We’ve got the latest rundown on the big happenings in the Angels farm system:
Salt Lake Bees (AAA):
The big goings on is Salt Lake generally have to do with guys who weren’t even on the team until just recently. The Bees will now feature both Jose Arredondo and Howie Kendrick as both players serve their penance in the minors for failing to perform up in the bigs. Both players will be featured prominently until they show that they deserve to return to the majors… As for pre-existing Bees, Brandon Wood continues to garner attention, this time for his glove rather than his bat. Actually it is his shiny new first baseman’s glove that is generating the buzz. Wood has been playing pretty much every other game at first base in what seems to be a move designed to get him up to the majors sooner rather than later… An interesting name to watch as the Angels seek bullpen solutions is Jeremy Hill. The 32-year old reliever has become the Bees de facto closer and is thriving in the role. Hill did take a loss in his last outing but still sport a 2.89 ERA and has fanned 29 batters in 28 innings of work while walking only 10. Could he be the relief version of Matt Palmer?
Arkansas Travelers (AA):
Peter Bourjos, one of the Angels top outfield prospects, is now on the disabled list with a wrist injury. The Travs signed Val Majewski to take his spot on the active roster… Former first-round pick Trevor Bell continues to give Angels cause for hope. Bell has now allowed just five earned runs over his last four starts… Elite prospect Jordan Walden is finally emerging from the funk he was in to start the season due to elbow irritation. Walden has two starts under his belt thus far in June and has gone 11 innings, striking out 16 while allowing only one earned run… While the Trav pitching is hot, the hitting is definitely not. Hank Conger still doesn’t have an extra-base hit in 37 at-bats in June while Mark Trumbo has now been pushed down in the order in what has been nothing but a disappointing season for the young “sluggers.”… There is good news though, slick-fielding shortstop Hainley Statia finally got his batting average over .200.
Rancho Cucamonga Quakes (High A):
Fresh off a eight innings of shutout ball, Alex Torres has been named to the California League All-Star team. Torres should be ready to climb up the organizational ladder pretty soon, once he figures out to cut down on his 40 walks, that is… Super-raw prospect P.J. Phillips could be close to the end of the line, he is already repeating High A and has now dipped under the Mendoza line. He continues to play everyday, but it is hard to imagine that continuing for much longer.
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