Los Angeles Angels Top 10 Prospects 2008
1. Brandon Wood, 3B, MLB. Wood has been heralded ever since his fantastic 2005 season in High-A where he blasted 43 home runs and 51 doubles. He has since moved to third base, hit 49 home runs in two seasons and his stock has dropped dramatically. Nonetheless, Wood is ready for a job in the bigs in 2008.
2. Nick Adenhart, RHSP, AA. A heralded prep who underwent Tommy John surgery before 2006, has made his way up to Double-A this year but fell off his 2006 pace. His walk rate increased, his strikeout rate fell and he gave up more home runs. Adenhart is still a top notch prospect but his future doesn’t look nearly as bright as it did at this time last year.
3. Hank Conger, C, A. A 19 year old switch hitting catcher, Conger is one of the top catching prospects in baseball. He struck out a meager 15% of the time in Cedar Rapids of the Low-A, Midwest League this year while hitting .290/.335/.469 in the pitcher friendly league. He hit 11 home runs and 19 doubles.
4. Jordan Walden, RHP, Rk. Walden made his pro debut this year at age 19. Walden sits in the mid-90s with his fastball and can reach 99 on the gun. Walden has a high ceiling but needs to improve his secondary offerings.
5. Sean Rodriguez, SS, AA. After a breakout year in 2006 that featured 29 home runs and 34 doubles between High-A and Double-A, Rodriguez took a step backwards in 2007. He hit .254/.344/.421 in Double-A with 30 doubles and 17 home runs. There isn’t too much flashy about Rodriguez offensively but despite his year, he’s still a major player down the road for the Angels.
6. Jose Arredondo, RHRP, AA. Arredondo is a 23 year old reliever who split time this year between High-A and Double-A. He struggled in Rancho Cucamonga but was lights out in Arkansas (AA). In 58 innings of work he struck out 61 while walking 23. He gives up too many home runs (7) and needs to improve his control before he’s ready to make the leap to the big leagues. He certainly has the potential to do so.
7. Stephen Marek, RHSP, A+. Marek has control issues from time to time and will need to work on pitching down in the zone before he takes the next step in his game. At 24 years old already, his time is running short. 2008 will be a make or break year for Marek with the Angels.
8. Terry Evans, MLB, OF. Evans had a very good season at Triple-A this year hitting .316/.352/.512. He will be 26 on opening day 2008 and has racked up a career minor league line of .269/.326/.453 but over the last two seasons has dominated the competition. Evans has some speed stealing 112 of 148 bases over his six minor league seasons and has begun to show some pop. Evans will be a nice fourth outfielder for a career.
9. Chris Pettit, LF, A+. Pettit split time between A and A+ this year and was successful in both places. He has played some centerfield but will be a full-time left fielder. He has some power, good plate discipline and had a very good first full season.
10. Tommy Mendoza, RHSP, A. Mendoza had injury problems this year that caused him to only be able to throw 53.2 innings, and they weren’t too successful. But Mendoza has plenty of talent he just needs to stay healthy and continue to develop.
Flier. Warner Madrigal, RHRP, A. Madrigal closed for the Cedar Rapids Kernals this year with plenty of success. Originally a position player, Madrigal began pitching last season. He’ll be 24 next year and should see High-A with the possibility of being moved quickly if he succeeds. Struck out 75 in 61 innings while walking just 23. Keep an eye on Madrigal as a potential surprise reliever in the next couple seasons. He’s currently pitching in the Dominican Winter League.
The Angels heralded system presently sits with three elite prospects and a bunch of average prospects. Guys like Evans, Rodriguez and Mendoza aren’t flashy but certainly have the potential to be Major League players. Their system isn’t marked by its depth or star power but more by repuatation. 2008 is a big year for a lot of Angels prospects, most notably Brandon Wood.
