Up next in our prospect countdown, the man who could some day be the tallest major leaguer of all time, Loek Van Mil.  Acquired at the end of 2010 in exchange for Brian Fientes, the Netherlands-born Van Mil was acquired knowing that he was a major project, but after a strong close to his 2011 campaign, the project looks like it might finally be nearing completion.

Loek Van Mil
Position: Relief Pitcher  Level: AA
Bats: Right  Throws: Right  Height: 7'1"  Weight: 220 lbs.
Age: 27  Born: September 15, 1984

2011 Season Stats: 3-5, 66.1 IP, 2.04 ERA, 53 H, 4 HR, 23 BB, 46 K, 3.95 FIP, .248 BABIP, 1.26 GO/AO

Fastball – A. Extreme downward angle/close release make his 93mph FB hard to square up.

Breaking Ball – B. Slider lacks bite to be a swing & miss pitch, but effective nonetheless.

Change up – C. He rarely uses it, but it’s there and was useful for his spot starts.

Performance – A. Numbers were terrific, he seems to have “figured it out”. Great in playoffs.

Projection – A good middle to late inning reliever or swing starter.

Comp – Floor: Jon Rauch.  Ceiling: Tyler Clippard.

Video - Van Mil pitching in the Twins organization

Estimated MLB Arrival Date: Mid-2012

The November 4th, 2011 edition of daily news for the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim including Trumbo takes home another award, Buzzie Bavasi gets a special Hall of Fame nomination, could Callaspo be a non-tender candidate and much more...

The Story: Mark Trumbo won the Player's Choice AL Rookie of the Year Award.

The Monkey Says: This isn't a surprise since he won the same award from The Sporting News, which is also voted on by the players, so he basically just won the same award twice.  I still don't think he is going to win the "real" RoY award, but he should finish in the top three.

The Story: Former Angel executive Buzzie Bavasi is a "Golden Era" nominee for the Hall of Fame.

The Monkey Says: Bavasis had a good run with the Halos, but this nomination is more about his time with the Dodgers... continuing the trend of no Angel being in the Hall.

Next up in our Los Angeles Angels Top 30 prospect countdown, we finally get away from this year's draft choices and look at someone with a bit more experience.  After a third straight quality season, Haerther's consistency is getting him some attention even if he doesn't do anything spectacular.

Casey Haerther
Position: 1B/3B  Level: High-A
Bats: Right Throws: Right  Height: 6'2" Weight: 210 lbs.
Age: 24  Born: October 5, 1987

2011 Season Stats: 437 AB, .293 AVG, .330 OBP, .426 SLG, 34 2B, 0 3B, 8 HR, 68 RBI, 73 SO, 1 SB, 2 CS, .334 BABIP

Bat – B. Good average with gap power, but HR power still hasn’t emerged yet.

Speed – C. He moves well for a corner IF, even if his stolen base totals don’t indicate it.

Arm – B. It’s good enough to remain at the hot corner, but 1B is more than likely his future.

Performance – B. Haerther is a consistent middle of the order bat.

Projection – His bat will take him as far as he will go.  A good 1B/3B utility player/PH.

Comp - Floor: Rob Quinlan.  Ceiling: Jorge Cantu.

Estimated MLB Arrival Date: 2014

Video - Haerther shows off his sweet swing at UCLA

Players can officially start signing with new teams today, but due to all the arbitration mumbo jumbo, the real hot stove action is still a few weeks from really getting going.  That gives new GM Jerry DiPoto plenty of time to scour the market to find a new starting pitcher to plug into the back of the rotation, unless he actually believes that Tyler Chatwood or Garrett Richards are up to the job, even though all indications strongly suggest they aren't.  But with starting pitching expecting to be at a premium this winter, who could the Angels afford to sign or trade for?

Raise your hand if you just cost yourself millions of dollars by choking in the post-season!

The November 3rd, 2011 edition of daily news for the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim including Jerry DiPoto is more interested in making trades than signing free agents, DiPoto turned down the Baltimore Orioles general manager job before joining the Angels, no Halos won Silver Slugger awards and much more...

The Story: Jerry DiPoto strongly suggests that he is going to be more interested in making trades than spending big in free agency.

The Monkey Says: This is definitely a much different front office proclamation than the infamous "big splash" promise of last off-season.  It also isn't a big surprise since it is clear that the Angels don't have much money to spend in free agency anyway, so I think this is less about DiPoto promising trades and more about him trying to prep the fans for them to be fairly inactive in free agency.

The Story: Jerry DiPoto removed his name from consideration for the Orioles general manager job despite being their known top choice.

The Monkey Says: Yeah, for all the bluster about the Halos job maybe not being desirable, the O's job is clearly pure repellent right now.

Next up in our Top 30 prospect countdown, this year's 7th round pick, Abel Baker.  Despite what the unceremonious divestment of Mike Napoli might suggest, the Angels seem to be going out of their way to stockpile slugging catchers in their farm system.  After a nice debut in Orem, it is safe to say that Abel Baker has the potential to some day get a chance to be bring his big bat to Anaheim only to have to spend his entire existence proving to Scioscia that he can field the position.  In other words, you've got company, Hank Conger!

Abel Baker
Position: Catcher  Level: Rookie (2011 7th round draft pick)
Bats: Left Throws: Right  Height: 6'1" Weight: 195 lbs.
Age: 21  Born: October 26, 1990

2011 Season Stats: 157 AB, .306 AVG, .406 OBP, .471 SLG, 10 2B, 2 3B, 4 HR, 33 RBI, 43 SO, 1 SB, 1 CS, .393 BABIP

Bat – B+. Decent hitter for average and has good pop for a catcher.  Advanced approach.

Speed – C. It’s decent for a catcher, but it will never be a strong suit.

Arm – A. Baker has an absolute cannon, already looks like one of the best in the system.

Performance – B.  Baker was one of the better hitters for Orem and a solid defensive catcher

Projection – An offensive minded everyday catcher.

Comp - Floor: Bobby Wilson.  Ceiling: Ramon Hernandez.

Estimated MLB Arrival Date: 2015-2016

The November 2nd, 2011 edition of daily news for the LA Angels including Erick Aybar won a Gold Glove, DiPoto begins hiring his staff, Vernon Wells does NOT opt out of his contract and much more...

The Story: Erick Aybar won his first Gold Glove, but Peter Bourjos did not.

The Monkey Says: The Gold Gloves continue to be a joke.  Aybar is a good defensive shorstop, but neither UZR nor DSR graded him out as anything but average this season.  As for Bourjos, he got screwed.  Ellsbury beating him out is a classic case of the players and manager being unable to separate a player's offense from his defense.  It isn't that Ellsbury is a poor fielder, but both Bourjos and Austin Jackson graded out much better.

The Story: Jerry DiPoto hired Larry Corrigan as special assistant to the general manager.

The Monkey Says: Corrigan has a scouting and coaching background and has been in baseball for forever.  This seems like a strong hire, so DiPoto is off to a good start, but I'd still like to see him bring in someone a little more business savvy.