A power draft?

Finally, a member of the Angels' family who admits it.

Eddie Bane, the team's director of scouting, says the organization is sorely lacking in one area: power hitting.

 Happily, now that the Angels are loaded with five picks among the first 48 selections in the June 9 draft, Bane intends to do something about the deficiency.

 "I think we've accomplished a lot when it comes to developing position players," Bane says. "But the one area I don't think we've done a good job at is (drafting for) power. Especially corner outfield power."

Bane says that will be the priority when making those important picks on June 9. "We won't force it," he says. "If we like a pitcher much better at one of those spots, we'll take him. But if it's close, between a pitcher and a hitter with power, we'll go with the power."

Either way, this looks like the most significant Angels' draft in years, with the defections of free agents such as Mark Teixeira and Frankie Rodriguez providing the team with extra picks near the top.

The Angels have the No. 24, 25, 40, 42 and 48 selections.

"We're going to say it's not any bigger than any other draft, but it is," says Bane. "These are the most picks we've had that high since I've been here. We did well in 2005, but nothing like this. This is really fun."

Bane is one of my favorite guys in the organization, because he is not afraid to speak the truth. Try to get anyone else in the Angels' hierarchy to admit there is a shortage of power, not only at the big league level but all the way through the system.

You can't do it. Bane is like a fresh breeze in an otherwise stuffy, secluded room.

-- Steve Bisheff

Comments

[lee]

We still need to look to the FA market to address immediate power needs. I believe Matt Holliday is an upcoming free agent.

I think the team has to look for infield pop more than anything else. Several upper tier third basemen outhomered the entire Angels infield only 2,3 years ago. You expect a boost in power from Nap and Morales (Maybe even Howie Kendrick) but the situation has only marginally improved.

[Jason @ IIATMS]

What about the SS they treat like a yo-yo? The one who Scioscia clearly has no love for?

Who needs power when he's mashing in AAA and benched in the Bigs....

[Joe D]

Draft experts like Jim Callis, Keith Law, and Baseball America all say this draft is stocked with pitching, and is hitting thin...so of course the Angels will go for hitting. This team is quickly becoming as big of a joke as their geographically challenged name.

[Kevin S]

I am sure Eddie Bane will get called into MS's office and get chewed out for this. We don't play that kind of baseball. We need guys who can run, hit singles, bunt people over and make productive outs. We need pitching. Pitchers that will only give up less than 3 runs a game.

Not sure if I had power I would want to be drafted by the Angels. I wouldn't want to get stuck in Salt Lake City.

[Brian C.]

Bane can say they will pick power over pitching or a position player like a middle infielder but will he be able to actually convince Reagins, Scioscia and ( Stoneman ) to go with that pick? We all know that Scioscia is a little ball manager and that the higher up seem to just let him go with what he wants.

[Tom S]

Day 54 Soc holds Brandon Wood hostage at Salt Lake.Now it seems he's also holding back Sean Rodriquez. With Howie being clueless and unproductive ( thanks Mickey Hatcher) , lets get Sean up here to play second. Bring up Wood to play short or third, and get rid of Eric Aybar. Your power becomes enhanced ans your fielding improves.
Aybar will never be ready emotionally to play in the big leagues as he always wilts under pressure. Last time I checked we still play in the AL where home runs are a necessity, not a Soc option.