3B, Matt Brown has been red hot for the Bees and instrumental in their 17-1 start
By Jason Sinner – Angelswin Columnist
HOT
1. Matthew Brown, SS/3b, Class AAA Salt Lake Bees
31-75 (.413), 20 runs, 9 doubles, 2 triples, 6 HR, 19 RBI, 4/10 bb/k, .443/.827/1.270
On fire is the only way to describe Matt’s early season run. Regardless of how far down on the depth chart he has become, the Angels can’t help but to take notice of this kid as his bat helps him scream out “LOOK AT ME!!”. At some point, you just can’t ignore this type of production.
2. Nick Adenhart, SP, Class AAA Salt Lake Bees
3-0 in 4 starts, 1.17 ERA, 23.0 IP, 15 H, 12 BB, 14 K, 1.17 WHIP, .190 BAA.
I guess Nick wasn’t too pleased with not being able to crack the Angels rotation, so he took it out on PCL batters. Oddly enough, we can look at these numbers and know that there is room for improvement. The bb/k ratio is a bit concerning in that this was the trend last year and could keep him from going deep into games, but Shane Moseley has to be looking over his shoulder regardless.
3. The Travelers Trio, SPs, Class AA Arkansas Traveler
Robert Mosebach
2-0 in 3 starts, 2.33 ERA, 1 CG, 19.1 IP, 12 H, 8 BB, 13 K, 1.03 WHIP, .190 BAA
After a somewhat subpar 2007 season (although not bad for the Cal league), Bob is back with a vengeance to start 2008. Still only 23, he has some time to develop and make use of his 6’4”, 195lb frame. If he keeps the walks to a minimum and continues to make guys miss, he’s guy that will be on the radar for late 2009 or sooner.
Anthony Ortega
2-1 in 3 starts, 2.12 ERA, 17.0 IP, 10 H, 9 BB, 14 K, 1.12 WHIP, .169 BAA
Not your prototypical power pitcher by build, Anthony continues to make guys miss at every level with 212 K in 266 IP. He has flown under the radar to some degree posting a very respectable 4.04 ERA in the hitter friendly cal league last year. Like his teammate Mosebach, Ortega has the propensity to give up more walks than he should, but at just 22 years old (exactly 1 year to the day older than Adenhart), he is more than on track to reach the majors before his 24th birthday.
Brok Butcher
1-0 in 3 starts, 2.16 ERA, 16.2 IP, 13 H, 7 BB, 10 K, 1.20 WHIP, .217 BAA
Brok had an excellent 2007 season posting a 2.69 ERA in 110ip at Rancho only to struggle some after a late season call up to AA (mostly due to arm trouble). He is back on his game to start this season. Although he has walked a few more guys than he is accustomed to, he continues to induce those ground balls as is his specialty.
4. Mark Trumbo, 1b, Class High A, Rancho Cucamonga Quakes
21-68 (.309), 12 runs, 6 doubles, 1 triple, 4 HR, 14 RBI, 6bb/14k, .365/.603/.968
Will this be the year that we see Mark harness some of that monster power that we hear about? So far so good. He rebounded from a poor 2006 to post solid numbers as part of the Midwest league last year, but lets hope the combination of the Cal league and a turn of the corner puts Mark back up to the top of the prospect list.
5. Freddy Sandoval, 3b, Class AAA Salt Lake Bees
23-59 (.390), 13 runs, 8 doubles, 1 triple, 2 HR, 8 RBI, 5/11 bb/k, .438/.661/1.099
After a very solid campaign in AA, Freddy is another guy who is forcing himself to be noticed with his early season numbers. He’s starting to get the ‘utility guy’ label, but I hope that all of our utility guys can hit like this. I think the writing is on the wall for good ole’ Robb Quinlan.
6. Sean Rodriguez, 2b/SS, Class AAA Salt Lake Bees
15-45 (.333), 14 runs, 5 doubles, 4 HR, 11 RBI, 7/9 bb/k, 2sb/1cs, .464/.711/1.175
All Sean did his first couple of weeks is earn himself a call-up to the big club where he got his first of many major leagues hits. After a somewhat forgettable season for the Travs in 2007, Sean certainly proved that he wasn’t resting on his ‘top prospect’ laurels. Of all his numbers, the one thing that is real good to see is that almost 1:1 bb/k ratio. Add him to the list of people to find a spot for.
7. The 3-star Rapids (soon to be five), SPs, Class A Cedar Rapids Kernels
Michael Anton 1-1 in 3 starts, 2.95 ERA, 18.1 IP, 4bb/8k, 1.15 WHIP, .250 BAA
Jordan Walden 1-1 in 3 starts, 1.02 ERA, 17.2 IP, 4bb/12k, 0.96 WHIP, .191 BAA
Mason Tobin 2-0 in 3 starts, 0.00 ERA, 15.0 IP, 3bb/8k, 0.73 WHIP, .154 BAA
For now, these three guys from Cedar are the second three headed monster of the list, but a solid start by Trevor Reckling (4.26era, 12.2ip, 7bb/12k) and Robert Fish (4.05era, 13.1ip, 8bb/15k), and this could become the five headed monster in a real hurry. All are very different in their approach, makeup and stuff, but all have the ability to dominate hitters. Health permitting, this quintet could reek havoc through the Halos minor league system.
8. Kevin Jepsen, RP, Class AA Arkansas Travelers
1-0, 2 saves, 0.93 ERA, 9.2 IP, 6 H, 3 BB, 13 K, 0.93 WHIP, .171 BAA
Kevin has been plagued by injury the last couple of years but has a terrific fastball and slider making him a strong candidate for the bullpen. Let’s hope that these early season numbers are an indication that he is back to being healthy as he is still only 23 years old and could move up pretty quickly if he continues to show dominance as a reliever.
9. Jose Arredondo, RP, Class AAA Salt Lake Bees
0-0 in 8 games, 2.25 ERA, 8.0 IP, 7H, 3BB, 7K, 1.25 WHIP, .250 BAA, 7 Saves
Jose is likely making the Angels look real hard at whether they offer Francisco Rodriguez an extension. Hopefully, his ‘attitude’ issues were overblown as it appears that he is proving that he can close out ball games without any problems. The Angels typically don’t put up with problem children so I think we can be confident that this kid is here to stay and has a future in the 9th inning at Angel Stadium. With some current uncertainty in the major league pen, we might see him sooner than later.
10. Michael Collins, 1b, Class AA Arkansas Travelers
19-50 (.380), 13 runs, 4 doubles, 2 HR, 9 RBI, 1bb/6k, 4sb, .418/.580/.998
The Australian product has been in the Angels org since the age of 16 and is in his second go around with the travs after a subpar 2007. Still only 23 years old, Michael is back to form to start the 2008 campaign. This could be a breakout year for the young righty as he will likely need to show a bit more power to be considered as a major league 1bman.
Honorable Mention
Class AAA, Salt Lake Bees
Bradley Coon, CF
23-65 (.354), 20 runs, 2 doubles, 1 HR, 7 RBI, 13bb/9k, 6sb/4cs, .468/.431/.899
Bobby Wilson, C
15-47 (.319), 3 runs, 5 doubles, 9 RBI, 3bb/14k, .373/.426/.798
Shane Loux, SP
3-0 in 3 starts, 0.46 era, 19.2ip, 17h, 3bb/11k, 1.02 whip
Kasey Olenberger, SP
1-1 in 3 starts, 3.32 era, 19.0ip, 17h, 8bb/15k, 1.32 whip
Class AA, Arkansas Travelers
Coby Smith, OF
17-50 (.340), 11 runs, 1 double, 1 triple, 1 HR, 3 RBI, 11bb/8k, 3sb/3cs, .500/.460/.960
Stephen Marek, RP
0-2 in 6 games, 3.24era, 1sv, 8.1ip, 7h, 3bb/11k, 1.20 whip
Francisco Rodriguez, RP
0-1 in 6 games, 3.48era, 1sv, 10.1ip, 11h, 4bb/10k, 1.45 whip
Class High A, Rancho Cucamonga Quakes
Wilberto Ortiz, SS
22-67 (.328), 10 runs, 8 doubles, 8 RBI, 6bb/12k, 1sb/2cs, .392/.448/.840
Anthony Norman, OF
12-40 (.300), 6 runs, 3 double, 2 triples, 1 HR, 2rbi, 9bb/7k, 3sb/0cs, .440/.550/.990
Peter Bourjos, OF
16-56 (.286), 9 runs, 3 doubles, 5 RBI, 5bb/8k, 13sb/1cs, .344/.339/.684
Amalio Diaz, SP
1-1 in 3 starts, 3.94era, 16.0ip, 18h, 4bb/13k, 1.38 whip
Class A, Cedar Rapids Kernels
Efren Navarro, 1b
16-47 (.340), 7 runs, 5 doubles, 9 RBI, 4bb/10k, 1sb/1cs, .396/.447/.843
Jay Brossman, 3b
18-57 (.316), 8 runs, 4 doubles, 1 HR, 10 RBI, 5bb/14k, 1sb/1cs, .371/.439/.810
Jeremy Moore, OF
14-47 (.298), 8 runs, 2 doubles, 2 triples, 2 HR, 8 RBI, 4bb/15k, 6sb/1cs, .365/.553/.919
Ryan Brasier, RP
0-1 in 7 games, 0.00 era, 5 saves, 9.2ip, 7h, 4bb/7k, 1.14 whip
Sammy Leon, RP
0-1 in 6 games, 1.59 era, 11.1ip, 6h, 3bb/13k, 0.79 whip
Brian Chambers, RP
2-0 in 5 games, 1.04 era, 8.2ip, 4h, 3bb/5k, 4 HB, 0.81 whip
NOT SO HOT
Brandon Wood, 3b/SS, Class AAA Salt Lake Bees
16-66 (.242), 13 runs, 3 doubles, 7 HR, 9 RBI, 5bb/25k, .296/.561/.856
Wood continues to put up the kind numbers that make for those Dave Kingman comparisons. Currently ‘on pace’ for nearly 50hrs and over 200ks is an interesting dynamic to say the least. Perhaps it’s allowable to some degree for a young player at the major league level yet not so much in a second year of AAA. A cloud of uncertainty now hangs over his prospect status to some degree although with the glimpses we have seen, we know that if he figures it out, he will be a monster. He might take a little longer than expected, but I think it will be worth the wait.
Jeff Kennard, RP, Class AAA Salt Lake Bees
0-0 in 5 games, 7.04 ERA, 7.2ip, 11h, 6bb/9k, .324baa
Jeff has yet to find his stride in the Halo organization with a tough run at Arkansas last year and a slow start this year. I think he’s going to have to show some results very soon as there are a bunch of guys with plus arms in this farm system waiting to take his spot.
Ben Johnson, C, Class AA Arkansas Travelers
9-55 (.164), 6 runs, 2 double, 1 HR, 8 RBI, 3bb/13k, .238/.255/.493
Ben had a nice 2007 season with the majority of his time spent at A/AA where he posted an .843 OPS. This year has been a struggle so far to say the least. A ton of catching depth means that he will have to improve, but considering his minor league numbers, its promising he will do just that.
PJ Phillips, SS, Class High A, Rancho Cucamonga Quakes
16-70 (.229), 10 runs, 6 doubles, 1 triple, 1 HR, 6 RBI, 1bb/21k, 4sb/0cs, .260/.386/.646
PJ has talent. There is no doubt about that, but 1bb for every 21ks is not going to get it done no matter how much talent he has. Perhaps the org. should send some film of Chone Figgins v.2008 down to the IE for him to review which I am sure they have already done. At 21 years old, he’s got some time to figure it out, and I’ll be pulling for him.
Andrew Romine, SS, Class A, Cedar Rapids Kernels
9-56 (.161), 12 runs, 2 doubles, 3 RBI, 11bb/7k, 8sb/0cs, .319/.196/.515, 6e in 16gm
Andrew surprised some people with his bat last year in the pioneer league and his peripherals are pretty good this year in that he has more walks than strikeouts and has yet to be caught stealing in eight attempts, but the average is certainly not where it needs to be. It’s clear he knows how to handle an at bat so I am sure things will pick up for him.
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