Up next in the MWaH/LAAI Top 30 Angels Prospect Countdown, one of the most exciting names in the Angels system, John Hellweg.  OK, the name itself isn't very exciting but the potential in the big righty most definitely is, especially after his breakthrough season.

John Hellweg
Position: Pitcher  Level: High-A
Bats: Right Throws: Right  Height: 6'9" Weight: 210 lbs.
Age: 23  Born: October 29, 1988

2011 Season Stats: 6-4, 89.1 IP, 3.73 ERA, 75 H, 2 HR, 59 BB, 113 K, 3.45 FIP, .340 BABIP, 2.74 GO/AO

Fastball – A. As a RP sat around 99, as a SP 97. Has also started using a very nice two seam.

Breaking Ball – B. Tight slider, doesn’t drop like Santana’s, but throws for strike more often.

Change up – C. Same mechanics and it shows promise as it has movement, but needs work.

Performance – B. Wasn’t great as RP, but has been untouchable as starter.

Projection – B. He’s either going to be a #2 starter or solid late inning RP.

Comp – Floor: Random hard-throwing RP.  Ceiling: Daniel Bard as RP, Chris Carpenter as SP.

Video - Hellweg tosses a bullpen session

Estimated MLB Arrival Date: As a starter, 2014.  As a reliever, 2013.

(*As always, the above scouting report is provided by Scotty Allen of LA Angels Insider)

Another week of the off-season, another week of Angels free agency and trade rumors.  While the world watched the Angels as they hosted C.J. Wilson, it appears the rumor mill had already moved on to churning out a number of wild trade rumors as well as some perfectly reasonable rumors that quickly got out of control.  Come get some fresh Hot Stove League rumors!

But not for crazy baseball fans on the internet.

The November 28th, 2011 edition of daily news for the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim including Klentak, Olney considers Angels' catcher one of the top needs in baseball, 2012 ZiPS projections for the Halos and much more...

The Story: The Angels hired Matt Klentak as an assistant general manager.

The Monkey Says: This is great news because Klentak is an Ivy League kid (from Dartmouth, which is no Cornell, but it still works) who will be relied upon for his business acumen when it comes to handling arbitration and salary negotiations, something the new Dipoto front office needed.   My only concern is that this is a guy who is leaving the Orioles, a franchise that wasn't exactly renowned for making smart, savvy contract deals, though it is hard to blame Klentak for too much of that.

The Story: Buster Olney considers the Angels' opening at catcher one of the top ten off-season needs in all of baseball.

The Monkey Says: I call BS.  Yes, Jeff Mathis is TERRIBLE and dealing away Napoli couldn't have worked out worse, but the Angels aren't in a dire position at catcher.  With Hank Conger and Bobby Wilson around, the two of them can at least hold down the fort and possibly even work out to be league average as a tandem.  Getting a surefire upgrade would be great, but it isn't like they have zero internal options.  Just because they had Napoli and let him get away doesn't mean they need to get that kind of production out of their catchers, they just need to get that position to the point that it isn't massive liability like it has been when Mathis is the primary starter.  It is definitely a need, but one of the top needs in baseball?  I doubt it, but it is easy fodder for a columnist to pick away at.

Up next in the MWaH/LAAI Top 30 Angels Prospect Countdown, we get a look at yet another potential closer of the future, only Daniel Tillman probably has the best claim to that throne right now.

Daniel Tillman
Position: Relief Pitcher  Level: Low-A and High-A
Bats: Right Throws: Right  Height: 6'1" Weight: 205 lbs.
Age: 22  Born: March 14, 1989

2011 Season Stats (Low-A): 5-3, 12 SV, 66.1 IP, 2.04 ERA, 53 H, 1 HR, 32 BB, 70 K, 2.91 FIP, .290 BABIP, 1.82 GO/AO

2011 Season Stats (High-A): 1-0, 2 SV, 8.0 IP, 4.50 ERA, 7 H, 1 HR, 2 BB, 8 K, 3.95 FIP, .250 BABIP, 2.00 GO/AO

2011 Season Stats (AFL): 1-1, 1 SV, 10.1 IP, 5.23 ERA, 13 H, 1 HR, 3 BB, 10 K, 1.00 GO/AO

Fastball – B+. Some games he sits 92-93, others he cranks it up to 95-96. Solid, steady.

Breaking Ball – A. Tillman has a very good wipeout slider, it’s clearly a strikeout pitch.

Change up – NA. He used it as a starter, but now that he’s a reliever it’s gone away.

Performance – A.  He’s an all-star closer, climbed the ladder and is showing no ill effects.

Projection – B+. Most would peg him as future closer, but with Walden around, 8^th inning.

Comp – Floor: Jason Bulger.  Ceiling: Young Scot Shields.

Video - Dan Tillman scouting video for Florida Southern

Estimated MLB Arrival Date: 2013/2014.

(*As always, the above scouting report is provided by Scotty Allen of LA Angels Insider)

The November 23rd, 2011 edition of daily news for the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim including Angels interested in trading for Reds catcher Ryan Hanigan, Scioscia shows off his softer side, MLB announces their new collective bargaining agreement and much more...

The Story: The Angels have Red C Ryan Hanigan as one of their trade targets as a catcher upgrade.

The Monkey Says: I could get behind this deal, depending on what they would give up.  Hanigan is nothing special, but his defense graded out very well this year.  More importantly, he has shown that he can hit for a good enough average and draw walks at a strong rate.  He's probably not quite good enough to start full-time, but as a platoon mate for Hank Conger as Hank learns on the job, the Angels could do a lot worse... like, for example, Jeff Mathis.

The Story: Mike Scioscia shows off his softer side at his charity golf tournament.

The Monkey Says: At Moorpark Country Club?  Hey!  I got married there.  That means absolutely nothing to the rest of you, but it is kind of cool to me.

Next up on in our Top 30 prospect countdown, the anti-Conger catching prospect, Carlos Ramirez.  Unlike Conger, Ramirez carries a strong defensive reputation, but is dogged by questions about whether or not he can hit enough to be a big league catcher.  But now that he is coming off a terrific offensive campaign with the Inland Empire 66ers, is it safe to believe in Ramirez' potential as a well-rounded backstop?

Carlos Ramirez
Position: Catcher  Level: High-A
Bats: Right Throws: Right  Height: 5'11" Weight: 210 lbs.
Age: 23  Born: March 19, 1988

2011 Season Stats (Low-A): 108 AB, .259 AVG, .367 OBP, .370 SLG, 3 2B, 0 3B, 3 HR, 12 RBI, 17 SO, 1 SB, 2 CS, .281 BABIP

2011 Season Stats (High-A): 181 AB, .348 AVG, .403 OBP, .530 SLG, 21 2B, 0 3B, 4 HR, 28 RBI, 33 SO, 1 SB, 0 CS, .404 BABIP

2011 Season Stats (AA): 9 AB, .222 AVG, .222 OBP, .444 SLG, 0 2B, 0 3B, 0 HR, 1 RBI, 1 SO, 1 SB, 0 CS, .250 BABIP

Bat – B.  Ramirez has gap power, hits for average and is a very disciplined at the plate.

Speed – C-. He’s above average for a catcher, but by no means is Ramirez fast.

Arm – B+. He has a good arm but his CS% isn’t great, though it may not be his fault.

Performance - A. A good defensive catcher that hits .348 in A ball isn’t common.

Projection – B. Probably not Joe Mauer, but could be everyday MLB catcher.

Comp – Floor: Bobby Wilson.  Ceiling: Ramon Hernandez

Estimated MLB Arrival Date: 2014

(*As always, the above scouting report is provided by Scotty Allen of LA Angels Insider)

Hey, guess what?  Vernon Wells has decided to bait the entire internet.  How is he doing that exactly?  Check out this exchange he had on Twitter over the weekend.

647Fsnowboarder durdyentertainment by VernonWells10 @ @VernonWells10 we need a VernonWood sign in the outfield 18 hours ago

VernonWells10 Vernon Wells “@CollinTaylorInc: @647Fsnowboarder @VernonWells10 I was thinking more like Vernonheim, or Vernonhills....???” there should be a vote

VernonWells10 Vernon Wells Submit all the names and then I will put together a poll 17 hours ago

Submit names to "honor" you and your fans in left field?  Sure, Vernon!  Thanks for asking.  I may not be able to come up with anything as clever as "ToriiWood" or "MatsuiLand," but here are a few I think everyone will enjoy.  And just remember, Wells asked me to do it: