Angels’ Top 10 Prospects

1. JOE TORRES, LHP, 6-3, 180. Age: 18. Drafted: 2000 (first round)

Florida high school product’s fastball is clocked between 89-93 mph, and his curve was considered best in last year’s draft. Went 4-1 with 2.54 ERA and limited opponents to .170 batting average in 11 games for Class-A Boise last summer after signing for $2.08-million bonus.

2. FRANCISCO RODRIGUEZ, RHP, 6-0, 165. Age: 19. Signed: 1998 (Venezuela)

Fastball has been clocked as high as 99 mph and is consistently between 94-97 mph. Went 4-4 with a 2.81 ERA for Class-A Lake Elsinore in 2000, striking out 79 in 64 innings, but elbow tendinitis sidelined him for six weeks. Could be a force if he is injury-free.

3. JOHN LACKEY, RHP, 6-6, 210. Age: 21. Signed: 1999 (second round)

Converted college first baseman has been pitching for 2 1/2 years, but he jumped from Class-A Cedar Rapids to Class-A Lake Elsinore to double-A Erie last season, combining for 138 strikeouts in 188 1/3 innings, and now is in big league camp. Fastball hits 95 mph and curve is above average.

4. NATHAN HAYNES, OF, 5-9, 170. Age: 21. Drafted: 1997 (first round supplemental)

Acquired from Oakland in 1999 Randy Velarde-Omar Olivares trade, Haynes is the Angels’ fastest prospect, and some believe he could be a Kenny Lofton-type leadoff batter. Wrist, shoulder and knee injuries slowed him in 2000, when he hit .254 with 37 stolen bases for double-A Erie.

5. CHRIS BOOTCHECK, RHP, 6-5, 195. Age: 22. Drafted: 2000 (first round)

Former Auburn standout sat out 2000 season while agent Scott Boras and Angels haggled over $1.8-million bonus. Fastball already tops out at 94 mph, but could gain velocity as he fills out and gets stronger. Best pitch may be a cut fastball that has slider action.

6. PHIL WILSON, RHP, 6-6, 200. Age: 20. Drafted: 1999 (third round)

Has good movement on 92-mph fastball and a good changeup, but needs to improve his curve and command. Combined for 11-5 record and 3.06 ERA in 27 starts for Class-A Cedar Rapids and Lake Elsinore in 2000, striking out 115 in 170 2/3 innings.

7. BRIAN SPECHT, SS, 5-11, 170. Age: 19. Drafted: 1999 (ninth round)

Some thought Specht would be overmatched when he made his professional debut in the California League, but he hit .269 with 35 RBIs in 89 games for Class-A Lake Elsinore in 2000. Has good speed, arm and shortstop instincts but rushed too many plays and made 34 errors last season.

8. DERRICK TURNBOW, RHP, 6-3, 180. Age: 23. Drafted: 1997 (fifth round)

Angels plucked Turnbow from Phillies in Rule 5 draft last winter and retained his rights by keeping him in major league bullpen for entire 2000 season. Armed with a 94-mph fastball and developing overhand curve, Turnbow had a 4.74 ERA in 38 innings.

9. WILMY CACERES, SS, 6-0, 177. Age: 22. Signed: 1997 by Cincinnati (Dominican Republic)

The Angels must think highly of Caceres, because they traded one of their promising young pitchers, Seth Etherton, to the Reds to acquire him this winter. Switch-hitter has smooth, quick hands, an above-average arm and excellent instincts but may not be ready to hit in the big leagues.

10. JARED ABRUZZO, C, 6-3, 225. Age: 19. Drafted: 2000 (second round)

Switch-hitter from La Mesa High near San Diego has power from both sides of the plate and showed surprising command of the strike zone in 2000, hitting .255 with eight homers, 45 RBIs and 61 walks in 62 games for rookie-league Butte.