2025(A+): 7-0, 69.2 IP, 8.14 K/9, 2.58 BB/9, 1.78 GB/FB.
16'th round draft pick in 2023. Tall pitcher with overhand release of a mix of 3 pitches. Per Prospects Live, changeup is best pitch with excellent fading action which works well of his 12-6 curveball. Fastball was reported to be high 80's out of HS but may have more ooomph now. Command of 3 pitches seems to be his secret to success though. On video he has a drop and drive very high 3/4 delivery which looks a lot like Clayton Kershaw, probably without Kershaw's velocity. Should move up to AA this season.
Darien Smith RHP. DOB: 11/30/1999. 6' 3", 200 lbs. Rule 5 Eligible Dec. 2027.
2025(A): 6-0, 2.59, 46.1 IP, 8.16 K/9, 1.85 BB/9, 1.79 GB/FB.
2025(A+): 2-0, 2.59, 24.1 IP, 8.66 K/9, 1.85 BB/9, 1.18 GB/FB.
Undrafted free agent from 2024. Used mostly in relief. Based on a video which showed 3 K pitches, he has a 94 MPH running FB with a fading changeup which appears to tunnel well coming out of his hand. He's an older prospect who will have to move quickly but should be able to move up to AA in 2026 and could have a path to the majors as a reliever.
Tyler Switalski LHP: DOB: 6/18/2003. 6' 4", 235 lbs. Rule 5 Eligible Dec. 2027.
2025(A): 6-2, 4.89,73.2 IP, 7.94 K/9, 4.03 BB/9.
2025(A+): 2-0, 1.17, 23 IP, 6.65 K/9, 2.74 BB/9.
16'th round draft pick in 2024. Had some success with improved command after promotion to A+. Low K/low GB profile tends to not project well.
Quinn McDaniel 2B. DOB: 9/27/2002. B-R, T-R. 5' 11", 180 lbs. Rule 5 Eligible Dec. 2026.
2024(A+): .236/.345.390, 13 HR, 40 SB, 13.1 BB%, 32.5 K%, 511 PA.
2025(A+): .227/.333/.355, 9 HR, 14 SB, 12.1 BB%, 28.7 K%, 428 PA.
Appears to have some tools but limited access to them by high K rates. K rate slightly improved but everything else got a little worse and the SB' cratered. Failure to improve when repeating a level is generally not a good prognostic sign.
Maui Ahuna SS. DOB: 3/11/2002. B-L, T-R. 6' 1", 170 lbs. Rule 5 eligible Dec. 2026.
2025(ACL): .239/.321/.522, 2 HR, 2 SB, 9.3 BB%, 33.3 K%, 54 PA.
2025(A): .266/.375/.427, 3 HR, 9 SB, 11.3 BB%, 25.0 K%, 168 PA.
2025(A+): .311/.404/.467, 0 HR, SB, 13.5 BB%, 26.9 K%, 52 PA.
Looks like he's trying to be a 3-true outcomes hitter without the power. Reputed to be a defense-first SS but is the D good enough to overcome the obvious limitations in the bat? 2026 shapes up to be a critical season for him.
Ahuna could carve out a career something in between that of Ehire Adrianza and Paul DeJong…maybe helpful as a spot starter/defensive replacement/pinch hitter.
ReplyDeleteFWIW, the Angels claimed Wade Meckler.
ReplyDeleteNice write-up on MLBTR:
"... He stepped to the plate 1,157 times in the minors over the past three years with just 16 home runs but his 13.1% walk rate and 16.7% strikeout rate in that span were both excellent figures. Even with the lack of power, his combined line of .311/.403/.431 in those seasons translated to a 127 wRC+, with some help from a .371 batting average on balls in play."
https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2026/01/angels-claim-wade-meckler.html