Baseball Beginnings

By John Klima
June 17, 2010

It is a sad day in the life of the young minor league ballplayer when his last good bat breaks – on the road, no less. What he’s left with is the stock wood the parent club gives the kids. For those unfamiliar with how this feels for a young player, it’s a little bit like trying to cut a tin can with a plastic knife. As if the life on the road isn’t lonely enough, it is a little rougher to do it without a bat that feels right and helps create solid contact.

Solid contact has always been what Ryan Wheeler is about. Drafted in the 5^th round of the 2009 draft from Loyola Marymount, Wheeler is in his first full pro season at Class A Visalia in the California League, where Baseball Beginnings had a fresh look at Wheeler playing at Lancaster.

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Category: 2009 Draft | 1 Comment »
Tags: Arizona Diamondbacks, LMU, Ryan Wheeler

By John Klima
June 17, 2010

Ryan Wheeler is at the developmental stage where is learning to remember to dance with the lady who brought him to the dance. In his case, it’s his hands and his swing. Always a gap hitter, Wheeler hasn’t had much difficulty making consistent contact in the California League. On the road between college and the big leagues, Wheeler is learning to find the same load that will allow him to retain his natural swing, but also drive through the ball and generate lift. Peering into the future, I think 30 home runs per season is a reach, but 19-21 as a major leaguer isn’t.

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Category: 2009 Draft | No Comments »
Tags: Arizona Diamondbacks, LMU, Ryan Wheeler

By John Klima
May 23, 2010

Martin Viramontes has struggled for much of the 2010 season, but I expect someone will take a chance on the big body and the big arm.   

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Category: '10 Scouting Reports | No Comments »
Tags: LMU, Martin Viramontes

By John Klima
May 4, 2010

When Gabe Encinas pitched to Austin Wilson to lead off a game recently, I think you saw everything you needed to know.

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Category: '10 Scouting Updates | No Comments »
Tags: Gabriel Encinas, LMU

By John Klima
April 26, 2010

Loyola Marymount right-hander Martin Viramontes has been inconsistent in 2010. After missing the 2009 season because of shoulder injuries, his outing Sunday against San Francisco showed some strengths and exposed other weaknesses.

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Category: '10 Scouting Updates | No Comments »
Tags: LMU, Martin Viramontes

By John Klima
January 22, 2010

Ryan Wheeler proved that he is a major league prospect in 2009, lighting up Northwest League pitching with a rookie season that earned him the Arizona Diamondbacks Organizational Player of the Year.

Short-A is still a long way from the big leagues, but Wheeler’s first steps in pro ball showed that he has a chance to make it. His 1.002 OPS jumps off the stat sheet, as does more walks than strikeouts and 21 doubles.

From the scouting side, Wheeler brought the fast hands and projectable body into pro ball. He showed signs that he was a better athlete than given credit for by playing good first base defense and showing stamina and consistency throughout the hot and isolated Yakima summer.

Baseball Beginnings caught up with Wheeler recently for this Q&A, where he discusses his newly discovered professional approach and how it sparked his confidence. He also fondly recalls his favorite play of the summer, which wasn’t achieved with his bat, but with his arm.

Wheeler also discussed his work in Instructional League, and how some of those solitary fall ball days hint at a future where the Diamondbacks are going to find a place for his bat.

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Category: '09 Meet the Player, 2009 Draft, 2009 Minor Leagues | No Comments »
Tags: Arizona Diamondbacks, LMU, Ryan Wheeler

By John Klima
June 10, 2009

Angelo Songco grew up in Van Nuys, a secretive Angel follower in Dodger country, yet always eager to get down the freeway to Dodger Stadium. His family later moved to Granada Hills and he played high school baseball at Alemany High before playing at Loyola Marymount, where he hit from the start. He carried the success over to the Cape Cod League last summer and into this season, where his power to all fields drew the attention of national-level scouts.

He worked out for the Dodgers, Mariners, Padres and Diamondbacks at their respective major league parks before the draft. He also worked out locally for the St. Louis Cardinals. After his workout at Dodger Stadium, Songco thought his chances of playing for the team closest to him were shot.

“After the workout, it was ‘good luck,’ and I thought that was all. I thought it would be Arizona or Seattle. When the draft started, those were the teams I was waiting for. I thought Arizona would be a great fit, too. I didn’t see the Dodgers coming. I think it’s a great fit and I can’t wait to get started. I really like that I get to play for that organization.”

Songco came up as a center fielder and hopes he gets a chance to play there as a pro, but suspects that a corner position is in his future. “I still see myself as a center fielder just because it’s where I played all along,” he said. “But in reality, I’m probably going to end up playing a corner.”

Read Angelo Songco Q&A
Read Angelo Songco report
Watch Angelo Songco video
Angelo Songco Drafted by the Los Angeles Dodgers

Category: 2009 Draft | No Comments »
Tags: Angelo Songco, Cape Cod League, LMU, Los Angeles Dodgers

By John Klima
June 10, 2009

Ryan Wheeler worked out for the Diamondbacks, Giants, Mariners, Padres and Dodgers at their respective major league parks. He also had a workout for the Cardinals. The Diamondbacks, placing an emphasis on hitters in the early rounds, were pleased to find that Wheeler was available in the 5^th round with the 156^th overall pick.

“I think it’s a really good fit for both of us,” Wheeler said. “I thought I saw the ball real well in their park and I know they were looking for bats. I’m looking forward to getting started.”

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

Category: 2009 Draft | No Comments »
Tags: Diamondbacks, LMU, Ryan Wheeler, Torrance

By John Klima
June 10, 2009

Today, the Arizona Diamondbacks selected Ryan Wheeler in the 5th round (156th overall) in the draft. Follow the links below for Baseball Beginnings content on Wheeler.

Read Ryan Wheeler Q&A
Read Ryan Wheeler Scouting Report
Watch Ryan Wheeler Scouting Video
Read about Ryan Wheeler in the Cape Cod League
Catching up with Ryan Wheeler

Category: 2009 Draft | No Comments »
Tags: Arizona Diamondbacks, LMU, Ryan Wheeler

By John Klima
June 10, 2009

Today the Los Angeles Dodgers selected Angelo Songco in the 4th round (127th overall) in the draft. Follow the links below for Baseball Beginnings content on Songco.

Read Angelo Songco Q&A
Read Angelo Songco report
Watch Angelo Songco video
Catching up with Angelo Songco

Category: 2009 Draft | No Comments »
Tags: Angelo Songco, LMU, Los Angeles Dodgers