Hello everyone,

The Anaheim Angels is a thriving franchise with a great scouting department. The Halos are currently 1st in the AL WEST with a 24-17 record, and their player development can be directly related to their success. With the continued development of Pitchers such as Jered Weaver, Ervin Santana, and Joe Saunders, The Angels have a very respectable staff. Staff ace John Lackey, who is coming off the DL to make his 1st start of the season today, was a 2nd rounder, while Saunder and Weaver were both 1st rounders.  Ervin Santana  was signed with the Angels in 2000 by scouting Clay Daniels. Angels hitting this year has been led by the homegrown talent. Casey Kotchman, former 1st round pick in 2001, has impressed the Angels with his ability to hit for both contact and power and his strike zone judgement. Casey leads the playoff bound Halos with a .309 batting average. A pair of home grown sluggers man behind the plate. Mike Napoli, currently leading the team with 8 homers, was a 17th round find by the Angels, and Jeff Mathis was a supplemental pick in 2001. Both have shown they belong in majors with their clutch hitting and ability to call games behind the plate for the quality Angel Staff. Howie Kendrik is another Angel former top prospect who has earned a major league job and succeeding. Howie is a hitter that can develop into a 20/20 player real soon, if he can stay healthy. The Angels are also hoping to bring up their youth to give them a small taste of the major leagues: Brandon Wood, Top prospect who has serious power, but strikes out way too much, Matt Brown and Sean Rodriguez. The AAA Salt Lake Bees have enjoyed incredible success with a 30-8 record. The Halos, with a mix of solid veterans and young up and comers look to have a great future as the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim.

Now a look at their recent drafts since 2001:

Hank Conger 1st round 2006

Jered Weaver 1st round 2004

Casey Kotchman 1st round 2001

Jeff Mathis 1st round 2001

Dallas McPherson-failed prospect- 2nd round 2001

Matt Brown 10th round 2001

Joe Saunders 1st round 2002

Howie Kendrik 10th round 2002

Brandon Wood 1st round 2003

Sean Rodriguez 3rd round 2003

Reggie Willits 7th round 2003

Nick Addenhart 14th round 2004

Jordan Walden 12th round 2006

Rankings by John entering 2008:

1. Brandon Wood, 3B, Grade B+
   
2. Nick Adenhart, RHP, Grade B+
   
3. Hang Conger, C, Grade B+
   
4. Jordan Walden, RHP, Grade B  (high praise for a rookie ball pitcher)
   
5. Sean O'Sullivan, RHP, Grade B
   
6. Sean Rodriguez, SS, Grade B  (I am sticking to my guns, I like him)
   
7. Chris Pettit, OF, Grade B-
   
8. Trevor Bell, RHP, Grade C+
   
9. Stephen Marek, RHP, Grade C+
   
10. Jeremy Haynes, RHP, Grade C+
    
11. Hainley Statia, SS, Grade C+
    
12. Peter Bourjos, OF, Grade C+
    
13. David Herndon, RHP, Grade C+
    
14. Terry Evans, OF, Grade C+
    
15. Matthew Sweeney, 3B, Grade C+
    
16. Miguel Gonzalez, RHP, Grade C+
    
17. Felipe Arredondo, RHP, Grade C+
    
18. Robert Fish, LHP, Grade C+
    
19. Anthony Ortega, RHP, Grade C
    
20. Jose Arredondo, RHP, Grade C

I have a pretty good idea of who I would pick as the Angels GM, but I could always use the help:

The Angels currently have the 27th pick  in this years draft: and looking at possible candidates could be:

HS BATS

Ethan Martin, 3b-rhp, Stephens Co HS Toccoa, GA
Isaac Galloway, CF, Cali HS

HS ARMS

Aaron Hicks, P-OF, HS-Calif

Brett DeVall, LHP, HS-Pensacola, FL
Jake Odorizzi, RHP, Highland HS, Highland, IL
Daniel Webb, rhp, Heath HS, Paducah, KY
Micheal Pallazone, RHP, Lassiter HS-Marietta, GA

COLLEGE BATS

Yonder Alonso, 1b, Miami
Jemile Weeks, 2b, Miami

Conor Gillaspie, 3b, Wichita State
Jordan Danks, CF, Texas

Lonnie Chisenhall, 3b-of, Pitt Co (NC) JUCO
Eric Thames, OF, Pepperdine

College Arms

Shooter Hunt, RHP, Tulane
Christian Friedrich, LHP, Eastern Kentucky
Josh Fields, RHP, UGA (Reliever)

Who do you think Angels should take with their first rounder (27th overall) ?