The June 22nd, 2012 edition of daily news for the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim including Mike Trout the MVP candidate, Jean Segura was chosen for the Futures Game, Brendan Donnelly defends Joel Peralta's pine tar use and much more...

The Story: The case for Mike Trout to be an MVP candidate.

The Monkey Says: If his numbers maintain, he obviously has a legit case.  However, I don't know that we can just throw away the Angels' resurgence once he called up.  It isn't a strict cause and effect, but it isn't just a "fairy tale" either.  The biggest problem facing the Angel lineup was that the top three in the order were giving them absolutely nothing before Trout got called up.  He gave them the top of the order catalyst they were in desperate need of.  Having Albert Pujols remember how to hit at the same time helped too, that part is coincidence.

The Story: Jean Segura was selected to play in the Futures Game during All-Star weekend.

The Monkey Says: Segura deserves it, but he isn't as exciting as past Angel representatives.  This is also hardly the time to be talking about how he is "blocked" in the majors.  The Angels will likely trade him before long, but they don't have to.  They could move him to third base.  They could keep him in the minors for another season then trade Howie Kendrick.  They could call him up if Erick Aybar continues to stink.  They could use him as a super-sub after Maicer Izturis leaves this off-season, my preferred choice.

I remember hiding under the covers and listening to the Angels on a hand-held transistor radio while I was supposed to be asleep.  The lights were out and the volume was down and that radio was very close to my ear.  My dad was in the next room, his den, almost always listening to the game just as I was.  Once in a while he’d walk over to my room, open the door and say, “we should have been there to see that play,” or “we might actually win this game.”

There are many explanations for why people follow professional sports teams, everything from suppressed survival drives (including sex) to a desire to be accepted into social circles.  To me it’s nice to have something outside of myself that gives a buffer to my personal angst.  Sometimes it’s easier to experience ups and down at a distance.  The teams and the players allow for a release of energy that goes safely aside, but parallel to my life.

Whatever.

The season is more real to the players.  One hundred sixty two games spread over six, or seven in a successful year, months.  So for the better part of a year, things can happen in that span.  Life does not go on hold during that time, it grinds forward with bad hops and glare in your eyes.  Ask Tori Hunter or think of Nick Adenhart.

Or consider Jerome Williams, still a feel good story at 6-5, 4.46 ERA and a 1.38 WHIP.  Add in a very solid stretch at the end of last year and he’s been an excellent #5 for the better part of a season combined.  On Monday night Williams did not have his best stuff while he was in the game, giving up four earned runs while getting 10 outs on 75 pitches, but things just got worse after he was taken out of the game when he apparently passed out in the clubhouse.

Williams, who has a history of asthma, was hospitalized with shortness of breath.  About 8% of the US population suffers or has a history of suffering from asthma.  Those that have experienced an asthma attack, as I have, would tell you that there’s nothing like fighting for breath.  Talk about competing, with the game on the line.  Of course, Williams has experienced some adversity in his career as well, coming up as a top prospect and then seeing success going, going, gone.

After being released from the hospital, Williams tweeted that he was ok, resting up, getting ready to get back out there on the mound and pitch.  He may do that from the bullpen, since I’m guessing that Garrett Richards has made Mr. Scioscia a bit breathless and Mr. Weaver has returned.

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Everyone is guilty of it. As we peruse the Angels home game schedule, deciding which games we want to attend, our eyes are inexorably drawn to the blue asterisk marking certain games. That small graphic that indicates one of the Big A’s notorious promotional giveaways will be taking place. From shower curtains to bobbleheads, Angels Stadium has been host to some of the best (and worst) promotional giveaways in the MLB. Yes, we ALL could use a Howie Kendrick 2nd base coaster to set our drink on, but the giveaways these days seem to lack thought. They lack a certain je ne sais quois that could make them so much better. Sure, they’re fun, and baseball fans are group known to enjoy random swag. All we ask is for a little bit more of the team be reflected in the giveaways.

The way to construct a giveaway item is simple. Start with a basic item, an everyday item like a day planner. Everyone needs to plan their day, right? We’ll give away something that will help them. Next, we give it a team-specific touch. For the Angels, we may use Mike Scioscia. This is where most giveaway brainstorm sessions stop. Put up a fancy starburst graphic and have the announcer call it out on the promo: “This Sunday, the Halos face the White Sox and every fan in attendance will receive a Coach Mike Scioscia day planner!” We can do better though. How about we customize it even further? We’ve already branded it to Scioscia, but let’s make it a true representative of the man: The Mike Scioscia Bullpen Day Planner. It lets you know about all of your appointments and important events, but it lets you know about 5 minutes too late, and then it asks you to stick around for a few more minutes while someone warms up to cover you. Now THAT’S going to sell some tickets!

The June 21st, 2012 edition of daily news for the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim including Pauley claimed off waivers by Toronto, Williams placed on DL after suffering an asthma and anxiety attack, Kendrick voted second-most underrated hitter and much more...

The Story: The Toronto Blue Jays claimed David Pauley off waivers from the Angels.

The Monkey Says: Oh no, whatever shall we do without Pauley!  The Halos probably thought that they could sneak Pauley through waivers again, but Toronto's pitching staff has been ravaged by injuries, so they just need a warm body.  Pauley will only be missed in terms of the Angels losing a tiny bit of pitching depth in their system.  Given Jerome Williams' illness and that Trevor Bell and Brad Mills are both on the DL in the minors, the Angels could be in trouble if any of the other starters suffers an injury.  Still, Pauley was never much of an option to begin with.

The Story: Jerome Williams is believed to have suffered an asthma attack that was made worse by anxiety, leading to his breathing problems.

The Monkey Says: He is still going to get more tests today though and was placed on the DL to make room for Jered Weaver yesterday.  It remains to be seen just when Williams will be able to come off the DL.  This is good news for Garrett Richards who should now get another handful of starts in his ongoing effort to give the Angels a tough decision to make when it comes sending him back down.

Wooohooooo, I actually happen to be a pretty smart guy. Not only did I predict a Zito beatdown, but I also called for it to get the ball rolling on some strong offensive production for the Angels. A lot of things when right tonight; the small ball, the long ball, the starting pitching; and speaking of the starting pitching wasn't it awesome to see fresh off the DL Jered Weaver dominate the Giants for his 7th win of the season.

Yup, it was just another one of those nights.

Angels 6 Giants 0 

 @ 
San Francisco Giants @ Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim

Pitching Probables: SFG – Ryan Vogelsong (6-2, 2.29 ERA)   LAA – Jered Weaver (6-1, 2.61 ERA)

Game Info: 7:05 PM PT; TV - Fox Sports West; Radio - KLAA 830

After the Angels' offense errupted last night, the team very well may be on track for another offensive tear. Tonight's match up will be telling for the Angels' offense and whether they will be making yet another run in attempt to finally catch the Texas Rangers. 

The Angels face a tough pitcher in Ryan Vogelsong, who has pitched 6+ innings in each of his outings, all season long. The great thing about the Angels is when they're hot at the plate, they have a tendency to jump on teams early, and if they're really feelin' groovy, they'll continue to score into the later innings. Perhaps this will throw Vogelsong off of his consistent game.

As unfortunate as it is that the Halos are not facing another Barry Zito tonight, these offensive sruges carry over a game or two. With Mike Trout catching fire once more and Mark Trumbo finding his swing again, this offense should be able to put up enough runs to walk away with a victory over the Giants tonight.

Jered Weaver is making a triumphant return after his freak injury against the Yankees and I honestly couldn't be happier. The fact that Weaver is off the DL (and back in the rotation) helps me sleep a little easier at night. This offense loves to give this guy run support, and that usually means a solid victory. 

In honor of the return of the Dream Weaver, it's victory time. 

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We all have seen first-hand how amazing Mike Trout has been this season, but up until last night, his awesomeness wasn't "official."  Thanks to the short-sighted measure of having Trout start the season in the minors, he only just accumulated enough plate appearances to qualify for all the leaderboards.  To no one's surprise, now that Trout is qualified, his name is all over the top of the statistical leaders in the American League.

• His .337 batting average trails only Paul Konerko
• He is third in the AL with a .397 OBP
• His .532 SLG is "only" good for 13th in the league
• He places fifth in the Junior Circuit in both OPS (.929) and wOBA (.412)
• With 19 steals, he is already the AL leaders in stolen bases and second in the Majors
• Despite missing that first month, he is already third amongst position players in the AL in fWAR (3.4), which is a cumulative metric, mind you

Basically, he's fantastically fantastic with fantastic sauce on top, but you knew this already.  However, this officialization ultimately leads us to ask whether or not he can keep it up.  So, can he?

If we just do a basic straight line projection and assume he plays everyday, he'll finish the season with 18 HR, 39 2B, 9 3B, 80 RBI, 57 SB and 119 R.  With the exception of homers and RBIs, that would put him in position to finish in the top 10 in all of those categories despite giving the rest of the league a 20-game head start.  That seems awfully ambitious for a 20-year old, but given everything we've seen from him so far, I wouldn't put it past him.  Heck, if he told me he was going to successfully develop cold fusion over the All-Star break, I wouldn't put that past him either.

But let's take off our fanboy goggles and put on some reality-adjusted lenses for a second.  Straight line projection is simple and stupid for a reason and thus not likely to occur, especially when Trout is existing on a .395 BABIP, which is about 100 points high for most mortals and probably at least 30 points high for the fleet-footed Trout.  He is going to come back to earth eventually, even if he only comes down to a slightly lower level of the stratosphere.  The best model we have available for projecting his end of season numbers is the ZiPS projections.

As of today, ZiPS, which is typically conservative by the way, anticipates Trout finishing with a slash line of .301/.367/.471, 14 homers, 29 doubles, 8 triples, 42 steals, 101 runs, 61 RBI and a 6.2 fWAR.  Those aren't quite the MVP-level numbers Trout is putting up right now, but they are still absolutely preposterous for someone who isn't even of legal drinking age yet.  I think we can all live with that, right?

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