The system-wide success enjoyed by the Los Angeles Angels’ minor-league clubs will converge on North Little Rock this summer.
The Arkansas Travelers’ roster for the 2014 season was announced Thursday, and it is a group made up of players who either won last year’s California League title at Class A Inland Empire, came within a game of winning the Texas League title at Class AA Arkansas or advanced to the Pacific Coast League championship series at Class AAA Salt Lake.
The Angels’ system is still regarded by Baseball America and other outlets as one of the thinnest in baseball, but a large chunk of Inland Empire’s title team will start this season at Arkansas. Highlighted by outfielder Zach Borenstein, who won last year’s California League batting title, 14 players who spent part of last season at Inland Empire will start this season at Dickey-Stephens Park under Phillip Wellman, who will be in his first season as the Travs’ manager.
Borenstein, 23, was drafted in the 23rd round in 2011 and hit .337 in 112 games at Inland Empire last year with 28 home runs and 95 RBI. His .631 slugging percentage was the second-highest in all of the minor leagues.
Michael Snyder, a 23-year old first baseman, hit. 280 with 25 home runs and 92 RBI at Inland Empire. Alex Yarbrough, a 22-year-old second baseman, spent part of 2012 at Arkansas and led the minor leagues with 182 hits. Reliever R.J. Alvarez, the Angels’ No. 4 prospect according to Baseball America, will start in the Travs’ bullpen.
Third baseman Kaleb Cowart is among eight players who spent at least part of last season at Arkansas.
Cowart, a 21-year-old former first-round pick, entered last season billed by Baseball America as the Angels’ top prospect, but he never got on track offensively as he hit a career-low .221 with 6 home runs, 42 RBI and a .279 onbase percentage.
He will start this season as the Angels’ No. 3 prospect, according to Baseball America.
Outfielder Andrew Heid and infielder Jimmy Swift, who each spent time at Arkansas and Class AAA Salt Lake last year, will start the season in Arkansas. So will starter Michael Roth, who split last season with the Travs and the Angels.
Sports, Pages 24 on 03/28/2014