Top Pick Is Close to Deal

The Angels and high school pitcher Joe Torres, the team’s top pick in the June 5 draft, made considerable progress Thursday toward an agreement for a signing bonus that will be in excess of $2 million.

Donny Rowland, the Angels’ director of scouting, traveled to Orlando, Fla., and held a four-hour meeting Thursday with Torres--the 10th overall pick in the draft--Torres’ parents and his advisor, David Sloane.

The Angels increased the opening offer they made last weekend--their second offer is believed to be in the $2.2-million range--and Hughes Torres, Joe’s father, said he was optimistic a deal could be completed soon.

“We didn’t come to an agreement, but we’re very, very close,” Hughes said. “I think it could happen in the next day or two. We’re not that far apart, and we want to get this done as soon as possible. Our indication is that Donny left a lot more optimistic than pessimistic.”

Torres, 17, is a 6-foot-3, 180-pound left-hander whose fastball has been clocked at 96 mph, but his curveball was thought by many to be the best in the draft.

He went 4-4 with an 0.38 earned-run average and 128 strikeouts in 55 innings at Gateway High, and if he signs soon, he hopes to begin the season at Class-A Boise, Ida. Torres also has a scholarship offer to the University of Miami.

*

Ken Hill, on the disabled list since May 10 because of a strained rib-cage muscle, made his first rehabilitation start for triple-A Edmonton Thursday against Iowa. Hill, who previously made two rehab starts for Class-A Lake Elsinore, gave up five runs (all earned), seven hits and two walks in four innings. He made 78 pitches and struck out four, but gave up a two-run homer in the first inning and a three-run homer in the third before retiring the side in order in the fourth. Hill is expected to make one more start for Edmonton before rejoining the Angels.

ON DECK

* Opponent--Baltimore Orioles, three games.

* Site--Camden Yards, Baltimore.

* Today--4:30 p.m.

* Record vs. Orioles--3-2.

* TV--Channel 9 all three games.

* Radio--KLAC (570), XPRS (1090).

* Records--Angels 33-32, Orioles 29-34.

TONIGHT

ANGELS’

SCOTT SCHOENEWEIS

(5-4, 4.84 ERA)

vs.

ORIOLES’

MIKE MUSSINA

(4-6, 3.73 ERA)

* Update--Mussina, the Oriole ace, has an 11-4 career record and 3.63 ERA against the Angels, but the Angels hit the right-hander hard on May 4, scoring six runs on eight hits in 4 1/3 innings of an 8-5 victory. Mo Vaughn has a .339 lifetime average against Mussina, with four homers and 13 RBIs.

* Saturday, 4 p.m.--Tim Belcher (2000 debut) vs. Jason Johnson (0-4, 5.36).

* Sunday, 10:30 a.m.--Seth Etherton (1-1, 5.06) vs. Scott Erickson (3-3, 6.19).