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Tuesday, December 02, 2008

Baseball America’s Top 10 Prospects: Los Angeles Angels

Nary a Gundelfinger in the bunch.

1. Nick Adenhart, rhp
2. Jordan Walden, rhp
3. Peter Bourjos, of
4. Trevor Reckling, lhp
5. Sean O’Sullivan, rhp
6. Kevin Jepsen, rhp
7. Hank Conger, c
8. Mark Trumbo, 1b
9. Anthony Ortega, rhp
10. Mason Tobin, rhp

More new faces could be on the way. The Angels will try to re-sign Teixeira, but if they can’t, that could mean the first extended opportunity for slugger Kendry Morales since he signed a $4.5 million major league contract after defecting from Cuba. The system’s top prospect, righthander Nick Adenhart, could replace Garland in the rotation. Infielders Sean Rodriguez and Brandon Wood are ready for expanded roles after decimating Triple-A pitching, and reliever Kevin Jepsen could help offset the expected loss of Rodriguez.

Repoz Posted: December 02, 2008 at 04:51 PM | 12 comment(s)
Related News: General, Minor Leagues, Prospect Reports, Scouting, LA Angels

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1. AROM Posted: December 02, 2008 at 04:17 PM (#3019252)

Not a good list. It can't be if a back of the bullpen type like Jepsen ranks #5. Bourjos at #3 is not a good sign either, as he probably won't have the bat to be a regular MLB outfielder. If Conger ranks below them, it must mean BA doesn't think he's a catcher anymore.

My guess is Adenhart after a few tries eventually becomes a back of the rotation starter, and Walden goes to the bullpen, and becomes dominant there, but the rest of this list has little MLB impact. Good thing the Angels have a good group of young infielders who are already past rookie status, and potentially 7 additional draft picks from the free agents leaving. Hope this is a strong year for the June draft.

2. philly Posted: December 02, 2008 at 05:23 PM (#3019319)

The article mentioned that the Angels were last in baseball in draft spending for 2007-2008 at ~4.5M. That's terrible in and of itself, but it looks even worse when you realized the 29th team is around 7.5M.

A lot of that is simply due to lost picks for FA signings, but there are ways to get around that.

Why hasn't this been a bigger issue? Moreno gets credit for pumping money into the major league payroll, but shouldn't his ownership tenure be taking some hits for the lack of investment in the draft?

3. Ivan Grushenko of Hong Kong Posted: December 02, 2008 at 05:35 PM (#3019329)

Isn't Morales the starting DH even if Teixeira re-signs?

4. Steve Sparks Flying Everywhere Posted: December 02, 2008 at 05:37 PM (#3019331)

I remember reading that Eddie Bane's draft philosophy was high risk- high reward. I believed they picked up Adenhart in the 13th round when his stock dropped after he had TJ surgery his last year in HS.

The last player they drafted that reached the majors was from the 2004 draft.

5. Halofan Posted: December 02, 2008 at 06:07 PM (#3019351)

The Angels have had a LOT of draftees go to college instead of sign under Bane.

Add to that low first picks because of FA signings taking away first and 2nd round picks and this list is not at all surprising. Bill Stoneman was allergic to ever offering arbitration so there was no reciprocity. The signings of Jose Guillen, Gary Matthews, Jeff Weaver and Steve Finley hurt years later.

But consider the youth, potential ceilings and inexpensiveness of Brandon Wood, Erick Aybar, Jose Arredondo, Kendry Morales and Sean Rodriguez and this list has time to ferment.

Conger has to catch all year this season or he is straight to 1B/DH land.

6. scareduck Posted: December 02, 2008 at 06:07 PM (#3019352)

Moreno gets credit for pumping money into the major league payroll, but shouldn't his ownership tenure be taking some hits for the lack of investment in the draft?

They've been winning the division with some regularity in his tenure. I agree with you, though, that this is really catching up with them.

7. scareduck Posted: December 02, 2008 at 06:08 PM (#3019353)

Conger has to catch all year this season or he is straight to 1B/DH land.

Totally agree. It was said early on that Conger's bat would play at 1B; we may have to test that.

8. philly Posted: December 02, 2008 at 07:27 PM (#3019400)

But consider the youth, potential ceilings and inexpensiveness of Brandon Wood, Erick Aybar, Jose Arredondo, Kendry Morales and Sean Rodriguez and this list has time to ferment.

Agreed and one thing I noticed is that the Angels had a lot of players - many of them low pedigree international players - that made the BA league top 20s for the AZL and Pioneer and didn't make the team list. So I guess, in theory, that means there's a decent group of C+ types at the bottom of the system who at least have some potential to grow into real prospects.

A bunch of extra picks in June and some of those low level guys establishing themselves in full season ball could give the Angels a chance to get their farm back on track.

9. Gambling Rent Czar Posted: December 03, 2008 at 12:07 AM (#3019560)

Is Chris Pettit too old to be considered a prospect anymore? I know he had a broken foot this season, but has his stock taken a dive? He was tearing up the AFL only a few weeks back

10. JThompson Posted: December 03, 2008 at 12:27 PM (#3019855)

Is Chris Pettit too old to be considered a prospect anymore? I know he had a broken foot this season, but has his stock taken a dive? He was tearing up the AFL only a few weeks back

Pettit does everything decently, but has no special tools. He was never considered a terrific prospect even after he put himself on the map with his good 2007. He was old for the AFL, which was even more offensive-oriented than usual this year. He had a nice finish to 2008, given his bad luck, but he'll be 25 next season, and he's only had half a year of AA ball under his belt.

11. AROM Posted: December 03, 2008 at 12:40 PM (#3019873)

Pettit's not the kind of prospect you can count on and know you have to clear space for him, but he could surprise. If the Angels don't sign a leftfielder, instead playing Matthews and Willits with maybe some time for Figgins, and Pettit's tearing up SLC, then he may get a shot.

Given his age, he absolutely needs to be tested at the AAA level to start 2009. My guess is he turns into the new Jeff DaVannon.

12. Gambling Rent Czar Posted: December 07, 2008 at 12:29 PM (#3022366)

thanks guys

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Baseball America’s Top 10 Prospects: Los Angeles Angels

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