System overview
It was a magical 2002 season in Anaheim, and some pieces are in place to keep the team strong for many years. The Angels farm system was one of the weakest in the game for most of the 1990s, but the last three years have seen strong improvement. The club is drafting better, has expanded their operations in foreign markets, and seems to have a better coaching regimen at the lower levels.

The organization has a good balance between hitting and pitching prospects. John Lackey was great in the majors last year. Francisco Rodriguez, still a technical rookie despite his postseason heroics, is the prized possession, and there are more live arms on the way, though the best are at least a year from being ready to contribute. On offense, the Angels feature two premium talents in first baseman Casey Kotchman and catcher Jeff Mathis, though they won't reach the majors for another two years at least. Third baseman Dallas McPherson is also very promising.

Talent thins out after the top group, but the system is clearly on the upswing.

2002 amateur draft
The Angels had a good draft in 2001, and scored again with another decent effort in '02, mixing college and high school talent to good effect. Their first pick was Virginia Tech southpaw Joe Saunders, a polished lefty who adjusted rapidly to pro ball, and should move up the ladder quickly. A high school pitcher, Kevin Jepsen from Sparks, Nevada, was the next choice. He throws 95-97 mph, has a sharp slider, and would have been a first-round pick in some drafts. Third-round selection Kyle Pawelczyk, a lefty from a Florida junior college, also throws hard but will need to sharpen his control.

Fourth-round pick Jordan Reinz, an outfielder from high school in Oklahoma, is tools and raw, but has natural talent if they can refine it. Fifth-round choice Javy Rodriguez, a shortstop from the University of Miami, has speed and defensive ability. Keep a close eye on Florida community college products Howard Kendrick (10th round, 2B), and Nick Touchstone (18th round, LHP). Both could greatly exceed what most teams get in these slots, Touchstone in particular.

The Angels mixed four-year college guys with community college players and high school guys. Picking a polished talent like Saunders with the top slot, then mixing in more projectable players with different backgrounds, should help provide both depth and breadth to the system.

Top prospects
Players in the "Will Help Soon" section could see significant major league action in 2003. Players in the "Will Help Someday" section shouldn't reach the majors until '04 or later, though of course that can change. Players are listed alphabetically. No 2002 draftees are listed.

WILL HELP SOON
Chris Bootcheck, RHP: Owns 90 mph fastball, changeup, cutter, and slider. Throws strikes, and posted a 3.88 ERA in nine-start Triple-A audition. Will likely begin the year in the minors, but the first option if someone gets hurt.

Chone Figgins, INF: You saw him pinch-run in the playoffs. Very fast, good glove up the middle of the diamond, being groomed as a utility guy, and should last a long time in that role.

Robb Quinlan, OF: Hit .333 with 20 homers, 112 RBI at Triple-A Salt Lake. Thin air helped, but he's done well at every level, despite getting little attention as a prospect.

Francisco Rodriguez, RHP: If you saw the playoffs and World Series, you know this guy. Capable of dominating any game with his 96 mph fastball and savage slider. Not durable enough to be a starter, but is just fine backing up Troy Percival. Future closer.

WILL HELP SOMEDAY
Bobby Jenks, RHP: Clocked at 102 mph one time, usually works at "just" 97 or 98 or 99. Also has a terrific curveball, but has problems throwing strikes. Walked 90 men in 123 innings last year. Sometimes gets into trouble off the field.

Casey Kotchman, 1B: Polished young hitter with great discipline and considerable power potential. Hit just six homers last year in Class A, but banged 30 doubles out of 81 hits. Wrist injury limited him to 288 at-bats.

Jeff Mathis, C: One of the best catching prospects in baseball, though most people aren't aware of this yet. Sound defensively, and hit .287 with 41 doubles, 10 homers in the Class A Midwest League.

Dallas McPherson, 3B: Swings a strong lefty stick, hit .277 with 15 homers, 78 walks, 30 steals for Class A Cedar Rapids. Needs to polish his defense and prove he can hit at higher levels, though it seems likely he will.

KEY SLEEPER
Johan Santana, RHP: Not related to the Twins pitcher of the same name, but he is a strong prospect in his own right. Throws 94-96 mph, and both his slider and changeup are good. 146/48 K/BB in 147 innings for Cedar Rapids looks sharp to me.

Other names to know
Rich Fischer, RHP; Matt Hensley, RHP; Joe Torres, LHP; Mike O'Keefe, 1B-OF; Joel Peralta, RHP; Mike Campo, OF; Steve Shell, RHP; Jake Woods, LHP; Quan Cosby, OF; Derrick Turnbow, RHP.

John Sickels is the author of the 2002 Minor League Scouting Notebook, and is now working on the 2003 Baseball Prospect Book. His biography of Bob Feller will be published next spring. 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 JohnSickels.com.