Back in 2003, the Billy Beane "Money Ball" philosophy, with its emphasis on college-trained prospects, was the talk of the baseball world.
Bucking that trend in the June Draft was the then Anaheim Angels, who used its first round choice (23rd overall) to take a long-limbed, hard-hitting high school shortstop, Brandon Wood.
Ever since, Wood, who played at Phoenix area Horizon High, has made that selection look mighty smart.
With a strong frame (6-3, 185) and great bat action, Wood has become what every big league club seeks to have: A run-producing monster in a middle infield spot.
With Single-A Rancho Cucamonga In his second full professional season (2005), Wood hammered out 43 homers and plated 115 runs, to go with a .321 average. Astounding numbers indeed.
Wood hasn't taken it any easier on Double-A pitching, this year. While toiling for Arkansas, Wood had blasted 23 homers and 75 RBI, heading into August.
The only fly in the ointment was his strikeouts, all 137 of them, putting him in triple digits for the third straight year.
That's something the Angels will either live with, or try to straighten out.
- Dan HICKLING
