish club someone over the head (dammit, Mathis is gone) so Albert can kill him.
Pretty sad whent he guy writing the checks doesn't know what's going on: Ryan: Rangers unsure of Fielder's demands - CBSSports.com. "Hard to say," Ryan said. "Because they've never made a firm proposal to us. They talk in generalities and numbers and other people's contracts, and so you can speculate what it is. One time they're talking eight years, one time they're talking 10 years, one time they're talking about a contract bigger than Ryan Howard's in Philadelphia." This probably goes more towards Boras and his "tactics".
The "Arte Moreno School of Franchise Jump-starts": Astros drop ticket prices, relax food policies in new ‘fan-friendly initiatives' - Ultimate Astros. "We’re taking a look at everything," Crane said when asked about the potential name change. "We’re going to do a study on it. We’re going to study the information, both from our fans and from all sorts of marketing people. I’m not saying we’re going to change. We haven’t made a decision. If the change is going to come, it’s going to come next year."
I think Trout will have more longevity, maybe because I think Harper is going to piss off too many opposing players with bush league antics and get tripped or thrown at and spend some more time on the D.L.
I think he would be much more likely to remain an Angel compared to Bryce Harper. Harper has a douchey attitude (remember blowing the Kiss after hitting a HR in Rookie A ball?), combined with Boras as an agent. Those two factors scream Boston or New York as soon as club control runs out.
Trout seems to have a good nature which makes me optimistic that he will remain an Angel.
But, hypothetically, I wouldn’t trade Trout for Harper if it came down to a 1-for-1 offer.
Harper is like a robot bred to play baseball and be a douche.
Trout seems like a more well-rounded human-being.
If Trout ends up being able to perennially slug over .450 or so, then I’d take him over Harper.
I have to add my .02 here…
I went to watch Trout at Arizona Fall League. All I kept hearing from the autograph hounds was how NOBODY was getting autos from Trout or Harper, and how rude both of them were. Well, if I had to put up with those idiots every day, I wouldn’t sign either.
My friend and I went to the 3rd base dugout and we were watching BP before the game, and when Trout saw us, he came over without us ever having to say ONE word. It wasn’t 30 seconds later when Conger came over and a couple other of our minor leaguers that know me. When Harper saw that Trout knew us, and everyone else was there, he came over and actually talked with us. He even signed an auto for me, too. I just think maybe he should be given a chance before you all just say Harper is a douche. He was pretty nice and respectful when he spoke with me, didn’t come off as an ass at all.
Cool story. People forget he's only 19 and most guys were full of themselves at that age
Harper could probably really use a guy like Torii Hunter to show him the ropes. Torii, of course, had Kirby Puckett. Unfortunately, there are very few Torii Hunters, so Harper will probably end up like A-fraud or every Sux player; down to the uniform.
I think I'd be stoked, even if only for the first couple of years as an unproven player.
It would be a constant reminder that I’m living my dream instead of being stuck in a boring cubicle job doing the 9 to 5 grind. I’d be honored to bring the tiniest bit of joy into even one kid’s (and some 40-year-old man’s) life. If I were Mike Trout, I’d have at least 1.215 million reasons to smile at the kids.
But what do I know, it’s not like I’m buds with pro athletes around the neighborhood.
Good post. I know Bryce and his family a little bit and can say
that he has been genuinely nice and generous in the few interactions I have had with him. That’s not to excuse the lame things he has done in his professional career (or at CSN for that matter), but I have hope that he will be a good ambassador for the game in the long run.
As a side note, I almost had my very own Keith Hernandez/Kramer moment with Bryce a couple of weeks ago. We were both stopped at the same intersection near my house when he rolled down his window in his jacked up truck and fired a loogie in my direction, narrowly missing the passenger side door.
There is a pure joy in seeing a great guy who represents your team with class succeed. To me, it says a lot about the organization and Arte that guys like Torii and Pujols are brought in to be the face of the franchise. It makes me proud to be an Angel fan.
A lot of scouts believe Trout will start hitting for power when he develops more and I gotta believe them. Plus with Trout’s plate discipline I’m sure he’ll get a lot of 2-1 fastballs to drive. When all is said and done I could see Trout develop into a Matt Kemp with more speed and less power
Trout can get on base at a much higher clip, be a more consistent base stealer, and overall hit more than Bourjos. Besides who wouldn’t want Bourjos AND Trout in the same outfield together?
who cares what a corner outfielder should hit. That’s the most irritating thing, people who say since a player plays 1st, 3rd, or left or right they NEED to be a power hitter. Who gives a fuck!? (my f bomb) As long as they play the position well and help the team win it doesn’t matter. Look at Callaspo
The guy thought Trout was in AAA last year instead of AA. At first I thought it was a typo, but he did it twice.
He also tried to justify Harper’s lack of defensive skill by mentioning that he is a converted catcher and it’s not his natural position. If he would take the time to get his player information from somewhere other than SI, he would know that Trout was a converted shortstop, which is why he slid all the way to the 25th pick. He wasn’t a great shortstop, but we envisioned him as a CF. So the outfield is just as new to Trout as it is to Harper.
Besides, he gave no stats to prove that Harper really will be a HOF talent, of which there is none to this point. Whereas Trout has earned the hype by his performance on the field while Harper had it given to him by a SI writer.
So many people hating on a teenage kid. Lemme ask you this………when Babe Ruth was showing up at games drunk and calling his own shot do you think maybe folks thought he didn’t respect the game too?? Of course. But when it’s all said and done production is what matters and the rest just adds to the legend!
Also funny how people criticize him for “the blown kiss”. What people don’t realize is that the opposing teams pitcher would glare over at hagers dugout everytime he struck a player out (i was at the game). The coach and dugout grew tired of this and looked to put an end to it, so when harper nailed one out of the park and blew a kiss at the pitcher it was in response to his actions and effectively stopped the glaring.
The problem is the media only releases what they want you to hear, and harper being a kid of class doesn’t like to respond to foolishness in the media but rather lets his game do the talking knowing that if he speaks to the media every word will be scrutinized and picked apart.
Thanks for correcting me. I guess I was wrong to assume that someone who puts eye black on his face the way he does, attempted to hold out on his rookie deal in order to secure more rights. I have yet to hear anyone describe Harper as a kid of class. Not to say he isn’t, and not to doubt your recounting of what happened with the blown kiss, but so far all evidence says that the dude is immature and kinda douchey.
I hope I am wrong, but I don’t buy the media making him look like a douche intentionally, that isnt usually how the media works. They usually portray to take the phenoms and immortalize them. See Tebow, Tim. ESPN would love to turn Harper into a nice guy, the evidence just isn’t there.
I love Trout but I would rather have Harper
hauldog - January 24, 2012
:(
</3
miketrout - January 24, 2012
Sorry dude
hauldog - January 25, 2012
I'll take Trout over Harper
I think Trout will have more longevity, maybe because I think Harper is going to piss off too many opposing players with bush league antics and get tripped or thrown at and spend some more time on the D.L.
steelgolf - January 24, 2012
Or on suspension
Unclearnie - January 24, 2012
I'd rather have Harper
but, yes personality counts. Ask the Cubs how Zambrano’s personality mattered
ihearhowie2.0 - January 24, 2012
can i have both?
DAD OF VLAD - January 24, 2012
I would rather have Trout
I think he would be much more likely to remain an Angel compared to Bryce Harper. Harper has a douchey attitude (remember blowing the Kiss after hitting a HR in Rookie A ball?), combined with Boras as an agent. Those two factors scream Boston or New York as soon as club control runs out.
Trout seems to have a good nature which makes me optimistic that he will remain an Angel.
ItCouldHappen - January 24, 2012
I will take Trout
For the speed and defense. And because he doesn’t have a silly little mustache that makes him look like a douche.
Doctor Wu - January 24, 2012
So basically
You’re asking if we would rather have Torii Hunter or Barry Bonds
Shackleford - January 24, 2012
One of them has a chance to get a ring this year.
And I don’t mean in his body.
AlanFalcon - January 24, 2012 via mobile
Too early
to make a comparison like that. I also think it’s way off. IMO
migfig - January 25, 2012 via Android app
Bean Stringfellow always elicits a chuckle
NathanielS - January 24, 2012
I'd rather have Harper.
But, hypothetically, I wouldn’t trade Trout for Harper if it came down to a 1-for-1 offer.
Harper is like a robot bred to play baseball and be a douche.
Trout seems like a more well-rounded human-being.
If Trout ends up being able to perennially slug over .450 or so, then I’d take him over Harper.
IE Angel - January 24, 2012
Don't wanna sound like an apologist, but
I have to add my .02 here…
I went to watch Trout at Arizona Fall League. All I kept hearing from the autograph hounds was how NOBODY was getting autos from Trout or Harper, and how rude both of them were. Well, if I had to put up with those idiots every day, I wouldn’t sign either.
My friend and I went to the 3rd base dugout and we were watching BP before the game, and when Trout saw us, he came over without us ever having to say ONE word. It wasn’t 30 seconds later when Conger came over and a couple other of our minor leaguers that know me. When Harper saw that Trout knew us, and everyone else was there, he came over and actually talked with us. He even signed an auto for me, too. I just think maybe he should be given a chance before you all just say Harper is a douche. He was pretty nice and respectful when he spoke with me, didn’t come off as an ass at all.
pattimelt - January 24, 2012
Cool story. People forget he's only 19 and most guys were full of themselves at that age
Harper could probably really use a guy like Torii Hunter to show him the ropes. Torii, of course, had Kirby Puckett. Unfortunately, there are very few Torii Hunters, so Harper will probably end up like A-fraud or every Sux player; down to the uniform.
JeffJoiner - January 24, 2012
If I was a pro athlete
I would probably be annoyed with a million little kids (and some 40 year old men) kept screaming for my autograph everyday
Morales8 - January 24, 2012
I think I'd be stoked, even if only for the first couple of years as an unproven player.
It would be a constant reminder that I’m living my dream instead of being stuck in a boring cubicle job doing the 9 to 5 grind. I’d be honored to bring the tiniest bit of joy into even one kid’s (and some 40-year-old man’s) life. If I were Mike Trout, I’d have at least 1.215 million reasons to smile at the kids.
But what do I know, it’s not like I’m buds with pro athletes around the neighborhood.
cath619 - January 25, 2012
Good post. I know Bryce and his family a little bit and can say
that he has been genuinely nice and generous in the few interactions I have had with him. That’s not to excuse the lame things he has done in his professional career (or at CSN for that matter), but I have hope that he will be a good ambassador for the game in the long run.
As a side note, I almost had my very own Keith Hernandez/Kramer moment with Bryce a couple of weeks ago. We were both stopped at the same intersection near my house when he rolled down his window in his jacked up truck and fired a loogie in my direction, narrowly missing the passenger side door.
furiousbs - January 24, 2012
Are you sure there wasn't a second spitter?
halofolife - January 24, 2012
On the grassy knoll
red floyd - January 24, 2012
Does anyone know where Roger McDowell was at the time?
halofolife - January 24, 2012
Seems like you might be choosing to believe he's a good guy.
That loogie was definitely aimed at you.
5thStarter - January 24, 2012
Before he spit, did you say "nice game pretty boy?"
snowhor - January 24, 2012
I'd rather have Pujols than Harper or Trout
That baseball card makes me giddy.
Rally Manatee - January 24, 2012
Torii Hunter over A-fraud any day
There is a pure joy in seeing a great guy who represents your team with class succeed. To me, it says a lot about the organization and Arte that guys like Torii and Pujols are brought in to be the face of the franchise. It makes me proud to be an Angel fan.
JeffJoiner - January 24, 2012
Trout because he's an angel
the king of CERA - January 24, 2012
and he has the potential
to be our next fish name guy
the king of CERA - January 24, 2012
There are some things you can't put a price on.
Halowitz - January 24, 2012 via mobile
For everything else, there's Mr. Moreno.
5thStarter - January 24, 2012
Amen
highlandhalo - January 25, 2012
It finally hit me the other day...
In the very near future, we will have (what many consider to be) the greatest player and the greatest prospect in the same lineup.
5thStarter - January 24, 2012
I gotta go with Trout
A lot of scouts believe Trout will start hitting for power when he develops more and I gotta believe them. Plus with Trout’s plate discipline I’m sure he’ll get a lot of 2-1 fastballs to drive. When all is said and done I could see Trout develop into a Matt Kemp with more speed and less power
Morales8 - January 24, 2012
I'll take Harper
Talent > Personality
Lloyd Christmas - January 24, 2012
Spoken like a true Red Suck fan
Youlk is a talent over personality guy
hauldog - January 24, 2012
the entire red sox roster is talent over personality....
except a lot of them dont have talent either
ItCouldHappen - January 24, 2012
john lackey is an asshole
and he sucks too
the king of CERA - January 24, 2012
And yet we agree Harper is the choice over Trout.
Interesting.
Lloyd Christmas - January 25, 2012
I'll take one, not an entire roster.
hauldog - January 26, 2012
I hate that Harper picture on the front page of HH, but what can you do?
5thStarter - January 24, 2012
Wow
Tigers just signed Prince! A 3-4 of Cabrera and Fielder? Easily the best in baseball
Morales8 - January 24, 2012
Maybe the reason darvish was so successful is because no one wanted to hit a girl
Balls and Strikes - January 24, 2012 via mobile
A really tall girl
Unclearnie - January 24, 2012
the best thing about trout was his speed and his ability to play CF
but since we have that why would you wan’t another one. Corner OF’ders aresupposed to be power guys and Harper is that plus more.
michael23333 - January 24, 2012
Trout's a more polished hitter than Bourjos
Trout can get on base at a much higher clip, be a more consistent base stealer, and overall hit more than Bourjos. Besides who wouldn’t want Bourjos AND Trout in the same outfield together?
Morales8 - January 24, 2012
Also
who cares what a corner outfielder should hit. That’s the most irritating thing, people who say since a player plays 1st, 3rd, or left or right they NEED to be a power hitter. Who gives a fuck!? (my f bomb) As long as they play the position well and help the team win it doesn’t matter. Look at Callaspo
Morales8 - January 24, 2012
Or at Figgy 2009.
red floyd - January 24, 2012
That Pujols baseball card makes very little sense.
The KC Royal behind him is running into first from the RF foul pole. And I am pretty sure that’s just Albert’s face on Trumbo’s body.
Halowitz - January 24, 2012
And his foot isn't even on the bag.
Halowitz - January 24, 2012
A throw back to the bag?
The runner was already on 1B, and it was either a weak-toss throw to 1B by the pitcher, or the ball coming back to the infield on a single.
Those are my guesses. God knows there are no mistakes on baseball cards.
George Kaplan - January 25, 2012
That CBS Sports article was trash.
The guy thought Trout was in AAA last year instead of AA. At first I thought it was a typo, but he did it twice.
He also tried to justify Harper’s lack of defensive skill by mentioning that he is a converted catcher and it’s not his natural position. If he would take the time to get his player information from somewhere other than SI, he would know that Trout was a converted shortstop, which is why he slid all the way to the 25th pick. He wasn’t a great shortstop, but we envisioned him as a CF. So the outfield is just as new to Trout as it is to Harper.
Besides, he gave no stats to prove that Harper really will be a HOF talent, of which there is none to this point. Whereas Trout has earned the hype by his performance on the field while Harper had it given to him by a SI writer.
moralesforpresident - January 24, 2012 via mobile
I think all of us have needed a blow at one time or another
George Kaplan - January 25, 2012
So many people hating on a teenage kid. Lemme ask you this………when Babe Ruth was showing up at games drunk and calling his own shot do you think maybe folks thought he didn’t respect the game too?? Of course. But when it’s all said and done production is what matters and the rest just adds to the legend!
thetroof - January 25, 2012
Are you Bryce Harper?
5thStarter - January 25, 2012
Also funny how people criticize him for “the blown kiss”. What people don’t realize is that the opposing teams pitcher would glare over at hagers dugout everytime he struck a player out (i was at the game). The coach and dugout grew tired of this and looked to put an end to it, so when harper nailed one out of the park and blew a kiss at the pitcher it was in response to his actions and effectively stopped the glaring.
The problem is the media only releases what they want you to hear, and harper being a kid of class doesn’t like to respond to foolishness in the media but rather lets his game do the talking knowing that if he speaks to the media every word will be scrutinized and picked apart.
thetroof - January 25, 2012
Well, two wrongs certainly make a right.
5thStarter - January 25, 2012
as one who criticized the the kiss
Thanks for correcting me. I guess I was wrong to assume that someone who puts eye black on his face the way he does, attempted to hold out on his rookie deal in order to secure more rights. I have yet to hear anyone describe Harper as a kid of class. Not to say he isn’t, and not to doubt your recounting of what happened with the blown kiss, but so far all evidence says that the dude is immature and kinda douchey.
I hope I am wrong, but I don’t buy the media making him look like a douche intentionally, that isnt usually how the media works. They usually portray to take the phenoms and immortalize them. See Tebow, Tim. ESPN would love to turn Harper into a nice guy, the evidence just isn’t there.
ItCouldHappen - January 25, 2012
I'm a little tired of the "He's only 19, you were cocky back then, too" argument, as well.
5thStarter - January 25, 2012
when I was 19, I was not cocky
I was stupid and childish yes, but mainly I was impaired
ItCouldHappen - January 25, 2012
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