Position-by-Position Breakdown of Angels' Standout Prospects

The Los Angeles Angels' farm system is currently recognized as one of the worst in all of baseball. With top prospects being shipped off in favor of MLB-ready talent, the Angels do not have many standout prospects waiting in the wings.

Overall strengths of the remaining farm system include a decent group of position players (most notably 3B Kaleb Cowart) and several potential bullpen arms. General weaknesses include impact starting pitching and overall depth. 

Here is a position-by-position breakdown of the best prospects within the Angels organization. 

Regardless of what uniform they will be wearing, which prospects will have the best shot at making it to the big leagues?

*Minor league stats courtesy of Baseball-Reference.com and are current through 8/8/13.

P R.J. Alvarez

Team: High-A Inland Empire 66ers

Throws: Right

Drafted: 2012, Round 3, Pick 114

Analysis: With no picks in the first two rounds of the 2012 draft, R.J. Alvarez was the Angels' top selection at No. 114 overall.

Alvarez has a dynamic fastball that can climb up to 100 mph and a better-than-average slider. The 22-year-old currently has a 3.35 ERA in 40.1 innings pitched for the Inland Empire 66ers this season. His 0.4 HR/9 and 14.1 SO/9 are impressive. 

Alvarez is a low-risk, high-reward pitching prospect who could eventually make headlines in the majors as a late-game reliever.

Season to date:

Age	G	IP	W	L	ERA	WHIP	HR/9	BB/9	SO/9
22	29	40.1	3	2	3.35	1.31	0.4	5.1	14.1

C Jett Bandy

Team: AA Arkansas Travelers

Bats/Throws: Right/Right

Drafted: 2011, Round 31

Analysis: With 25-year-old Hank Conger taking playing time away from Chris Iannetta in the second half of 2013, it appears the starting job will be his sooner rather than later. Double-A Arkansas catcher Jett Bandy appears to the only prospect on the horizon for the Halos when it comes to catchers.

At the plate, Bandy has a .230/.293/.359 slash line through 68 games this season. On the defensive side of the ball, the catcher has a .990 fielding percentage and a 33 percent caught stealing percentage (21-for-64).

Do not expect to see Bandy on the Angels' Major League roster in 2014.

Season to date:

Age	G	AB	R	H	HR	RBI	BA	OBP	SLG
23	68	209	20	48	3	21	.230	.293	.359

1B C.J. Cron

Team: AA Arkansas Travelers

Bats/Throws: Right/Right

Drafted: 2011, Round 1, Pick 17

Analysis: First baseman C.J. Cron was heralded as the top power hitter in the 2011 draft. In his first two years in the minors (2011-2012), the 6'4", 235-pound slugger hit 40 home runs in 163 games. Through 110 games in 2013, Cron has 9 home runs and 61 RBI.

Thanks in part to his large frame, Cron's defensive projections are below average. His slow feet and limited mobility make him somewhat questionable in the field. In spite of that, Cron is one of the Angels' premier prospects simply due to his raw power.

Look for Cron to arrive in the Majors in the second half of 2014.

Season to date:

Age	G	AB	R	H	HR	RBI	BA	OBP	SLG
23	110	425	45	117	9	61	.275	.323	.414

2B Taylor Lindsey

Team: AA Arkansas Travelers

Bats/Throws: Left/Right

Drafted: 2010, Round 1, Pick 37

Analysis: Taylor Lindsey is a rising star at Double-A Arkansas. Known as an offensive-minded second baseman, Lindsey has 15 home runs and 50 RBI through 111 games. With more home runs than powerhouse C.J. Cron, Lindsey is truly having a remarkable year at the plate.

On defense, Lindsey is known to have a below-average throwing arm. But luckily for him, his weakness is well hidden at second base. 

Because Lindsey plays the same position as the resurgent Howie Kendrick, his ascent to the majors may be delayed a bit. Look for Lindsey to be called up late in the 2014 season.  

Season to date:

Age	G	AB	R	H	HR	RBI	BA	OBP	SLG
21	111	421	56	119	15	50	.283	.338	.456

3B Kaleb Cowart

Team: AA Arkansas Travelers

Bats/Throws: Switch/Right

Drafted: 2010, Round 1, Pick 18

Analysis: Switch-hitting third baseman Kaleb Cowart is currently the club's top minor league prospect. If his development continues, Cowart figures to be an impact player who hits for both average and power.

On defense, Cowart's athleticism and sure-handedness in addition to his elite throwing arm combine to make him the Angels' most exciting young talent.

With the trade of 3B Alberto Callaspo to the Oakland Athletics, the corner has opened up for the Halos. They have plugged Mark Trumbo and Chris Nelson at third base for the time being, but the job will most certainly go to Kaleb Cowart next season. 

Fans might want to worry a little about his low batting average, but look for the 21-year-old Cowart to make a big splash for the Angels in 2014.

Season to date:

Age	G	AB	R	H	HR	RBI	BA	OBP	SLG
21	110	412	41	88	5	33	.214	.278	.299

LF Randal Grichuk

Team: AA Arkansas Travelers

Bats/Throws: Right/Right

Drafted: 2009, Round 1, Pick 24

Analysis: Left fielder Randal Grichuk was drafted one spot ahead of Mike Trout in the first round of the 2009 draft. That fact will stick with him for the rest of his life. Needless to say, the 21-year-old has a lot to live up to.

At Double-A Arkansas this year, Grichuk is currently posting a slash line of .239/.295/.434 with 15 home runs and 45 RBI in 105 games. Although his numbers are down across the board (.298/.335/.488) from where they were last year while playing for the High-A Inland Empire 66ers, there is still a lot to like about this young prospect.

On the defensive side of the ball, Grichuk has serviceable speed to go with a strong throwing arm.

The biggest concern for the Angels when looking at Grichuk as a prospect is his durability. He suffered multiple wrist injuries in 2010 and injured both knees in 2011. 

With a stacked outfield in Anaheim, Grichuk doesn't appear to have anywhere to play for the next few years. But having struck gold already in the 2009 draft with Mike Trout, the Angels are fortunate to be able to bide their time in developing Grichuk into an MLB-ready outfielder (if not trade bait). 

Season to date:

Age	G	AB	R	H	HR	RBI	BA	OBP	SLG
21	105	401	65	96	15	45	.239	.295	.434

CF Travis Witherspoon

Team: AA Arkansas Travelers

Bats/Throws: Right/Right

Drafted: 2009, Round 12

Analysis: Travis Witherspoon is the Angels' most athletic prospect. His speed in the outfield and on the basepaths makes him a player to watch in the Halo farm system.

However, his inability to hit for average may hinder him from ever making a big impact in the majors. In his time at Double-A Arkansas this year, Witherspoon is hitting just .213/.301/.356. His 102 strikeouts in 109 games is a big cause for concern as scouts say he struggles at recognizing pitches.

On the plus side, however, Witherspoon has 25 steals in 34 attempts (73 percent success rate). And in Major League Baseball, speed is always a threat. The Angels may find use for Witherspoon as a pinch runner or a substitute outfielder at some point, but don't count on that happening next year.

 Season to date:

Age	G	AB	R	H	HR	RBI	BA	OBP	SLG
24	109	376	50	80	11	33	.213	.301	.356

RF Kole Calhoun

Team: AAA Salt Lake Bees

Bats/Throws: Left/Left

Drafted: 2010, Round 8

Analysis: Since being drafted in 2010, Kole Calhoun has zipped right through the Angels' farm system. His numbers at Triple-A Salt Lake this season were stellar (as they were last year). The right fielder hit an impressive .354 with 12 home runs and 49 RBI in just 59 games.

Albert Pujols' partial tear of the left plantar fascia opened a roster spot for Calhoun in late July. Since being called up, Calhoun has done nothing but impress. In limited action with the Angels, Calhoun's slash line reads .324/.390/.595.

Look for the 25-year-old right fielder to get more playing time as the 2013 season winds down for the non-contending Angels. Going forward, he appears to be an ideal fourth outfielder behind Mike Trout, Josh Hamilton and Peter Bourjos. 

Season to date (minor league):

Age	G	AB	R	H	HR	RBI	BA	OBP	SLG
25	59	240	48	85	12	49	.354	.431	.617