Los Angeles Angels' Top Prospect, Nick Adenhart, Killed in Auto Accident

Angels super prospect Nick Adenhart was killed in a car accident early Thursday morning, only hours after pitching six superb shutout innings against the Oakland A's, a game which the Angels lost 6-4. 

Considered the number one prospect in the Angels organization by numerous publications, Adenhart struggled to make it to the major the past two years, but finally appeared to cement his role in a rotation riddled by injuries.

Being that Adenhart was a Baltimore native, I hoped that somehow, the Orioles would acquire the talented young right-hander. When the O's were talking to the Angels about trading Miguel Tejada, I was especially intrigued by the idea of Adenhart coming home.

Baseball America considered Adenhart a top of the rotation talent, as he threw three above-average pitches, a mid 90's fastball, a hard breaking curve, and a changeup. Adenhart got his first aste of the majors last year when he was called up and asked to pitch on three days rest.

The decision was questioned even before Adenhart made the start, and everyone's reservations were confirmed when he lasted only two innings, surrendering 5 earned runs. After two more difficult starts, the Angels returned Adenhart to AAA, where he struggled the rest of the year.

Sadly, Adenhart's best start of his career will also go down in the books as his last. He shut down the Athletics revamped lineup for six innings, staking the Angels to a 3-0 lead. He scattered seven hits over the six innings, striking out five while walking three. 

For more on the accident, which was apparently caused when a mini-van ran a red light and struck the car Adenhart was traveling in, forcing it into a telephone pole, visit Sporting News.com or the LA Times. Two other passengers in Adenhart's car were also killed, while the driver of the van fled on foot. 

Nick Adenhart August 24, 1986-April 9, 2009