Angels Minor-League All-Stars [Part 2]

Written by: Anita Y. Tsuchiya on 27th July 2009

Angels Minor-League All-Stars [Part 2] | read this item

Read about the 2009 Angels Triple-A All-Stars here.

July 27, 2009 — Moving down the farm system ladder to take a look at the Angels Double-A All-Stars presents an interesting dilemma for prospect followers. On the one hand, there’s loads of as-yet-undiscovered potential. These young athletes have proven themselves worthy of promotion as the number of teams dwindles from three teams—Rookie/Single-A/Advanced-A (four, if you include extended spring training)—to one. On the other, Double-A is still a very long way from the big leagues. Top-Three-Round draft picks Dallas McPherson, Chris Bootcheck, Tommy Murphy, for example, breezed through the system and into Triple-A, only to find their careers stalled at the last crucial step.

With this prelude in mind, I regard this year’s Double-A All-Star prospects with a bit of optimism. Why not? For these youngsters, most under 25 years old, the future still looks bright.

Mark Trumbo

Mark Trumbo was drafted in 2004 by the Angels in the 18th round, 533rd overall. It’s no secret the Angels have longed for a power bat to add to their situational hitting strategy. A two-way ballplayer in high school, he was originally projected as a 96-mph starting pitcher. The Angels decided to take a chance on his power at the plate rather than from the mound.

He progressed up the system to Double-A, with the kind of production that puts smiles on the faces of hitting coaches. Even better news has been the steady improvement of his BB:SO ratio, indicating a maturing plate discipline.

Rookie	21	67
Single-A	99	264
Advanced-A	26	67
Double-A	58	162

Trumbo started at Double-A Arkansas this spring. His power numbers are down a bit, he’s hitting doubles instead of homers, although he did cap off his All-Star Game selection by winning the Texas League Home Run Derby.

Hank Conger

Slugging catcher from California. Those four words summed up the Angels expectations when the 6-ft, 205-lb high-schooler was selected in the first round, in 2006. Drafted as another power bat, Conger’s start in professional baseball was hampered a bit by injuries. He spent all of 2008 with Advanced-A Rancho Cucamonga, only donning catcher’s gear for a few games.

The 21-year-old made the Opening Day Arkansas roster. His body and his defense seem to be holding up through 85 games thus far, 58 as catcher, 27 as DH. His fielding percentage is .978, 1 PB and he’s thrown out 31% of baserunners trying to steal in 68 chances. Post All-Star game, Conger’s been swinging the bat very well, .320 AVG, 12 RBI, 3 HR, 17 BB, 10 SO in July to date.

Conger is the up-and-coming catcher behind Ryan Budde (29 y.o.) and Bobby Wilson (26 y.o.), both of whom have spent multiple seasons at Triple-A, as well as time in the majors. The key for Conger is proving he can survive the wear-and-tear of being an everyday catcher through a full season.

Peter Bourjos

Peter Bourjos was drafted in the 10th round, 313th overall, of the 2005 June draft. Slim and speedy, Bourjos is not as powerful a hitter as Terry Evans, although he might actually have the edge on the basepaths. (And Evans has wheels.) Bourjos has 19 SB thus far, and ranks third in the team in run production, behind Trumbo and Conger: 28 RBI, 121 TB, .440 SLG. He shows good plate discipline as well, 29:52 SO:BB, .291 BA, and had a 17-game hitting streak in May. Defensively, the tall centerfielder hasn’t committed an error in 70 games.

He missed the All-Star Game due to injury and sat for a few days mid-July, otherwise he seems plenty healthy. A big barrier for Bourjos at this point is positional depth; the Angels have no shortage of high-average, low-power, speedy outfielders. He’s not likely to get much of a look unless swine flu knocks out 1/3 of the clubhouse.

Nate Sutton

Nate Sutton was selected by the Angels in the 24th round, 713th overall of the 2004 draft. Originally a third baseman, Sutton has become the model utility player for Arkansas, able to play all four infield or three outfield positions. He hits well for average, with a few extra base-hits and stolen bases sprinkled in the mix: 31 SO, 31 BB, .294 BA, 11 2B, 10 SB.

The left-handed hitter was promoted to Salt Lake for a stretch and started off on a hot streak, eventually though, settling into a .238 BA over 18 games. The oldest of the group at 26, Sutton appears to be another Adam Pavkovich—a reliable, albeit unspectacular, Triple-A utility guy who will have to show some break-out offensive numbers in order to progress any further.

Tommy Mendoza

Tommy Mendoza was drafted out of high school in the fifth round, 163rd overall in 2005. He showed promise at the early levels, winning Arizona Fall League All-Star honors in 2005 and Midwest League Pitcher of the Week honors the following year. There were high hopes for Mendoza at the start of 2007, although he ended up with a 2-4 record, 4.86 ERA in just 12 games. In 2008, he was 4-12, 4.17 ERA. He’s been the workhorse for Double-A Arkansas in 2009, with 102 IP, and he’s throwing strikes 68:28 SO:BB. Consistency seems to be an issue. For example, take a look at the games he’s started since the All-Star break:

	ERA	IP	H	ER	BB	SO
4-Jul	3.86	7	9	3	1	2
	6.75	6	9	5	3	3
17-Jul	2.70	6	9	2	1	6
22-Jul	6.75	5	9	4	3	6

Bobby Cassevah

Bobby Cassevah was selected late, in the 34th round, 1,013th overall, after undergoing Tommy John surgery prior to the draft. Nonetheless, his stats sheet shows a steady improvement during his progression through the farm system. The late-innings reliever/closer was selected to the All-Star team as a replacement for Bobby Mosebach, who was called up to Triple-A Salt Lake in late June. His numbers though, certainly seem to be better than back-up caliber. Currently Cassevah sports a 2.38 ERA, 56 IP, 36 SO, 23 BB, 1 HR. Aside from a one-appearance disaster on July 14th, he has been nearly unhittable in July.

Trevor Reckling

Trevor Reckling is a kid with the potential to do great things. Drafted in the eighth round, 268th overall in the 2007 draft, he showed his stuff early, and often. Reckling was just 19 years old when he was promoted to Double-A Arkansas in his second season of professional baseball. The lone Angels representative at this season’s MLB All-Star Futures Game, the left-handed starting pitcher definitely seems to be on the fast track. He’s second on the team in innings pitched, 94 IP, with a 2.87 ERA in 16 games. He needs to issue fewer walks, 51:70 BB:SO is pretty high. Of course, time is on his side at this point, and being a lefty, the Angels will surely be patient about bringing him along.

For all of these young prospects, the hill is still a pretty steep one to get to the next level. Also, it will be interesting what happens if the Angels make a deal for a major-league pitcher. The package would undoubtedly have to include a Triple-A pitching prospect, or perhaps two, which would open up a promotion for younger, less-tested arms…Your friend in baseball.

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Topics: Angels prospect, Arkansas Travelers, Bobby Cassevah, Double-A All-Star Game, Double-A Baseball, Hank Conger, Home Run Derby, Mark Trumbo, minor league baseball, Nate Sutton, Peter Bourjos, Texas League, Tommy Mendoza, Trevor Reckling