Hank Conger hit .290 with 11 homers and 48 RBIs for Class A Cedar Rapids in 2007. (Emily Smith/MLB.com) Related Links Hank Conger's player page MiLB Headlines Royals' Lamb finally finds results for Rocks Fantasy: Forecasting Gausman, Gibson 'Stubborn' Stephenson shows Reds his potential Rockies' Murphy serious about catching McBride hanging RBIs out to dry for Sky Sox Wong, Peterson have big nights in Memphis' rout Reno's Skaggs goes long, fans season-high 10 Pirates' Polanco, Hanson friends on, off field Cubs' Almora gets three hits in season debut Rattlers' Reed ties mark with three triples Ryan joins Astros, leaves behind major impact Royals' Smith is polished but still learning Yankees' Refsnyder feeling rejuvenated ADVERTISEMENT

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With all the talent at the big-league level, it's an exciting time to be an Angels fan. For the talent in the organization's farm system, though, patience is in order.

Los Angeles has combined aggressive pursuit of big-ticket free agents (see Hunter, Torii) with continuing to promote from within. Young players like Howie Kendrick, Casey Kotchman and now Erick Aybar are expected to make major contributions in 2008.

It may be harder for other youngsters to break through, though reinforcements like Brandon Wood and Nick Adenhart will be in Triple-A awaiting the call. Behind that first line of defense is still one of the deeper systems in baseball, fueled by a top-notch scouting department.

The stress on internal player development won't change any time soon with former farm director Tony Reagins taking over general manager duties from Bill Stoneman. Reagins' former assistant, Abe Flores, now oversees the farm system. They're big on continuity in Los Angeles, and it's sure to continue serving the Angels well.

Nick Adenhart, RHP
With his high school Tommy John surgery now a distant memory, Adenhart is simply one of the better pitching prospects in baseball. No. 18 in this year's Top 50 Prospects, he'll be knocking on the big-league door at age 21.

Adenhart has an effortless delivery that enables him to throw a free-and-easy 92-93 mph fastball. He has a legitimate out pitch with his hammer curve, and his changeup is another viable weapon. His command is outstanding and his ability to locate the fastball on both sides of the plate makes all his pitches play well. He'll start the year in Salt Lake's rotation while waiting for that first call.
Audio: Adenhart rings up his ninth K

Peter Bourjos, OF
A high-energy guy who goes full-tilt every day, Bourjos is a true center fielder with plus speed. He covers a lot of ground effortlessly in the outfield. Offensively, he's improved his plate discipline and in time could be a good top-of-the-order hitter as he works on his bunting and contact skills. He's got some power gap to gap and can even hit it out to left-center from time to time.

• Monday, Feb. 25: Chicago Cubs • Tuesday, Feb. 26: Milwaukee Brewers • Wednesday, Feb. 27: Cincinnati Reds • Thursday, Feb. 28: Astros and Pirates • Friday, Feb. 29: St. Louis Cardinals • Saturday, March 1: Baltimore Orioles • Sunday, March 2: Tampa Bay Rays • Monday, March 3: Boston Red Sox • Tuesday, March 4: Toronto Blue Jays • Wednesday, March 5: New York Yankees • Thursday, March 6: Los Angeles Angels • Friday, March 7: Seattle Mariners • Saturday, March 8: Oakland Athletics • Sunday, March 9: Texas Rangers • Monday, March 10: New York Mets • Tuesday, March 11: Atlanta Braves • Wednesday, March 12: Philadelphia Phillies • Thursday, March 13: Nationals and Marlins • Friday, March 14: Cleveland Indians • Saturday, March 15: Kansas City Royals • Sunday, March 16: Minnesota Twins • Monday, March 17: Detroit Tigers • Tuesday, March 18: Chicago White Sox • Wednesday, March 19: Colorado Rockies • Thursday, March 20: Arizona Diamondbacks • Friday, March 21: Los Angeles Dodgers • Saturday, March 22: San Francisco Giants • Sunday, March 23: San Diego Padres

Audio: Bourjos smacks a two-run shot

Hank Conger, C
Conger is the kind of young player coaches love. He enjoys learning and working and plays with a quiet confidence that will make him a strong leader behind the plate.

He's a very good receiver with a very accurate but average arm. He has even more upside offensively. A switch-hitter, Conger is a little better from the left side. In time, he could evolve into a middle-of-the-order run producer and a very tough out. He'll continue his growth in the hitter-friendly California League as Rancho Cucamonga's primary catcher.
Audio: Conger's opposite-field slam

Terry Evans, OF
A great example of what patience can do for a player, Evans is a late bloomer who has become an all-around threat. He carries himself with a professional demeanor -- in a less talent-rich organization, he'd likely have the opportunity to show he belongs in the big leagues.

The 26-year-old is a legitimate base stealer, who can hit for average and power to all parts of the ballpark. In 2006, he was the Minors' lone 30-30 man, and the 2007 season saw him hit .316 with 15 homers and 24 steals. He plays all three outfield positions well, giving his team many ways to use his multiple tools. He'll play the outfield for Salt Lake while waiting for an opportunity in L.A.
Audio: Evans gives the Bees a "W"

Stephen Marek, RHP
A draft-and-follow from 2004, Marek is slowly and steadily making his way up the ladder. A big, physical presence with a power arm, he can crank it up to 95 mph deep into starts. His out pitch is a sharp curve that he can throw for strikes and his changeup is improving, though it's still a third pitch.

Since joining the Angels, Marek has worked to improve his delivery and will try to build off a strong finish to the 2007 season. He'll return to the Arkansas rotation to start the year, but the Angels are confident he'll be able to handle different roles in the future.
Audio: Marek fans his seventh

Sean O'Sullivan, RHP
The Angels selected O'Sullivan in the third round of the 2005 Draft, but were unable to sign him for nearly a year. It was worth the wait for Los Angeles as O'Sullivan has posted a 2.20 ERA in his first 229 1/3 pro innings.

O'Sullivan is a command-and-control pitcher who can throw four pitches for strikes. His fastball usually sits in the 88 to 91-mph range, though he'll occasionally reach 93. He's a huge competitor and when he's in a rhythm, he commands the fastball perfectly and is a lot of fun to watch. Fans in California will get to check him out as he joins the Rancho rotation to start the year.
Audio: O'Sullivan records another K

Sean Rodriguez, SS
The 2003 first-round pick has performed well at every level as he's steadily moved through the system. His ability to play multiple positions increases his value. He can play shortstop, second, third and even the outfield. He's also improved defensively in all areas and has particularly reduced his careless errors.

Offensively, he has some power and speed. Even though his batting average dipped to .254 last year, he collected 50 extra-base hits and stole 15 bases. With more control of the strike zone, he could become an even more dangerous run producer. Turning 23 in late April, he'll head to Salt Lake ready to plug any number of holes in Los Angeles.
Audio: Rodriguez hits an RBI double

Hainley Statia, SS
A native of Curacao, the diminutive shortstop has been an All-Star in each of the past two seasons. The 22-year-old is a good contact hitter who has used a line-drive stroke to bat .290 since joining the organization in 2005. He's willing to take a walk -- he's got a career .356 OBP -- and has shown some gap power, as evidenced by 60 doubles in 2006-07.

Statia is a very smart and steady defender. He's not a flashy shortstop, but he positions himself extremely well and makes routine plays look simple. He'll carry his excellent baseball instincts up to Arkansas this season.
Audio: Statia smacks his second homer

Jordan Walden, RHP
The Angels have been very successful using the draft-and-follow over the years, though with the rule change in last year's draft, Walden is part of the last group allowed. Taken in the 12th round in 2006, he went off to junior college before signing just prior to last year's draft.

Walden has big-time tools on the mound, most notably a fastball that he can crank up to 97 mph. He's already smoothed out his delivery to become more effective in the strike zone, making his heater, above-average slider and improving changeup even better. With his upside, his plus makeup and the ability to throw three outstanding pitches for strikes, Walden has the potential to be a front-of-the-rotation starter. He'll take the next step by making his full-season debut at Cedar Rapids this year.
Audio: Walden posts his seventh K

Brandon Wood, SS/3B
It may seem like he's been a prospect forever, but he'll be only 23 this season. It also may seem that he's stalled a bit since his ridiculous 2005 season, but he's actually right where he should be.

Wood still has terrific power and plenty of room to develop more. He can hit the ball out to any part of the ballpark. Improving his strike-zone discipline will make him a more complete hitter and a potential middle-of-the-order bat at two premium positions. He moved seamlessly to third base last year and has the range and arm to play third or short at the big-league level. He has an outside shot at breaking camp with the Angels this spring, though it's more likely he'll return to Salt Lake.
Audio: Wood hits a go-ahead blast
Audio: Wood delivers a playoff game-winner

Darren O'Day, RHP
A non-drafted free agent signed in 2006 after his senior year at the University of Florida, O'Day has in many ways already exceeded expectations. The submariner reached Double-A in his first full season and led the Angels organization with 21 saves. He complements a 90-mph fastball with an excellent slider that moves down in the zone. He has excellent command and has proven to be unflappable in tough situations. He's working to improve on getting lefties out by sinking his breaking ball away from them or back-dooring his slider. He may not close at the next level, but it's looking more and more likely that he'll be able to help a big-league 'pen soon.
Audio: O'Day notches another save

Chris Pettit, OF
Another senior sign for the Angels, Pettit was taken out of Loyola Marymount in the 19th round of the 2006 Draft. He's done nothing but hit and get on base since entering the system, compiling a .330 average and .422 OBP. He's got extra-base pop (slugging .547 for his career) and hit 18 homers and 44 doubles in 2007. He's an extremely tough out who also can hurt opponents on the basepaths -- he stole 30 last year. His ability to play all three outfield positions only increases his value as he moves up to Double-A Arkansas.
Audio: Pettit goes deep twice
Audio: Pettit strokes a go-ahead single

Audio: Romine hits for the cycle

Audio: Anton fans his fourth

Audio: Tobin notches the save

Audio: Brossman belts a go-ahead homer

Organizational Pitcher of the Year: Jordan Walden
There's plenty to choose from in this system, but we'll go with Walden's ace potential. Look for the right-hander to win the organizational pitching triple crown.

Overthrow the Bourjos-ie?
That's what catchers in the California League will likely be doing as the center fielder learns how to use his speed on the basepaths. Bourjos will easily lead the organization in stolen bases and likely make a run for the Minor League title.

First to the Majors
It obviously depends on need and opportunity, but other things being equal, Nick Adenhart will be the first to get that call. When he gets up, look for him to stay and cement himself as one of the greatest Draft steals in history.

Jonathan Mayo is a reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of the National Association of Professional Baseball Leagues or its clubs.

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