There is every reason to cheer for this prospect and want him to excel. You’ll have to read to find out why, but here is one of our favorite stories in the Angels farm system. Top 100 Prospect Countdown, Prospect #59, Brian Loconsole.

Brian Loconsole, Right-Handed Pitcher

HT : 6’2
WT : 215 lb.
DOB : August 10, 1990, Geneva, IL
Throws : Right
Bats : Right
School : Western Illinois University (Macomb, IL)
Acquired : Drafted in 20th round (607th overall) of 2013 June Draft
Stock : Rising
Cool Notes : READ PLAYER INTRODUCTION!!!

You all know that story about Michael Jordan getting cut from his High School team? You know, he was a freshman, hadn’t fully grown, and it honestly isn’t all that big of a deal? Wll, Brian Loconsole was cut three times in high school and never threw a pitch for Glenbard North High. Far and away, our favorite story in the countdown, and one of the best across minor league baseball, Brian Loconsole has faced all kinds of bumps in the road, and is now a professional pitcher, and is starting to become a recognized one.
Unlike other prospects, before we jump into the scouting report, and other sub headings of this article, we’re going to tell you about Brian’s journey to where he is. He threw for a couple summer league teams, and didn’t get much attention from scouts or colleges until his catcher’s mother dared him to try out for the Western Illinois baseball team, as a walk on. Loconsole threw eight pitches, and that was all it took to earn his spot as a walk on. Loconsole red-shirted, and sadly, his coach passed away, and he had to go to Moraine Valley Community College to pitch due to his lack of experience and a spot on the roster.
What did he do? He won Pitcher of the Year honors at the school. He returned to WIU, and was rewarded in his second season at the school, being named the closer with a scholarship for his final season of college. He went on to break the single-season record and career saves record at the school, and was drafted at the end of the season by the Los Angeles Angels. What a story, right?

SCOUTING REPORT
Loconsole is masterful with his fastball, throwing it for strikes. It has good cutting movement, allowing weak contact in the 92-95 MPH range. Loconsole uses this pitch in all counts, primarily to get ahead in the count, but can also use it as a put away pitch, as it has swing and miss qualities to it.

Loconsole has an off-speed offering, that is a standard slider. It comes with a decent break, and he can command it to both sides of the plate. This pitch has qualities of being a put away pitch, but has been used mostly to setup his cutter and changeup.

Loconsole has a changeup, but it’s a little fringy. For a power arm, like Loconsole, he will need to clean it up just a little bit to be able to use it effectively at the higher levels.

Power arm is one of the best terms we’ve heard when it comes to Loconsole. This power comes from incredible arm speed and use of his entire frame. Loconsole, listed at 215 pounds, and he uses his weight to his advantage, firing from his core, to shoulders, to arm. Loconsole uses his legs well, as well, and creates added power with a quick, yet steady hip turn. All of this is improving with experience on the mound, and so has repetitive mechanics, helping him in every aspect of his game.

STATISTICAL BREAKDOWN:
Loconsole may not have pitched in high school, but he was a standout football player, being named a member of the IHSA Class 8A Runner-Up. At Moraine Valley Community College, where Loconsole was named Pitcher of the Year, he put up a 3.06 ERA in 78 innings pitched.
Between his sophomore and junior season, Loconsole hit some struggles in the road. In a combined 18 appearances, and 26 innings pitched, Loconsole posted a 6.57 ERA, and 2.153 WHIP. 3

Loconsole’s senior season was a completely different story, as in 22 appearances and 28.1 innings pitched, he posted a 2.86 ERA with nine saves (single-season and career school record). From March 12th to 23rd of 2013, Loconsole appeared in four straight games, picking up a save, and was named the Summit League Pitcher of the Week. Loconsole finished his senior season, with a .242/.338/.282 against slash.
Loconsole’s first year of professional baseball was one to forget quickly. He finished the season with a 9.11 ERA, 2.325 WHIP, and .392 against average.

Loconsole put up far and away some of the best releiver statistics in the Angels farm system this past season. He appeared in 34 games (fourth on the affiliate), and had 24 of those go for scoreless outings. Loconsole finished the season with a 1.68 ERA, 0.990 WHIP, .208 against average, and .257 against on base percentage.
From the seventh inning or later in games, Loconsole had a 1.15 ERA, 0.921 WHIP, and limited bats to a .192 average and .237 on base percentage. Loconsole held bats leading off innings to a .097/.152/.129 slash, striking out 14 of 62, and walking only three.

EXPECTED FUTURE:
Loconsole dominated the competition in Low-A during the 2014 season. It’s almost obvious to assume he’ll be moving up next season, and pitching in High-A. With a strong Spring Training though, Loconsole may get the advanced approach, and make the leap to Double-A.
Loconsole was drafted as a middle rounder, which makes some assume he’s not a Major League talent. However, with what he’s shown already in his short minor league career, how could you not believe he might be a future late inning man? Our estimate on his ETA is late 2017.

For more updates on the Los Angeles Angels, their prospects, and our Top 100 Prospects Countdown, follow us on Twitter, @AngelsOnScout.

Taylor Blake Ward is a Senior Publisher for InsideTheHalos.com, and can be found on Twitter, @TaylorBlakeWard.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Date: July 10, 2014

Contact: Tony Catanzarite
Phone: (216) 430-2138
Email: info@arrowsportsllc.com

ARROW SPORTS, LLC SIGNS BOBBY ISON

Arrow Sports, LLC is happy to announce the addition of Outfielder Bobby Ison to the #Arrowfamily. Bobby was selected by the Cleveland Indians in the 21st round of the 2014 MLB June Amateur Draft out of Charleston Southern University (“CSU”). The 21 year old prospect proved near-impossible to strikeout in college and looks to continue his success professionally.

In three years at CSU, Bobby played in 166 games finishing with a .365 batting average and only 32 strikeouts in 676 at-bats. After being named to the Big South All-Freshman Team, Bobby was named to the Big South’s All Conference First Team as a sophomore and as a junior. During his junior year, Bobby finished the season as the toughest player in the country to strikeout, with only 6 strikeouts in 230 at-bats. Further, he led the Big South with 91 base hits, breaking CSU’s single-season record—a record he set the year before.

Bobby is currently playing for the AZL Indians Rookie Team in the Arizona League. He recently enjoyed his best game of this season finishing 3 for 4 with a 3 runs, 1 RBI, and a walk.

If you would like information about Bobby Ison, Arrow Sports, LLC, or would like to schedule an interview, please contact Tony Catanzarite at (216) 430-2138 or tcatan@arrowsportsllc.com.

But the big story isn’t how he played, it’s that the former Aviator made his way to the majors. He is the first player to make it to the show since the franchise moved to Rockford.

As for Smolinski, he is still red hot, hitting .571 (8/14) with 2 runs and 4 RBIs in his first 4 games.

(Photo: AIP Photo)

CLEVELAND, OH (WOIO) –

The Cleveland Indians today announced that Double-A Akron OF ANTHONY GALLAS has been named Indians Minor League Player of the Week for June 30-July 6. The Indians Player of the Week Award recognizes an individual performance from within the Indians Player Development System and is announced each Tuesday through the end of the Minor League season.

Gallas, 26, collected a Double-A high 14 hits over 7 games for the Akron RubberDucks this week, batting .483 (14-29) with 4 doubles, a triple, 2 home runs, 5 RBI and a 1.379 OPS (.483 OBP/.897 SLG). The 6-foot-2, 210-pound outfielder saw his 11-game hit streak end last night, after batting .400 (18-45) with an Eastern League-best 33 total bases over his recent surge. Gallas began the season with the Single-A Advanced Carolina Mudcats where he batted .276 (61-221) and led the Mudcats with 8 home runs over the first 58 games of the campaign; was named Carolina League Player of the Week for the period of May 5-11. Since joining the RubberDucks on June 11, the right-hander is batting .371 (36-97) including a .459 (17-37) clip vs. left-handed pitchers.

A local product hailing from Strongsville, Ohio, Gallas is on pace to set new career highs in virtually every offensive statistical category. Gallas attended Kent State and was originally signed by the Tribe as a non-drafted free agent on June 19, 2010.

Salem-Keizer third baseman Will Callaway goes high to grab a line drive during warmups before the Volcanoes’ game Wednesday against the Everett Aquasox. (Photo: TIMOTHY J. GONZALEZ / Statesman Journal )

KEIZER – Has baseball glove, willing to play anywhere. If Volcanoes infielder Will Callaway ever makes it to “The Show,” versatility could play a major role in getting him there.

Callaway, who has played exclusively third base thus far in the Northwest League, began his pregame work Wednesday with the catchers. Jeff Tackett, the San Francisco Giants’ roving minor league catching instructor was in town, so Callaway figured it was an opportunity to learn.

Callaway was back at third base for infield practice, and started at the hot corner Wednesday against Everett at Volcanoes Stadium.

“Trying to play nine positions,” Callaway said before the game.
It could happen.

Selected by the Giants in the 37th round of the 2013 Major League Baseball draft out of Appalachian State after hitting .344 in a senior year that included a school-record 27-game hitting streak, Callaway played primarily second base and left field last season in the Arizona Rookie League. He had a brief stint in relief, working two-thirds of an inning without giving up a hit or run.

“I was telling (Volcanoes pitching coach Matt) Yourkin, ‘Look, I’ve got the best ERA in the organization, don’t be scared to put me in,’ ” Callaway said with a chuckle.

With 15 pitchers on the roster, don’t expect to see Callaway on the hill anytime soon. Then again, you never know.
Being comfortable at so many positions — he played shortstop at Appalachian State — doesn’t translate into added stress for Callaway. Growing up in Greenville, S.C., he played five sports.

“My dad had me in five sports all the time,” Callaway said. “Jumping to football to baseball to soccer to basketball to wrestling, it kind of keeps you in the moment, keeps you on your toes. I think it’s fun playing all the positions, being ready to play wherever.”

Volcanoes manager Gary Davenport calls Callaway “the perfect 25th man.”

“He’s one of those guys you can put in anytime, anywhere, and you know you’re gonna get a good effort,” Davenport said. “Defensively, he’s as good as any catcher that we have here.”

Ultimately, Callaway realizes his chances of moving up in the organization will come down to offense.
He hit .271 with one homer and 16 RBIs in 31 games last year in the ARL, and went 4 for 4 with two doubles and three RBIs in Monday’s 7-1 victory against Everett.

Callaway entered Wednesday’s game hitting .273 in the short-season Class A Northwest League with three doubles and four RBIs in 33 at bats.

“If you can hit, you move up,” Callaway said.

The 24-year old is certainly a strength defensively.

“Catching is probably the hardest position in this game, so if he can do that on top of whatever his main position is, it makes you special,” Volcanoes shortstop Travious Relaford said, adding Callaway “has a great sense of humor.”
In Callaway’s view, “if you’re not having fun, what’s the point?”

“When you’re feeling bad he’ll say something to kind of make you laugh,” Relaford said.

Other than allergy issues, Callaway has enjoyed his stay in Salem-Keizer. He began the season with Augusta (Ga.) in the Class A South Atlantic League, but there has been more playing time with the Volcanoes.

Callaway realizes that it’s more difficult for late-round picks to make it to the major leagues, but the door is never shut as long as there’s a uniform hanging in his locker every day.

There is a fallback plan. Callaway earned a bachelor’s degree in psychology and statistics with a business concentration, and has considered pursuing an MBA as well as sports consulting.

But for now his entire focus is on baseball.

“The way I think about it is you have your backup plan, but you don’t want to use it,” Callaway said with a smile.
Online: Video interview with Volcanoes third baseman Will Callaway at StatesmanJournal.com/sports.

ghorowitz@StatesmanJournal .com, (503) 399-6726 or Twitter.com/ghorowitz

By Kelsie Heneghan / MiLB.com 06/21/2014

Kyle Helisek is no stranger to keeping opponents off the basepaths.

So when the Cardinals prospect stepped on the mound to start the sixth inning on Saturday night, he kept the no-hit bid in the back of his mind and focused on the next pitch. He didn’t have to ignore the shot at history very long, however, as Charlotte’s Maxx Tissenbaum went yard to lead off the frame.

“It wasn’t a mistake, he put a great swing on it,” Helisek said. “Probably something that you look back on and wish you had it back, but overall, I made the pitches that I wanted to make today.”

Aside from the fastball that ended up beyond the right-field fence at Charlotte Sports Park, Helisek pitched hitless ball for seven innings as Class A Advanced Palm Beach edged the Stone Crabs, 2-1.

The 24-year-old right-hander struck out three and walked none on the way to his third one-hit outing of the season. He improved to 4-2 while lowering his ERA to 2.45, which ranks 10th in the Florida State League.

“I felt good, everything was working. I was trying to keep the pitch count down and throw strikes,” the Villanova product said. “I was able to work ahead in the count and they were putting it in play early.”

The Stone Crabs got a baserunner in the fourth inning when Leonardo Reginatto reached on an error by second baseman Breyvic Valera. But Helisek got Patrick Leonard to ground into an inning-ending double play and breezed through the fifth.

Helisek has given up only six runs over his last five starts and said he’s been working on attacking hitters early in the count. The adjustment has paid off as he needed only 75 pitches on Saturday.

Cardinals No. 10 prospect Charlie Tilson led off the sixth with his third homer of the season, but Tissenbaum tied it quickly in the bottom half and the score remained tied into the ninth.

Alex Mejia singled to start the inning, moved up on a sacrifice by Bruce Caldwell, took third on a single by Jimmy Bosco and scored the go-ahead run when Tilson reached on an infield hit.

Reliever Kyle Barraclough (1-1) pitched a scoreless eighth for his first win since being promoted from Class A Peoria and Dixon Llorens struck out the side around a hit in the ninth for his fifth save. The victory was Palm Beach’s fourth straight and 13th in 15 games.

“It’s tough to have pitching, defense and offense all be on same page, but that is exactly what we’re doing,” Helisek said. “Hopefully, it continues.”

Charlotte’s Kevin Brandt (2-1) yielded the decisive run on three hits and two walks over 1 2/3 frames.

Kelsie Heneghan is a contributor to MiLB.com. Follow her on Twitter @Kelsie_Heneghan. This story was not subject to the approval of the National Association of Professional Baseball Leagues or its clubs.

Question: Who is the only left-hander in the Portland Sea Dogs bullpen? Answer: Robby Scott. The 24-year-old undrafted free agent out of Florida State has made a quick progression to Double-A since spending the entire 2012 season with the Gulf Coast League Red Sox.

After jumping directly from the GCL to High-A Salem to begin the 2013 season, Scott put together a solid campaign to put himself on the map. This year he moved up to Double-A Portland, and has gotten off to a blistering start. Already in early June, Scott has a 6-1 record and one save with a 0.61 earned run average in 29 1/3 innings of work.

The main improvement Scott has made this season has been cutting down his walk rate. Last season in 67 2/3 innings of work he walked 30 batters, compared to the eight free passes he has allowed so far this year. Scott attributes the improved control to two factors.

“My fastball command has been much better this season, and I have established a third pitch in my changeup to go along with my fastball and curveball,” Scott said. “The changeup has been a big weapon for me. It’s a pitch that really started to come around in the second half of last season, but I just needed to become more comfortable throwing it and get more consistency with that pitch.”

While Scott has had impressive results to start this year, there are areas that he is looking to improve upon, namely against left-handed hitters. Lefties have batted .455 off him this season while he’s held righties to just a .127 average. He has not been used as a lefty specialist by any means though, and has only 4 1/3 innings against left-handed hitters under his belt.

“[Facing lefties] is one of the things I have been focusing on the last couple of outings, especially being a long man where I face more righties than lefties,” Scott said. “When that time comes I have been focusing on that more.”

His strength against righties can at least be partially attributed to the development of his changeup, which has been a weapon against them, according to the pitcher. “It comes out of my hand as a fastball, but my changeup tails away from a righty,” Scott said.

Photo credit: Robby Scott by Kelly O’Connor of sittingstill.smugmug.com

The slow start to his minor league career can be traced back to a lack of playing time in college. Scott played two seasons at Florida State and went undrafted before playing in independent league baseball. Part of the reason he went undrafted was he only pitched a total of 15 innings in those two seasons.

“I didn’t pitch enough while I was at Florida State to get seen so I didn’t have enough exposure to get drafted,” he said. “I got an opportunity to pitch in independent league ball and got the opportunity [with Boston] from there.”

The Red Sox signed him out of the independent leagues while he was in the middle of pitching in an outing. “I was taken out of the game and signed with the Red Sox right there,” Scott said. The team has had some prior success with independent league players, such as Daniel Nava.

For now, Scott said that his goal “is simply to continue to get better every day and every outing. There is always something you can get better at, whether it be your pitches or your pickoff move. Coming into this year, the front office wanted me to work on the changeup along with the fastball command. So far I have done a good job with both of those things.”

Photo credit: Robby Scott by Kelly O’Connor of sittingstill.smugmug.com

Jonathan Singer is Senior Correspondent for SoxProspects.com. Follow him on Twitter @Jonathan_Singer.

Former Lake County Captains teammates and local products Alex Lavisky, left, and Anthony Gallas were reunited this week when Gallas was promoted to the Akron RubberDucks, where Lavisky is a catcher. Gallas hit a triple and a home run in his second game with Akron on Thursday. (Thomas Ondrey, The Plain Dealer)

By Tim Warsinskey, The Plain Dealer | June 13, 2014 at 1:25 PM

CLEVELAND, Ohio – The Akron lineup got a little more Cleveland flavor this week. Strongsville and Kent State grad Anthony Gallas’ promotion Wednesday from Class A Carolina gives the Class AA RubberDucks two Greater Cleveland products, the other being catcher Alex Lavisky from St. Edward.
Gallas, 26, spent most of the last 4½ seasons in the various levels of rookie ball and Class A. Now, he’s less than hour’s drive from where he grew up, but where he hasn’t spent a summer for nearly eight years.

“It’s great to be back in Ohio and great to be back home,” he said. “I’m excited for the opportunity and thankful. I’ve been gone for so long, playing pro ball and summer ball in college.”
Gallas went 1-for-5 in his Akron debut Wednesday. The RubberDucks’ lineup also featured Indians first baseman Nick Swisher on a rehab assignment.

“That was cool,” he said. “You get to see these guys around spring training and you start to realize you can play with everyone. Before, in college, the big leagues seemed so far away and you don’t know how your ability matches up. You realize you have the ability, but you have to do it on a more consistent basis like they do in the big leagues. That’s the difference.
“It will work out. I just have to trust myself. ”

Gallas’ parents moved to California a few years ago, but his extended family and friends filled up his pass list for Thursday’s and Friday’s home games. On Thursday, they saw him belt a triple and a solo home run on a 2-for-4 night.

At Carolina, Gallas was named a Carolina League All-Star.

Lavisky hot: Lavisky has been on a tear of late after a May slump. He hit .370 (10-for-28, 3 doubles) in his first seven games this month while sharing time behind the plate with Tony Wolters, who last year converted from middle infield to catcher. Lavisky’s batting average through Thursday was .306.

Naquin’s rise: Tyler Naquin continues to put up huge numbers in every facet of the game. He has nine assists in center field, two fewer than he had last season. He has just one error. Naquin played right field at Texas A&M.

He is 14-for-17 stealing bases.
His bat is smoking. He had a 15-game hitting streak through Thursday and raised his batting average to .327 with 10 doubles, five triples and four home runs, including an inside-the-park homer June 6 at Harrisburg. He has 59 strikeouts, 23 walks and has grounded into four double plays.
The left-handed hitter has a .244 average against lefties with 23 strikeouts in 96 plate appearances.

Naquin, 23, was a first-round draft pick (15th overall) in 2012.
Lowery’s comeback: Catcher/first baseman Jake Lowery’s double Wednesday was his first hit since being activated June 5 from the disabled list, where he had been since getting hit by a pitch April 18. He followed up with two hits Thursday, including another double.

By Aaron Cox / Hickory Crawdads / 06/03/2014 10:04 AM ET

Cody Kendall

Hickory, NC – South Atlantic League President Eric Krupa has announced the rosters for the 55th Annual SAL All-Star Game in Hickory on June 17th, with four Crawdads and Catawba native Hunter Harvey highlighting the squads.

‘Dads outfielder Evan Van Hoosier (.308/.368/.532) was voted in as the starting center fielder for the Northern Division squad, while teammate Cody Kendall (3-2, 0.98 ERA) was selected to the team as well as a reliever. Hickory manager Corey Ragsdale and athletic trainer Sean Fields have also been named to the Northern Division staff.

Joining the Crawdads contingent on the Northern team will be former Bandys High School star Hunter Harvey, who was voted in as the team’s starting pitcher.

“We are excited about all the local appeal for the game,” said Crawdads General Manager Mark Seaman. “Not only will four Crawdads be represented, but this will be a great chance for fans to see a local star in Hunter Harvey. The way he is pitching, he is definitely a candidate to get called up. Combine that with the fact that Delmarva doesn’t come to Hickory until July 26th, and this might be the only chance local people will have to see him pitch as a professional in his home town.”

Van Hoosier, 20, is hitting .308 with four home runs and 30 RBI over 38 games played with the Crawdads through June 2nd. The Henderson, NV native compiled a ‘Dads season-high 10-game hitting streak from May 7th – 16th, and currently ranks third in the SAL with five triples while leading the Crawdads in doubles with 12. Van Hoosier was selected by the Texas Rangers in the eighth round of the 2013 Draft out of the College of Southern Nevada.

Kendall, 24, has led the Hickory bullpen with a 0.98 ERA and .217 batting average against over 15 appearances through June 2nd. Kendall has averaged more than a strikeout per inning in 2014, with 28 Ks to just 10 walks over 27.2 innings pitched, while also leading the ‘Dads with two saves. Kendall was an eighth round selection of the Rangers out of Fresno St. Univ. in 2012.

Ragsdale is in his second season as Crawdads manager and fourth year total in Hickory after serving as an infield coach in 2011 and playing as a relief pitcher in 2009. He guided the ‘Dads to a 76-63 record in 2013, after leading the Arizona League Rangers to a 34-22 mark and a league title in 2012.

Fields is in his fifth year in the Rangers organization and his first as the head trainer in Hickory. Fields served as the head trainer for the Spokane Indians the past two seasons, after serving in the same capacity in the AZL in 2011.

Harvey, 19, has dominated the SAL while pitching for the Delmarva Shorebirds this year. The 6’3″ right-hander has accumulated a 3-3 record and a 1.68 ERA through June 2nd, with 64 strikeouts and a .174 batting average against over 53.2 innings pitched. A first round selection by the Baltimore Orioles in 2013, Harvey went 8-0 with a 0.38 ERA and 116 strikeouts in 54.2 innings his senior year at Bandys HS.

Rounding out the Northern Division roster are six players from both Hagerstown and Greensboro, five total players from Delmarva, four representatives of Lakewood, two West Virginia Power players, and one athlete from Kannapolis.

The Southern Division team consists of seven players from the division leading Savannah Sand Gnats, four each from Charleston and Greenville, three players from Asheville, Augusta, and Rome, and two representatives from Lexington.

The entire Northern Division All-Star roster can be found here, while the complete Southern Division team can be found here.

The 55th Annual SAL All-Star Game is scheduled for Tuesday, June 17th at the newly renovated L.P Frans Stadium in Hickory, NC. It is the third time the city has hosted the SAL’s Midsummer Classic, joining the 1994 and 2001 games.

The All-Star Game will serve as the centerpiece of a two-day All-Star celebration in Hickory. The Downtown All-Star Bash “Under the Sails” in downtown Hickory will kick off the festivities on Monday night, with a Fan vs. All-Star Cornhole Tournament beginning at 6:00 pm. Tuesday’s events begin at 11 am with the 2014 SAL Hall-of-Fame Induction Luncheon at The Crossing at Hollar Mill, with Crawdads minority owners Charles Young and Luther Beaver joining former Hickory Mayor George Murphy and former Rome Braves Manager Randy Ingle as the inductees.

A free Fan Fest prior to the All-Star Game will run from 2:00 – 5:00 pm in the L.P. Frans Stadium parking lot, followed by the Pre-Game VIP Picnic at 5:30 in the brand new Picnic Pavilion.

The 55th Annual South Atlantic League All-Star Game at L.P. Frans Stadium will start at 7:00 pm and will be followed by a post-game fireworks show. The day will conclude with a Post-Game After Party at the ballpark, with a live band and concessions.

For more information regarding the SAL All-Star Game rosters, contact the Crawdads front office at (828) 322-300.