Wondering which young players could have an impact in the majors this year? Let MLB FanHouse guide the way in Better Know a Prospect. In this edition we look at three players from the Angels' system.Kevin Jepsen, RP: This organization's best prospects are either no longer considered rookies (i.e., Brandon Wood and Sean Rodriguez) or still a year or two away (i.e., Jordan Walden, Hank Conger and Peter Bourjos), but Jepsen is one of several youngsters the team will lean on heavily this year.
Before the Angels signed Brian Fuentes, Jepsen was among the in-house candidates to be considered for the closer role. Sure, he may have been behind Scot Shields and Jose Arredondo, but the fact he was even in the conversation after pitching fewer than nine big-league innings last year says something.
Jepsen dominated in Double-A (1.42 ERA, 35 strikeouts in 31 2/3 IP) and Triple-A (2.35 ERA, 21 strikeouts in 23 IP), and he helped Team USA win the bronze at the 2008 Summer Olympics before holding his own in a brief September callup that concluded with a spot on the postseason roster. His curveball has been described as one of the best in the system, and the fact that he racks up strikeouts and keeps the ball on the ground bodes well for his success as a late-inning reliever, whether it's as a setup man or closer down the road.
Nick Adenhart, SP -- This is a case of trusting the scouts and discounting the numbers because Adenhart was rocked at Triple-A Salt Lake (5.76 ERA, 1.71 WHIP) as well as in three major league starts (12 ER in 12 IP with four strikeouts and 13 walks).
That said, he was only 21 last year and dominated at every other stop in his career -- there's reason to think with a year under his belt he'll be able to adjust to advanced hitters, which is why he's a consensus top-two prospect in this organization by almost every expert ranking out there -- including No. 1 overall by Baseball America.
He's currently on the outside looking in for a rotation spot, but only Dustin Moseley stands in his way. At worst, he'll be the first arm called up in case of injury -- it wouldn't be unrealistic at all to expect him to spend at least half the year in the rotation.
Mark Trumbo, 1B -- Trumbo got his first taste of Double-A late last season, and considering his greatest attribute (power) is what the big-league lineup desperately lacks, it's certainly possible he could be on a fast-track to the majors. He combined for 32 home runs at Advance-A and Double-A, slugging over .500 on the season.
Right now Kendry Morales should get first crack at replacing Mark Teixeira at first, but he's relatively untested as an everyday player and hit just .213 (72 OPS+) in 61 at-bats last year. Trumbo is hardly the complete package (his patience leaves something to be desired), but the Angels may overlook that if Morales struggles and Trumbo continues to make contact and hit the ball a mile.
For comprehensive coverage of the minor leagues, visit John Sickels at Minor League Ball and Baseball America. For minor league statistics, visit Baseball-Reference and Minor League Splits.
