A.L.(baseball)

Anaheim Angels

www.sportingnews.com/baseball/teams/angels

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3rd West

Rotation prospects need more time to develop

Even with a solid core of young pitchers that includes LHPs Jarrod Washburn and Scott Schooneweis and RHP Ramon Ortiz, the Angels have a way to go to reach the level of the Mariners and A's. To compete in the A.L. West next year, the team needs to bring in more help for the rotation. The club has some bright prospects--RHPs John Lackey and Chris Bootcheck have made significant progress--but it would be wise to go outside the organization and give the young pitchers another year to develop.... Last Thursday, the Safeco Field scoreboard indicated that RHP Troy Percival had hit 102 mph on a pitch. Although speed readings at stadiums are not always accurate, the pitch was another sign that he is recovered from shoulder surgery he had before the 2000 season. Percival regularly hits 97 and 98 mph.

SCOUTING REPORT: Washburn is dose to being the No. 1 starter. In August, with the rest of the rotation in a funk, he pitched well. His ERA, at 3.53 at the end of last week, has been among the league's best most of the year. He doesn't have overpowering stuff, but he's fearless. Washburn challenges hitters with his fastball, which he throws 85-90 percent of the time. He occasionally throws a slider or changeup, but he is effective with his fastball by changing speeds. He has what he calls his "batting practice" fastball, which is about 84 mph. But he can hit 94 mph. Washburn usually throws it high in the strike zone, which results in more fly balls than grounders.