Organizational Talent Rankings via Baseball America
2012 (18) | 2011 (15) | 2010 (26) | 2009 (25) | 2008 (11)

2012 Affiliate Records
MLB: [89-73] AL West
AAA: [73-71] Pacific Coast League – Salt Lake
AA: [62-78] Texas League — Arkansas
A+: [66-74] California League – Inland Empire
A: [53-86] Midwest League – Cedar Rapids (Burlington beginning 2013)

Arizona Fall League Players — Scottsdale Scorpions
Buddy Boshers (LHP); Bobby Cassevah (RHP); Ryan Chaffee (RHP); Carlos Ramirez (C); Caleb Cowart (3B); Slade Heathcott (OF); Travis Witherspoon (OF)

Graduated Prospects
Mike Trout (OF); Jean Segura (SS); Garret Richards (RHP)

The Run Down
Of the Angels’ top four prospects a year ago, zero remain. Mike Trout and Garret Richards are now with the big club, and Jean Segura and Johnny Hellweg were traded to Milwaukee. This system is in poor shape heading into the 2013 season — Kaleb Cowart represents the only high-impact talent, and the farm is not deep with upside guys. Frankly, there’s very little here to get excited about in terms of fantasy baseball, but I suppose what LA produced last year from its system will quench our fantasy thirsts for another year or two. Barring ineptitude from the third base slot or injury to a regular, I don’t see much opportunity for prospect turnover in 2013.

Please, blog, may I have some more?

The Rangers have promoted two pitchers from their minor league ranks to fill openings in the big league rotation.  Familiar fantasy face, Roy Oswalt, is one of the two.  The other is 23-year-old Justin Grimm, who debuted last week and was rather effective.  Grimm was having a nice campaign in Double-A — nothing eye-popping, but he was among the most efficient pitchers in the Texas League, which is surely why the Rangers are giving him a look.  I’m not so sure he’s worth the same look in the fantasy game, however.  He’s slotted to throw twice next week, so if you’re two-start streaming… whatever.  But he’s hardly rosterable outside of AL-Only formats.  What’s interesting to note here is that Grimm leaped over the Rangers’ top pitching prospect Martin Perez.  Perez had been having a lousy year in the PCL, so it’s not necessarily surprising that Grimm was given the nod, but the move seems to have ignited Perez.  He’s surrendered only two runs through his last two outings, one of those being a complete game (only 90 pitches, too).  Featuring a plus fastball with sneaky velocity, a plus-plus change, and a sharp curve, Perez has frontline stuff.  It’s hard to say how long the Rangers will have room for either Grimm or another arm, but if Perez continues this recent hot streak, I’m confident he’ll supplant Grimm.  Should that scenario come to pass, add Perez in all formats.

Please, blog, may I have some more?