Top 5 Prospects for 2015: Los Angeles Angels

This 30-part series will look at the projected Top 5 freshman contributors for each big league club for the year ahead. The rankings take into consideration a mixture of ceiling, readiness and potential playing time allocation, which is to say some players with lower ceilings may be ranked ahead of others with higher ceilings because they project to have a greater impact in the coming season.

In a Nutshell: The Angels system has been one of the worst for a while now (even though it produced Mike Trout) but things are starting to look up for the organization. There aren’t any high-ceiling players on the immediate horizon but there are some solid arms and role players that should begin surfacing in 2015.

1. Cam Bedrosian, RHP: Bedrosian rocketed through the minors in 2014 after he began the year in A-ball. He spent the bulk of the year in Double-A but also made 17 big league appearances and set the stage for a larger role in 2015. The starter-turned-reliever is a hard-thrower that has high-leverage potential and could eventually rack up saves for the Angels like his father Steve Bedrosian did for the Braves, Giants, Phillies and Twins. Huston Street will certainly be handed the ball in the ninth inning in 2015 but Bedrosian could be the heir apparent as soon as 2016 and he might receive the odd opportunity in the year ahead.

2. Nick Tropeano, RHP: Acquired during the offseason from Houston, Tropeano isn’t flashy but he’s had a lot of success in pro ball and could settle in nicely as a No. 4/5 starter at the big league level. He might have to settle for some long relief duties in 2015 but there are enough question marks in the Angels rotation to foresee him getting at least a handful of starts. He throws strikes, misses some bats and is at his best when he’s working down in the zone.

3. Kyle Kubitza, 3B: Another off-season acquisition, Kubitza came over from the Braves and assumed the “top third base prospect” in the system from the disappointing Kaleb Cowart. The former Atlanta prospect doesn’t have 30+ home run pop but he can hit some balls out of the park, gets on base and can provide 15+ steals. He’ll likely need about a half season back in the minors but David Freese is established at third base for the Angels for now, barring an injury. Don’t be surprised if Kubitza is the regular at the position in 2016.

4. Carlos Perez, C: There are some question marks floating around the catcher’s position for the Angels with the back-up gig up for grabs between veteran Drew Butera, or rookies Carlos Perez and Jeff Bandy. Perez isn’t quite as strong behind the plate as Bandy but he’s no slouch and he stands a better chance of holding his own at the plate. He can generate a little gap power and doesn’t swing and miss a whole lot. Just 24, he already has two seasons of Triple-A experience and has been stuck behind significant catching depth in both the Toronto and Houston systems.

5. Danny Reynolds, RHP: A former starter, Reynolds suffered through an up-and-down career until he moved to the bullpen permanently in 2014. He zoomed through three levels and topped out in Triple-A while striking out more than a batter per inning. Once he improves his command, Reynolds could see even more strikeouts thanks to his upper-90s heat. Look for him to return to Triple-A to open the year but he should be one of the first relievers recalled in the event of an injury or ineffectiveness.