As you hopefully know, this will be the last annual Top 10 Prospects report, as FutureAngels.com will shut down on January 1, 2006.
In a way, it's appropriate because these annual prospect reports have documented the rise of the Angels minor league system to the best in baseball, according to Baseball America. So we go out on top.
The 2005 season saw several former Top 10 prospects reach the major leagues:
Some of these players are no longer eligible for the Top 10 list. I follow Baseball America's rule of excluding from the list players who are no longer eligible for the Rookie of the Year award — more than 130 major league at-bats or 50 innings pitched during the regular season. For this reason, Kotchman, McPherson and Santana graduate from the list.
But a new generation of top prospects will join the list, and others who deserve to be there won't make the cut simply because the Angels are so deep in minor league talent.
Let's begin with the teenage starting rotation for the Rookie-A Mesa Angels, which featured four potential big league arms:
The Orem Owlz, who are the Angels' advanced Rookie-A affiliate, had their own share of arms:
Let's revisit how the annual FutureAngels.com Top 10 Prospects list works. It's not based on a poll or any obsessive sabermetric analysis. Just my thoughts mixed with what I observed and heard over the last year talking with minor league managers, coaches, rovers, players, and just about anyone else whose opinion I respect. I consider statistics, but unlike many "stathead" sites I also consider the context. What was the player's age? Was he learning a new skill? Was he in a hitter-friendly or pitcher-friendly league? Do coaches and scouts see a hole in his game that will block his development at higher levels? It's an axiom that the most difficult leap is from Triple-A to the majors, so just because someone hits a bunch of homers in Rookie-A ball doesn't mean he's ready for Anaheim.
Many baseball publications and Web sites post their own Top 10 lists. Some know what they're talking about more than others. A "Top 10" list is really no more than someone's opinion. And the opinion resulting in that list can change from day to day.
Mine differs in that it comes right after the season ends. Most other lists are typically published in the spring, a preview of the season to come. My list is more a wrap-up of the season just completed.
If you're a player or a loved one, don't take it personally if you're not on the list. In a typical season, the Angels will have around 200 minor leaguers under contract. That means 190 players don't get mentioned.
This is the fifth year I've done a list, and each year it's become increasingly difficult. With all the talent in the pipeline, how can you narrow the list to ten without slighting a player worthy of inclusion? There are at least ten players not on my list who would have a legitimate shot at the Top 10 list for other organizations. So that's why I make no pretension that this is the result of intensive objective analysis. It's just an opinion.
Let's also restate my definition of "Top 10". The Top 10 What? The Top 10 talent? The first ten to make it to the big leagues? The ten players the Angels care about the most?
For me, it's a combination of all those factors. Baseball America tends to look at a player's "ceiling", i.e. how much talent potential he has. I look at that but also take into consideration the parent club's needs. For example, the Angels are incredibly deep in middle-infield prospects. Many of them could make other organizations' Top 10 lists, but with Orlando Cabrera signed through 2008 and Adam Kennedy through 2006, unless there's a trade or an injury no middle-infielder has the fast track to Anaheim in spring training. I give that more weight than would Baseball America, because I'm considering the likelihood of his being in the big leagues with the Angels in the near future. BA gives more weight to the player's likelihood to star in the big leagues, somewhere, sometime. I also tend to give more weight to players higher in the farm system, because they're closer to snatching that "brass ring". You can project a Rookie-A player as the next Barry Bonds, but there are a lot more "if's" in his way than a less capable player who's moved quickly through the system and is in Triple-A with a decent chance of making the parent club roster next year.
So with all those qualifiers, for the last time, let's tick off 190 ballplayers and their families . . .
10.
Mark Trumbo
(Bats: Right Throws: Right 6'4"
220 lbs. DOB: 1/16/86)
Orem (Rookie-A) AVG/OBP/SLG: .274/.322/.458
(323 TPA)
If Troy
Glaus had signed out of high school instead of going to UCLA (Glaus was selected
in the 2nd round of the June 1994 draft by San Diego), you'd basically get Mark
Trumbo. There are some significant differences, though. While Glaus
was a star hitter at Carlsbad (CA) High (.525 AVG and 8 HR his senior year, .732 OBP in his high school
career), Trumbo was a star pitcher at Villa Park (CA)
High (10-2, 2.20 ERA, 89 K in 73.1 IP) . Mark was projected by many scouts and analysts as a June 2004
potential first-round pick, but as a pitcher, despite his impressive
batting numbers (.438 AVG, .741 with RISP, 8 HR in his senior year). Trumbo signed a letter of
intent to attend USC, so most teams gave up on him, but the Angels used their
18th round pick in the June 2004 draft to select him anyway as an infielder, signing him to a
reported $1.425 million bonus contract. Orem was his first experience with formal professional
competition, and although he didn't hit for as much power as some expected he
did tie for the league lead in doubles, 8th in homers and 17th overall in SLG.
Eight of his ten HR were hit at Orem which has a convenient porch 305' down the
left field line; but his AVG at home was only .245 while on the road it was
.304, where he hit 16 of his 23 doubles. He also showed more plate
patience on the road, drawing 14 of his 21 walks away from Orem, so all this
suggests he might have been a bit too tempted by Orem's short left-field line.
Nonethless, a high number of doubles by a teenage hitter is often a sign that
those will one day grow up into home runs. Trumbo employs a wide stance with
little mobility below the hips, leading some to suggest that a more aggressive
stride might increase his power — but as one observer noted, "It's all about
results" and if this works for Mark, so be it. His lack of mobility pretty much destines him for a future 1B/DH role.
Cedar Rapids would be his likely destination to start 2006; the Midwest League
is considered a pitcher's league for its many pitcher-friendly ballparks, so
Trumbo will probably continue to be a doubles machine until he reaches Rancho
Cucamonga at age 21 in 2007.
9. Steven
Shell RHP (Bats: Right Throws: Right 6'5" 190 DOB:
1/10/83)
Arkansas (Double-A):
10-8 4.57 ERA, 126:58 K:BB,
AVG/OBP/SLG: .283/.352/.459 (159.2 IP)
Steven Shell remained healthy for a second full season, but
failed to cure the inconsistency with his mechanics that's plagued his career to
date. Although his delivery is fundamentally sound, 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.
It's not an unusual problem for pitching prospects — Chris Bootcheck had the
same problem earlier in his career — and may disappear with maturity. He
gave up 15 home runs in April-June but only three thereafter, suggesting some
progress with his confidence. If you want a pitcher's physique,
Steven fits
the build with his tall lanky frame. 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.
Shell's groundball-to-flyball ratio was 1.20, which was also the Travs' team
average. At age 23, he could return to Arkansas for 2006 although it's likely the Angels
will give him every opportunity to make the leap to Triple-A in April. As
with all talented pitching prospects, ultimately his success will be determined
by how consistent he can be with the remarkable talents he has. As he
physically and mentally matures, Shell could evolve into a rotation workhorse
who pitches 200+ IP a year approaching 200 strikeouts.
The potential is there, but as with all prospects he has to find it first.
8. Joe Saunders LHP (Bats:
Left Throws: Left 6'3" 210 DOB: 6/16/81)
Arkansas (Double-A): 7-4 3.49 ERA, 80:32 K:BB, AVG/OBP/SLG:
.263/.320/.398 (105.2 IP)
Salt Lake (Triple-A): 3-3 4.58 ERA, 29:21 K:BB, AVG/OBP/SLG: .304/.363/.397
(55.0 IP)
Anaheim (AL): 0-0 7.71 ERA, 4:4 K:BB, .270/.341/.568 (9.1 IP)
Joe Saunders
completed his astonishing return from a shoulder injury two years ago to make
two token appearances in the major leagues.
The Anaheim Angels' 1st round draft pick in June 2002, Saunders' professional career
came to a screeching halt in spring training 2003 when it was discovered he'd suffered a
torn rotator cuff and partially torn labrum working into pitching condition for the season
to come. Rather than undergo surgery, Saunders opted for a year of rehabilitation.
Joe began his recovery in 2004 at High-A Rancho Cucamonga and earned a promotion
by mid-July to Double-A Arkansas, where he started 2005. After three
starts in July where he allowed only one earned run in 21.0 IP with a 20:6 K:BB
ratio, the Angels promoted him to Triple-A Salt Lake. The Pacific Coast
League has many hitter-friendly ballparks, and Salt Lake's Franklin Covey Field
is one of them, but on the road Joe managed a 3.97 ERA in five starts. He
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. His
groundball-to-flyball ratio at Arkansas was excellent, nearly 2:1 (1.85), a
number he repeated in Triple-A. Saunders made his major league debut
on August 16 in Anaheim against Toronto, allowing two runs on five hits in 7 1/3
innings; an emergency start at Seattle on September 14 after being shut down for
nearly two weeks didn't go nearly as well, surrendering six runs in two innings.
With Jarrod Washburn likely to leave via free agency, 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. He could evolve into a
middle-of-the-rotation big-league starter or at worst a situational lefty out of the
bullpen called in to deliver ground balls.
7. Erick Aybar SS (Bats:
Both Throws: Right 5'10" 170 lbs. DOB: 1/14/84)
Arkansas (Double-A) AVG/OBP/SLG: .303/.350/.445
(586 TPA)
Erick Aybar remains the most "toolsy" of all the middle infielders
in the Angels system, yet his hyper-aggressive play continues to be the main
criticism of his potential. Reunited with soulmate Alberto Callaspo to begin
2005, they formed the Texas League's most exciting double-play duo.
Sometimes his style can turn a routine play into a flub, putting more flair into
the game than is needed to get the job done. He's also been known to take
high risks at the plate when unnecessary, costing his team in critical
situations. That said, he still projects as a potential five-tool major
leaguer if he can harness his game. He has speed, but was thrown out about
one-third of the time attempting to steal a base this year; his 49 SB were
second in the league. In 586 plate appearances, he drew only 29 walks; but
he led the league in hits (162) and was second in triples (10).
Defensively, he led all shortstops in the league in Total Chances (678) and
in double plays (108). Last year, I compared Aybar's offensive numbers to
his fellow Dominican, Miguel Tejada, who passed through the California League at
the same age as Erick. Tejada spent Double-A in the pitcher-friendly Southern League, but
if you want to compare their Double-A numbers Tejada's AVG/OBP/SLG were
.275/.344/.458. Baseball America ranked Aybar after the 2005 season
as the #2 prospect in the Texas League (teammate Howie Kendrick was #1), and it's
likely the Angels will want him in Salt Lake with Callaspo to start 2005.
With so many talented middle infielders in the system, and with Orlando Cabrera
signed through 2008, perhaps the Angels should consider moving Aybar to center
field, a move I wrote about last December on the MLB.com Angels board. He has
the arm, he has the speed, and it might get him to the big leagues faster than if
he remains at shortstop.
6.
Jered Weaver RHP
(Bats: Right Throws: Right 6'7"
205 DOB: 10/4/82)
Rancho Cucamonga (High-A):
4-1 3.82 ERA,
49:7 K:BB,
AVG/OBP/SLG: .205/.252/.344 (33.0 IP)
Arkansas (Double-A):
3-3 3.98 ERA,
46:19 K:BB, AVG/OBP/SLG:
.250/.323/.378 (43.0 IP)
Named the 2004
College Player of the Year by Baseball America, Jered Weaver was bypassed
by eleven organizations in the June 2004 draft because his "advisor" was Scott
Boras. The Angels, drafting #12, weren't intimidated and selected Weaver
anyway. With other "high risk, high reward" pitchers such as Nick
Adenhart, Bobby Cassaveh, Alan Horne and Stephen Marek selected in later rounds,
the Angels were more than happy to wait out Boras' outrageous demands.
Weaver could return to college for his senior year but didn't enroll come
September, so the new deadline was one week before the June 2005 draft.
Meanwhile, the Angels signed Adenhart, Cassaveh and Marek, not to mention
supposedly unsignable Mark Trumbo and Cuban defector Kendry Morales, so Weaver
would be no more than icing on the 2004 cake. Jered signed literally at
the last hour, and after a year's layoff reported to Rancho Cucamonga to begin
his professional career. Some felt he might have been a victim of
"pitcher's abuse" at Cal State Long Beach, so the layoff may have been a
blessing. With a repertoire that relies largely on pinpoint control,
Weaver needed to shake out some rust but after seven starts — the last one a
seven-inning one-hit shutout with ten strikeouts at Inland Empire — he was
promoted to Arkansas in late July. Jered held his own facing more
experienced and selective competition, including a 16:4 K:BB ratio in 13.0
playoff innings. Weaver proved to be a fly ball pitcher at both levels,
with groundball-to-flyball ratios of 0.38 and 0.34 respectively in his two
stops, and 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, and can
sometimes affect his command. Jered did a post-season stint in the Arizona
Fall League where he was largely ineffective with a 5.47 ERA and .294 AVG in
24.2 IP over seven starts, although he did post a 35:5 K:BB ratio; in his final
start he struck out ten and walked none while scattering three hits over five
shutout innings. Don't give much credence to AFL stats as most players in that
league are largely working on refining their tools and trying not to get hurt.
Depending on the Angels' off-season moves, 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. It should be
interesting to see how, being a flyball pitcher, he does in the hitter-friendly
PCL. Pay more attention to his K:BB ratio at that level than his ERA.
5.
Nick Adenhart RHP (Bats:
Right Throws: Right 6'4"
190 DOB: 8/24/86)
Mesa (Rookie-A):
2-3 3.68 ERA,
52:24 K:BB,
AVG/OBP/SLG: .245/.354/.327 (44.0 IP)
Orem (Rookie-A):
1-0 0.00 ERA,
7:0 K:BB, AVG/OBP/SLG:
.143/.143/.190 (6.0 IP)
Another 2004 pick
with his own legendary story, 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. Before his senior year at Williamsport (MD) High
School, he was ranked the top high school pitching prospect in the nation by
Baseball America. But after elbow ligament damage late in the season,
Nick was destined for "Tommy John" surgery and abandoned by other organizations'
scouting directors. Not by the Angels' Eddie Bane, though, who chose Nick with
their 14th round pick and signed him to a reported $710,000 bonus contract.
The Angels offered to supervise his surgery and rehab by arranging for him to
attend Arizona State University, down the road from their minor league and rehab
complex in Mesa. As would be expected, he was shaky in his early starts as
he struggled to regain his control, but after a 6.43 ERA July in which he had a
K:BB ratio of 15:15 in July, Nick had a 2.57 August in which he improved his
K:BB ratio to 36:7 in 28 IP. After Mesa's season ended, Adenhart reported
to Orem where he made one regular season start, pitching six shutout innings
with seven strikeouts and no walks. Nick followed up that performance with
six shutout innings in the Owlz' second playoff game; had their championship
series against Helena gone to a final game Nick was positioned for that start.
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. During his rehab, the Angels worked out some kinks in
his mechanics and many Mesa observers felt his downward-plane delivery was one of the
smoothest in the league. Adenhart should go to spring training with a
chance to make the High-A Rancho Cucamonga roster, and it's not inconceivable
he'll be pitching for Double-A Arkansas by the end of 2006. If he can stay
healthy, I wouldn't be surprised if Adenhart is in the Angels' starting rotation
sometime in 2008.
4.
Kendry Morales 1B-DH
(Bats: Both Throws: Right 6'1"
220 lbs. DOB: 6/20/83)
Rancho Cucamonga (High-A) AVG/OBP/SLG: .344/.400/.544 (100
TPA)
Arkansas (Double-A) AVG/OBP/SLG: .306/.349/.530 (301 TPA)
No, he
wasn't "major league ready" despite media hype to the contrary, but nonetheless
Kendry Morales has so far validated Scouting Director Eddie Bane's belief in
his abilities. More enthusiastic about Morales' ceiling than some other
teams, the Angels signed him to a major-league contract and
a $3 million signing bonus, with the potential to escalate his salary depending
upon when he arrives in the majors. Morales' plus skill is his bat. He hit for power at both levels this year; his first
professional home run was on the second pitch he saw at Rancho Cucamonga.
A switch-hitter, Kendry struggled more with left-handed pitchers at Double-A
(.264 AVG) than righties (.321 AVG) but had slightly more power (.542 SLG)
against southpaws than right-handed pitchers (.526 SLG). It's said in the
Dominican Republic that you don't walk off the island; Kendry took a boat to get
off Cuba, but like his Dominican neighbors he rarely sees a pitch he doesn't
like. In 401 plate appearances between the two levels, Morales took
a grand total of 23 walks — but he also struck out only 54 times, and much of
that was while he struggled to adjust to Double-A pitching. Kendry's AVG
was only .240 on August 15, but in his last 20 games went on a .480 (37 for 77)
tear with seven homers and four doubles — while taking only three walks.
In the Arizona Fall League, Morales had an AVG/OBP/SLG of .380/.444/.598 in 92
AB, but the AFL has always been an extremely hitter-friendly exhibition circuit.
The Angels have several hitters in their system with low strikeouts and low
walks, typical of their "Contactball" philosophy that puts the ball in play to
aggressively advance and score runners, so Morales fits in nicely to that
approach. Most likely he starts 2006 at Triple-A Salt Lake, where the
hitter-friendly PCL should keep his AVG/OBP/SLG quite healthy, but 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. Although he saw a little time in Rancho Cucamonga at
third base and right field, his absence of speed and mobility pretty much dooms
him to either first base or designated hitter, although left field might be a
possibility. Unless the Angels sign free agent Paul Konerko, Casey
Kotchman would seem to be the heir apparent to the Angels' first base job, so
Kendry's most direct path to the majors may be as a DH. If he can survive
major-league breaking balls and changeups, Morales could be the everyday DH by
Opening Day 2007, although he'll probably be called up by mid-year 2006.
3.
Howie Kendrick 2B (Bats:
Right Throws: Right 5'10" 195 lbs. DOB:
7/12/83)
Rancho Cucamonga (High-A) AVG/OBP/SLG: .384/.421/.638 (304 TPA)
Arkansas (Double-A) AVG/OBP/SLG: .342/.382/.579 (204 TPA)
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? Kendrick would be the top prospect in
most organizations, and vindicates Angels legendary scout/manager Tom
Kotchman's recommendation to select this unknown out of a Florida community
college. The Angels drafted Howie in the 10th round of the June 2002
draft, based largely on his excellent hand-eye coordination.
His approach at the plate is simple — look for a fastball and adjust to what
he sees, something that only hitters with fast hands and hand-eye coordination
can do. (Another is Casey Kotchman, Tom's son.) The physical skills
are one reason to compare him to Gwynn; another is the relatively low walk rate.
Howie's approach at the plate fits in perfectly with the Angels' "Contactball"
style of play; it's not hard to envision him a #2 or even #3 in their lineup,
behind speedier brethren, although his high OBP might put him in the leadoff
slot too. "Contactball" is based on the fact that a hit moves up a runner while a
walk doesn't (unless it's a force); Kendrick walked only 20 times in 2005,
driving nuts the "Moneyball" crowd, who are scratching their heads trying to
figure out how a guy could have a 1.000 OPS without taking a lot of walks.
As with all young hitters, there's a question of how much power will eventually
manifest itself, but it's beginning to look like Kendrick could have the
explosiveness at the plate to bat in the #3 slot; in the post-season AFL,
Kendrick had an AVG/OBP/SLG of .380/.405/.603 in 121 AB. The only knock
on his game has been his defense, but he continues to work hard at improving
that aspect too. Although he'll never be as flashy as Alberto Callaspo,
he'll more than get the job done defensively to warrant recognition as the heir
apparent to Adam Kennedy, who's signed through 2006. One major decision
this off-season for Angels management will be to choose between Kendrick and
Callaspo, although who knows what trade offers may bring. For the last two
years, analysts talked about Callaspo and Erick Aybar as the Angels' infield of
the future, but barring trades or injuries that future middle-infield now
appears to be Kendrick and Brandon Wood, perhaps as soon as 2007. Injury notes:
Kendrick missed two months in 2004 with a groin injury, and a month this year
with a strained left oblique muscle.
2. Jeff Mathis C (Bats:
Right Throws: Right 6'0" 180 lbs. DOB: 3/31/83)
Salt Lake (Triple-A) AVG/OBP/SLG: .276/.340/.499 (474 TPA)
Anaheim (AL) AVG/OBP/SLG: .333/.333/.333 (3 TPA)
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. Mathis was thought to be destined for a repeat of
Double-A this year after batting only .187 after June 1 in 2004, but a stellar
spring training led to the Angels trading catcher Wil Nieves, #4 on their depth
chart, to the Yankees for reliever Bret Prinz, which opened the Triple-A
starting job for Mathis. Jeff's .499 SLG ranked him #1 among PCL catchers;
his .276 AVG was #2 to Round Rock's 28-year old Royce Huffman (.284), and his
.340 OBP was also second to Huffman's (.374). Salt Lake is one of the most
hitter-friendly parks in the league, but if you look at his home/road AVG and
SLG splits, you'll find that his power was largely unaffected by locale; his
home/road AVG were .294/.258, and his home/road SLG were .514/.484; in fact, 13
of his 21 HR came on the road. Although some analysts have downgraded
Mathis because they seem to believe his offense potential has waned, I disagree.
He was just 22 years old, and the only catcher with better offense numbers
(Huffman) was six years older. Mathis was very young for a Triple-A
catcher, but with other top prospects and minor league veterans on the Salt Lake
roster he could focus on development rather than being expected to carry the
offense as he was last year at Arkansas after Casey Kotchman and Dallas
McPherson were promoted. The consensus is that Mathis is "major-league
ready" defensively; he'll be an athletic upgrade to Molina, whose chronic
hamstring problems left him with limited mobility behind the plate and slow as a
snail on the basepaths. As the Angels will probably overhaul their offense
this winter, increased productivity in the lineup will take some of the burden
off Jeff at the plate so he can concentrate on calling the game behind it.
A high school quarterback, Mathis brings natural leadership skills to the field
and is likely to emerge as the team's true leader within a few years. His
typical major league offense within a couple years will probably look similar to
what Jason Varitek has posted over the years for the Red Sox; one critical
difference being that Varitek didn't even play professionally until he signed at
age 23 and didn't earn a big-league job until he was 26, so Mathis is three
years ahead of him. Jeff made a couple late-inning
appearances for Anaheim in mid-August and late September, but should he earn the starting
catcher job in spring training he'll be an early contender for the 2006 AL
Rookie of the Year award. Injury notes: Mathis missed three games in April
due to the death of a family friend, then was relegated to DH for a couple weeks
in May after suffering from a sore elbow.
1.
Brandon Wood SS (Bats: Right Throws: Right 6'3" 200 lbs. DOB: 3/2/85)
Rancho Cucamonga (High-A) AVG/OBP/SLG: .321/.383/.672
(593 TPA)
Salt Lake (Triple-A) AVG/OBP/SLG: .316/.316/.526 (19 TPA)
What can he do for an encore?! Brandon Wood set the
Angels' record for most homers in one season by a minor leaguer, hitting 43 in
the California League. He blew away the Quakes' single-season record, 29,
set last year by Mike Napoli. His 101 extra base hits (including 53
doubles and five triples) left statisticians scrambling to figure out who was
the last minor leaguer to reach 100. Sure, the Cal League is
hitter-friendly, but even in that context no 20-year old ever achieved his
numbers. For good measure, he went on to the Arizona Fall League where he
broke the league record for homers in one season, hitting 14 (the record was
12), including four in one game on October 10; his final AFL AVG/OBP/SLG were
.307/.375/.711 in 114 AB. Angels scout
Jeff Scholzen projected the skinny shortstop from Horizon High in Scottsdale AZ
as a power hitter, which got Brandon selected in the 1st round (#23 overall) of
the June 2003 draft. Wood first appeared on this site's top prospect list in
November 2003; I compared him to a
young Cal Ripken, and I still think that comparison is valid. He won't
play in 2,632 consecutive games but he'll be a power-hitting shortstop who might
move over to third base during his career. What was Cal doing at age 20?
He was in Double-A Charlotte where he posted an AVG/OBP/SLG of .276/.373/.492.
Ripken's height/weight for his career are listed as 6'4" 225 lbs., which
suggests that at age 20 he was probably physically similar. After Wood hit
#43, the Angels moved him up to Triple-A for Salt Lake's final four-game series
at Las Vegas. 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.
On the defensive side, Cal League managers chose him the circuit's top
shortstop; Erick Aybar is the more gifted defender but Wood has adequate range
and a good enough arm for the position — again, another valid comparison to
Ripken. Some have suggested Brandon be moved to third base, but there's no
reason to do that unless Dallas McPherson fails in Anaheim. He'll never
steal many bases, but he's not a plodder and if he keeps hitting bombs he can
take his time anyway. Unless the Angels move one of them, Wood will duel with
Aybar next spring for the Triple-A shortstop job. He could use a full year
of seasoning at Triple-A, and if all goes well take over the Anaheim shortstop
job in 2007.
ABBREVIATIONS:
AB — At-Bats
AFL — Arizona Fall League
AVG — Batting Average
BB — Walks
ERA — Earned Run Average
IP — Innings Pitched
K — Strikeouts
K:BB Ratio — Strikeouts to Walks
AVG — Opponents' Batting Average
OBP — On-Base Percentage
OPS — OBP + SLG
PCL — Pacific Coast League
RISP — Runners in Scoring Position
SLG — Slugging Percentage
TPA — Total Plate Appearances