The Los Angeles Angels have received some encouraging news from their top prospects, mainly in MLB.com’s Pipeline Prospect Team of the Week rankings.
For Sept. 5-11, the Angels had three of their top-30 prospects named to the Prospect Team of the Week. Following the swap of prospects with the Philadelphia Phillies, Perry Minasian understood that he was getting a top catcher for Brandon Marsh in Logan O’Hoppe. His return on that investment has paid immediate dividends as he was named to his third team of the week, Rob Terranova of via MLB.com.
O’Hoppe, the Angels’ No. 1 prospect, Adrian Placencia (No.8), and Werner Blakely (No. 15) were all given their respective honors.
Placencia slashed .259/.444/.630 for the Single-A Inland Empire 66ers during eight games in Sept. as the playoffs kickoff against Lake Elsinore. He shared the field with Blakeley, who rejoined the 66ers and got off to a hot start with a .304/.407/.609 line including two home runs and seven RBI.
After missing nearly two months, 20-year-old Blakeley homered in his team’s postseason-clinching win on Sept. 6.
O’Hoppe made his fourth appearance on the Team of the Week and since the trade that brought him to the Angels, he’s been better following the switch. In fact, since joining the Angels, he’s posted a .309/.482/.704 slash line with 30 RBIs and 22 runs scored over 24 games since the move.
During the past week, O’Hoppe posted a .467 batting average with two home runs and 9 RBI.
Jo Adell hoping to learn from Luis Rengifo’s Breakout
The Angels have maintained their faith in Jo Adell despite some incredible struggles from the young outfielder in his first three MLB seasons.
In 68 games played this season heading into Sept. 6, Adell is batting just .219 with a .263 on-base percentage and a 75 wRC+. But from April 7 to June 10, Adell posted a 34.5% strikeout percentage, but in 87 plate appearances, he was able to log a 93 wRC+. After his return to MLB, he has reverted to his old ways and continues to scruffle.
The Angels have been careful not to keep Adell in the same position for too long if he is slumping. Another player on their roster who has endured a similar path is utilityman, Luis Rengifo.
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