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:

The November 22nd, 2011 edition of daily news for the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim including the Angels wine and dine C.J. Wilson, also show interest in Madson and Linebrink, Rangers look like they have moved on from Wilson and much more...

The Story: GM Jerry Dipoto and Mike Scioscia had dinner with free agent pitcher C.J. Wilson.

The Monkey Says: My guess is that this dinner will result in an offer from the Angels in the next day or two that Wilson will either accept or turn down and then that will be the end of it.  The Halos have gone after him too hard for too long to let him keep stringing them along.

The Story: Add Scott Linebrink and Ryan Madson to the list of relievers the Angels are interested in.

The Monkey Says: The article also suggests they shown interest in Roy Oswalt and scouted Cuban prospect Yoenis Cespedes.  Considering that the Angels have already gone on record as not having any interest in Cespedes, I'm guessing that might be old info.  It also seems like this entire speculation of who they have interest in is pretty loose as it now covers just about half the available free agent relievers.

Up next in the MWaH/LAAI Top 30 Angels Prospect Countdown is Trevor Reckling, who feels like he has been on these lists for decades now.  After a dismal 2010 campaign, did Reckling do enough to get his career back on track in 2011?

Trevor Reckling
Position: Starting Pitcher  Level: Double-A
Bats: Left Throws: Left  Height: 6'2" Weight: 205 lbs.
Age: 22  Born: May 22, 1989

2011 Season Stats : 4-7, 99.0 IP, 3.73 ERA, 104 H, 11 HR, 35 BB, 63 K, 4.58 FIP, .29 BABIP, 0.97 GO/AO

Fastball – C+. Has movement, sits at 90 has touched 94, hides it very well.

Breaking Ball – A+. Probably has the best lefty curve in the minors. Best I’ve seen since Zito.

Change up – B.  Very good pitch, would grade as an “A” if he could command it better.

Performance – B+. AA all-star, good bounce back after bad 2010. Currently on the mend.

Projection – B-. Looks like #3, 4 or 5 SP.

Comp – Floor: AAA flameout.  Ceiling: Dontrelle Willis

Video - Trevor Reckling in Spring Training

Estimated MLB Arrival Date: Mid 2012/2013.

(*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 rumors.  CJ Wilson news?  We got it.  Updates on the reliever market?  Sure do.  All kinds of back-up catchers signing deals?  Them too, with some Ramon Hernandez speculation peppered in. Come get some fresh Hot Stove League rumors!

Is Wilson daydreaming of a big payday in the OC?

The November 21st, 2011 edition of daily news for the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim including Angels set their 40-man roster, DiSarcina named field coordinator, the Angels full spring training schedule is set and much more...

The Story: The Angels set their 40-man roster by outrighting relievers Loek Van Mil and Francisco Rodriguez to Triple-A and adding Jean Segura, Fabio Martinez Mesa, Ariel Pena and John Hellweg.

The Monkey Says: This is a little surprising to see Van Mil get outrighted, but clearly the Angels felt they could afford to risk losing him as they prep their roster ahead of the Rule 5 draft.  A lot of fans are high on Van Mil, but the Angels must not be, otherwise it doesn't explain why he gets dumped and Ysmael Carmona does not.

The Story: Gary DiSarcina has been named the Angels minor league field coordinator.

The Monkey Says: DiSar had been the ever-ambiguous special assistant to the general manager previously, now he will focus on player training.  Rumor is his first rule of business will be to ban all fungo bats.

 These past few weeks I've been wondering exactly when the Angels were going to finally dip their toes into the offseason and make some moves, or at least have themselves involved in some tasty rumors. Thankfully (or maybe unfortunately) the Angels were finally thrust into the rumor mill with the Peter Bourjos-David Wright trade "rumor". Now, I know that isn't much because for one, it's a stupid idea to pursue, and two, it's a really stupid idea to pursue. It got me thinking however, how would we react if the Angels did happen to trade away a player near and dear to this fanbase's heart. Do those players even have high enough value to consider trading them? What kind of deal could they possibly pull in? What kind of deals would the front office pursue, and would they even pull the trigger if the opportunity presented itself. Well, I've never seen this new front office work before, lucky for you a very close, and very imaginary source of mine happened upon ex-GM Tony Reagins offseason agenda, and boy oh boy is there some tasty stuff in there! Just wait until you see what he had in mind for the Angels this offseason!

See this guy? Don't get your hopes up, if even Reagin's agenda was real this man still wouldn't be on it