Los Angeles Angels 2011 Minor League Review
Organizational Talent Rankings via Baseball America:
2011 (15) | 2010 (26) | 2009 (25) | 2008 (11) | 2007 (4) | 2006 (4)
2011 Affiliate Records
MLB: [86-76] AL West
AAA: [62-82] Pacific Coast League – Salt Lake
AA: [68-69] Texas League – Arkansas
A+: [69-71] California League – Inland Empire
A: [61-68] Midwest League – Cedar Rapids
R: [46-30] Pioneer League – Orem
The Run Down
Unfortunately for the likes of Mike Trout and Garret Richards, the Angels spent big this offseason, and in turn, they seem to have clogged up any prospect throughways. Barring injury, I don’t see much opportunity in 2012 for this Los Angeles farm system. Trout is a top overall prospect and anyone drafting in keepers should definitely consider him. Richards will compete for the fifth starter role, and there are a handful of arms who could get a chance in the bullpen, but beyond that, there isn’t much fantasy relevance just yet. Looking a little further ahead, the Angels’ system could yield quite a bit of fantasy production, as Trout and Richards settle into regular roles along with Jean Segura and 2010 first-rounder, Kaleb Cowart.
Arizona Fall League Players – Scottsdale Scorpions
David Carpenter (RHP); Chris Scholl (RHP); Daniel Tillman (RHP); Jean Segura (SS); Mike Trout (OF)
Graduated Prospects
Mark Trumbo (1B); Hank Conger (C)
Players of Interest
Hitters
Mike Trout | OF:
Quoting Grey Albright: “I’m afraid to report to you, Mike Trout’s not seeing time until 2013. My Mike Trout 2012 fantasy is missing one caveat — what happens if they sign Albert Effin’ Pujols? My guess is their outfield is gonna be Hunter, Bourjos and Wells with Abreu platooning in the outfield and at DH […] To recap for fantasy, Pujols is fine, Bourjos is fine, Trumbo is fine if he can play 3rd which seems unlikely, Kendrys is fine if he’s healthy, Abreu is not fine, Mike Trout is not fine.” After the Pujols acquisition, the Angels appear too crowded accommodate a promotion for their top prospect. Trout skipped Triple-A entirely and he won’t be 21 ‘til August, so keeping him back seems justifiable.
Alexi Amarista | 2B:
Amarista collected 33 XBH in 396 PA at Triple-A and stole 15 bags along the way. He’s a slick-fielding second baseman and he’s hit fairly well at every level, aside from a small sample in the bigs. He shows occasional gap power, but he needs to develop more patience at the plate before he’s ready to contribute in the majors. Amarista should return to Salt Lake to begin 2012, as the Angels are well equipped at middle infield.
Jeremy Moore | OF:
Moore has the tools, but he’ll need to improve vastly on his plate discipline. His 4.6 BB% at Triple-A is concerning, but if he can improve on that, he could make a nice third or fourth outfielder down the road. Moore has 15-20 potential and the Angels have an aging outfield. Do keep an eye on him.
Pitchers
Garrett Richards | RHP – SP:
Richards’ numbers at Double-A weren’t overly impressive, but in 143 IP he did manage a 3.15 ERA and surrendered just 10 homers. He earned a late season call up but was forgettable in seven appearances (three starts). Richards throws a mid-90s fastball, a 12-6 curve, and an occasional changeup. He’ll need to improve the change before he can truly be effective at the Major League level, but Richards will likely compete for starts at some point this year.
Honorable Mention
Hitters
Jean Segura | SS/2B:
Segura’s development has been slowed by injury, but he’s produced while healthy. Stephen’s outlook a year ago still holds, although it seems Segura is in line to begin in Double-A this year.
Pitchers
John Hellweg | RHP – SP/RP:
Hellweg posted a 2.12 ERA as a starter in the hitter-friendly California League. The 6-9 23-year-old throws fastball in the high 90s and counters with a low 80s slider. The combination draws plenty of strikeouts. He’ll begin 2012 in Arkansas, but he’ll rise quickly if his dominance continues.
Dan Tillman | RHP – RP:
Tillman sports a similarly devastating fastball-slider combo to Hellweg, however he projects more as a late innings reliever than as a starter. Perhaps the system’s most promising relief arm, Tillman is a non-roster invitee to big league camp, but he’ll likely begin 2012 in the minors. Should the Angels’ pen need help at any point, he’ll be among the first considered.
