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

Stephen Smith may be shutting down FutureAngels, but in the meantime he still has some opinions about who the Angels' best prospects are, and he dishes them out today. In order (excerpts follow the names):

1. SS Brandon Wood: I compared him to a young Cal Ripken, and I still think that comparison is valid.... Brandon still has a few holes in his offensive game, most notably an occasional tendency to chase sliders he can't hit, but as he gets to see more and more advanced pitching he'll have the opportunity to learn how to adjust. His power swing is quick and effortless, creating natural loft and backspin on the ball; there's not much to tinker with, just his pitch selection.
2. C Jeff Mathis: Jeff Mathis recovered nicely from last year's second half swoon to establish himself as the heir apparent should Bengie Molina leave via free agency this winter.
3. 2B Howie Kendrick: Arkansas Travelers Manager Tom Gamboa was quoted as saying that Howie Kendrick might be the next Tony Gwynn (okay, Gwynn was left-handed), and after the year Howie posted who could argue with him? ... barring trades or injuries [the Angels'] future middle-infield now appears to be Kendrick and Brandon Wood, perhaps as soon as 2007.
4. 1B/DH Kendry Morales: Kendry Morales has so far validated Scouting Director Eddie Bane's belief in his abilities. ... to survive at the major league level he'll have to learn much more plate discipline; his success at Arkansas came not from drawing more walks but from waiting longer on off-speed pitches. ...his absence of speed and mobility pretty much dooms him to either first base or designated hitter, although left field might be a possibility. ... Kendry's most direct path to the majors may be as a DH.
5. RHP Nick Adenhart: Nick Adenhart might have been the biggest steal in that draft and could have the highest ceiling of any pitching prospect currently in the Angels system. ... Adenhart brings to the mound three potential "plus" pitches -- a fastball that should consistently ride in the mid-90s once he physically matures, a curve and advanced changeup. If he can stay healthy, I wouldn't be surprised if Adenhart is in the Angels' starting rotation sometime in 2008.
6. RHP Jered Weaver: With a repertoire that relies largely on pinpoint control ... Weaver proved to be a fly ball pitcher ... averaging a homer about every 9 IP. Jered's repertoire features both two- and four-seam fastballs, with the latter's velocity topping out in the low 90s, a changeup, and two different breaking balls, one more of a waste pitch while the other is a sharp slider often used as his "out" pitch. His convoluted windup makes it easy for smart runners to take a base on him.... Weaver probably goes into spring training as a dark horse Anaheim starting rotation candidate, but most likely reports to Triple-A Salt Lake come opening day 2006. ... Pay more attention to his K:BB ratio at that level than his ERA.
7. SS Erick Aybar: ... perhaps the Angels should consider moving Aybar to center field. He has the arm, he has the speed, and it might get him to the big leagues faster than if he remains at shortstop.
8. LHP Joe Saunders: ... gets by with a well-located low-90s two-seam fastball and a "plus" changeup; his third pitch is a curve which still isn't quite ready for prime time. ... Saunders becomes the top internal left-handed candidate (Jake Woods is also in the mix) for the Angels' starting rotation come spring training, although he could probably use more Triple-A experience.
9. RHP Steven Shell: ... he sometimes drops his arm slot which flattens out the movement on his pitches. He also suffered from "First Inning-Itis," allowing 26 earned runs in 27 opening frames. ...He generates a low-to-mid 90s fastball with his high leg kick, complemented by a plus spike curveball. Last year Shell junked his changeup to resurrect a split-finger pitch, but neither worked out well enough in 2005 to prefer one over the other. His long delivery will generate more MPH as he physically matures, but on the flip side gives runners more of a jump.
10. 1B/DH Mark Trumbo: If Troy Glaus had signed out of high school instead of going to UCLA, ... you'd basically get Mark Trumbo. ... His lack of mobility pretty much destines [sic] him for a future 1B/DH role. ... Trumbo will probably continue to be a doubles machine until he reaches Rancho Cucamonga at age 21 in 2007.

// posted by Rob @ 10:20 PM link  //  0 comments