Angels invite Hank Conger to spring training

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The Angels have invited 27 nonroster players to spring training, including catcher Hank Conger, rated by Baseball America as the organization’s top minor league prospect.

A 22-year-old from Huntington Beach, Conger was the Angels’ top draft pick in 2006. The switch-hitter batted .295 with 11 homers and 68 RBIs at double-A Arkansas last year and is likely to open this season at triple-A Salt Lake City.

Also earning invites to spring training are 20-year-old left-hander Trevor Reckling, the Angels’ top pitching prospect, and journeyman pitcher Travis Chick, who is with his sixth organization in seven seasons. Reckling, 8-7 with a 2.93 ERA at Arkansas last summer, is coming off an oblique injury that shortened his stay with the U.S. national team at last year’s World Cup. Chick, a 25-year-old right-hander, was 8-7 with a 4.22 ERA for the Dodgers’ double-A team in Chattanooga last season and is 48-45 in eight minor league seasons. He made three appearances in the majors with Seattle in 2006.

Pitchers and catchers are expected to report to the Angels’ Tempe, Ariz., training base on Feb. 17, with the first full-squad workout scheduled for Feb. 23. The Angels open their Cactus League exhibition schedule against the Chicago White Sox on March 3.

-- Kevin Baxter