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Clips

(September 30, 2016)

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Today’s Clips Contents

FROM THE LA TIMES (Page 3)

Angels' Mike Scioscia thinks Mike Trout is an obvious choice for AL MVP

FROM THE OC REGISTER (Page 4)

Dick Enberg saying farewell to baseball, embraces next creative challenge

Angels minor leaguers: Who's on rise and who's not?

The giveaway kid: Little Angel fan spreads joy with each baseball he sends

FROM ANGELS.COM (Page 13)

Trout leaves game after hit by pitch

Angels rock A's to complete sweep

Richards passing test by throwing to hitters

Meyer sets sights on better health, mechanics

Angels welcome Astros for season's final series

September 30, 2016 Page 3 of 16

FROM THE LA TIMES

Angels' Mike Scioscia thinks Mike Trout is an obvious choice for AL MVP

Pedro Moura

Mike Scioscia has always said the most valuable players each year should come from a contending team, a notable viewpoint this year because his team is not one.

“I still feel that way,” the Angels’ longtime manager said this week. “I haven’t changed at all.”

But, he said, this season is a rare instance, the nearly 2,400 games to date having coalesced into a set of extenuating circumstances in which Angels center fielder Mike Trout is, in Scioscia’s estimation, the obvious American League MVP.

“What Mike does and what Mike has accomplished this year has more impact than the fact that we’re a sub-.500 team,” Scioscia said. “His numbers are incredible. You can’t deny that they’re a notch above anybody else that’s there.”

So, the numbers: Trout is fourth in the American League in batting average, first in on-base percentage, third in slugging, fourth in stolen bases, second in OPS, and first in every advanced metric that attempts to ascertain overall value, including wins above replacement. Scioscia would not say which, to him, determine the decision.

“There’s a lot that goes into what you consider an MVP,” he said. “I think everyone has different weight they put on different aspects of it. You look at certain individual numbers, and numbers keep growing. You didn’t have OPS 10 years ago. You didn’t have WAR 20 years ago. And also, I think, the performance of the team, all of that is part of the wedge.

“But I think Mike’s become the MVP. I think it’s become fairly obvious that as the season keeps going on, he keeps getting stronger and stronger.”

Trout, who has never said much about any MVP race, took a fastball off his shoulder Wednesday; X-rays taken Thursday were negative and he said he wants to play, but his status for the weekend finale is in question. Still, the Angels are 15 games under .500, while every other team with a player in the discussion remains in the playoff mix.

“One of the components in the wide range of what makes up an MVP is the statistical analysis,” Scioscia said. “Another is obviously how he impacts his team in a positive way. There are other considerations. With every voter, I’m sure some might carry more weight than others.”

After the Angels were mathematically eliminated from playoff contention in his first year on the job, 2000, Scioscia said he believed Darin Erstad was the best choice for MVP. Although Erstad finished third in the league in wins above replacement, he finished eighth in the MVP balloting and did not garner a first-place selection. The top three finishers’ teams all made the playoffs.

Then, when Trout was in contention three years ago, Scioscia said a player on a losing team would have to have “just unbelievable numbers” to deserve the award.

“You look at Mike’s numbers and they are so incredible,” Scioscia said this week. “They’ve been incredible for a long time, but they’re so incredible that this year there’s no doubt in my mind he should be the MVP. The way I’m going about analyzing this hasn’t changed one bit. If there was somebody with Mike’s numbers, exactly Mike’s numbers, and a first-place club, I think that would be a determining factor to vote for him.”

September 30, 2016 Page 4 of 16

FROM OC REGISTER

Dick Enberg saying farewell to baseball, embraces next creative challenge

By TOM HOFARTH / STAFF WRITER

SAN DIEGO – Dick Enberg cradled his cup of coffee and settled into a chair at the Petco Park media dining room Wednesday afternoon and let out a sigh.

“I don’t know how Scully did it,” said Enberg with a weak laugh, referring to the season-long retirement tour that engulfed Dodgers’ Hall of Fame broadcaster Vin Scully. “All I wanted to do today was just get a haircut.”

Enberg might have all his bases covered, and has touched them all, but leaving isn’t so easy when everyone wants to make sure they’ve said their proper goodbyes.

Thursday, the San Diego Padres had a surprise luncheon in his honor, leading into an on-field ceremony before their final home game of the season and an emotional farewell on his Fox Sports San Diego telecast. Scully had a video tribute and many members of Enberg’s family attended from many points in the world.

“Now I gotta think of something brilliant to say,” Enberg said with that twinkle in his eye. “No one can be as elegant as Scully.”

Tuesday, Enberg agreed to skip the Padres-Dodgers series opener and drive to Anaheim to make an appearance on the Fox Sports West Angels-Oakland telecast, doing some reminiscing on the air about his time with the Angels on radio and TV from 1969 to 1978, then back in 1985 for the 25th anniversary season.

And there’s still a three-game trip to Arizona for the regular season to end.

Even though he announced last September that 2016 would be his final year broadcasting Major League Baseball – just months after he was honored with the Ford C. Frick Award for his broadcasting career by the National Baseball Hall of Fame – Enberg, 81, finds a time-crunch rush to the finish for those around him trying to carry out unfinished business.

A lot like Scully.

‘THIS ISN’T A RETIREMENT’

“I’m feeling a little sentimental, I can’t help that, but I’m hardly sad at all about what’s happening,” Enberg said. “That’s why I announced it a year ago so it wouldn’t be one of these dramatic endings.

“I’m sure I’ll miss all the usual things. The roar of the crowd is our punctuation mark for any good or bad moment. You miss your colleagues. The preparation, which goes back to my teaching days, looking for little personal nuggets or an historical piece of business that might brighten the broadcast.

“But I’ve tried to avoid calling all this a retirement. I abhor that term. I’m not leaving or quitting. I’m just looking for another way to be creative.”

That will come in many forms. He’s in the process of writing another book based on the Top 10 moments of a broadcasting career, which covers his many years at NBC, CBS and ESPN doing the Olympics, Grand Slam tennis events, Super Bowls, Rose Bowls and Final Fours.

Baseball was just a small entry point to his broadcasting career, a package deal for Gene Autry’s KTLA-Channel 5 and KMPC-AM (710) L.A. media empire in the mid-1960s that included the NFL’s Rams and UCLA basketball in John Wooden’s glory years, as well as local boxing.

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Creativity will also come from the fact he and his wife, Barbara, are building a vacation home in Idaho. He also has a new run of the play he wrote, “McGuire,” about to launch in the winter with a new actor playing the role of former Marquette basketball coach and NBC broadcast partner Al McGuire. Fox has also added him to episodes of its new drama series “Pitch,” about the first female big-leaguer – his voice work appears in Thursday’s second episode.

And, of course, Enberg wants to teach again. Which university might be fortunate enough to have him?

“A very influential friend of mine asked me to list my top 10 choices of where I’d like to teach, and that’s such a fun exercise. I said, ‘How about Harvard?’” Enberg said with a laugh. “Or Duke, or Virginia? Even UCLA.

“Romantically, I would want to be a sophomore all over again, live on or near campus, get those leather patches on my sport coat and walk around the campus with that beehive of energy and all those students’ minds keeping me young again.”

Fifty years ago, Enberg never thought he’d leave Indiana University, where he got his masters (’58) and doctorate (’62) degrees in health sciences. He expected to get hired as a full-time professor and part-time broadcaster and remain there the rest of his days.

Once he realized that wasn’t going to happen, he took up a recruiter’s pitch to check out a job opening at San Fernando Valley State in Northridge (now CSUN), just blocks from where he used to live as a youngster, and teach Health Education 102 as well as become the Matadors assistant baseball coach.

That led to the broadcasting itch again, and sportscasting was his calling card. He was lured into doing major network assignments for more than 40 years, which led to recognition by the Basketball Hall of Fame and Pro Football Hall of Fame. But in the end, baseball was his home run, back with the Padres, the closest team to his La Jolla home, for an extended stay.

PADRES’ RESPECT

Glenn Hoffman, the Padres’ 58-year-old third base coach and one-time Dodgers manager, grew up in Anaheim and heard Enberg describe the feats of Jim Fregosi and Nolan Ryan while calling Angels games. Hoffman has treasured seeing Enberg around the park during this Padres’ final act.

“He’s very passionate about his work,” said Hoffman, a Savanna High grad. “You see how he prepares, why he’s a true professional. We get to hear his stories now, and we’re honored to have him end his career in San Diego. He’s been a class act. He’s a master at his craft, just like Vinny.”

Padres pitching coach Darren Balsley, born in Newport Beach but raised in San Diego, said while Scully might have received more attention for his retirement this year, there has been more “quiet respect” for what Enberg has done for the franchise.

“Everybody knows it’s his last year. We don’t want it to be his last year,” Balsley said. “I’m happy for him, that he’s made the decision that he can finally take a little bit of a break. He’s done everything he can do in sports. He walks in the room, it’s instant respect.”

Enberg says he would grade his experience the Padres as “an A-plus.” Performance-wise, he says only that he wishes he was 45 years old again and “at my peak when I was doing the Angels.

“This is why I marvel at how Vin has maintained the high quality of his reportage – I don’t see as well. My brain isn’t as quick as it once was. My physical health is great, but … for him to maintain the quality of his work is such an inspiration.

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“I hope my experience and experiences in the game and in life itself have brought color and interesting aspects to the broadcast that maybe a younger announcer can’t do. The beauty of the game hasn’t changed. My grandpa could come back tonight and I wouldn’t have to explain much to him at all.”

Enberg then paused and smiled.

“Although he might wonder why the umpires occasionally leave the field and put on ear phones. And I would have to agree with him that it’s a waste of time.”

Time too precious to waste at this stage of Enberg’s forward-progress career.

Staff writer J.P. Hoornstra contributed to this story.

Angels minor leaguers: Who's on rise and who's not?

By JEFF FLETCHER / STAFF WRITER

With the 2016 minor league season in the books, here’s a look at some notable Angels minor leaguers, listed alphabetically, and how they did in 2017. Some are rising and some are falling.

They include comments from the Angels player development staff and front office, and a scout from another organization who covers the Angels farm system. He requested anonymity because his club has not given him permission to make his evaluations public.

RHP Victor Alcantara, 23

How acquired: Signed in 2011, Dominican Republic.

2016 level: Arkansas (AA).

2016 stats: 111 IP, 4.30 ERA, 4.6 BB9, 6.4 SO9

Also: Moved to bullpen late in the season and held opponents to a .159 average as a reliever; still walked 12 in 13 1/3 innings as a reliever.

What they say: Scout: “The ultimate tease piece. He’s got an electric, live arm, but he’s got too much effort in his delivery to allow him to have consistent strike zone command. If he can get strike one and strike two, he can be a real good bullpen piece, like an eighth-inning guy.” Bud Black, former major league pitching coach and now special assistant to the GM: “He’ll spit out a big league slider. He’ll touch 97-98. He’s got some deception, a little herky jerky. He doesn’t throw enough consistent strikes. You watch him on a given night and say, ‘Why isn’t this guy in the big leagues?’ And then you watch the next night and say ‘Oh, I know why.’”

SS Roberto Baldoquin, 22

How acquired: Signed in 2015, Cuba

2016 level: Inland Empire (A-advanced)

2016 stats: 255 PA, .198/.274/.233, 0 HR.

Also: Signed for $8 million bonus; battled injuries throughout two full seasons in the minors.

What they say: Mike Gallego, Angels director of player development: “Him coming from a different country, there’s a lot of adjustment, but there are definitely some tools there. I still think he can play some shortstop. I still think he can hit. It’s just a matter of working on his consistency and not letting

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the downside of his game affect him too long.” Scout: “Can he ever play 50 games straight somewhere? He can’t do anything. And he doesn’t stay healthy.”

RHP Jaime Barria, 20

How acquired: Signed in 2013, Panama

2016 level: Burlington (A)

2016 stats: 117 IP, 3.85 ERA, 1.6 BB9, 6.0 SO9

Also: One of the youngest players in the Midwest League; one of three pitchers in the system to start 25 games with an ERA under 4.00.

What they say: Gallego: “This guy is going to be special. He’s a fierce competitor. We had him on a pitch-count or innings-count and most of the time he got to the innings before the pitches. He throws strikes, attacks hitters. Good slider. Good fastball.”

SS David Fletcher, 22

How acquired: 2015 draft, 6th round, Loyola Marymount

2016 levels: Inland Empire (A-advanced), Arkansas (AA)

2016 stats: 438 PA, .280/.322/.375, 3 HR.

Also: Had a 22-game hitting streak in the Cal League; finished the season at AA; selected for the Arizona Fall League.

What they say: Gallego: “One of my favorites. He’s a David Eckstein on extra vitamins… He’s a guy who always seems to be in the right place at the right time, gives you quality at-bats, knows how to run the bases… If he’s going to be a shortstop, it’s going to be as a utility guy, but he’s a big league second baseman, no doubt.” Scout: “A good little gamer player. Good bat to ball ability, plays the game. He’s going to grow on you. With this organization, he might get a chance.”

RHP Joe Gatto, 21

How acquired: 2014 draft, 2nd round, St. Augustine College Prep (Richland, N.J.)

2016 level: Burlington (A)

2016 stats: 64 IP, 7.03 ERA, 1.89 WHIP, 4.6 BB9, 7.6 K9

Also: Missed the second half of season with an ankle injury, but is healthy for instructional league.

OF Michael Hermosillo, 21

How acquired: 2013 draft, 28th round, Ottawa HS (Ottawa, Ill.)

2016 levels: Burlington (A), Inland Empire (A-advanced).

2016 stats: 334 PA, .317/.402/.467, 6 HR.

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Also: Only player in the system to hit .300 with an .800 OPS over 300 plate appearances; selected to play in the Arizona Fall League; nephew of former major leaguer and Arizona GM Dave Stewart.

What they say: Gallego: “This guy has some electricity coming off his bat. He’s got some serious exit velo. He’s an outstanding outfielder, a center fielder. He’s got a lot of fire in him… This kid is going to be an excellent player.”

OF Jahmai Jones, 19

How acquired: 2015 draft, 2nd round, Wesleyan HS (Norcross, Ga.)

2016 levels: Orem (Rookie), Burlington (A).

2016 stats: 296 PA, .302/.379/.422, 4 HR, 20 SB

Also: One of the youngest players in the Midwest League at end of the season; rated No. 2 prospect in the system by MLB.com.

What they say: Gallego: “What an athlete. If there’s a fault, he’s hard on himself. He overanalyzes a lot of things. Once you start overanalyzing, you can get caught up in that and it can mess with you a little bit… A team leader. Everyone on the team is one of his favorite teammates… He can steal bases. He can run ‘em down in center.”

RHP Jordan Kipper, 23

How acquired: 2014 draft, 9th round, TCU

2016 level: Arkansas (AA).

2016 stats: 153 IP, 3.35 ERA, 1.23 WHIP, 2.4 BB9, 5.0 SO9

Also: Pitched a no-hitter this season.

What they say: Gallego: “He has good stuff. A competitor. When you see him on that mound, he has this look in his eye. He has a lot of pluses and upside. He knows how to use all his pitches. He’s grooming himself into a good pitcher.” Black: “He’s going to throw around 90-91 with some sink. He put himself on the map.”

RHP Grayson Long, 22

How acquired: 2015 draft, 3rd round, Texas A&M

2016 levels: Arizona League Angels (rookie), Burlington (A), Inland Empire (A-advanced).

2016 stats: 65 IP, 3.18 ERA, 1.22 WHIP, 3.5 BB9, 9.7 SO9

Also: Missed two months in the middle of the season with a minor shoulder issue and then a broken finger; finished the season healthy; assigned to instructional league.

What they say: Gallego: “This kid is another kid people are going to be talking about. He’s impressive on the mound. He’s a presence on the mound. He’s still learning. He’s very confident in his stuff. He has a good pace on his game, and he knows what he’s doing.”

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OF Brandon Marsh, 18

How acquired: 2016 draft, 2nd round, Buford HS (Buford, Ga.)

2016 level: Did not play

2016 stats: None

Also: Missed the season because of a back injury; recently cleared to participate in instructional league; rated No. 4 prospect in the system by MLB.com.

RHP Kenyan Middleton, 23

How acquired: 2013 draft, 3rd round, Lane College (Eugene, Ore.)

2016 levels: Inland Empire (A-advanced), Arkansas (AA), Salt Lake (AAA).

2016 stats: 66 IP, 3.41 ERA, 1.14 WHIP, 3.8 BB9, 12.0 SO9

Also: Had been a starter in his first three seasons, but his velocity increased with move to bullpen this season.

What they say: Gallego: “He came in a little light on his weight, a little thin. By the end of the season he was throwing high 90s again. He was a grown man out there. He definitely got on the nutrition program and took it to heart. He’s excited a lot of people. He’s moving fast in the organization.” Scout: “I don’t know where that velo came from. He is tall and upright and doesn’t create that much deception, but the velo goes up to 99. He doesn’t have a go-to out pitch. Big arm, no quality secondary.”

RHP Chris Rodriguez, 18

How acquired: 2016 draft, 4th round, Pace HS (Opa-locka, Fla.)

2016 level: Arizona League Angels (rookie)

2016 stats: 11 1/3 IP, 1.59 ERA, 0.79 WHIP, 2.4 BB9, 13.5 SO9

Also: Shut down after seven games because of a tender arm.

What they say: Gallego: “This kid is something else. He believes in his fastball. He’s 95-98. Obviously he was overpowering in high school. Once he gets to higher leagues he’s going to have to learn how to pitch a little bit. He’s got a game plan. He was very impressive.”

OF John Schuknecht, 22

How acquired: 2016 draft, 37th round, Cal Poly San Luis Obispo

2016 levels: Arizona League Angels (rookie), Orem (rookie)

2016 stats: 204 PA, .315/.387/.573, 8 HR

Also: Had a walk-off two-run double to send Orem to the Pioneer League championship series.

What they say: Gallego: “We had some higher draft picks in front of him. He was in Arizona and the exit velocity off his bat was like ‘Wait a minute. Let’s get him in the lineup.’ He’s got excellent speed,

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got power, got a plus arm. He runs the bases well. He’s something special. He’s 5-10, but the ball comes off his bat hot. Similar to Kole Calhoun.”

RHP Troy Scribner, 25

How acquired: Trade from Houston Astros, for cash considerations, March 2016

2016 levels: Arkansas (AA), Salt Lake (AAA).

2016 stats: 132 IP, 3.41 ERA, 1.17 WHIP, 3.8 BB9, 8.0 SO9

Also: Began season at Arkansas, promoted in late July; held opponents to .206 average this season.

What they say: Gallego: “You think his stuff is a little light, but this guy knows how to pitch. He’s what I call a pitcher. He doesn’t overpower anybody. He gets you off balance and throws strikes… What he does is gets them to mis-hit the baseball… You didn’t hear much about him in the beginning. At the end of the season, he put his name on the map.”

LHP Nate Smith, 25

How acquired: 2013 draft, 8th round, Furman

2016 levels: Salt Lake (AAA).

2016 stats: 150 1/3 IP, 4.61 ERA, 1.40 WHIP, 2.6 BB9, 7.3 SO9

Also: Pitched in the Futures Game; posted 2.49 ERA in his last four starts; came out of his final start of the season with elbow tendinitis, but the injury is not believed to be a long-term issue; rated No. 5 prospect in the system by MLB.com.

What they say: Keith Johnson, Salt Lake manager: “He’s an up and down type guy who will get you at least five innings, two or three times through the lineup (in the majors). Hopefully with experience, he can get a little deeper.” Scout: “He can pitch a little bit. I think if it all comes together for him, he’ll be a bottom of the rotation guy. You’ve got to like his feel, his presence.”

1B Matt Thaiss, 21

How acquired: 2016 draft, 1st round, Virginia

2016 levels: Orem (rookie), Burlington (A).

2016 stats: 297 PA, .292/.361/.462, 6 HR.

Also: Played catcher for most of college career, but converted to first with Angels; rated No. 1 prospect in system by MLB.com.

What they say: Gallego: “He took to first base immediately with a catcher’s attitude. Talk about putting his nose in front of the baseball. No fear. He knows what he’s doing at the plate. I don’t even talk to him about hitting… He’s going to come quick. I’m talking about Double-A or Triple-A soon… He’s already become one of the locker room leaders.”

OF Cal Towey, 26

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How acquired: 2013 draft, 17th round, Baylor

2016 levels: Arkansas (AA), Salt Lake (AAA).

2016 stats: 535 PA, .274/.376/.436, 13 HR

Also: Career-high in homers; has played left, right, first and third.

What they say: Gallego: “At the end of the season he started to struggle and got into his head and started tinkering with his swing. I’m excited about him. I know he’s been in the organization for a couple years. I think he put his name back on the map. This kid is a baseball player.” Scout: “He may end up having to play first base. I don’t know if he’s going to hit with the power and consistency to be a first baseman. He’s a guy who doesn’t profile anywhere.”

C Taylor Ward, 22

How acquired: 2015 draft, 1st round, Fresno State

2016 level: Inland Empire (A-advanced).

2016 stats: 529 PA, .249/.323/.337, 10 HR

Also: Hit .269 with .774 OPS over his final 58 games after a slow start; selected for the Arizona Fall League; rated No. 3 prospect in the system by MLB.com.

What they say: Gallego: “It’s not how you start, it’s how you finish. There is definitely a lot of plus to his game. He’s learning how to become a better receiver. There were some things where he got lackadaisical at times… Offensively, he showed some power. He’s got some work ahead of him, no doubt, but he’s a kid we’re very excited about.” Scout: “He’s got a lot of maturing to do… He doesn’t get after it. He’ll show you a better than average arm, but you never see it in the game. He reminds me of Brad Ausmus. He has catching skills. I don’t know how big the bat is going to be. Will he be an everyday catcher in the big leagues? They are going to give him every chance to.”

SS Nonie Williams, 18

How acquired: 2016 draft, 3rd round, Turner HS, Kansas City

2016 level: Arizona League Angels (rookie)

2016 stats: 164 PA, .244, .280, .282

Also: Home-schooled but played baseball at Turner HS; turned down scholarship to LSU to sign with Angels.

2B Jordan Zimmerman, 21

How acquired: 2016 draft, 7th round, Michigan State

2016 levels: Orem (rookie), Burlington (A).

2016 stats: 240 PA, .258/.329/.376, 4 HR

Also: Played 19 games at Orem before promotion to the Midwest League.

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What they say: Gallego: “When this guy was in Orem he had man power that we didn’t know he had. Very impressive. Went to Burlington and struggled some. He’s a bigger kid. I’d like to see him become one of those Jeff Kent-type second basemen. He’s good enough defensively. Decent feet, decent hands, but with that bat, that power, this guy can be something special. There’s a lot of work he needs to do at second, but his bat is going to be what we talk about.”

The giveaway kid: Little Angel fan spreads joy with each baseball he sends

By KEITH SHARON / STAFF WRITER

The kid gave away a baseball, and his life changed forever.

His mom says since that day, about a year ago, he’s learned about empathy, compassion, joy and sadness.

If you’re on Instagram, you may have heard of Logan Wohlt, the 7-year-old from Yorba Linda with the username “baseballandbubblegum.” His growing Instagram presence gets more than a little boost from his mom, Kelly, 31, who, when she’s not helping kids, is a supervisor at Vons. And Logan has more than 700 followers, including professional ballplayers, coaches, media members and children all over the United States who need their spirits lifted.

Last season, Kelly took Logan to a ballgame at Angel Stadium. They wanted to get closer to the action so they “seat hopped” and moved to empty seats behind the dugout. During the game, Angels pitcher C.J. Wilson tossed Logan a baseball and bubble gum in between innings. Wilson invited them to his charity event – Bats and Brushes, featuring artwork by kids at Children’s Hospital of Orange County.

Wilson gave a speech that night, telling the audience that anybody can make a difference in their community. Anybody can give back. That speech sparked something in Logan and Kelly.

The next time they went to an Angels game, they seat hopped again. Logan got another baseball. He chose a child in the crowd, and he gave the baseball away.

“Do you feel good when you do that?” Kelly asked him.

Logan told her he did.

And a single mom saw a teaching moment.

She and Logan began hanging out after the games at the player’s exit. They would get autographs on baseballs.

“I didn’t know what to do with all those baseballs,” Kelly said. So they gave them away.

So mom, son and grandpa Jim Wohlt started going to every Angels event – groundskeeper’s day, the 5K run, the Angels cruise and spring training. As they collected autographs on baseballs and cards, Kelly started Logan’s Instagram page to tell the world what they were doing. And players like Mike Trout began “liking” their posts.

That’s when requests started to come in.

“I would get Instagram messages,” Kelly said. “‘Can you help this kid?’”

Many of the people who asked were reaching out on behalf of a sick child. Kelly found herself sending baseballs and cards all over the United States.

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On April 21, at the beginning of this baseball season, Kelly took Logan to CHOC. He liked the idea that he was helping other children so much, that he wanted to go back, and back, and back.

“Baby,” Kelly told Logan, “Mommy’s heart can’t take going to CHOC every day.”

Just before the All-Star break this season, Kelly got a request for autographs on behalf of a 6-year-old boy named Brian Ford in Ohio. She told Logan that the boy had leukemia.

Kelly asked Angels Carlos Perez and Andrew Heaney to make videos to send to Brian. She made him a package of autographs and sent it off.

When she and Logan got home from the All-Star Game in San Diego, they got a message.

Brian had died.

“I sat Logan on his bed and said Brian went to heaven,” Kelly said. “Logan put his head down and cried. It’s probably the worst conversation to have with a child.”

Logan occasionally asked, without being prompted, “What is chemo?” or “What if chemo doesn’t work?”

Kelly has contacted several Major League Baseball teams for help. She’s now “granting wishes” that go beyond autographs. In Seattle, Kelly helped get a child onto the field. In New York, she teamed up with former Yankee Jim Leyritz, who now lives in Orange County, to get a child on the field for batting practice.

By next year, she hopes to hook up with a nonprofit business in Florida to grant wishes for more and more children with cancer.

“It’s the most incredible high you’ll ever get in your life,” Kelly said. “It’s pure joy.”

FROM ANGELS.COM

Despite nicks, Pujols sustains prowess at plate

By Austin Laymance / MLB.com |

ANAHEIM -- Albert Pujols has enjoyed a productive year, but it's uncertain if the slugger will play this weekend against the Astros, the final series of the season for the Angels.

Pujols, fourth in the Majors with 119 RBIs, is dealing with plantar fasciitis in his right foot, which has forced him to miss the last two games. He's played through pain for some time, and his return to the lineup is dependent on how the foot responds, according to manager Mike Scioscia.

"It's got to the point right now where we don't want to put him at risk," Scioscia said, adding that there's no anticipation of Pujols needing offseason surgery.

Pujols has battled foot issues in the past, but he's been able to play 152 games this season, hitting .268/.323/.457 with 19 doubles and 31 home runs. The Angels will take that production from the 36-year-old slugger.

"You couldn't have asked for more than he did this year for us," Scioscia said. "There's no doubt that the talent is there, and it's real. He had an incredible season for us."

As he finishes up his 16th season in the Majors, Pujols remains an elite hitter. In fact, his average exit velocity this season, as measured by Statcast™, is 92.48 mph, up a tick from his 91.68-mph average last year.

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"I think if you look at his bat speed, his exit velocity, all the analytics, you look at his swing path, it's all there," Scioscia said.

Pujols' RBI total is his highest since 2010, when he led the National League with 118 as a member of the Cardinals. His previous high with the Angels was 105, set in 2012 and '14. Scioscia believes those numbers could increase next year, if the Angels improve their lineup depth over the offseason.

"I think you'll see the real impact that Albert will have on a team if our lineup gets deeper," Scioscia said. "This year, we definitely set the table better for him and [Mike Trout], and it had an impact on our offense and our run production. I would think that if we can set the table and he's going to stay healthy, we're going to see more of the same moving forward."

Pujols said he's been pleased with the offensive production around him this year, particularly from Trout, leadoff man Yunel Escobar, Kole Calhoun and C.J. Cron.

"I like our offense," said Pujols, who this year joined Barry Bonds and Hank Aaron as the only players in Major League history with 575 homers and 600 doubles. "We can match against anybody. When we're healthy, we can do things."

Without going into specifics, Pujols said there are some adjustments he can make in the offseason in regard to his nagging foot issues.

"I know what I need to do to get myself ready, and I've been doing it for 17 years as a professional," Pujols said. "I know what I need to figure out. I know the adjustments that I need to make, and that's it."

X-rays negative on Trout's shoulder

By Jack Baer / MLB.com |

ANAHEIM -- Mike Trout was forced into an early exit from the Angels' 8-6 win over the A's on Wednesday night after he was struck on his left shoulder in the eighth inning by a fastball from A's reliever John Axford. X-rays on Thursday were negative, and the star outfielder said he expects to play on Friday.

"It's obviously really sore, hit me right on the bone," Trout said. "We've got three games left, so going to try to grind it out."

The incident occurred as Trout led off in the bottom of the eighth inning. After Trout fouled off a fastball away, Axford fired a 96 mph fastball that hit Trout around his left shoulder blade. Trout was visibly in pain, but he looked like he was making a case to stay in the game to a trainer.

Trout eventually relented, and he was replaced on the basepaths by Ji-Man Choi.

"It's sore, kind of got him on the shoulder blade. He'll have an off-day tomorrow, and I'm sure he'll be fine on Friday," Angels manager Mike Scioscia said.

Top Draft picks on display at Angels' instructional league

By Jonathan Mayo / MLB.com |

As the 2016 Draft approached, high school outfielder Brandon Marsh's name definitely had some helium, his stock rising as the calendar flipped to June. He ended up going to the Angels in the second round, No. 60 overall. But they've had to wait until now to really get a look at him on the field as an Angel.

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That's because of a back injury that not only muddled negotiations over Marsh's bonus -- he signed a week before the deadline for a full pick value bonus of $1,073,300 -- but kept him from making his pro debut all summer. Instead, he worked tirelessly on rehab, strength and conditioning, and he is now happily participating full-strength in the Angels' instructional league program.

"He's on the field and is looking good now," Angels director of Minor League operations Mike LaCassa said about their No. 4 prospect. "He's been anxious to play baseball and we're finally starting to see what he can do."

A two-sport star in Georgia, Marsh was a wide receiver on a two-time state championship-winning football team. He carries a full toolbox with him on the diamond, but he will need some development time to sharpen those tools given his dual focus as a high schooler. Being able to fully participate at instructs is a big step forward in that development. The Angels just began their games on Monday, and Marsh was expected to see his first, albeit unofficial, pro at-bats soon.

"Being a part of our instructional league program, working out with the team, you see the energy he has," LaCassa said. "It was hard for him to not be on the field the last few months. He worked tremendously hard in the weight room and got positive reviews on his attitude. Finally, we're getting the chance to see him play baseball, and he is one of the best athletes in our system."

Two high school arms standing out

While plenty of eyes at instructs are on first-rounder Matt Thaiss and Marsh, a pair of high school pitchers also from the 2016 Draft have started making a name for themselves as well.

The Angels took Chris Rodriguez in the fourth round out of the Miami high school ranks and gave him nearly $400,000 above pick value to sign. After a busy high school season, Rodriguez impressed during his stint in the Rookie-level Arizona League, allowing just two earned runs on six hits and three walks over 11 1/3 innings, striking out 17. The organization loves that he has a feel for four pitches, including two distinct breaking balls, all while having turned 18 in July.

"He's a tremendous athlete, a student of the game and a hard worker," LaCassa said. "To a lot of our guys in camp right now, he might be the top pitching prospect in our organization. He's an exciting addition."

Because of his workload as a high school senior and then the innings in the Arizona League, Rodriguez won't get much mound time during instructs. Instead, his mission is to soak in information about things like nutrition, strength and mobility. That doesn't keep Rodriguez from lobbying to get on the mound, however.

"He comes up to me every other day and says, 'Can I thrown an inning tomorrow?' And I say, 'Not this week, Chris,'" LaCassa said. "He's learning a ton. We saw everything we needed to see from him when we ended his season at the end of August."

Sixth-rounder Cole Duensing, another high school pick -- from Kansas -- will get the chance to throw a few more innings. He might be the 1A to Rodriguez's Exhibit 1, but he did get close to $250,000 above pick value to sign. Duensing also threw well in the Arizona League, yielding just two earned runs in 13 innings. He's projectable with a solid feel for pitching.

"He's one of the standouts at instructs," LaCassa said. "That's a nice pair of high school arms we added."

Alberto transitioning to the mound

September 30, 2016 Page 16 of 16

Ranyelmy Alberto had spent parts of five summers trying to move up the Angels' ladder as an outfielder. After two less-than-successful stints with Burlington in the Class A Midwest League, the organization approached him about giving pitching a try.

While Alberto, 22, had hit just .223/.293/.339 as a position player, he had always exhibited a very good throwing arm from the outfield. So both sides felt there was nothing to lose.

"The bat wasn't going to continue to play moving up," LaCassa said. "This was always another option for him, because he has tremendous arm strength."

The early returns have been promising. Alberto has shown good life on a fastball that touches the mid-90s along with an intriguing splitter. He faced hitters for the first time on Tuesday, so obviously a long path to the big leagues lies ahead.

"He's a strong kid who's still learning how to use his whole body in a delivery," LaCassa said. "Once he does that, there could be even more in there. He's still in that transition stage from a thrower to a pitcher. He's a long way away from having any kind of impact."