2011 Top 10 Prospects: Los Angeles Angels and Oakland Athletics
by Matt HagenNovember 18, 2010
Los Angeles Angels: Top 10 Prospects
1. Mike Trout / OF / Trout had a tremendous season, leaving no doubt about who LA's top prospect is. His speed and defense are fully expected to be assets, but his mature approach and eye at the plate come as a surprise at this stage of his development.
2. Hank Conger / C / Conger still has not taken the big step forward that his skill set foreshadows. His defense isn't where it needs to be, but he does a good job all-around with a bat, with more power development possible.
3. Garrett Richards / SP / Richards has good stuff across the board, including a mid-90s fastball and three secondary offerings. His command is holding him back and keeping any one of his secondary pitches from becoming his out pitch. But there is a lot to like in this young man, and he is underrated in many circles.
4. Jean Segura / 2B/SS / Segura posted a breakout year at the plate and in the field. Defensively, he plays second base now but has the arm to play the left side of the infield. Offensively, he shows all the tools necessary to be a dynamic middle infielder. He does need to prove his worth at higher levels before the mainstream buys in.
5. Kaleb Cowart / 3B / Cowart is a two-way high schooler who will require patience, especially as he adjusts to an infield position full time. He has plus power potential from either side of the plate and many of the other raw tools necessary to one day become a star.
6. Fabio Martinez / SP / Martinez is a perfect example of a young man with a great three-pitch mix, plus velocity, good movement, and plenty of endurance. But he also is someone who needs to find consistent command on everything he throws before he's ready to challenge hitters at higher levels.
7. Tyler Chatwood / SP/RP / Chatwood has a slight frame, but you wouldn't know judging by his mid-90s fastball. He also has a good looking change-up and curveball, but, guess what, we have another young Angel arm with control issues. The young power arms in their system are very impressive, but they all need to figure out the strike zone.
8. Alexi Amarista / 2B / Amarista is a compact second baseman with a slick glove and great plate approach, which has been demonstrated at higher levels. He has some speed to work with and gap power, but there isn't much home run power, which will ultimately hinder his status. There is a lot to like. A solid big league second baseman is in the works.
9. Mark Trumbo / 1B/OF / Trumbo has one thing that he does well, and that's hit for power. The home run numbers are attractive and bringing people back for more. His simple, powerful swing looks like it will translate to the majors, but scouts aren't so sure about his contact skills, plate discipline, or defense.
10. Cam Bedrosian / SP / Los Angeles has a good, deep system, despite the lack of top-50 prospects. If a few of these young prospects figure things out and prove themselves at higher levels nothing will hold them back from high society. A number of players got a look at No. 10, including Jordan Walden, Trevor Reckling, Chevez Clarke, Randal Grichuk, and Daniel Tillman, but the raw power arm of Bedrosian fits the farm system's philosophy and is too much to ignore.
Los Angeles Angels: Top 10 Players Under Age 26 (as of 4/1/11)
1. Mike Trout / OF
2. Hank Conger / C
3. Garrett Richards / SP
4. Jean Segura / 2B/SS
5. Peter Bourjos / OF
6. Kaleb Cowart / 3B
7. Fabio Martinez / SP
8. Tyler Chatwood / SP/RP
9. Alexi Amarista / 2B
10. Mark Trumbo / 1B/OF
Oakland Athletics: Top 10 Prospects
1. Michael Choice / OF / Choice was the best four-year college hitter in the 2010 draft. He has superstar power potential in his bat, but also the tools to excel as an overall hitter. On top of his bat, he has usable speed and the ability to be a good defender from a corner outfield position.
2. Grant Green / SS / Green had some ups and downs in his debut season. His power and batting average stand out from the crowd, but his strikeout and walk rates will not cut it, and his defense has come into question, although, defensively, he should turn into an average major league shortstop.
3. Chris Carter / 1B/OF / It has become clear that strikeouts will always be a problem for Carter. Couple that fact with his all-or-nothing swing, and you are looking at some ugly batting averages, too. But his power is real and will provide Oakland with a much-needed long ball boost.
4. Jemile Weeks / 2B / Weeks has a rare skill set for a second baseman, and has even demonstrated the intangibles at the plate to be a patient, well-rounded hitter, but injuries are taking over his young career.
5. Ian Krol / SP / Despite his youth, Krol doesn't have a lot of upside due to his small frame and below-average fastball. What he does have is great command and deceptive movement on an average three-pitch mix.
6. Corey Brown / OF / Brown has a nice blend of power and speed. He is a solid defender, and his walk rate seems to get better each year, too. But his strikeout rate is worrisome, and he looked lost at times against Triple-A pitching last year.
7. Max Stassi / C / Stassi is a solid defender, no question, but probably not the difference maker some were hoping for when he was drafted. On the flip side, the power potential those same people were also hoping for has surfaced, giving his offense a glimmer of light that wasn't apparent when he was drafted.
8. Josh Donaldson / C / Donaldson knows how to take walks and has plenty of power, but whether or not he has what it takes elsewhere to stick at catcher remains to be seen.
9. Adrian Cardenas / 2B / Cardenas manages to hit for a good average wherever he goes. He limits his strikeouts and takes his share of walks. But the power numbers everyone was hoping for are nowhere to be found, and his stolen base rate and success percentage have dissipated.
10. Michael Taylor / OF / What happened to Taylor? Two things are clear; he loses his swing at times, and his pitch recognition is poor. His swing looks long and slow sometimes, which has sapped his power. Don't forget about him, though. He will have opportunities to turn it around.
Oakland Athletics: Top 10 Players Under Age 26 (as of 4/1/11)
1. Brett Anderson / SP
2. Trevor Cahill / SP
3. Michael Choice / OF
4. Gio Gonzalez / SP
5. Grant Green / SS
6. Chris Carter / 1B/OF
7. Jemile Weeks / 2B
8. Daric Barton / 1B
9. Ian Krol / SP
10. Corey Brown / OF
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