Angelswin.com Prospect Hotlist – June 2nd

Matt Brown continues to rake in Salt Lake

By Jason Sinner – Angelswin.com Columnist

1. Matt Brown, 3B, Class AAA, Salt Lake Bees
Last 10 games: 14-41 (.341), 2 doubles, 5hr, 8rbi, 4bb/6k
Overall: .352 avg, 15 doubles, 3 triples, 13hr, 36rbi, 16bb/36k, 1.083ops

Matt has yet to figure out MLB pitching as of yet, but he sure seems to have figured out AAA. Although the average has dipped a bit, his peripherals look even better than before. Perhaps the trip to Anaheim wasn’t a total loss. Most players struggle upon being called up and the good ones make the necessary adjustments. I am looking forward to Matt getting another shot so he can prove he’s not a AAAA type player.

2. Mark Trumbo, 1b, Class high A, Rancho Cucamonga Quakes
Last 6 games: 9-25 (.360), 2 doubles, 3hr, 7 rbi, 0bb/1k
Overall: .295 avg, 17 doubles, 2 triples, 12hr, 37 rbi, 14bb/31k, .894ops

Mark continues his breakout with another strong week. One of the benefits of his early minor league struggles is that it appears he has learned to hit for a solid average on top of his huge power potential. With the return of Conger and the not so far off returns of Mount and Sweeney, Mark will certainly start to see even more quality pitches.

3. Anthony Norman, LF, Class high A, Rancho Cucamonga Quakes
Last 6 games: 8-22 (.360), 2 doubles, triple, 2hr, 3rbi, 2bb/3k, 2sb
Overall: .286 avg, 11 doubles, 6 triples, 8hr, 22 rbi, 33bb/31k, 18sb

Tony is one of the few players in the org to produce in both the power/speed categories simultaneously. A nice complement of both has left him making a relatively seamless transition to Rancho after a very early season call up. Got to love that bb to so ratio to boot.

4. Hanley Statia, SS, Class AA Arkansas Travelers
Last 6 games: 11-25 (.440), double, triple, 3 rbi, bb/k, sb
Overall: .236 avg, 10 doubles, 3 triples, 1hr, 18 rbi, 13bb/17k, 6sb/4cs, .614ops

Hanley started slowly. Very slowly. It seems he has since turned things around this last week as he has caught fire. Hopefully he can find some consistency and find his way back to those solid numbers he has put up the last couple of years.

5. Ryan Aldridge, RP, Class high A, Rancho Cucamonga Quakes
Overall: 7gm, 3sv, 7ip, 1h, 0.00era, 2bb/9k

He’s back! It’s nice to see Ryan back on the list and dominating as we know he can. With his stuff and at his age, proof of health alone may fast track him more so than most players. I wouldn’t be surprised to see him in a halo’s uniform by 2009.

6. Jordan Czarniecki, OF, Class AA, Arkansas Travelers
Last 10 games: .351 avg, 8 runs, 2 doubles, 2 triples, 2hr, 7 rbi, 6bb/5k, 2sb
Overall: .319 avg, 11 doubles, 3 triples, 3hr, 14 rbi, 23bb/18k, 7sb, .927ops

Jordan finds his way back on the list after last week’s absence. If he ends up making it to the bigs, he would likely be classified as a ‘late bloomer’ in that being 27 and in AA takes him out of prospect status.

7. Peter Bourjos, CF, Class high A, Rancho Cucamonga Quakes
Last 6 games: 7-23 (.304), 2 doubles, triple, 3 rbi, 3sb, 2bb/4k
Overall: .335 avg, 14 doubles, 5 triples, 2hr, 25 rbi, 11bb/32k, .853ops

I can’t wait to see how often Pete is going to score when the Quakes are at full strength. A week of .300+avg, a couple extra base hits, and a few steals has become common place for him as he continues to rack up numbers to bolster his breakout season.

8. Trevor Reckling, SP, Class A, Cedar Rapids Kernels
Last Two Starts: 0-0, 12ip, 0.00 era, 7h, 8bb, 5k
Overall: 2-2, 3.02 era, 56.2ip, 32bb, 41k, .220 baa

It appears Trevor can battle. As one of the youngest players in the Angels’ org, he still needs to get those walks down, but that’s why he is where he is. Tons of potential here and plenty of time to develop it.

9. Brok Butcher, SP, Class AA, Arkansas Travelers
Last 2 starts: 15ip, 3.60 era, 13h, bb, 6k
Overall: 4-1, 4.45 era, 54.2 ip, 57h, 22bb/31k, .269 baa

Nice to see Brok bounce back from a recent rough patch, although he would likely tell you that he can still perform better overall. He’s had some control issues this year, but as long as he continues to induce those ground balls, he’ll be in good shape.

10. Ben Johnson, C, Class AA, Arkansas Travelers
Last 6 games: 7-24 (.291), 2hr, 5rbi, 5k
Overall: .252 avg, 10 doubles, 1 triple, 11hr, 46 rbi, 8bb/41k, .775 ops

Ben continues to hit for good power and knock guys in as a nice surprise for the travs this year. He leads the entire org in RBI and is slowly but surely bringing up his average. As a catcher, his defense will likely determine his advancement although being able to mash doesn’t hurt.