AL West's Future Stars: The Best Young Talent at Each Position
Over the years the American League West, though the smallest division in baseball, has never been short of stars. Looking back over the years the premier talent that has resided in the West is astounding.
From all-time greats like Griffey, Ichiro and Ivan Rodriguez to some of the best players of the past decade in Vladimir Guerrero, Michael Young and Miguel Tejada.
From 1996 until 2004, the AL MVP was located in the West. That's nine straight years if anyone is counting.
Why is the West so good at producing superior talent? Great farm systems.
And these farm teams are still producing All-Star quality talent, and in this article, we will examine the best young talent at each position in the West. Some are in the big leagues already, and some are still a year or two away, but let's break out the crystal ball and look to the future.
Catcher: Hank Conger, Angels
1 of 7
The switch-hitting 23-year-old catcher from Huntington Beach, California is known more for his bat than his glove. In 2010, Baseball America ranked him as the best "hitter for average" in the Angels' system, ahead of super prospect Mike Trout.
The team's first-round draft pick in 2006 was named the MVP of the Futures Game in 2010 after launching a three-run home run. He has struggled so far this year in the majors, but his offense and defense are still progressing.
I don't have any legit stats to back this up, but I am pretty sure he is the first Korean-American player named Hank to hit a home run in the majors.
First Base: Justin Smoak, Mariners
2 of 7
The centerpiece in the deal that landed the Rangers Cliff Lee last July, Justin Smoak is the real deal. The switch-hitting first baseman was the Rangers first-round pick in 2008 and was widely considered one of the best college bats in the draft.
Before the trade he was considered one of the top five prospects in the game and has been compared to Mark Teixeira and Justin Morneau. Smoak's talent has been on display in Seattle this year giving fans just a glimpse of his enormous potential.
He figures to only get better, but Seattle's Safeco Park will probably effect his numbers a bit.
Honorable Mention: Mitch Moreland, Rangers. Mark Trumbo, Angels.
Second Base: Dustin Ackley, Mariners
3 of 7
The second overall pick in the 2009 draft, Ackley has proven that he is a pure hitter. Although drafted as an outfielder out of the University of North Carolina, Ackley has transitioned to second base for the Mariners and is expected to be joining the big league club soon.
Questions surround his defense at second base, but there are none concerning hit bat. He is considered as having one of the best "eyes" in the game. The stats prove this as he has 55 walks and only 38 strikeouts this year at Triple-A Tacoma.
After a slow start to the year he is now starting to heat up and a call-up to Seattle is expected sooner rather than later.
Honorable Mention: Jean Segura, Angels
.png?w=256)
Short Stop: Elvis Andrus, Rangers
4 of 7
This is Elvis Andrus' third year in the majors, and he's only 22 years old. The slick-fielding Venezuelan shortstop was a part of the Mark Teixeira trade that also netted the Rangers Neftali Feliz.
This is the guy that pushed Michael Young over to third base after he had just won a Gold Glove at short, and he has not disappointed. His approach to batting is still maturing, but he has shown signs of a potential leadoff hitter.
No matter how much his offense progresses, he will always be known more for his defense. With outstanding range and a rocket arm, anything hit in the same zip code is fair game for an out.
He figures to be a guy that will bat at the top of the order with a decent bat who will steal around 40 bases a year for quite some time.
Honorable Mention: Grant Green, A's. Jurickson Profar, Rangers.
Third Base: Mike Olt, Rangers
5 of 7At the toughest of the positions to rank as no team has a solid talent at third above High-A ball, Mike Olt seems to be the guy with the most upside that has produced.
The University of Connecticut product was a supplemental first-round pick of the Rangers in the 2010 draft and has put up solid numbers early in his career.
Between two seasons of Single-A ball, Olt has put up consistent offensive numbers, though strikeouts pose a huge question mark. Where Olt excells is in defense, and he has shown that through two season of professional ball.
His glove is about major league ready, and if he keeps up the numbers he's posting, the bat will not be far behind.
Honorable Mention: Kaleb Cowart, Angels.
Outfield: Mike Trout, Leonys Martin, Michael Choice
6 of 7
Mike Trout, Angels
The Mighty Trout is ranked as the No. 1 prospect on just about every top prospects list you can find.
Ahead of Bryce Harper.
Trout is the complete package, and if you are looking for a major league comparison, look at Carl Crawford. He has been clocked from home to first base at 3.8 seconds—and he's a right-handed batter.
Keith Law of espn.com had this to say about Trout:
""Trout's performance reflects his outstanding tools. He's an 80 runner, not just fast underway but explosively quick out of the box. That speed, combined with good instincts, gives him good range in centerfield. At the plate, he's an intelligent, disciplined hitter, with very good hand-eye coordination and a direct path to the ball."
"
At just 19, Trout is absolutely destroying Double-A pitching to a tune of a .330 batting average with eight home runs and 23 stolen bases. This kid will be one of the top players in baseball within the next five years without question.
Just how long will it take Mike Trout to supplant Tim Salmon as the Angels' best fish player ever?
Leonys Martin, Rangers
When the Texas Rangers signed Cuban defector Leonys Martin to a $15.5 million contract, it all but signaled the end for Julio Borbon in Texas. Martin—who has been compared to Kenny Lofton, Jacoby Ellsbury and Juan Pierre—has torched Double-A pitching and should be considered the possible Opening Day center fielder next season.
He has great speed which projects to hit at the top of the lineup. His grasp of the game is what makes him a top prospect. He understands how to get the most out of his tools and just knows how to play the game.
A possible September call-up is not out of the question for the budding star. Will he get a chance to help the Rangers to the post season again? Only time will tell.
Michael Choice, A's
The 2010 first-round pick has struggled so far to pick up professional pitching, but his talent is still evident. He has crushed 13 home runs for Single-A Stockton but has also struck out a staggering 79 times.
He plays solid defense and has great insticts on the basepaths with good speed. If he can correct the problems in his swing, he could be a really good outfielder in the bigs.
Pitching: Felix Hernandez Leads the Rotation
7 of 7
It seems as if Felix Hernandez has been playing forever. In fact, this is his seventh year in the majors. So how does a guy in his seventh make this list of future talent? He is only 25.
King Felix is a freak talent, and what he has already accomplished before turning 26 is incredible. The 2010 Cy Young winner has a career ERA of 3.20 and has struck out 1,145 batters while winning 78 games.
If he could get some offensive help he could be a consistent 20-game winner into his mid-30s.
Last year he pitched 249 innings with six complete games and an ERA coming in at a miniscule 2.27. If he keeps this up, he could be considered one of the great pitchers of this generation.
The rotation shapes out something like this:
Starters
- Felix Hernandez, Mariners
- Michael Pineda, Mariners
- Trevor Cahill, A's
- Brett Anderson, A's
- Alexi Ogando, Rangers
The AL West has transitioned easily from a offensive dominant division to a one absolutely loaded with pitching. The bullpen hinges largely on the future decision of Neftali Feliz and whether or not he will be a starter or closer. We will look at it like he stays in the bullpen.
Closer: Neftali Feliz, Rangers
Setup Relievers: Jordan Walden, Angels. Andrew Bailey, A's.
Honorable Mention:
Martin Perez, Rangers. Tyson Ross, A's. Tyler Chatwood, Angels. Danny Hultzen, Mariners.
.png?w=480)
