Ward

[Hubs]

I agree with the sentiments of the OP, but did he read a book or a wikipedia entry about Mike Trout or actually live through it?

Trout was at AA for the year, then was called up when Bourjos got hurt. He played 14 games in July that year with a .492 OPS. But more importantly he hit 4-30 in his first 9 games. Then he turned it on, but in his next 15, he hit .356 / .423 / .756 (1.179 OPS), then slumped in September and October.

The Angels weren't a contender, and had a lot of veterans in line for playing time, Bourjos and Trumbo were the best hitters. Torii was in RF and Abreu in LF/DH, we also had Wells that year.

I believe Ward is closer in comparison to Kole Calhoun, who was called up in 2013, after spending a bit of time with the big club in 2012 (3 Starts). He like Ward was in his Age 24 season when he was called up, had played college baseball, like Ward. In an extended call-up in 2013, he played 58 games, starting most of them. Ward also is in his 4th minor league season,

That's what I expect from Ward, and I expect it this week.

 

 

 

[Angelsjunky]

Mike Trout should never be used as a comparison for anybody. 

[Hubs]

1 minute ago, Hubs said:

I agree with the sentiments of the OP, but did he read a book or a wikipedia entry about Mike Trout or actually live through it?

Trout was at AA for the year, then was called up when Bourjos got hurt. He played 14 games in July that year with a .492 OPS. But more importantly he hit 4-30 in his first 9 games. Then he turned it on, but in his next 15, he hit .356 / .423 / .756 (1.179 OPS), then slumped in September and October.

The Angels weren't a contender, and had a lot of veterans in line for playing time, Bourjos and Trumbo were the best hitters. Torii was in RF and Abreu in LF/DH, we also had Wells that year.

I believe Ward is closer in comparison to Kole Calhoun, who was called up in 2013, after spending a bit of time with the big club in 2012 (3 Starts). He like Ward was in his Age 24 season when he was called up, had played college baseball, like Ward. In an extended call-up in 2013, he played 58 games, starting most of them. Ward also is in his 4th minor league season,

That's what I expect from Ward, and I expect it this week.

 

 

 

who was just called up.

Fixed!

[Ace-Of-Diamonds]

6 hours ago, eligrba said:

There is no reason to believe that the Angels are keeping Ward in AAA for any other reason other than he is not yet ready.  The team obviously needs all the help it can get at this point, and if the Angels thought Ward can help, he would already be on the 40 man roster.

I agree

[Ace-Of-Diamonds]

5 hours ago, WeatherWonk said:

Maybe the plan is to leave Ward where he is raking, so that he gains the maximum trade value..................all the while planning to sign Machado to play third.

Do you Really believe that? Really

[Lou]

4 hours ago, Angelsjunky said:

@Lou?

so many was to go with this, but I'll be nice 

 

[Lou]

for the record, I think he should be promoted asap 

[Tank]

4 hours ago, Lou said:

for the record, I think he should be promoted asap 

#metoo

[disarcina]

Ward is being called up.

I guess they doing this third base experiment with him and he may play some games there.

IMO, hand him the starting catcher's job for the rest of the season and let him get his MLB start with little pressure and a chance to be next year's starting catcher if things go well.

why not ?

[disarcina]

having said that - I might have waited the 15 days to call Ward up on Sept. 1 and then hand him the starting catcher's job.

oh well.

[Lou]

11 minutes ago, disarcina said:

having said that - I might have waited the 15 days to call Ward up on Sept. 1 and then hand him the starting catcher's job.

oh well.

he's not a catcher 

[mulwin444]

22 minutes ago, Lou said:

he's not a catcher 

Yeah, @disarcina he was converted to 3B at the beginning of the season and has only taken starts there all seaason.

[disarcina]

he was a catcher -------- why not keep him there?

[Stradling]

Just now, disarcina said:

he was a catcher -------- why not keep him there?

He wasn’t good enough?

[disarcina]

I think he was pretty good -- Halos need was more at 3B but then they traded away Maldonado and now the Halos are left without a solid catcher for the future.

Meanwhile, Ward, I think - was drafted as a catcher and played most of his pro ball career (and before) there -- and then the Halos moved him this year.

So, he's a catcher who can play 3B -- great. Now - have him put the gear back on.

meanwhile - we have Ohtani doing the pitching/ hitting thing this year -- why not have a catcher who plays 3B or DH a few days a week and catches about three days a week.

Match catchers with the rotation pitcher --

 

[disarcina]

he's probably a catcher like Buster Posey -- a solid hitter who's hitting would be enhanced if the guy was playing 1B or DH (if the NL had the DH which isn't happening any time soon).

[Jeff Fletcher]

40 minutes ago, disarcina said:

I think he was pretty good -- Halos need was more at 3B but then they traded away Maldonado and now the Halos are left without a solid catcher for the future.

Meanwhile, Ward, I think - was drafted as a catcher and played most of his pro ball career (and before) there -- and then the Halos moved him this year.

So, he's a catcher who can play 3B -- great. Now - have him put the gear back on.

meanwhile - we have Ohtani doing the pitching/ hitting thing this year -- why not have a catcher who plays 3B or DH a few days a week and catches about three days a week.

Match catchers with the rotation pitcher --

 

If the Angels thought he had any chance of being able to be a major league catcher, he’d still be a catcher. 

[Lou]

39 minutes ago, disarcina said:

he's probably a catcher like Buster Posey -- a solid hitter who's hitting would be enhanced if the guy was playing 1B or DH (if the NL had the DH which isn't happening any time soon).

no, he wasn't a very good catcher, particularly from the neck up.

[disarcina]

OK - you guys have convinced me.

I assumed he was drafted as a catcher, played for years (youth ball, high school) as a catcher -- and now suddenly he's a pro and they don't think he's very good behind the dish?

Does not make a lot of sense to me -- but the folks posting above -- especially Jeff Fletcher - know this stuff a lot better than I do. Perhaps LOU as well.

I think it's likely the guy can flat out hit and the front office folks have concluded it's better if he concentrates on his hitting -- and BTW - third base has been a problem for us since we let Glaus get away........

I still think his catching skills could come in handy -- always nice to have a guy who can perhaps play 3B, DH and then be a third string catcher if the need arises in an extra inning game .

[Dick B Back]

3 minutes ago, disarcina said:

OK - you guys have convinced me.

I assumed he was drafted as a catcher, played for years (youth ball, high school) as a catcher -- and now suddenly he's a pro and they don't think he's very good behind the dish?

Does not make a lot of sense to me -- but the folks posting above -- especially Jeff Fletcher - know this stuff a lot better than I do. Perhaps LOU as well.

I think it's likely the guy can flat out hit and the front office folks have concluded it's better if he concentrates on his hitting -- and BTW - third base has been a problem for us since we let Glaus get away........

I still think his catching skills could come in handy -- always nice to have a guy who can perhaps play 3B, DH and then be a third string catcher if the need arises in an extra inning game .

The problem we’ve heard with his catching skills were his catching skills.

[Dick Enberg]

1 minute ago, Dick B Back said:

The problem we’ve heard with his catching skills were his catching skills.

If he was no good at catcher, wouldn't he still have to catch at 3rd base? a catch is a catch you know.

[Dick B Back]

2 minutes ago, Dick Enberg said:

If he was no good at catcher, wouldn't he still have to catch at 3rd base? a catch is a catch you know.

But he does not need to know how to frame or call a game.

[Troll Daddy]

 

[Lou]

22 minutes ago, disarcina said:

OK - you guys have convinced me.

I assumed he was drafted as a catcher, played for years (youth ball, high school) as a catcher -- and now suddenly he's a pro and they don't think he's very good behind the dish?

Does not make a lot of sense to me -- but the folks posting above -- especially Jeff Fletcher - know this stuff a lot better than I do. Perhaps LOU as well.

I think it's likely the guy can flat out hit and the front office folks have concluded it's better if he concentrates on his hitting -- and BTW - third base has been a problem for us since we let Glaus get away........

I still think his catching skills could come in handy -- always nice to have a guy who can perhaps play 3B, DH and then be a third string catcher if the need arises in an extra inning game .

he batted .272 with a slash line of .366/.375/.741 before moving to 3B.

this year: 

.349 BA. 446/.531/.977

 

Eppy made the right decision.
 

 

[Angel Oracle]

Not to mention, we've been waiting for a good young 3B to arrive, haven't had one since Troy Glaus.