We wrap up are BAPR Plus look at the AL West with a look at the Los Angeles Angeles. The Angels have a slew of recent prospects in the lineup, led by Howie Kendrick, Jered Weaver, Joe Saunders, Mike Napoli and Kendry Morales, but there still are some talented prospects left to try to crack the Angels’ lineup.

Who’s Hot: Chone Figgins broken hand opens up a spot in the infield for the next month of the season. Logically that would seem to help Brandon Wood’s chances of making the team, but manager Mike Scioscia has announced that Wood needs more time at third base in the minors, so the team will use Macier Izuturis and Robb Quinlan for the next month. Wood has been relatively solid at the plate this spring, hitting .298/.298/.458 with two home runs and only five strikeouts in 24 at-bats. Matt Brown is not nearly the prospect Wood is, but he also briefly worked himself into the emergency third base discussion with a .353/.400/.882 spring that includes three home runs.

But while Figgins’ injury didn’t open up a job for Wood, it has cleared the way for Erick Aybar to make the team as a utility infielder. Aybar is hitting .280/.327/.420 this spring with six stolen bases while showing a good glove at second base, shortstop and left field. Aybar has also gotten some time in center field this spring as the Angels prepare for the possibility that Gary Matthews’ ties to a human growth hormone investigation could lead to him being sidelined.

Nick Adenhart will probably begin the season at Double-A Arkansas, and his spring wasn’t without flaws (five walks compared to two strikeouts in 10 innings), but the Angels were impressed with his composure and his 2.92 ERA this spring. They kept him around until March 18 before finally optioning him to the minors.

Who’s Not: Jeff Mathis has a two home run, three-hit game to his credit this spring, but the catcher is hitting only .162/.205/.351 overall this spring. He’s expected to head back to Triple-A Salt Lake for a third consecutive season.
Phil Siebel was considered a darkhorse candidate for a spot in the Angels bullpen after being picked up in a trade with the Red Sox in December. But he played his way out of contention with a brutal spring, allowing 11 hits, eight walks and 10 runs in five innings.