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

The next prospect in the MWaH/LAAI Top 30 Angels Prospect Countdown is coming off an unbelievable statistical season, but does David Carpenter's actual talent back up his stellar numbers?

David Carpenter
Position: Relief Pitcher  Level: High-A and Double-A
Bats: Right Throws: Right  Height: 6'3" Weight: 180 lbs.
Age: 24  Born: September 1, 1987

2011 Season Stats (High-A): 0-1, 29.0 IP, 0.93 ERA, 23 H, 1 HR, 9 BB, 36 K, 2.20 FIP, .310 BABIP, 1.58 GO/AO

2011 Season Stats (Double-A): 1-0, 18.2 IP, 0.00 ERA, 12 H, 0 HR, 5 BB, 2 K, 2.45 FIP, .226 BABIP, 3.10 GO/AO

2011 Season Stats (AFL): 0-0, 9.1 IP, 6.75 ERA, 13 H, 1 HR, 5 BB, 10 K, 1.43 GO/AO

Fastball – B. It sits 91-93 but has tailing movement and Carpenter keeps it low.

Breaking Ball – B. His slider is pretty good, but he buries it in the dirt, not thrown for strike.

Change up – N/A.  He’s a RP, and they generally don’t use a change up.

Performance – A+.  He’s run his consecutive scoreless inning streak in AA up to 16 games.

Projection – B. Good ground ball RP, but he falls behind too many batters, shaky command.

Comp – Good ground ball RP, good stuff, but not closer. Quality 7^th inning man.  Rafael Perez.

Video - Carpenter in Instructional League (Videos in alphabetical order, by last name)

Estimated MLB Arrival Date: 2012/2013

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

The November 18th, 2011 edition of daily news for the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim including C.J. Wilson is coming for a visit to the Angels, Hiroki Kuroda is the fallback option, Callaspo is cleared in a paternity test and much more...

The Story: C.J. Wilson is going to make a visit to the Angels on Monday.

The Monkey Says: OK, I give in, this clearly isn't solely a smokescreen (but if it is, it is a very elaborate one). My guess now is that the Angels do very much want him and will wine and dine him and then try and make him a reasonable offer in hopes that he'll be enamored with the idea of playing so close to home and accept it before getting any offers from anyone else.  If it doesn't work, then they can at least show the fan base that they went all out to try and get him.  It's a win-win.

The Story: The Angels are interested in free agent pitcher Hiroki Kuroda.

The Monkey Says: Say hello to Plan B!  Frankly, this has seemed inevitable for a months now.  Kuroda would be a great signing because he has little leverage in that he has made it obvious that he will play in Southern California or head back to Japan and he would only get a one or two year contract anyway, so he is pretty low risk.  In fact, you could make an argument that he's a much better move than signing Wilson.

Our next prospect in the MWaH/LAAI Top 30 Angels Prospects Countdown is yet another intriguing pitcher who had his season wiped by injury.  Had he been healthy Fabio Martinez could have been the best pitching prospect in the Angel farm system, but what do we make of him now after a season of shoulder problems?

Fabio Martinez Mesa
Position: Pitcher  Level: Low-A
Bats: Right Throws: Right  Height: 6'3" Weight: 190 lbs.
Age: 22  Born: October 29, 1989

2011 Season Stats: 0-, 2.1 IP, 0.00 ERA, 2 H, 0 HR, 1 BB, 2 K, 2.77 FIP, .286 BABIP, 4.00 GO/AO

Fastball – A. Sits around 95 with lots of late sink and he hides well. Very difficult to hit.

Breaking Ball – B. One of the best sliders in the minors, but can’t command it.

Change up – C. It’s a work in progress.

Performance – C. Was great in Cedar Rapids last year, but missed most of 2011 with shoulder problems.

Projection – A. If he can stay healthy and command off speed pitches, either an ace or elite closer.

Comp – Floor: Jose Arredondo.  Ceiling: Ervin Santana

Video - Martinez mowing them down in Cedar Rapids

Estimated MLB Arrival Date: As a starter, 2015.  As a reliever, mid 2013.

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