BASEBALL / DAILY REPORT : ANGELS : Organization Makes Minor Strides

The Angel farm system has been stuck near the bottom of Baseball America’s annual organizational rankings for several years, but with the slew of young players excelling in the major leagues and the success of their minor league affiliates this season, the Angels figure to move up in next winter’s ratings.

The triple-A Vancouver Canadians (70-54 through Thursday) and double-A Midland Angels (59-64) both clinched playoff berths by winning the first halves of their respective Pacific Coast League and Texas League divisions, and the Class-A Lake Elsinore Storm (71-52) is closing in on a second-half title in the California League.

Todd Greene, the organization’s top catching prospect, has played only 27 games with Vancouver but already leads the team in home runs with 11 and has 25 runs batted in. Greene batted .327 with 26 homers and 57 RBIs at Midland before being promoted after the All-Star break.

Third baseman George Arias is batting .288 with 29 homers and 94 RBIs for Midland, and Darin Erstad, the team’s No. 1 pick in the June draft who signed for a $1.575-million bonus, has hit .341 with two doubles, three triples and 10 RBIs in his first nine games at Lake Elsinore.

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Though the Angels’ top minor league teams will be involved in the playoffs in September, Manager Marcel Lachemann said he would not hesitate calling up key minor leaguers when major league rosters can be expanded Sept. 1.

“Anybody who can help us win a game, from a pinch-runner, pinch-hitter, defensive replacement to relief pitcher, will be here,” Lachemann said. “But we’re not going to call up a guy just to be here.”

General Manager Bill Bavasi said it’s “highly unlikely” Erstad would be called up. Most likely candidates: A speedy outfielder (Marquis Riley or Orlando Palmeiro), a left-handed reliever (Mark Holzemer or Tim Fortugno), a backup catcher (Chris Turner or Andy Allanson) and a pinch-hitter (Eduardo Perez).

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Lachemann might receive some September help from an unexpected source: Pitcher Phil Leftwich, who underwent shoulder surgery during spring training and sat out several months, has made considerable progress in recent weeks and appears on the verge of regaining major league form.

Leftwich, who went 5-10 with a 5.68 earned-run average for the Angels last season, is 1-0 with a 3.00 ERA in three starts at Vancouver. He has struck out 11 and walked four in 18 innings. Leftwich struck out 32 and walked two and had a 0.45 ERA in four starts for the rookie league Mesa (Ariz.) Angels.

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Jim Abbott, who pitched into the ninth inning of Friday night’s loss to the Yankees, said he had no problems with the blister on his middle finger that has flared up and cut short several previous starts. “It’s not quite gone, but it’s manageable,” he said.

Mike Bielecki, on the disabled list since July 19 because of biceps tendinitis, made his first rehabilitation appearance Thursday, throwing two innings for Lake Elsinore.