System overview
2001 was the classic good news/bad news scenario for Angels fans. The major-league team struggled, going 75-87, finishing more than 40 games behind the Mariners. But the minor-league system, after a stagnant decade, showed further signs of revival.

The Angels expanded their Latin American scouting operation in recent years, and have done a better job in the last few drafts. The system probably has more depth than at any time in the last 10 years. During most of the '90s, the system often seemed to be one mega-prospect drafted in the first round (Glaus, Erstad), and a bunch of guys who weren't really prospects. That is starting to change.

It wasn't enough to save farm director Darrell Miller's job, however, as he was fired this past October. Successor Tony Reagins and his staff have a broader base of talent to work with, but there is still room for improvement. Overall, the Angels system rates as average, but

2001 Minor League W-L Percentage: .499, (ranked 14th)

2001 amateur draft
I like this draft. The Angels struck a balance between college and high school talent, between pitchers and hitters, between polished players and raw tools guys.

First-round pick Casey Kotchman (the son of Angels minor-league manager and scout Tom Kotchman) has the look of a star. A first baseman out of high school in Florida, he went 20-for-37 (.541) before going down with a wrist injury. He should be fine, and could end up being the first high school player in this draft class to reach the majors. Supplemental first-rounder Jeff Mathis, a high school catcher from Florida, is excellent with the glove, and has significant offensive potential. High school catchers are unpredictable, but he has a better chance to develop than most. Second-rounder Dallas McPherson, a third baseman out of The Citadel, hit .395 in rookie ball, and is a solid all-around athlete. Third-round choice Steven Shell, a high school right-hander from Oklahoma, pitched poorly in the Pioneer League, but has good mechanics and is projectable.

Mike Nicokli (4th round, RHP, Birmingham-Southern) and Brad Pinkerton (5th round, LHP, Elon) are guys from small colleges who should be watched closely. Sixth-round choice Quan Cosby, a Texas high school outfielder, is an extraordinary athlete, but will need a lot of development time. College-drafted sleepers include Jason Dennis (14th round, LHP, University of California), Al Corbiel (16th round, C, Florida Southern), and Greg Porter (45th round, 3B, Texas A&M).

Kotchman and Mathis are solid picks from the high school ranks, and the rest of the class is a nice mixture of talent, which will help system depth greatly.

Top prospects
Players in the "Will Help Soon" section could see major-league action in 2002. Players in the "Will Help Someday" section shouldn't reach the majors until '03 or later, though of course that can change. No 2001 draftees are listed.

WILL HELP SOON
Alfredo Amezaga, 2B-SS: Swiped 33 bases in Double-A and Triple-A, though .250 average at high-offense Salt Lake was disappointing. Needs better strike zone judgment. Fine with the glove, looks like a future utility type.

Chris Bootcheck, RHP: 2000 first-rounder, out of Auburn. Throws strikes with 90-93 mph fastball, also has a good slider and a developing changeup. Control is fine, but 5.45 ERA in six Double-A starts shows there is work to do.

Nathan Haynes, OF: Swiped 33 bases and hit .310 in Double-A. Learning to work the count, making him a potentially useful leadoff man.

John Lackey, RHP: Can hit 96 mph, also has a great curveball and improving command. Will need additional Triple-A time, but looks like a number two starter in the long run.

Bart Miadich, RHP: Saved 27 with 2.44 ERA in Triple-A, and may get a chance to close games for the Angels by 2003. Throws hard, and has improved his control, though it is still far from perfect.

WILL HELP SOMEDAY
Casey Kotchman, 1B: I'll break the "Don't Put 2001 Draftees On These Lists" rule for this guy, even though he is a high schooler.

Jared Abruzzo, C: Has excellent raw power, and a strong arm. But slow feet and holes in his swing may hinder his development.

Bobby Jenks, RHP: Throws blazing fastball, timed as high as 99 mph. Needs better command and a sharper breaking pitch. Compared to Nuke LaLoosh for more reasons than one.

Francisco Rodriguez, RHP: Fanned 147 in 114 innings for Class A Rancho. Throws hard, but has a history of injuries, and still needs better control.

Johan Santana, RHP: Just in rookie ball last year, but throws hard, in the tradition of Ramon Ortiz and Rodriguez.

Joe Torres, LHP: 2000 first-rounder, didn't pitch much in '01 due to mechanical problems and a sore shoulder. Could move quickly if/when healthy, due to sharp fastball/curveball combination.

KEY SLEEPER
Joel Peralta, RHP: Never mentioned as a prospect, but he saved 23 with a 53/5 K/BB ratio last year for Class A Cedar Rapids. I saw him pitch in Double-A late in the season (he fanned 14 in 10 innings for Arkansas), and was impressed. Throws darting 93 MPH fastball, along with a nasty slider. Possibly overlooked because he is listed at 5-11 but looks more like 5-8.

Other names to know
Mike Campo, OF; Sergio Contreras, 1B; Elpidio Guzman, OF; Gary Johnson, OF; Pedro Liriano, LHP; Mike O'Keefe, OF; Johnny Raburn, SS; Zach Roper, 3B; Brian Specht, SS; Charlie Thames, RHP; Phil Wilson, RHP; Dave Wolensky, RHP.

John Sickels is working on the 2002 STATS Minor League Scouting Notebook. He lives in Lawrence, Kansas, with his wife, son, and two cats. You can send John questions or comments at JASickels@aol.com, or you can visit his homepage at hometown.aol.com/jasickels/page1.html.