Minor League Report

HOWIE KENDRICK, 2B

Salt Lake, triple A

Last season, Kendrick, 22, slugged .638 at Class-A Rancho Cucamonga, earning him a promotion to double-A Arkansas, where he hit .342 and slugged .579. His range may be a problem, but Kendrick and shortstop Brandon Wood, also in the Angels’ minor league system, could form an impressive double-play tandem in Anaheim one day. Yes, Adam Kennedy, those are footsteps you hear behind you.

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KENDRY MORALES, 1B

Salt Lake, triple A

Fielding-wise, imagine a statue at first base, only with less range. But Morales, 22, can hit, with a .306 batting average at double A last season. Morales has designated hitter written all over him. In his Cuban amateur career, Morales batted .330 and in the 2001-2002 season with the Industriales, he broke rookie records with 114 hits, 82 RBIs, 21 home runs, 46 extra-base hits and 60 runs. If Casey Kotchman struggles, Morales could get the call this season.