Cowart remains in Top 100 on updated prospects list

With 2013 Draftees signed and entered into their respective clubs' pipelines, MLB.com has re-ranked its Top 100 Prospects and each club's Top 20 Prospects.

As the non-waiver Trade Deadline approaches and teams delve into opponents' farm systems looking to acquire future talent, it becomes obvious that the Angels do not have a whole lot to offer.

While homegrown product Mike Trout continues to thrive in the Major Leagues, the Angels' farm system leaves a lot to be desired, and it is a bit of a guessing game as to when the next Top 10 or even Top 50 prospect will come around.

Graduated

Of the players that began the year among the Top 20 in the Angels' organization, Nick Maronde is the only one that's made an appearance in the big leagues.

However, Maronde's stint in Anaheim was brief as the left-hander pitched just 2 1/3 innings. Currently regarded as the No. 6 prospect in the Angels' organization, Maronde has a 3.66 ERA in 31 games for Double-A Arkansas.

Dropped off

Right-handed pitchers Daniel Tillman (No. 6), A.J. Schugel (16), Yency Almonte (19) and Cam Bedrosian (20) were all present when MLB.com ranked the Angels' Top 20 Prospects prior to the season. However, none of the four remain on the list.

Tillman has spent time with both Double-A Arkansas and Class A Inland Empire, but neither place has yielded favorable results as the 24-year-old has allowed 12 earned runs in 14 1/3 innings.

In 19 starts for Triple-A Salt Lake, Schugel has compiled a 4-6 record and posted a 7.05 ERA.

Almonte has a 6.60 ERA in six starts in the Rookie Pioneer League, while Bedrosian, pitching at Class A Burlington, has thrown 45 innings with 55 strikeouts and an ERA of 5.80.

New faces

As four pitchers fell out of the Angels' Top 20, three pitchers and an outfielder now find themselves included.

Pitchers Mike Morin (10), Hunter Green (13), Keynan Middleton (20) and outfielder Zach Borenstein (15) are now considered among the Top 20 Prospects.

While Green (second round) and Middleton (third round) were each selected by the Angels in this year's Draft, Morin and Borenstein were already in the organization.

Borenstein has been playing for Class A Advanced Inland Empire and is hitting over .300 while also showing some power.

While on the mound for Inland Empire and Arkansas, Morin has collected 13 saves and posted an ERA under 2.00.

Rising/falling stock

Second baseman Alex Yarbrough began the season as the club's No. 18 prospect, but he has jumped 11 spots to No. 7. Right-handed pitcher Mark Sappington has also jumped up the list, moving from No. 10 to No. 5.

While Yarbrough and Sappington are climbing in the rankings, several players saw their stock fall.

Outfielder Travis Witherspoon fell from No. 9 to No. 14, shortstop Jose Rondon went from 11th to 16th and right-hander Alfonso Alcantara dropped from 12th to 17th.

Top 100 representation

The Angels' farm system ranks among the worst in baseball in terms of Top 100 prospects, but the club does possess one player on the list, as Kaleb Cowart is ranked 86th.

The third baseman is playing for Arkansas this season and is hitting under .220 with five home runs.

The Angels are one of four teams (White Sox, Brewers, Giants) with just one prospect in the Top 100. Atlanta has none.

Based on a scoring system that awards 100 points to the team with the top prospect, 99 to the team with the No. 2 prospect and so on, the Angels' farm system ranks 28th in baseball.