Conger off to solid start for Angels

With the first month of the MLB season in the books, and some of the baseball’s best prospects now suiting up for their respective big league squads, it’s time to reflect on the performances of our Top 50 Prospects.  Today we look at 45-50, which include: Chris Dwyer, J.P. Arencibia, Aaron Hicks, Jose Iglesias, Nick Castellanos and Hank Conger.

50. Chris Dwyer, LHP, Kansas City Royals

Double-A: 1-3, 6.35 ERA, 6 GS, CG, 28.1 IP, 27 H, 17 BB, 21 K, 1.553 WHIP, 1.24 K/BB

49. J.P. Arencibia, C, Toronto Blue Jays

MLB: .247(21-for-85)/.304/.482, 4 2B, 2 3B, 4 HR, 11 RBI, 7 BB, 20 K

48. Aaron Hicks, OF, Minnesota Twins

High-A: .206(20-for-97)/.322/.309, 3 2B, 2 3B, HR, 10 RBI, 2-for-5 SB, 18 BB, 23 K

47. Jose Iglesias, SS, Boston Red Sox

Triple-A: .253(22-for-87)/.278/.253, 0 XBH, 4 RBI, 2-for-4 SB, 2 BB, 17 K

46. Nick Castellanos, 3B, Detroit Tigers

Single-A: .208(20-96)/.260/.281, 4 2B, HR, 13 RBI, 7 BB, 28 K

45. Hank Conger, C, Los Angeles Angels

MLB: .300(18-for-60)/.354/.500, 3 2B, 3 HR, 11 RBI, 4 BB, 11 K

I recently had the opportunity to catch up with Nick Wooley, a long-time friend of the Sombrero and former teammate who now pitches in the Kansas City Royals’ organization.  I got to know Nick in the summer of 2008 when we were teammates on the Alton Indians of the St. Louis Metro Collegiate League; a team that also featured the Sombrero’s own Ryan Harris and Robbie Unsell.  That summer, Wooley’s dominance on the mound lead the Indians’ to a Metro Collegiate League Championship, 3^rd place finish at the NABF World Series in Toledo, OH., and an overall record of 30-6.

Wooley, 22, was drafted by the Kansas City Royals in the 12^th round (362^nd overall selection) of the 2009 MLB Amateur Draft following a stellar junior season at William Woods University in Fulton, Missouri – watch his official MLB Draft video.  The 6-foot-2 right-hander earned America Midwest Conference co-pitcher of the year and newcomer of the year honors, after going 8-1 with a 3.31 ERA and hurling four complete games in 12 starts. In 70 2/3 innings, Wooley allowed 60 hits, walked 27, and struck out 89 for the Owls.

Nick spent all of 2009, his first full minor league season, pitching for Idaho Falls, the Royals’ rookie affiliate in the Pioneer League.  Appearing in 13 games for the Chukars – nine of which he started – Wooley was 3-2 with a 4.78 ERA, and racked up 40 strikeouts while walking only 10 hitters in 49 IP.

Prior to the 2010 season he was promoted to Low-A Burlington – now the Kane County Cougars – of the Midwest League where he struggled to find rhythm, and battled through some issues with his command.

Although he didn’t have the success at Burlington that he’d hoped, Wooley is anything but discouraged headed into his third professional season. The offseason brought the news that he will become a father in June – news that has allowed him to consider his life and career in a new light.  The right-hander enters the 2011 season with distinct goals as both a pitcher and a father, and is optimistic that he’ll turn a major corner in his young career.

On Monday, all eyes were on Bryce Harper as he made his Spring Training debut off the bench for the Nationals.  The 18-year-old, who served as the team’s DH, received two at-bats, striking out in both of them.  I was just happy to see him get his hacks in, and could care less that he struck out twice.

Elsewhere, Eric Hosmer and Mike Moustakas both went yard in a 12-11 loss to the Rangers; a game that featured 25 hits, 12 of which went for extra-bases.  Danny Duffy managed to surrender a run without giving up a hit, and fellow left-hander Chris Dwyer was tagged with the loss after allowing a three-run seventh.

But at the end of the day it was Brandon Belt who turned in the day’s best performance, which included an RBI single in the second, and a bases-clearing double in the seventh inning that broke the game open.

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#21 John Lamb – Kansas City Royals

LHP

DOB: 7-10-90

ETA: 2012

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Shortly after the turn of the New Year, we began unveiling our Top 50 Prospects for the 2011 season.  The list is the product of hours of deliberation between Dee and myself, and is far from your average, cookie-cutter top prospect list.

Our rankings are based on a number of criteria such as ceiling, refinement, age, level, performance, and health thus far.  Positional scarcity and chances to stay at a premium position in the Major Leagues carries some weight too, but is a lesser component. No pitcher rankings are based off of potential as relievers because no top arm ends up in the bullpen unless the front office decides to lose its mind.

In case you have missed any player on our list, here is a recap of 40-50:

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