The Angels are set to promote corner infield prospect Matt Thaiss for his MLB debut. Halos Prospects first reported on Twitter that Thaiss was “expected” to be called up today, and Jeff Fletcher of the Orange County Register tweets that Thaiss is indeed getting the call. Corresponding moves aren’t yet clear, though Tommy La Stella did sustain a painful-looking leg injury last night upon fouling a ball into his shin and has since been replaced on the All-Star roster. Brian Goodwin also exited last night’s game after being hit by a pitch.
Thaiss, 24, was the Angels’ top pick (No. 16 overall) back in 2016. A catcher at the University of Virginia, Thaiss was widely expected to move to first base in pro ball but was a first-round pick all the same due to his offensive upside. While he has indeed moved out from behind the plate, he’s spent considerably more time at third base than at first base so far in 2019. At the plate, Thaiss is enjoying a solid .274/.390/.477 slash with 14 home runs, 17 doubles and two triples in 372 plate appearances. Long touted for his terrific plate discipline, Thaiss has walked at 15.9 percent clip against a 17.2 percent strikeout rate.
Entering the season, MLB.com ranked Thaiss sixth among Angels prospects and ninth among all first base prospects in baseball. Fangraphs tabbed him as the Halos’ No. 9 prospect, praising a swing change in 2018 that finally allowed Thaiss to tap into some in-game power. He doesn’t have off-the-charts power, drawing more average scouting marks in that regard. Combined with his strong on-base skills, an ability to work counts, passable defense at first base and his recent exposure at the hot corner, that could be enough to make Thaiss a solid contributor for the foreseeable future.
Pujols also hit a foul ball off the leg yesterday. It has been reported that about has been taking groundballs at third base. I wouldn’t be surprised to see about finally getting a game at third. Or simply about to DH and Thaiss to first as Pujols gets a few days off.
Well nevermind my comment. I had no idea Thaiss has been playing third.
There’s a player named about?
*Bour
Thaiss has hit well at all levels of the minors, if he can play average defense he will be a good addition to the team.
Wha?????! I have no idea what you are trying to say. Sometimes less is more
it’s a tough situation for Thaiss getting a call-up now with the pallor of Tyler Skaggs’ passing hanging heavy in the clubhouse. however it’s well known the Angels have such positive bonds and relationships between the players, and Thaiss had the opportunity to intermix during the spring. i’m kinda feeling he’ll fut in well.
I’ve always like Thaiss. I have thought for a long time he could be a useful major league player.
But I’m having a hard time cheering for anyone right now. Players are not your family or friends, but you spend a lot of your life cheering for them. Stuff like Skaggs hurts.
The guy tore up spring training and has had a very nice AAA season. Great example of a team with zero direction. With a non contending team, no reason this guy should not have been the 1B all year.
HaloShane always with the backhanded compliments. Now granted, with the Angels starting pitching this season, with the exception of Canning, has been absolutely horrible. The Angels are still in contention for the Wildcard. Now granted unless they add starting pitching via trade, they won’t be able to stay on contention for the wildcard. But as I am writing this, the Angels are only 4 games back of the wildcard. And it’s not like the teams in front of them, don’t have gabbing holes as well.
So a major league team should depend on someone who is not a top 200 prospect because HaloShane thinks they should? Or perhaps they should stunt his growth by giving him part time ABs. Or perhaps he thinks spring training stats can be carried over into the season.
HaloShane doesn’t know much about baseball, but we all knew that. What surprising is he he actually has made a post where there is some point and his point shows he’s clueless.
That’s why he only says one meaningless thing over and over and over again. Once he justifies his point, we know he’s clueless.