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Los Angeles Angels Top 20 Prospects for 2008 by John Sickels

Posted: 12/03/2007 11:36 AM

Los Angeles Angels Top 20 Prospects for 2008 by John Sickels 

Heres the link to the top 20 in Sickels site, hope you guys enjoy.


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Posted: 12/04/2007 7:51 PM

Re: Los Angeles Angels Top 20 Prospects for 2008 by John Sickels 

Thanks laxtonto.

I respect Sickel's opinions a lot.

I'm loving Jordan Walden.

I'm surprised Trevor Reckling didn't make the top 20.

For those enamered with Jose Arredondo, take note of his #20 ranking...not very high for a guy who's already pitched at AAA.

Also notice Mark Trumbo didn't even get a mention. The Angels need to return him to mound...where some other teams thought he was a better prospect anyway. My opinion anyway.

Last edited 12/04/2007 8:00 PM by TRrrr
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Posted: 12/05/2007 2:22 PM

Re: Los Angeles Angels Top 20 Prospects for 2008 by John Sickels 

I'm loving Jordan Walden.


TRrrr, what is the deal with guy?  I do not know much about him.
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Posted: 12/06/2007 9:44 AM

Re: Los Angeles Angels Top 20 Prospects for 2008 by John Sickels 

From Baseball America
June 1, 2007

Although hard-throwing righthander... Jordan Walden ....took negotiations into the 11th hour....(one of the) the highest-profile draft-and-follow prospects from the 2006 draft eventually signed ...

Jordan Walden entered 2006 with the tag as the best high school prospect in the draft, not to mention seven-figure bonus aspirations. He had to wait a year, but Walden got his money, agreeing to terms on a $1 million bonus from the Angels. He signed the deal May 30th, the deadline for clubs to come to terms with the last-ever crop of draft-and-follows.

After the Angels drafted the righthander in the 12th round last June, Walden turned down a scholarship from Texas and opted to attend Grayson County (Texas) Community College in order to keep his draft options open. Inconsistent as a high school senior, when his velocity dropped to 85-88 mph at times, Walden performed much better this spring. His fastball sat at 92-94 mph and peaked at 97. He also improved his slider and the command of his two primary pitches. He has a classic pitcher's build at 6-foot-5 and 225 pounds.

From Baseball America- Pi... Prospects

3.Jordan Walden, rhp, Angels
B-T: R-R Ht: 6-4 Wt: 190 Age: 19 Drafted: Angels '06 (12)
Orem won ... Pioneer League championship ...and Walden was at his best in the finale. Though he received no decision, he allowed just an unearned run in eight innings while striking out a career-high 10 and touching 98 mph with his fastball. 
Walden was considered a surefire first-rounder heading into his senior year ...until his fastball velocity dipped into the high 80s. When it bounced back this spring, the Angels signed him for $1 million as a draft-and-follow. He maintained a plus-plus fastball in his pro debut, sitting at 94-96 mph even in the later innings of his starts.

Walden has good arm action on his slider...the potential to be a plus pitch once he refines it and locates it for strikes consistently. His changeup is also improving. His mechanics were off a bit at the beginning of the season, but he since has smoothed them out.

Pioneer League Top 20 Pro...Badler

Q: ...asks:
I'm very excited about Jordan Walden's future. What could Jordan Walden become in 5 years?
 A: 

Ben Badler: You should be excited about Walden because he is a great prospect, and I can see him becoming a very good major league starter. Walden improved his stock this summer as much as anyone. ...it's not like Walden is some new, breakout prospect; he was the No. 1 ranked high school prospect in the 2006 Prospect Handbook heading into the 2007 season before his high-90s velocity dipped to the high 80s and he slid in the draft. His velocity is back, though, and even more encouraging is that he's holding that velocity into the later innings. He might legitimately be the best pitching prospect in the Angels system.









Last edited 12/06/2007 9:58 AM by TRrrr
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Posted: 12/06/2007 12:38 PM

Re: Los Angeles Angels Top 20 Prospects for 2008 by John Sickels 

Sounds great Thanks for the information
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