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May 16, 2007

Future Shock

State of the Systems, AL West

by Kevin Goldstein

Los Angeles Angels

Triple-A Salt Lake (22-16; Pacific Coast League)

At .400/.483/.615, Nate Haynes is one of the hottest hitters anywhere in the minors, but his prospect window has been closed for awhile. A decent prospect in the Oakland system back when years began with a one instead of a two, Haynes was signed last year out of indy ball, and doesn't have a big future. In the land of real prospects, fellow outfielder Terry Evans (.326/.359/.556) continues to create believers, but also needs a more patient approach at the plate. After a brief big league debut, third baseman Brandon Wood is scuffling a bit at .241/.336/.405, but time is hardly running out for him the way it is for catcher Jeff Mathis (.256/.296/.360) and big-money Cuban import Kendry Morales (.287/.302/.372). In most other organizations, lefty Joe Saunders (3.04 ERA) would be in the big league rotation, and he's first in line should a need in Los Angeles arise. That's a good thing, as the rest of the rotation at Triple-A is awful. At least minor league veterans Jason Bulger (3.12 ERA, 23 whiffs in 17.1 innings) and Marcus Gwyn (1.31 ERA) provide some extra bullpen options.

Double-A Arkansas (15-22; Texas League)

After a fantastic start to the season, shortstop Sean Rodriguez is batting .174/.321/.283 in May to drop to .260/.386/.441 on the season, but the good news is that his walk rate has returned to pre-2006 levels. The team's best performer is infielder Adam Morrissey (.310/.417/.468), who is well past his prime. Catcher Bobby Wilson continues to shut down the running game, nailing 15 of 27 attempted basestealers, but none of that is going to matter if he can't hit more than .221/.294/.390. Mirroring Rodriguez is top pitching prospect Nick Adenhart, whose sub-one ERA suddenly moved up to 2.55 after giving up 14 hits and nine runs over 8.2 innings in his last two starts. With violent mechanics and little more than an upper-90s fastball, righty Jose Arredondo has made the logical leap to closing, but with mixed results. Eighteen strikeouts in 16 innings and converting five of six save opportunities is nice, but 10 walks and control problems in pressure situations are a bit of a concern.