Los Angeles Angels Top-15 Prospects of 2011, No’s 1 – 5

ALSO SEE – Angels Top Prospects, No’s 6 – 15

Grades are based on a prospect’s projected value over the course of his career and how likely it is that prospect will fulfill his projected value. Various factors are accounted for including upside, red flags, actual performance, and closeness to the majors. See the 2011 Top Prospect List Primer for more information as it relates to prospect grading and philosophy.

TO QUALIFY

Hitters must have 100 or fewer Major League ABs to qualify for this list. Starting pitchers must have 50 or fewer Major League innings to qualify. Relief pitchers must have 25 or fewer Major League innings to qualify. Ages are listed as of May 1st, 2011. Levels are based on the highest level in which a prospect played in 2010. All grades are subject to change based on any new information I receive before the season starts.

Prospects 1 and 6 are available for everyone to read. All other scouting reports can be accessed by Premium Members only.

Free Membership Limited Time:

Quick Rundown on Prospects 1 – 5

1. Mike Trout | CF | Age – 19 | Grade – A- … See his in-depth report below and click here for a pitch-by-pitch breakdown of Trout

2. Jean Segura | 2b/SS | Age – 21 | Grade – B … Like him a lot…mechanical adjustments helped spur power surge during the second half of last year and I break those adjustments down in his report. Also click here for a pitch-by-pitch breakdown of Segura

3. Hank Conger | C | Age – 23 | Grade – B/B- … I like his bat, but scouts say his defense is still shaky. I ultimately think he’ll end up being able to stick it out at the position.

4. Garrett Richards | RHP | Age – 23 | Grade – B/B- … Click here for a pitch-by-pitch look at Richards…could be a No. 2 starter, but will more likely end up in the bullpen.

5. Kaleb Cowart | 3b | Age – 18 | Grade – B-/B … Has a lot of potential…love his right hand swing, but his left hand swing needs work. However, I noticed on video he’s already made some positive adjustments from the left side of the plate in an effort to generate more bat speed and thunder in his swing. If things don’t go well with the bat, he can easily fall back to pitching.

*Trevor Bell, Bobby Wilson, Michael Kohn, Jordan Walden, and Peter Bourjos are no longer considered prospects based on the criteria set forth for these lists.

» To get access to all scouting reports, you must be a Premium Member

Player Grades
Contact – 60 Now | 65 Future
Power – 45 | 50/55
Discipline – 55 | 65/70
Speed – 70 | 70
Defense – 60 | 65
Arm – 55 | 55
Instincts – 60 | 70
ETA – Late 2012
Final Grade – A-

Last Year’s Team Ranking – No. 1

Last Year’s Top-100 Ranking – No. 38

Last Year’s Grade – B+

Body Type – Very athletic and muscular build

Scouting Report

Click here to see a pitch-by-pitch breakdown on Trout, and see what makes him a special prospect.

Mike Trout is the complete package of a player. He offers value in every facet of the game. No, the in-game power is not fully developed. However, power is typically one of the last things a prospect develops and Trout played most of last season at just 18 years old. I believe the power will come — and he certainly flashed his ability to generate power throughout the 2010 season. But let’s focus on what he already does well…

Trout makes consistent contact, hits for average, gets on base at a high rate, provides plus level defense, and has an ability to steal 50+ bases annually. And then there are the overlooked, but still critically important aspects of baseball in which Trout excels: the ability to spoil good pitches and make pitchers work, the ability to lay down a perfectly placed bunt in each at bat, the natural leadership skills Trout possesses, and the off the charts mental make-up.

Trout is blessed with quick forearms and strong hands. Combined with excellent hand-eye coordination, this allows Trout to consistently center the ball on the sweet part of the bat and make hard contact. He recognizes pitches well for his age and shows an ability to adjust to off-speed pitches in mid-flight. Trout also has an advanced approach, using the entire field.

He does have a little length to his swing as Trout will wrap the bat behind his head as he loads up. However, in addition to his excellent bat speed, the fact that Trout’s arms are relatively short actually give him a shorter path to the ball than most players, making it easier for him to get his hands in on the inner half of the plate in order to drive the ball.

Defensively, Trout possesses great instincts to go along with tremendous speed and a strong arm. All this makes him a potential plus defensive player in center field.

Best Case Outcome – All Star center fielder and leadoff hitter.

More Likely Outcome – Borderline All Star

» To get access to all scouting reports, you must be a Premium Member

If you enjoyed this article, please consider subscribing to my RSS feed for updates for when new content is posted.

You can also get updates sent straight to your inbox in addition to extra prospect reports, the reader mailbag, and more by using the form below to sign up for the free Baseball-Intellect Newsletter. Your e-mail will never be shared or sold:

For readers already using an RSS feed for site updates, you can skip the updates and sign up for just the content that does not appear on the main site.

Keep in mind that to read the scouting reports for each team’s No. 15 rated prospect, you must be a member of the Newsletter.

UP NEXT – Los Angeles Angels Top Prospects, No’s 6 – 15

Other References and Resources Used for This Article – First Inning