No. 13 Might Be Lucky in Draft

Mark Petkovsek helped the Angels during the 1999 and 2000 seasons, winning 14 games as a middle reliever. Now that he is gone, he can help the Angels yet again, so much so they could be thanking him for years to come.

Petkovsek pitched so well for the Angels that he was classified as a Type A free agent. When the Texas Rangers signed him, the Angels giddily received two premium draft picks in compensation, two bonus shots at an impact player in exchange for losing a middle reliever.

So, in Tuesday’s draft, the Angels have five picks among the first 90, starting at No. 13. Scouting director Donny Rowland said he has targeted six prospects--four high school players and two college players--for possible selection at No. 13 but declined to identify them.

Baseball America projects the Angels will select first baseman Casey Kotchman of Seminole (Fla.) High, son of Angel scout and minor league manager Tom Kotchman. As one possible alternative to Kotchman, the Angels have scouted Pasco (Wash.) High right-hander Jeremy Bonderman, who has entered the draft as a high school junior.

The Angels are desperately short on power within the organization, enhancing Kotchman’s attractiveness. Five of the Angels’ top seven picks last year were pitchers, and six of their top seven top prospects are pitchers.

Still, if the Angels believe the best player available at No. 13 is a pitcher, Rowland insists they’ll take him. Of Baseball America’s top 100 draft prospects, 67 are pitchers.

Petkovsek, who signed with the Rangers for $4.9 million over two years, has no record and a 6.35 earned-run average in 18 games.

Utility man Benji Gil made his first major league start at first base.

Gil, providing another right-handed bat against Minnesota left-hander Brad Thomas, became the fourth Angel to start at first base this season. Wooten, Wally Joyner and Scott Spiezio have combined to hit seven home runs and drive in 31 runs in 297 at-bats; Mo Vaughn had 18 homers and 47 RBIs in 211 at-bats through May 31 last season.

ON DECK

Opponent--Kansas City Royals, three games.

Site--Edison Field.

Tonight--7.

TV--Fox Sports Net tonight and Saturday; Channel 9 Sunday.

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

Records--Angels 24-28, Royals 20-33.

Record vs. Royals (2000)--6-6.

TONIGHT

ANGELS’

ISMAEL VALDES

(2-3, 4.41 ERA)

vs.

ROYALS’

JEFF SUPPAN

(2-4, 4.43 ERA)

Update--The Royals’ 20-33 start matches the worst in franchise history, and Kansas City columnists already are calling for Tony Muser to join Felipe Alou, John Boles, Larry Rothschild and Johnny Oates as unemployed managers. Shortstop Rey Sanchez extended his hitting streak to 18 games Thursday.

Saturday, 7 p.m.--Scott Schoeneweis (4-3, 4.01 ERA) vs. Chad Durbin (3-3, 5.20 ERA).

Sunday, 1 p.m.--Ramon Ortiz (3-4, 4.50 ERA) vs. Mac Suzuki (2-4, 3.91 ERA).