6-4-2 — an Angels/Dodgers double play blog

Given the amount of heat my skepticism of the Dodgers' system has generated (and yes, Fearing, e-mail me that spreadsheet to the address on the sidebar, I'd be interested in seeing it), I pass along Bryan Smith's WTNY Midseason 75, in two parts: 75-31 and 30-1. For what it's worth, the only prospect from either the Dodgers or Angels farm system to crack Smith's top ten is SS Joel Guzman, who breaks in at 10. The complete list:

10. Joel Guzman: Los Angeles Dodgers (SS/3B)- 20
AA (SOU): .282/.346/.489, 34/101 in 323 AB

Proving that last year wasn't a fluke, Guzman has been solid all year. We haven't seen him really turn on the jets at some point, and he certainly cannot continue to whiff at a 30% rate. He's better than I gave him credit for during the offseason, but things need to start happening soon. Better contact and a defined position would be a nice start.

13. Brandon Wood: Anaheim Angels (SS)- 20
A+ (CAL): .316/.379/.670, 33/78 in 364 AB

Should we start Free Brandon Wood and Stephen Drew campaigns, or what? Wood has proven everything that he is going to in the Cal League, and Erick Aybar certainly isn't a reason to block him. Defense the only question mark on Wood's resume, although it shouldn't be enough to move him. While the left side of the Angels won't be winning any Gold Gloves from 2007-2012, few shortstop/third base combinations will hit more home runs.

17. Andy LaRoche: Los Angeles Dodgers (3B)- 21
A+ (FSL): .333/.380/.651, 19/38 in 249 AB
AA (SOU): .297/.373/.527, 11/25 in 91 AB

We could have criticized his walk rates in the FSL, but LaRoche is now proving that he wasn't walking because he was hitting everything. The Dodgers can only hope that this more complete AA version is the real LaRoche, and that by midseason next year, they have found their Adrian Beltre replacement.

Read that as another year of Jose Valentin, maybe.

21. Chad Billingsley: Los Angeles Dodgers (SP)- 20
AA (SOU): 4.28 84/90.1 105/32 8

Like Ian Stewart, Billingsley is coming around after his slow start, and his peripherals do speak volumes. If he can sustain that type of control, Billingsley has ace potential. But, he also could be Kerry Wood, or Kaz Ishii, or a flameout, or a bullpen ace. The most volatile player on this list.

I'll read that as "bullpen ace", then. TINSTAAPP.

34. Russ Martin: Los Angeles Dodgers (C)- 22
AA (SOU): .317/.440/.421, 53/41 in 271 AB

By far, the most complete catcher in the minors. Martin has been high on the Dodgers radar since a lights-out Spring Training, and you can bet Paul DePodesta is noticing an OBP which is about as good as anyone on this list. You can bet the Dodgers won't be spending big money on third base or catcher this offseason, as both positions should be filled by (at worst) 2007.

36. Casey Kotchman: Anaheim Angels (1B)- 22
AAA (PCL): .268/.343/.373, 31/37 in 306 AB

In danger of really slipping, Kotchman might be the disappointment of the 2005 season. It's too early to give up on him, but it looks like the Angels made the right decision to use Darin Erstad at the first base bag this year. If he finishes the season like he has started it, Howie Kendrick, Kendry Morales, Jered Weaver (to name a few) will not be behind him next time.

Kotch is only 22 this year, but he does need to step it up. Power is a must.

40. Howie Kendrick: Anaheim Angels (2B)- 21
A+ (CAL): .384/.421/.638, 14/42, 13/17 in 279 AB

The little guy just keeps on hitting, showing his bat speed is pretty unparalleled in the minors. He fine power to go with those fantastic contact skills, putting him some patience away from the complete hitting prospect. The team was willing to push Alberto Callaspo just to keep Kendrick's path on track, so you can see they have confidence in their young second baseman.

"Plate patience" and Angels do not belong in the same sentence. Expect him to be promoted no matter what his K/BB rate looks like.

42. Kendry Morales: Anaheim Angels (Corner)- 22
A+ (CAL): .344/.400/.544, 6/11 in 90 AB
AA (TEX): .264/.310/.425, 7/20 in 106 AB

During the winter, we had no idea what we had in Morales, other than a few scouts claiming he would have made up for the club not signing Jered Weaver. We saw quickly that the California League wasn't tough for Morales, and the team did not hesitate correcting their assignment mistake. It appears that Arkansas will be the make or break place for Morales, as his performances have been up and down so far. We still don't really know what the Angels have in Morales...we just know it could be something very good.

Morales has been slumping lately, hitting .252/.297/.405. Neither the power numbers nor his 21/7 K/BB ratio has been especially good. He may take a lot longer to get through the system, if he ever does, than anyone previously thought.

44. Chuck Tiffany: Los Angeles Dodgers (SP)- 20
A+ (FSL): 3.36 64/80.1 92/28 10

Very unsung player that has been really good since ending the season in the largest of ways last year. I'm concerned with the home run rate, especially considering the park and league, but everything else looks good with Tiffany. Where the team has been aggressive in the past to move such players up the ladder quickly, they seem to be learning from past mistakes. Expect Tiffany to be in Jacksonville next year, for most of the season, unless he pushes the envelope.

Unsung? Tiffany made Baseball America's top ten list this year. Stories like this one are another reason why I'm skeptical of the Dodgers' farm system.

63. Jered Weaver: Anaheim Angels (SP)- 22
A+ (CAL): 4.85 24/26 39/5 3

Really coming on strong after a rough start. His pitchability is off the charts, second maybe only to Yusmeiro Petit on this list. But, his G/F that Rich listed is concerning, as is the stuff that scouts have long and outspokenly doubted. Look for him to prove the scouts wrong, settling nicely into a number two/three role in the Majors.

BTW, here's a nice Ventura County Star story about Weaver's progress in the minors (thanks to FutureAngels for the link).