The Angels have agreed to a minor league contract with veteran outfielder Jake Marisnick, per the team’s transaction log at MLB.com. Presumably, the Equity Baseball client will be in camp on as a non-roster invite in spring training.
Marisnick, 33 in March, split the 2023 season between the White Sox, Tigers and Dodgers. Though he appeared in 46 games between the three teams, he was often used as a defensive replacement or pinch-runner, evidenced by the fact that he tallied just 83 big league plate appearances on the year. Marisnick slashed .237/.280/.408 in that tiny sample — numbers that roughly align with his career .228/.281/.385 batting line (2247 plate appearances).
While he’s never been much of a threat at the plate, the fleet-footed Marisnick is one of the most talented and underrated defenders of the current generation. He’s logged more than 400 innings in both outfield corners in his career and racked up nearly 4500 innings in center field, posting plus defensive grades at each spot. Marisnick has been credited with a massive 80 Defensive Runs Saved and 53 Outs Above Average across the outfield (including 54 DRS and 40 OAA in center field). Since making his MLB debut in 2013, Marisnick ranks eighth among all MLB outfielders in DRS and 12th in OAA, despite generally being used as a part-time player.
Marisnick’s 2023 sprint speed still ranked in the 87th percentile of MLB players, per Statcast, while his arm strength clocked into the 86th percentile. He clearly still has the tools to serve as a plus defender in the outfield, and with Mike Trout becoming increasingly susceptible to stints on the injured list in recent years, having an elite defensive fallback option makes some sense.
Between Trout, Taylor Ward, Mickey Moniak and the out-of-options Jo Adell, the Angels have at least four outfield options ahead of Marisnick on the depth chart already. That might make it difficult for him to make the Opening Day roster, but Marisnick could step up in the event of an injury or trade of someone like Adell, and he has a decent enough track record against left-handed pitching (.237/.293/.417) to be a viable platoon partner for Moniak in a pinch.
always surprised when yet another squad takes a flyer on this guy
Knowing how to field a premium position really well will get you far in baseball, even if you can’t hit. Plus there are far worse 5th/6th outfield types out there.
He’s been released as a 5th/6th OF type ten times. Yup, this time he’s gonna contribute.
lol like there isn’t 30 all field no hit players in every organization. Somehow that first round status keeps him in the league.
12 WAR in 2000 plate appearances.
I am surprised he couldn’t get a big league deal.
Most of that WAR was 2019 and earlier. Good defensive metrics, but they’re also decreasing as he ages.
Rob Manfred has hamstrung the Guardians
Whoop-tee-do. And Manfred wants to expand? Teams full of Marisnicks, Newmans and Nick Allens.
MLB should expand
The population is growing. More players from around the world are MLB caliber.
MLB should also expand rosters to allow for more specialization
(If you’re prone to yelling at clouds stop reading here and spare my notifications)
I’d like to see MLB (or a competitor league):
– get rid of the batting lineup.
Let the manager decide who bats when. With the caveat that. No hitter can hit n+1 times before all hitters have hit n times. Reduce the batting order to 7 good hitters.
– defensive specialists.
No one pays to see Soto play defense. No one pays to see Marisnik bat, Don’t make them. Let’s get the best hitters and let them him. Get the best defenders and let’s see them field.
– designated runners
Don’t make Alejandro Kirk run the bases, get Billy Hamilton out there for some excitement.
– more pitchers
It’s going to be harder for pitchers with fewer bad hitters in the lineup. Give managers more options..
– allow pitchers to re-enter games. Need a lefy-specalist to face Harper in a tight spot? Bring them in, then go back to your righty.
Everybody hate it? Pfft…you’ve never even tried it.
David Fletcher…
General manager Perry Minasian Should’ve just resigned from being the Angels general manager position once Arte Moreno killed the the Shohei Ohtani trade, there was a trade-in place would’ve hauled in five high prospects looks like Moreno has no intentions of building a successful team. Moreno never invested in the farm system. or player development All the good free agents are coming off the board I hope fans don’t show up boycott the games at the stadium. Stay home and watch the games on TV forcing Moreno to sell the team
Weren’t the Rays reportedly offering their #1 prospect Junior Caminero(#6 in all of baseball according to MLB.com) + additional prospects?
Such a missed opportunity to restock the farm.
Does anyone actually believe the Ray, “smartest team in baseball”, would make that offer let alone trade for a few months of Ohtani only to lose him for nothing?
That’s funny
mlbtraderumors.com/2023/10/rays-notes-glasnow-marg….
Caminero plus 2 other top 10 in their org.
Most Valuable Bundler
This is a very good depth signing. A nice player to have on the bench as a 9th inning defensive replacement and pinch runner. Defense in CF is very important. The Angels are likely to trade Adell– he’s out of options. If he plays and struggles what do you do with him? He’s rebuilt value– I think he gets moved for pitching. They can’t afford to lose him for nothing.
The Angels silent rebuild continues
Based on his predictive stats like BA & wOBA, that’s where he belongs.
There is more to baseball besides hitting
Try telling that to Manfred.
@Joel P
Yes, there are strikeouts and walks as well. However, those things aren’t predictive.
Sure, but . . .
OY
“Based on his predictive stats like BA & wOBA, that’s where he belongs.”
Why do you think BA and wOBA are predictive? And why do you think BB % and K% are not?
@filihok
Because…
community.fangraphs.com/properly-diving-into-expec…
Once you have a large enough sample size on a player, previous batting average, on-base percentage, weighted on-base average, home runs, and stolen bases are the best way to estimate what a player will accomplish in an upcoming season. There’s a lot of variability in surface-level statistics from one year to the next, but if you’re taking a weighted average of multiple seasons, that matters much less. Remember, baseball features a 162-game season, and is thus an inherently large-sample-size sport.
OY
“Because…
community.fangraphs.com/properly-diving-into-expec…
Once you have a large enough sample size on a player, previous batting average, on-base percentage, weighted on-base average, home runs, and stolen bases are the best way to estimate what a player will accomplish in an upcoming season. There’s a lot of variability in surface-level statistics from one year to the next, but if you’re taking a weighted average of multiple seasons, that matters much less. Remember, baseball features a 162-game season, and is thus an inherently large-sample-size sport.”
Why do you think that article supports your claim that
“Yes, there are strikeouts and walks as well. However, those things aren’t predictive.”
???
@filihok
The link I provided does suggest we can look at K% when we’re projecting BA and BB% for OBP.
I never said they weren’t predictive stats though.
RE OY
“The link I provided does suggest we can look at K% when we’re projecting BA and BB% for OBP.
I never said they weren’t predictive stats though.”
This you?
”
Old York
December 20, 2023
@Joel P
Yes, there are strikeouts and walks as well. However, those things aren’t predictive.”
Strange that I can’t reply to your latest post but I’ll use this one.
You said K% & BB% but you’re quoting me saying that strikeouts and walks are not predictive. They are two different things. The rate at which you strikeout can be used for predictive BA but the actual strikeouts aren’t predictive of your BA.
I hope that clarifies the confusion you’re having.
OY
“Strange that I can’t reply to your latest post but I’ll use this one.”
Yes the reply feature is I’d up right now
“”You said K% & BB% but you’re quoting me saying that strikeouts and walks are not predictive. They are two different things. The rate at which you strikeout can be used for predictive BA but the actual strikeouts aren’t predictive of your BA.
I hope that clarifies the confusion you’re having.
*
My “confusion” is the result of your non-understanding of statistics
I could waste my time explaining it, but pigeon/chess meme
@filihok
What confusion are you having with statistics? It’s all there. Do you think striking out is the same as your K%?
OY
“What confusion are you having with statistics? It’s all there. Do you think striking out is the same as your K%?”
It’s obvious to any reasonable and informed person that the confusion is yours and not mine.
Unless I missed one this is the 12 organization that he has signed with.
It is his 13th: 9 MLB teams played for (Marlins/Astros/Cubs/Padres/Pirates/Mets/White Sox/Tigers/Dodgers) and 4 organizations he played in the minors/spring training with (Blue Jays/Braves/Rangers/Angels)
Dude can’t take a hint: must have stanky bo
@Dumpster Divin Theo. Hell of a defender and that is why he keeps getting picked up. Would have gotten a huge contract if he was even just average with the bat.
@ Rsox–Thanks! The bakers dozen. Thanks for the 2nd look missed Texas going through BB Ref. Looked through his stats but was lazy and did not look at his transactions.,
9 years & 52 days of service time & counting. There are worse ways to see and visit the United States while accumulating Major League pay and service time while you continue on the road to being vested in your player’s union.
Came here to post the exact same thing, plus it looks like a bit over 15 mill in career earnings? Wonder if he invested in a business or two?
Guys like him always pique my interest to see how they parlay their baseball money into the rest of their lives…..
Poet, it would make for a great documentary. For kicks sometimes I’ll google minor league guys/prospects that I haven’t heard about in a while, and a huge portion of them have regular jobs now. A lot of them entry level as well. One guy who I checked out works at Whole Foods in the Meat Dept. Out of baseball now entirely.
Was he a butcher in the field too?
Remember how the Angels reacted when he collided with the catcher when trying to score on a fly ball? Maybe they don’t really think he is such a dirty player afterall?
Baseball has changed !!
Yes. I remember when Jake was running outside the chalk line, crossed over the chalk line, dropped his shoulder, and absolutely blew up Lucroy, arguably ending his career.
It was one play in a long career. And unlike Astros fans Jake owned it, took a pitch to the arm, and casually went to first base.
He did everything you said he did. MLB ruled him out, suspended him, then the Angels threw at him.
I have no problem with any of it.
It was an unfortunate mistake in judgement.
Marisnick has always been a stand up guy and clearly the Angels hold no grudges.
He explained and I believe him, there was no intent but that doesn’t change what he did.
The throw was up the line and he was running in foul territory and he expected Lucroy to move left to tag him there. He decided to move into fair territory hoping the throw and motion to tag would send Lucroy far enough into foul territory that he could score inside. But Lucroy held his ground instead of moving left.
Terrible decision by Jake but one made in a fraction of a second while running full speed.
Just unfortunate.
@Astrosfn1979 “He decided to move into fair territory hoping the throw and motion to tag would send Lucroy far enough into foul territory that he could score inside”
That’s not what happened. He saw the throw beat him and decided that the only way to score would be to knock out the ball from the catcher by colliding into him. He wasn’t trying to hurt Lucroy, he was just trying to make a hard play that a few years prior was legal.
There’s no need to sugar coat it.
What I love is when someone tells me my OPINION is wrong and then doesn’t even have the balls to allow me to respond.
Mute me without knowing me or even giving me a chance to respond or defend my OPINION
That’s a weak punk move. Troll.
It looked pretty bad. One thing is certain, Mairsnick intentionally buried Lucroy.
Now it’s possible he was in the wrong place at the wrong time by pure accident, I wouldn’t rule that out, but once there was no escape from his lane, he chose to lower a shoulder and Lucroy paid the price for his accidental or deliberate path.
Either way, it was a punk ass move. I hope he never plays a game in an Angel Uniform.
At least he can’t take out our catcher this year.
Your catchers have now been jinxed Won’t be in a game but something weird will happen in a practice and he will some how injure one. Prolly with a backswing and knocks a catcher cold.
Trade Mike Trout
Good idea. Who do you think the Dodgers will give us for him?
@Redux – Ohtani
Not as much as the Phillies.
Yes, trade a guy who the Angels have no unilateral authority to trade. Good idea.
We owe Mike Trout a chance to play in the World Series as much as I hate to trade Mike Trout once Moreno didn’t wanna sign Ohtani and didn’t want to trade Shohei Ohtani might as well trade, Mike Trout
Such a tiring narrative.
Nobody owes any player anything other than the terms in their contract.
What is your obsession with posting this every Angels article? Why does Trout on the Angels make you sooooooo angry?
Good pickup. Still plays way above average defense, used correctly (vs LHP) he gives you a chance, above average baserunning ability. Perfect 4th OF. Maybe being back in California will help him, as well, since he’s a Cali guy.
Yes, Jake is OKish against LHP, something Moniak can’t do. Might be able to platoon somewhat while also giving Trout a rest in CF.
Not a bad pickup and he’s a local guy too (Riverside Poly),
I’ve been waiting for this domino to fall. Pretty sure this one will open the floodgates.
Bang! Game changer. Re-sign Perry, he’s doing a fabulous job building a world series caliber team in 2024!!!
Perry is the true “Minnesota Miracle Man.” Gordon Bombay wasn’t sh!!!t compared to him!
“Angels have at least four outfield options” Yeah, at least. The very least. It doesn’t look like they’re going to splurge what they were going to spend on Ohtani.
They also signed Willie Calhoun, so that gives them 5 outfield options.
If someone bangs on a garbage can he’ll hit .300 .
Officially joining Rich Hill and Octavio Dotel among the immortals in Immaculate Grid
“Since making his MLB debut in 2023, Marisnick ranks eighth among all MLB outfielders in DRS and 12th in OAA, despite generally being used as a part-time player.”
Wow – impressive to have 9 years of service after debuting this year.
Still waiting for these so called aggressive moves..
Not sure Minasian can make aggressive moves in the free agent market when there may be a real reluctance to join on to a team that seems stuck in the mud (so to speak). And after losing Ohtani.
Having Wash (and a new coaching staff) can only take the team so far.
And what trade pieces does he have, given the farm system.
Hopefully Minasian can do more than tinker around the edges, as he’s doing, but it’s hard to know.
I’m referring to what Minassian has said publicly. Tinkering around the edges is hardly being aggressive. especially since both the Tigers and Royals have been far more aggressive
Their idea of aggressive is like a young guy combing the local colleges for a date.
Agree with Kellin … there’s nothing aggressive about what Minasian’s been up to; but my question: can he be aggressive if there’s little interest in joining a club that seems very much on the downside.
Interesting career… 11 years, never more than 372PA. Never been paid a lot (by baseball standards!) but done OK for himself.
I guess he and Billy Hamilton will always get offers.
It wouldn’t bother me being an MLB journeyman…I’m pretty sure they make more $$ than I do lol.
I feel like he should be older than 33!
Maybe this will set up an Adell trade…hopefully.
Right it’s always good to give up on.young incredibly talented player at well below market price. Good teams do that all the time… oh wait, they don’t. But there are always teams ready to fleece you by buying low.
How do you think TB is constantly so successful?
Generally speaking I agree with you. However, you know from our previous chats that I’m not an Adell fan for previously stated reasons.
Angel fans meet the new Brett Phillips. Boy Minasian sure can pick ’em. The sad part is these are the types of signings he did while Ohtani was on the team. And they seriously thought his “familiarity” with team would be the X factor. Oh he’s familiar with the front office allright.
You know what Perry Minasian doesn’t have no poker chips to be on the table. There’s not much in the minor-league system, Moreno hasn’t invested in the minor-league system doesn’t invest in player development. What poker chips does Perry Minasian have to make any trades if you want to point your finger at somebody Arte Moreno is your man
Jake plays good defense- helps Patrick guard against Andy stealing his nuggies
Please sell the team art!
With all these signings of these old players are the Angels having old timers day early?
What would you do if I sang out of tune?
Would you stand up and walk out on me?
Lend me your ears and I’ll sing you a song
I will try not to sing out of key
Moreno
sell Sell Sell Sell
He only played 33 games with Detroit but he always seemed to either make a great play in the outfield or come up with an important hit, if I recall, the first game he played with Detroit he drove it the game winning or tying run with a single through the right side of the infield.
If you catch him on a hot streak he has some pop also.
This is it!!!!! He’s the missing piece! The deal that puts the Halos in the World Series!
BREAKING NEW ANGELS SALE
A group headed by Homer, Simpsons have bought the Los Angeles Angels
Owner, Mr. Burns
President of baseball operations
Homer, Simpson
General manager, Frank Grimes Jr.
Assistant, general manager Krustk the clown
Manager Moe Szylak
Hitting coach Fat Tony
Pitching coach, Reverend Lovejoy
Bench coach, Professor Fink
First base coach, Barney Gumble
Third base coach Waylon Brockman
Chief officer chief Wiggins
Head trainer, Dr. Nick Riviera
Play by play broadcaster, Ralph Wisgum
Head of player development Waylon Smithers
Head coordinator, Ned Flanders
W T F !
It’s just too depressing being an Angel fan now. Poor, Mike almost had a chance at being on a championship team.
Angels seeking bargains at the 99 cent store.
I feel bad for Perry
He is trying to do what he can.
Can’t trade for anyone. Nothing but garbage on the farm. Anyone with value already with the big club
Can’t get pitching. Who would want to pitch there
Can’t shake the black clouds of the injury bug. Some player got hurt at his contract signing press conference
Inherited a bunch of bad contracts from one of the worst GM’ in baseball
No money spent in development
Just lost the greatest player in a generation for nothing
Lastly
Owner is the biggest micromanager on the planet