Baseball Beginnings

By John Klima
May 22, 2009

(photo: Baseball Beginnings)

Back in the day (2007 to be exact), Angelo Songco was the other freshman hauling the BP bucket through airport security. His Loyola Marymount teammate, Ryan Wheeler, was the guy with the bag full of batting helmets. In a few years, both guys might be making enough to pay someone to carry their stuff for them. And let’s face it, if you play in the big leagues, you have nicer stuff than the rest of us working class honks.

But they have to get to the big leagues first. 

Songco is the kind of power hitter a lot of scouts tend to like. What does it for the scouts is a swing that allows him to rip balls to the opposite field as well as pull balls. They like it when he gets his arms extended. It’s a classic kind of swing extension, and if you miss it, you can see his swinging silhouette on the T-shirts his family wears around the ballpark. On the trail this spring, I can tell you that I overheard a lot of guys liking him.

Baseball Beginnings caught up with him for a Q&A, with a special cameo appearance by teammate Ryan Wheeler, who helped us size up Songco’s hands.

Baseball Beginnings: Let’s talk power. Do you feel your power is more opposite field or pull?
Songco: I think it’s more oppo lately.

Baseball Beginnings: Where have you hit your best balls this year?
Songco: Oppo, definitely oppo.

Baseball Beginnings: I saw you pull a home run down the right field line today. Is that more you or is it not you?
Songco: I definitely can pull the ball. But when I’m going real good, I’m driving balls the other way to left-center.

Baseball Beginnings: So if I call you an inside-out guy with pop instead of a pop-only guy would I be scouting you correctly?
Songco: Definitely.

Baseball Beginnings: How are you a better player now than you were three years ago?
Songco: I’m a more mature player and person.

Baseball Beginnings: What about developmentally?
Songco: I’m stronger. I was a skinny guy in high school. I didn’t have the same power in high school. I worked out a lot when I came to college.

Baseball Beginnings: What do you weight now?
Songco: 195.

Baseball Beginnings: What did you weigh in high school? [editor's note: Songco played at Alemany HS, which gave the world LHP Joe Roselli]
Songco: 165. My first year after high school, I just stayed here for summer ball. Last summer I went to the Cape. [editor's note: Songco is too modest to say he was a Cape All-Star.]

Baseball Beginnings: How did that help you?
Songco: The Cape, you’re facing guys throwing 90 mph every single day. It makes you a better player. It makes you a better hitter. You have to get rid of the mistakes in your swing. I had to adjust when I first got there.

Baseball Beginnings: Was that the first time you had slumped against good pitching?
Songco: I told myself that I could hit. I try to keep my composure. Going through that adversity was tough but I think it was a good thing because I came out of it stronger.

Baseball Beginnings: What do you expect from yourself at the next level? What are your expectations?
Songco: I want to get to the big leagues as soon as possible and get better every year I play.

Baseball Beginnings: Do you think that your biggest developmental jump as a college hitter was between your sophomore and junior years?
Songco: In terms of home run power, yes. I think I’ve opened some eyes for some people. I had a pretty good freshman year, but I know that if I’m a corner outfielder, the home run ability has to be there.

Baseball Beginnings: How would you describe Ryan Wheeler?
Songco: His approach to the plate as a hitter, he looks for pitches he can drive. He’s definitely developed since his freshman year. It’s been fun competing against each other. He works hard.

(photo: Baseball Beginnings)

Baseball Beginnings: Help me do some scouting here. Let me shake your hand. Give me the best grip. Show me the meat hooks.
[Songco shakes.]

Baseball Beginnings: OK, that’s enough. I’ll put it in my report.

[Ryan Wheeler informs Baseball Beginnings that Songco has the biggest hands he has ever seen and wears a batting glove size that is larger than a moose head.]

Baseball Beginnings: What do you admire about Songco?
Wheeler: His ability to stay focused on the next task and not to let anything bother him. It’s been fun. Freshman year, he excelled. From this year, we’re closer. We’ve roomed together for a few years now. Having him here was good for me. We bounce ideas off each other. We’re both nervous about the draft and we want to do well and go high, so it’s nice to have someone in the same boat that you can talk to.

Read Angelo Songco report
Watch Angelo Songco video
Angelo Songco Drafted by the Los Angeles Dodgers
Catching up with Angelo Songco
Read Ryan Wheeler Q&A
Read Ryan Wheeler Scouting Report
Watch Ryan Wheeler Scouting Video
Read about Ryan Wheeler in the Cape Cod League
Ryan Wheeler Drafted by the Arizona Diamondbacks
Catching up with Ryan Wheeler

Categories: '09 Meet the Player
Tags: Angelo Songco, Cape Cod League All-Star, Loyola Marymount, Ryan Wheeler