AngelsWin.com Internet Podcast - Ask The "Experts"

By Geoff Stoddart, AngelsWin.com Director of Social Media

Where do you go when you have a question?  You ask an expert!

Angels fans have lots of questions about this team right now:  "Are they still in it?"  "What should we expect from Weaver upon his return?"  "Is Mike Trout going to beat out Miggy for MVP this year?"   "Am I the only one who wants to jump off a cliff when they hear "Buttercup?"  

These are all valid questions, and they deserve answers!  So we worked to assemble a sophisticated group of experts to answers all your Halo related inquiries.

Unfortunately, our efforts to assemble such a group fell a little short.  So in the absence of actual experts, AngelsWin.com Podcast hosts, Adam Dodge & Geoff Stoddart, along with AngelsWin.com founder, Chuck Richter, said they'd step up and take on the challenge.

On this Sunday's podcast, the boys will be talking Angels baseball and answering your questions.  You can Tweet your questions using the hashtag #AskAWExperts, post a question on our Facebook page or post a question on our board's Fan Forum.  No question is too tough for them to take head on, so ask away!

AngelsWin.com, Ask The "Experts."  Because if we don't know the answer … you can bet we'll make one up!

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Angels Classic Rewind | Dateline: May 24th, 2002

By Joe Haakenson, AngelsWin.com Contributor - 

MAY 24, 2002

GAME 45 - TWINS AT ANGELS

ANAHEIM -- Location, location, location.

Angels pitcher Ramon Ortiz can be as dominating as any pitcher in the majors when he is on his game. That means mixing his fastball with his slider and changeup and putting it in the right spot.

Ortiz, though, had trouble hitting those spots on Friday, and the result was three more home runs allowed and a 5-1 loss to the Minnesota Twins before 27,494 at Edison Field.

It snapped the Angels four-game winning streak and marked only their fourth loss since April 23, a stretch of 25 games. It also ended the Angels' eight-game home winning streak.

Ortiz was on the mound for the Angels' last loss, a 10-4 setback to the Chicago White Sox last Saturday. He gave up four homers in that one, meaning he's allowed seven in his past two games for a major league-high 16 homers allowed this season.

Like he did last Saturday, Ortiz got the ball up to the wrong hitters at the wrong time, and it cost him. Even though he allowed only seven hits in 7 1/3 innings Friday, the home runs did enough damage to send the Angels to just their second loss in 14 games.

``He made too many mistakes early in the game,'' Angels manager Mike Scioscia said. ``He did adjust, and that was a good sign. Every pitcher has periods when his command is not as locked in. Right now he's in a stretch where he's not able to get the ball in good locations early in the game and get his feet on the ground. He's paid the price for it.''

On Ortiz's first pitch of the game, the Twins' Jacque Jones ripped a 90-mph fastball into the right field seats for a 1-0 lead.

``I was trying to throw the ball down and away, but it went over the middle,'' said Ortiz (4-5). ``I didn't think he'd be swinging at the first pitch.''

In the third inning, Jones led off with a single and went to second on a single by Cristian Guzman. Ortiz looked like he might get out of it by getting the next two hitters on flyouts. But on his first pitch to the next batter, Torii Hunter crushed an 84-mph slider to center field for a three-run homer and a 4-0 Twins lead.

``A solo shot, it's OK,'' Ortiz said. ``With people on base, that's no good.''

In the fourth inning, it was A.J. Pierzynski's turn, homering to right field for a 5-0 lead. It was Pierzynski's first homer of the season.

``I'm human,'' Ortiz said. ``Everybody's human. Everybody makes mistakes.''

Ortiz, though, would have had to have been nearly perfect for the Angels to win this one, the way Twins starter Rick Reed pitched. Reed (5-2) baffled the Angels hitters all night, allowing only three hits on his way to a complete game. He struck out four and did not walk a batter.

Like Ortiz, Reed has had trouble keeping the ball in the park at times. Reed went into the game having allowed 12 homers this season, which ranked behind only Ortiz and Kansas City's Jeff Suppan in the American League.

But Reed kept the Angels hitters off balance all night. Darin Erstad singled in the first inning, but the Angels didn't get another hit until the fifth. That's when Brad Fullmer led off with a home run, his fourth of the season.

The Angels didn't get their third hit until Bengie Molina singled with two out in the eighth.

``He had great control, great command, nothing overpowering,'' Erstad said. ``He just picks you apart.''

Dealing with a loss is not something the Angels have had to do much lately, so Erstad said it will easy to forget about Friday.

``You expect to win every night, regardless of who you're playing,'' Erstad said. ``When we leave here, it's over. Tomorrow's a new day and you turn the page.''

NOTEBOOK

ANAHEIM -- Shortstop Alfredo Amezaga was playing for Salt Lake, the Angels' Triple-A team, in Nashville Thursday night, and in the 10th inning, he got hit by a pitch and went to third on a single.

That's when Stingers manager Mike Brumley, who was coaching third, told Amezaga he was going to Anaheim.

``I started crying on third,'' said Amezaga, who started Friday at shortstop for the Angels in place of the injured David Eckstein. ``When I went out to shortstop the next inning I was still crying. I was hoping no one would hit a ground ball to me because there were tears in my eyes and I couldn't see.''

Amezaga's stay might be short-lived. Eckstein has a sprained left knee and has now missed three games, but he took ground balls Friday for the first time since the injury. He'll probably sit out tonight and Sunday, then get more rest with Monday's off day before returning to the lineup on Tuesday in Kansas City.

``If I get sent down again, who cares?'' Amezaga said. ``But I'm going to enjoy this now. I'll try to be ready if they need me later this season or next season. I wasn't thinking about being here. I was just trying to do my job.''

Amezaga is known for his slick fielding and his speed, not his offense. He's a switch-hitter but only started hitting left handed in 2000. At Salt Lake, he was hitting .235.

``I like it (switch-hitting), but it's a little frustrating,'' he said. ``Sometimes I try to do too much. I'm trying to use my speed and hit the ball the other way. It's not easy, but I'll keep on working.''

If Amezaga can start hitting, he could become the Angels' regular shortstop as early as next season.

``He's a guy we've been talking about for a couple years,'' manager Mike Scioscia said. ``We have a need in the middle (infield). Until we get Eck back, we need some depth.''

Left-handed reliever Mark Lukasiewicz, 1-0 with a 3.48 ERA in 14 games, was optioned to Salt Lake to make room on the roster for Amezaga. Even without Lukasiewicz, the Angels have 11 pitchers on the roster.

*

Utility infielder Benji Gil began a rehab assignment at Salt Lake Friday. Gil, out since April 5 with a sprained ankle, will need at least a week and possibly as long as two weeks before he'll be ready to join the big league club.

First baseman/DH Shawn Wooten continues to work out at the club's minor league camp in Mesa, Ariz. but will not begin a rehab assignment until next week. Wooten has been out all season after having surgery on his thumb in March.

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Angels Classic Rewind | Dateline: May 23rd, 2002

By Joe Haakenson, AngelsWin.com Contributor - 

MAY 23, 2002

OFF DAY - NOTEBOOK

ANAHEIM -- Pitcher Scott Schoeneweis enjoyed watching his teammates come back from a 5-0 deficit to beat the Royals, 7-6, on Wednesday night. But there was an element of disappointment, because it was Schoeneweis that put the team in a 5-0 hole.

``We're playing so well as a team, and we're pitching so well as starters,'' Schoeneweis said. ``Pretty much I'm the guy that's not. That's frustrating. I'm not carrying my weight right now.''

Schoeneweis may be right, but he has a tendency to be too hard on himself. While he has had some rough starts, he's also had some good ones. He's given up five runs or more in three of his nine starts. But he's given up three earned runs or fewer in five starts.

Right now, it seems Schoeneweis is looking at the bad ones.

``I don't know ... there are things I need to work on,'' he said. ``I'm really disappointed in my control and command. I'm not making pitches. I turn a 1-2-3 inning into a four-run inning.''

Schoeneweis was referring to the third inning Wednesday. He got the first two batters of the inning, but eventually gave up four in the inning.

``I'm about as frustrated as someone can be with my performance,'' he said. 

``Hopefully I'll have a lot more starts this year. Hopefully, sooner or later I'll figure it out.''

At 3-4, Schoeneweis is the only Angels starter with losing record, and his 5.43 ERA is the worst among the starters.

*

After rallying for their 7-6 victory on Wednesday, there was no blaring music in the Angels' clubhouse. Only minutes after the victory, closer Troy Percival marveled at his teammates' demeanor.

``This team is different than any team I've been on,'' he said. ``Even in '95, we were riding the highs and lows. You come in here now five minutes after the game, and guys are in the weight room and focusing on the next game. I've never seen anything like it.

``You don't see guys getting over-excited about anything. It's just the professionalism (manager Mike) Scioscia brings to it. When we were 6-14, some of us might have been wondering what was happening. But he was the same guy. We still had fun in the clubhouse. The whole time he stayed with us.''

*

The Angels are averaging 22,822 fans per home game this season, down from 23,359 per game at this time last season.

``The big thing is to win,'' Scioscia said. ``If we keep on the course we're on and hopefully get to the playoffs and be perennial contenders, the fan base will be what we want.''

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Angels Classic Rewind | Dateline: May 22nd, 2002

By Joe Haakenson, AngelsWin.com Contributor - 

MAY 22, 2002

GAME 44 - ROYALS AT ANGELS

ANAHEIM – It would have been completely understandable had the Angels lost Wednesday night's game to the Kansas City Royals. After all, a team can't win every night. 

And besides, they had fallen behind 5-0 to the best pitcher no one's heard of in Royals starter Paul Byrd, who entered the game tied for the American League-lead with seven victories.

But Byrd eventually tired and the Angels started scoring. And scoring.

Tim Salmon's two-run homer in the seventh got the Angels going, before a five-run eighth inning pushed the Angels past the Royals for a 7-6 victory before 16,163 at Edison Field.

The big hits in the fateful eighth were Darin Erstad's two-run double, which tied the game at 5, and Garret Anderson's two-run double, which gave the Angels the lead.

Troy Percival pitched the ninth and gave up a run but got his eighth save and the Angels' torrid stretch continued. The win was the Angels' fourth in a row, their 12th in 13 games and their 21st in 24.

Meanwhile in Seattle, the Mariners lost and the Angels moved to within 1 1/2 games of the top spot in the A.L. West, the closest they've been since April 8.

Asked if there was a belief among the players that anything is possible, Percival said: ``If there wasn't before, there is now. ... We've had heart in the past, but this is different. It doesn't matter what inning it is, just give us a chance.''

The Angels got the chance when they started a rally with two out and nobody on in the seventh inning, down 5-0 and seemingly ready to write this one off. Byrd had thoroughly controlled the Angels hitters all night, allowing only two hits when Brad Fullmer came to the plate.

Fullmer got the Angels' third hit of the night with a double to right-center, and Salmon followed with a two-run homer to left field, just inside the foul pole.

``We started to see some light at the end of the tunnel,'' manager Mike Scioscia said of Salmon's homer.

Byrd managed to get the last out in the seventh, but after giving up a single to Jorge Fabregas and a walk to pinch hitter Orlando Palmeiro to start the eighth, Byrd was finished.

The Angels then teed off on Royals reliever Darrell May. May, a lefty, was brought in to face the Angels' left-handed hitters due up, but retired only one of the four he faced.

First, it was Adam Kennedy, who doubled home one run to make it 5-3. Erstad followed with a double into the right-field corner, scoring both Palmeiro and Kennedy to tie the game at 5.

After an intentional walk to Troy Glaus, Anderson followed with another double to the right-field corner, scoring Erstad and Glaus for a 7-5 lead.

``These guys never think they're out of a game,'' Scioscia said. ``They keep grinding to the last out. That element has to be in place for a championship-caliber club.''

While it might have seemed a mere formality that Percival would close it out once the Angels had the lead, the Angels had a noticeably different look on defense in the top of the ninth because Scioscia had sent Palmeiro up to hit for shortstop Jose Nieves.

Because regular shortstop David Eckstein is out with a sprained knee, Scioscia moved Glaus from third base to shortstop. Glaus played shortstop in college at UCLA.

Scioscia also moved first baseman Scott Spiezio to third and Erstad from center field to first base. Erstad wound up making a nice catch on a line drive by Michael Tucker. 

It proved to be a big out because Percival had already given up a double to Luis Alicea and later gave up an RBI single to Raul Ibanez.

``That was incredible,'' Percival said of Erstad's play. ``The guy hasn't played first base all year and he makes that play.''

Percival struck out Neifi Perez and Carlos Febles to end it. Angels reliever Ben Weber, who pitched a perfect eighth inning, got the win.

Angels starter Scott Schoeneweis managed to get through seven innings, but not before giving up the five runs. He gave up only seven hits, but hurt himself by walking five. The big inning was the third, when the Royals put together a four-run rally.

NOTEBOOK

ANAHEIM -- Upon his recent retirement, Jose Canseco estimated that 85 percent of the players in the major leagues have used steroids, a figure at which the Angels' resident fitness expert scoffs.

Angels designated hitter Brad Fullmer takes body-building seriously, so much so that he's appeared in Muscle & Fitness magazine. While he wouldn't deny the possibility that steroid use in the majors exists, he said it was ridiculous that Canseco even guessed.

''I have no idea (what percentage of major leaguers have used steroids),'' Fullmer said. ''I think it's inappropriate for him to speculate. There's certainly no evidence (of Canseco's claims). If he has a beef with teams and the league, I don't know why he's taking it out on the players.''

Major League Baseball does not test for steroids, but as far as Fullmer is concerned, he isn't interested in knowing who's using and who isn't.

''I just mind my own business,'' he said. ''I don't ask and I don't care what other people do.''

*

Shortstop David Eckstein was not in the starting lineup for the second consecutive game Wednesday because of sprained left knee. Eckstein had an MRI exam performed Wednesday, which confirmed the sprain and showed no further damage.

''There was a lot of relief,'' Eckstein said of the MRI results. ''With a knee, you never know. Whenever there's an MRI, you think the worst.''

Eckstein hurt his knee Monday night sliding into first base feet-first while trying to avoid a tag.

''It bugs me that I went in feet-first,'' Eckstein said.

Eckstein started all of the club's first 41 games before missing Tuesday's game.

''I want to do that one of these years,'' Eckstein said of playing in all 162 games. ''There's no way I'd ask of a day off.''

For the second night in a row, Jose Nieves started at shortstop, and second baseman Adam Kennedy took leadoff spot.

*

Utility infielder Benji Gil played seven innings at shortstop during a minor league camp game in Mesa, Ariz. on Wednesday. Gil, out since April 5 with a sprained ankle, is expected to begin a rehab assignment for Triple-A Salt Lake on Friday.

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Angels Classic Rewind | Dateline: May 21st, 2002

Joe Haakenson, AngelsWin.com Contributor - 

MAY 21, 2002

GAME 43 - ROYALS AT ANGELS

ANAHEIM – Garret Anderson’s three-run home run in the seventh inning broke open a tight game and led the Angels to a 5-1 win over the Kansas City Royals before 15,593 at Edison Field.

Anderson’s homer, his seventh of the season, followed an RBI single by Troy Glaus, which snapped a 1-1 tie.

Angels starter Aaron Sele gave up one run and eight hits in 6 2/3 innings, but got a no-decision. Dennis Cook earned the win in relief for the Angels, who won for the 11^th time in 12 games and moved to within 2 ½ games of first place in the A.L. West.

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Angels Classic Rewind | Dateline: May 20th, 2002

By Joe Haakenson, AngelsWin.com Contributor - 

MAY 20, 2002

GAME 42 - ROYALS AT ANGELS

ANAHEIM – Eight different players had at least one hit and five had at least one RBI as the Angels spread it around and beat the Kansas City Royals, 6-3, before 14,035 at Edison Field.

Angels starter Kevin Appier threw a serviceable 6 1/3 innings, allowing three runs and six hits to get the win and improve to 5-1. Four relievers combined to close it out, finishing with Troy Percival, who threw a perfect ninth for his seventh save.

Troy Glaus and Scott Spiezio each had two hits as the Angels improved to 25-17 and closed their deficit in the A.L. West to 3 ½ games, the closest they’ve been to the division top spot since April 11.

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Randal Grichuk Tops This Week's AngelsWin.com Prospect Hotlist (May 19, 2013)

By Scott Stedman, AngelsWin.com Staff Reporter - 

1. Randal Grichuk, OF, Arkansas Travelers 

Past 10 Games: 13/39 (.333), 5 Doubles, 0 Triples, 3 HRs, 9 Runs, 9 RBIs, 0 SB

Overall: .228/.281/.463 with 6 HRs and 1 SB

What’s Up:  Randal Grichuk is single-handedly proving that the pitcher-friendly Double-A does not always damper power hitter's numbers.  Though it took Grichuk a month or so before the average started to climb, his power remained consistent, leading the team in extra-base hits with 19.  His 1.042 OPS in the last 10 games shows that this extraordinary power does not displays signs of slowing anytime soon.  Grichuk continues to draw parallels to Royals outfielder Jeff Francoeur - tremendous power, a plus-plus arm and above average defense, with both of their downfalls being plate discipline.  However, Grichuk's walk rate has increased 1.6% from last season and has much more time to improve as Grichuk is still only 21-years-old.  Of note:  Grichuk's 69 total bases are good for 10th in the Texas League, a testament to his power-speed combination.  The 6'1" outfielder definitely has a chance at getting a look on the Angels in September if he can keep this play up.

2. Zach Borenstein, OF, Inland Empire 66ers

Past 10 Games: 17/39 (.436), 4 Doubles, 1 Triples, 2 HRs, 6 Runs, 6 RBIs, 0 SB

Overall: .345/.380/.690 with 12 HRs and 4 SB

What’s Up: Zach Borenstein just will not cool down.  This is Borenstein's 3rd consecutive week on the AngelsWin prospect hotlist - and for good reason.  This week, the 22-year-old's OPS was 1.207, bringing his total OPS to 1.070; incredible.  Borenstein leads the California League in home runs, total bases, slugging percentage, among others.  When he is going right, Borenstein has quick hands from the left side and drives the ball with authority to all fields, similar to that of Kole Calhoun.  On the bases and in the outfield, Borenstein is average to slightly above average, but his potential with the bat makes up for any shortcomings he may have.  Breaking from the Angels' norms, Borenstein actually thrives with runners in scoring position - hitting .410.  That is a true breath of fresh air.  However, only 2 home runs in the past 5 games? Unacceptable.  

3. Taylor Lindsey, 2B, Arkansas Travelers

Past 10 Games: 12/36 (.333), 2 Doubles, 0 Triples, 3 HRs, 6 Runs, 6 RBIs, 0 SB

Overall: .236/.292/.414 with 6 HRs and 2 SB

What’s Up: Raise your hand if you thought Taylor Lindsey would be leading the Arkansas Travelers in home runs in mid-May.  And not only is Lindsey showing some serious power, his walk rate has increased by over 3%.  The 21-year-old second baseman has an unorthodox coil/spring-like swing but he encompasses some of the best hand-eye coordination in the organization.  Former Angels Scouting Director Eddie Bane goes so far as to say that Lindsey is the best hitter in the Angels minor leagues - above Cowart and Cron.  Defensively, Lindsey has some question marks, just as Howie Kendrick did coming up through the system, but he figures to get better as he gets more playing time under his belt.  Lindsey is also in that group of players who may get some playing time with the Angels in September if his numbers with the Travs' continue to improve. 

4. Michael Snyder, 1B/3B, Inland Empire 66ers

Past 10 Games: 11/37 (.297), 1 Double, 1 Triple, 4 HR, 8 Runs, 7 RBIs, 0 SB

Overall: .276/.327/.506 with 8 HR and 0 SB

What’s Up:  Borenstein and Snyder have proved to be a helluva 4-5 punch in the 66ers lineup this season.  Snyder, a big-bodied former third-baseman was selected by the Halos in the 23rd round of the 2012 draft and immediately had a solid season with the Orem Owlz which earned him the 22nd spot on AngelsWin's prospect list.  Snyder's most impressive tool is his power which could potentially be as high as a 60-65 on the 20-80 scouting scale as seen by his 10 doubles and 8 home runs already this season.  Snyder is very quiet at the plate and has a natural gap to gap stroke.  Defensively, Snyder is currently below average at first and profiles to be a future DH.  With his bat, though, Snyder could be attractive to many teams if he can't find his way passed the glut of first basemen on the Angels.

5. Abel Baker, C, Inland Empire 66ers 

Past 10 Games: 14/34 (.412), 4 Doubles, 1 Triple, 1 HR, 4 Runs, 5 RBIs, 0 SB

Overall: .316/.359/.491 with 1 HR and 0 SB

What’s Up:  Abel Baker just continues to hit.  He came into the year as simply the backup catcher to Zach Wright, but because of his stick, Baker has thrust himself into the lineup on a regular basis.  Coming into the year, defense was supposed to be the 22-year-old's strong suit, and it still is, but the emergence of the bat is exciting to say the least.  Personally, I have had Baker at a 1.81 pop time, which is very advanced.  He also moves freely behind the plate and is quick on his feet.  He is definitely the type of catcher that Mike Scioscia prefers.  Although Baker does not produce much power at the plate, he is patient as could one day be a .270-.280 hitter in the big leagues. 

Affiliate Reports:

Salt Lake Bees:  The Bees went 4-2 this week staying in 3rd place in their division.  Veteran Brad Hawpe continues to swing a very hot bat, getting on base about 41% of the time.  Efren Navarro is also having a great season, with an OPS well above .900.  Of note: Kole Calhoun was activated off the DL on Sunday, going 2-5 in his first game back.  Reliever Ty Kelley is joining the squad after an impressive season with the 66ers thus far.  

Arkansas Travelers:  Arkansas had an incredible week, going 6-1 and catapulting them into first place.  This is due in the large part to the big hitters, Grichuk, Lindsey, Cron, etc. starting to actually hit.  Nick Maronde has a 2.70 ERA in his last 10 games with 23 strikeouts.  Catcher Jett Bandy was swinging an extremely hot bat before going on the DL with a bruised elbow.  

Inland Empire 66ers: Just like the Bees, the 66ers went 4-2 this week.  They currently lead their division by a game and a half.  Reliever Mike Morin is stupid good.  29 Ks/2BBs with a 1.80 ERA and WHIP well below 1.  I highly doubt he is in IE much longer.  Mark Sappington continues to plug away, with his ERA hovering around 2 and K/9 around 9.  

Burlington Bees: Burlington endured a tough week with a 3-5 record and playing a doubleheader, falling to the cellar in the division at 15-24. Eduard Santon, a 23-year-old pitcher has 32 Ks in just 26 innings.  1B/3B Michael Bolaski is hitting .371 in his past 10 games.  He is just 21-years-old and has the potential to be a breakout prospect.  

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Zach Borenstein Interview with AngelsWin.com

Interview Conducted by David Saltzer, AngelsWin.com Senior Writer

Zach Borenstein has been on a complete tear this season for the Angels High-A ball affiliate, the Inland Empire 66ers.  The 22-year-old outfielder just recently blasted his 12th home-run of the season, putting him atop the list of home-run leaders in the California League. His .690 slugging pct. is also good for 1st in all of High-A ball. In 2012, Borenstein went largely unnoticed even though he put up a .824 OPS in the pitcher-friendly Midwest League.  Borenstein bats from the left-side and although his swing can become long at times, he produces an incredible amount of torque. Defensively, Borenstein makes the routine plays and covers a decent amount of ground. Zach has average speed and runs the bases well enough to steal 15-20 bases down the road. 

With players such as Randal Grichuk, Travis Witherspoon, Peter Bourjos, Kole Calhoun and Mike Trout ahead of him on the depth chart, and Josh Hamilton signed for 4 more years after this one, it will be tough for Borenstein to make his way into the Angels' plans any time soon. That said, if his power continues to wow on-lookers, Borenstein who's played multiple positions in the infield and outfield may land in Anaheim if a spot because open via an injury or trade. 

Check out our recent interview with Zach Borenstein, the Angels organization leader in home runs and slugging pct.  

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