Project-a-Prospect 2009: Angel Villalona
by Grant Brisbee on Mar 30, 2009 2:15 PM PDT
Email
PrintThere are two schools of thought when it comes to Angel Villalona. No, really. There’s the Angel Villalona Research Institute and Angel Villalona Institute of Research, and they hate each other. Their football games are just nuts. But the two different schools of thought go something like this:
Point: Angel Villalona is a monster man-child, and he hit double-digit home runs in the SAL as a 17-year-old.Counterpoint: Angel Villalona is a hacker. Stone cold hacker. I know he’s young, but, man. He struck out 118 times last year in 464 at bats, and he only walked 18 times.
Point: But he did it at an age when most kids are still in high school. I think Kevin Goldstein once said that Villalona’s power ranks as a pure 80 on the 20-to-80 scouting scale.
Counterpoint: But he has no plate discipline.
Point: But he’s young.
Counterpoint: But he has no plate discipline
Point: But he’s young.
several hours later
Counterpoint: But he’s young.
Point: But he has no…wait a minute, you’re trying to do the duck season/rabbit season thing.
Counterpoint: Damn.
Point: That hasn’t worked since our "airholes"/"no airholes"- argument two years ago, and if that D.A. were competent, we’d probably still be in jail.
I’m a staunch age apologist when it comes to Angel Villalona. I mean, the dude was 17 for most of last season. When I was 17, I didn’t know what a thesis was. I didn’t know what passive voice was. But I still had obvious tools – wit, charm, intelligence, style, passion, class, distinction, majesty, idealism, sublimity, attention to detail, craft, attention to detail – that gave hope for my writing future. Villalona’s like that, but with power. And he probably isn’t listening to Dave Matthews at 17, so he even has a leg up on me.
When it comes to a guy I’ve never seen with my own eyes, I’m wholly reliant on the opinions of scouty types, and the overwhelming consensus is, "He should be fine. Keep an eye on the plate discipline as he moves up the ladder, but he should be fine. " I have no reason to disagree. But unless he goes Pablo Sandoval on the Cal League, he’ll stay put for the season. This isn’t the breakout year, but we’ll see signs of progress. And the dude’s still only 18.
Angel Villalona
High-A: 479 AB, .273 BA, .329 OBP, .460 SLG, 20 HR, 28 BB, 112 K
AA: n/a
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So we’re comparing Villalona’s baseball future to your writing career? Great, should we just cut him now?
MotherF**ker
Minor White > Ansel Adams
by say hey nation on Mar 30, 2009 2:56 PM PDT up reply actions
Comment revised:
So you’re saying that Angel Villalona’s talent level is like yours? Man, that dude really has a chance to be good!
by Great Success! on Mar 30, 2009 9:34 PM PDT up reply actions
Prediction:
He will hit a moving CalTrain passing by Muni Stadium
Sergio Romo will gladly hand you a bench to sit on / GIANTSPACE™ / Adopted brother of the AnVil
by SoFa King Mike on Mar 30, 2009 2:38 PM PDT up reply actions
I like this line.
If he hits that, he’ll have some AA AB’s in there too (with like 4 big league AB’s)
proud father of the newly acquired Brandon Crawford..
When I was 17 years old, I was ranting and raving about how my high school teacher forbade us from using the passive voice but clearly didn’t understand what passive tense voice actually meant.
I WAS NOT A NERD.
Never has a poster been more correct in the history of the internet. Ever! - ResDog on yours truly
He's got his own band now...
The Anvil Experience
Sun. Apr. 12 at Slim’s
Movie Premiere followed by live performance!
$18
Doors 6:30, Show 7:30
They say some players get out of bed hitting; Pablo Sandoval doesn't wait that long
When I was 17, Jon Miller was still doing play-by-play for the Orioles. [weeps at lost youth]
My plans for 2009: getting married and attending Tim Lincecum Bobblehead Day.
When I was 17, my mother was heavily into drugs and I was homeless for a brief time.
"While conservatives tell you 'leave things alone and no one will lose,' and liberals tell you 'interfere a lot and no one will lose,' baseball says 'someone will lose.' Not only says it - but insists upon it! ... Democracy is lovely, but baseball's more mature." BVCE supports SF Dugout and Manny Burriss.
by BaronVonCurrentEvents on Mar 30, 2009 3:26 PM PDT up reply actions
When I was 17..
Barry Bonds was putting up 1.300 OPS’s
proud father of the newly acquired Brandon Crawford..
The whole Angel Villalona Research Institute/Institute of Research divide made me instantly wish I hadn’t fallen asleep the last time I watch The Life of Brian. Note: I have seen the movie in its entirety. Several times. Just not the last time.
When it's all said and done, America will be remembered for three things: The Bill of Rights, jazz, and baseball.
I'm no expert.
When watching Villalona crack this single on Saturday, it just sounded different. He’s a special talent. There’s not one GM or scout out there that wouldn’t want this kid.
Things needing attention by AnVil
Pitch recognition and a few sessions from JT’s School of Gold Gloving
Sergio Romo will gladly hand you a bench to sit on / GIANTSPACE™ / Adopted brother of the AnVil
and a treadmill
Proud adopted parent of future big league slugger Thomas Neal
by nostocksjustbonds on Mar 30, 2009 3:50 PM PDT up reply actions
... and a salad bar with only low-calorie dressings
… and a protein-shake as a meal replacement
… and no more white foods (potatoes, sugar, etc.)
Forsan et heac olim meminisse iuvabit... Maybe.
by Mayor of 311 on Mar 30, 2009 4:16 PM PDT up reply actions
This is the year he saves us!
High-A- 300 AB, .400/.500/.800
Big Leagues: 150 AB, .370/.480/.720
Takes him a little time to adjust in his first 20 ABs with the Giants, which causes the drop off.
My real guess:
High A: 470 AB, .262/.320/.467, 27 BB, 29 HR
by AngelWillSaveUs on Mar 30, 2009 2:56 PM PDT reply actions
Thank god for mlb.com Gameday. Without it, I wouldn’t know that Delta was the official airline of the New York Yankees, and my life would be incomplete.
Never has a poster been more correct in the history of the internet. Ever! - ResDog on yours truly
Haha, wrong tab.
That was meant for the gameday thread.
Never has a poster been more correct in the history of the internet. Ever! - ResDog on yours truly
FAIL
Sergio Romo will gladly hand you a bench to sit on / GIANTSPACE™ / Adopted brother of the AnVil
by SoFa King Mike on Mar 30, 2009 3:05 PM PDT up reply actions
GUYS I THINK ANGEL VILLALONA WILL BE DELTA AIRLINES.
Never has a poster been more correct in the history of the internet. Ever! - ResDog on yours truly
/eats Amici’s salty lasagna
Sergio Romo will gladly hand you a bench to sit on / GIANTSPACE™ / Adopted brother of the AnVil
by SoFa King Mike on Mar 30, 2009 3:35 PM PDT up reply actions
I was firmly in the Pro- Angel camp
until I saw this…
Now I don’t know what to think. Mainly, I’m just trying to stop scratching my eyes.
seriously, WTF???
Idolizing Robb Nen since 2002...
by Smoke on the Water on Mar 30, 2009 3:27 PM PDT up reply actions
that's hot...
can we get this in a life size Fathead poster?
(are you sure this isn’t Kevin Mitchell?)
by KrazyKrabMeat on Mar 30, 2009 3:34 PM PDT up reply actions
At least he’s wearing shower shoes. AnVil may be obese, but at least he won’t get a staph infection.
by Bay Area Sports Guy on Mar 30, 2009 4:34 PM PDT up reply actions
I’ve had staph. Bad, bad experience.
Brand new adoptive daddy for the Big Unit. This is one of the only ways a 5' 10" father can have a 6' 10" son.
by Speedforthewin on Mar 30, 2009 7:42 PM PDT up reply actions
But at least you got to play for the Cleveland Browns, so it couldn’t have been all bad…actually yes, yes it could have.
by Bay Area Sports Guy on Mar 30, 2009 8:15 PM PDT up reply actions
To be fair, Angel’s pic didn’t receive nearly the airbrushing Tweeden’s did.
by Bay Area Sports Guy on Mar 31, 2009 11:05 AM PDT up reply actions
A+: 500 AB, .290/.340/.540, 25 HR, 40 BB, 100 K
He’ll skip AA and go straight to AAA in 2010. He will collect much more than $200.
When I was a kid I used to pray every night for a new bicycle. Then I realized God doesn’t work that way, so I stole one and prayed for forgiveness. - Emo Philips
Neglectful father of David Quinowski
It’s like Barry Bonds took all the walks for the frachise. For the the next 1000 years.
FIRE BRIAN SABEAN... UNLESS HE KEEPS DRAFTING WELL. .. AND SIGNS UNDERRATED PLAYERS LIKE AFFELDT OR PHELPS. .. OR ALRIGHT WHO'S PLAYING WITH THE ALIEN MIND-SWITCHING RAY?
-------
PARPG- Indy post-apocalyptic roleplaying game currently in early planning stages.
That’s how regression to the mean works, right? Oh, it isn’t?
When I was a kid I used to pray every night for a new bicycle. Then I realized God doesn’t work that way, so I stole one and prayed for forgiveness. - Emo Philips
Neglectful father of David Quinowski
Sorry to be the boring realist, but:
- He’ll get a cup of coffee at the end of the 2012 season to audition for the next years starting role.
- His contact will improve, but never enough to clear .285 in the majors.
- He’ll be a legit 30 HR threat, even in a park like AT&T.
- He’ll struggle on and off with conditioning, hitting a Price Fielder-esque equilibrium. It will prevent him from playing anywhere other then 1st or DH.
Skinny bitch
Switch him to the vegan diet now.
"While conservatives tell you 'leave things alone and no one will lose,' and liberals tell you 'interfere a lot and no one will lose,' baseball says 'someone will lose.' Not only says it - but insists upon it! ... Democracy is lovely, but baseball's more mature." BVCE supports SF Dugout and Manny Burriss.
by BaronVonCurrentEvents on Mar 30, 2009 3:27 PM PDT up reply actions
As much as I want to be optimistic, I looked at that clip above and agree about the conditioning issue. He is much bigger than when I last saw him. I don’t know about the other predictions, but after he hits the ball he just doesn’t move like an 18 year old as he heads to first. I hope he can realize at his young age that he is potentially harming his chance of long term success. I don’t think he needs to be “ripped” by any means, just in good shape for his body and I think he will be fine.
I’d gladly take .285 with 30 HRs
Wall-E for Best Picture 2008
by Useful_Idiot on Mar 30, 2009 4:24 PM PDT up reply actions
QUESTION:
Is AnVil our most IMPORTANT prospect in terms of what he would provide if he reached his ceiling? IMHO he is.
You probably know it as MYANMAR, but it will always be BURMA to me!
I definitely think he was a couple of years ago because the Giants had nothing but him. However, that all changed in the last few drafts, when Bumgarner, Alderson and Posey were taken. I think the Giants have a lot more invested in Posey at this point, and since he is probably much closer to playing in the ML, I would say Posey is the most important prospect.
I think he is not simply by virtue of being a 1B prospect. If he were a middle infielder, C or CF; yes. However, 1B is a position that a decent GM should be able to fill with ease.
You are a fan of the wrong team, friend. If there’s one position I never expect to Sabean to find anything at, it’s 1B. I’d be much more confident in Sabean finding another MLB-quality catcher (to take Posey’s place) than to find a power-hitting first-baseman.
When it's all said and done, America will be remembered for three things: The Bill of Rights, jazz, and baseball.
I’ve been waiting for him to pick up Doug Mentkeiwicz or Nick Johnson at some point over the last few seasons. Guys like that have “Sabean” written all over them
Wall-E for Best Picture 2008
by Useful_Idiot on Mar 30, 2009 6:17 PM PDT up reply actions
There is a reason. I just think that this team’s inability to develop a single power hitter since Will Clark or Matt Williams should be taken into account when considering how important AnVil might be.
When it's all said and done, America will be remembered for three things: The Bill of Rights, jazz, and baseball.
No. Bumgarner is.
That would be a lefty ace #1 starter coming right after our righty ace #1 starter, Lincecum, followed by our borderline #1 righty starter Cain, followed by our solid #2 starter Sanchez, followed by Zito, which would pretty much make the Giants a playoff contender for the entire 2010’s.
Hector Sanchez: learning to play defense from older brother Jackson Williams.
man...
point/counterpoint busting out the looney toons humor? What’s next a diatribe on the dangers flappers pose to moral American culture?
Flossing a dead horse
Point of fact: There was an allusion to the Looney Tunes joke, but no specific joke was attempted based on that format. The allusion was the only attempt at humor.
Other point of fact: Flappers are a huge and significant threat to our culture
by Grant Brisbee on Mar 30, 2009 4:27 PM PDT up reply actions
Flappers were a significant threat, and no-one took them seriously. This led to rock and roll and now just look at the mess we’re in.
Hi, I am Johnny Disaster.
by Johnny Disaster on Mar 30, 2009 7:57 PM PDT up reply actions
Looney Toons are timeless, man. Timeless! Next thing you know, you’ll be knocking the Stooges. Philistine!
It's my blarg! Quick Pitch
Well, according to the latest research (Baseball Mogul 2010) he’ll hit .305/.369/.542 with 24 dingerz in San Jose this year. Then he’ll move to AAA next year and only put up .288/.359/.509. And he’ll stay in AAA the next year as well, with the plan of him, Nick Noonan, Grant Green (SS drafted in June this year), and Roger Kieschnick all graduating to the majors in 2013 along with Tim II.
The Basil Fawlty Moderating Strategy:
"We could run a nice blog here if we didn't have all these members getting in the way."
2013 feels really far away…
Wall-E for Best Picture 2008
by Useful_Idiot on Mar 30, 2009 4:26 PM PDT up reply actions
that’s because well all be dead by then.
by wanna Ishikawa? on Mar 30, 2009 4:32 PM PDT up reply actions
OT:
Game 6 is on ESPN Classic. Makes me want to cry.
TGIDGEC
Thank God I don’t get ESPN Classic.
Minor White > Ansel Adams
by say hey nation on Mar 30, 2009 5:16 PM PDT up reply actions
Hence, TGIDGEC
Minor White > Ansel Adams
by say hey nation on Mar 30, 2009 5:54 PM PDT up reply actions
baby steps
470 ABs
.266 Avg
.300 OBP
.450 SLG
27 HR
28 BB
115 K’s
Brand new adoptive daddy for the Big Unit. This is one of the only ways a 5' 10" father can have a 6' 10" son.
Angel Villalona vs. Big Foot
Until last summer’s futures game (and the horrifying photo above) I was beginning to think Villalona was no more real than the north American mystical ape creature. But unlike the Sasquatch, Villalona will be embraced by society as a whole, and in particular San Jose Giants fans, who will have some serious talent to enjoy this year.
450 ABs
.283 Avg
342 Obp
.490 Slg
23 HR
42 BB
102 K’s
At San Jose
AB: 485
Avg. .268
OBP. .305
Slg. .481
HR 20
BB 24
K’s 98
"Don't trust anyone under the age of 30" - Brian Sabean
by Smotheredinhugs on Mar 31, 2009 4:42 AM PDT reply actions
I’m a counterpointer. There aren’t a lot of 17-18 year olds who’ve played above rookie league, but there are some, and very few of the ones with poor k/w numbers ever learned how to hit. At this point Angel is a lot more likely to end up as the next Wily Mo Pena (or worse) than the next Miguel Cabrera.
Big V
I watched him in a game in Scottsdale against high A pitching & he looked preety bad. miaaed curve balls by a foot & never made contact on 3 at bats. Acted very frustrated
preety bad or just pretty bad?
Extremely proud adoptive parent of Paul E. Stanley [insert witty comment]
Thanks to roger
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