Future endeavors

Nick Adenhart probably couldn't tell you much about Provo Canyon, the Freedom Festival or the ice cream at the BYU Creamery.

Don't blame the former Orem Owlz pitcher if he didn't experience much of what Utah County has to offer. After all, his stay with the Owlz in 2005 was more like a business trip — just two starts and 12 innings of work.

But if baseball scouts are projecting his career correctly, Adenhart — his short stint notwithstanding — will be one of the first names mentioned when talking about big-time talent passing through the Orem-Provo area.

Adenhart's former manager-for-a-few-games, Tom Kotchman, still feels qualified to analyze the Angels' top pitching prospect.

"I saw enough," the Owlz manager said.

Kotchman, a 27-year veteran in professional baseball, has seen a lot of talent come through town since the rookie league club of the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim arrived in Utah Valley — enough to field quite an all-star team of quality major league potential.

"There's a reason we won," said Kotchman, whose team has captured two straight Pioneer League championships.

Rookie league baseball is in its sixth season in Utah County, and former Provo Angels and Orem Owlz players have experienced varying degrees of success. New names, like Adenhart, carry the promise of extraordinary ability, while past years' elite prospects are trying to entrench themselves at the big-league level. Then there are those hopefuls whose progression hasn't been as publicized, but whose potential and value to the organization are certainly notable.

Adenhart and current Bees second basemen Howie Kendrick both spent Sunday in Pittsburgh participating in the Future's Game as part of this week's All-Star game festivities. They are two big reasons Baseball America thinks a lot of the Angels' future. The team came in at No. 4 in the 2006 organization talent rankings — down from No. 1 a year ago but still among the best in baseball.

Once ranked as the top draft prospect for 2004 in the country by Baseball America, Adenhart fell to the 14th round after hurting his elbow during his senior year of high school. The injury required Tommy John surgery. Adenhart signed with the Angels and spent a year and a half in rehab before arriving in Orem last September and striking out 14 batters in 12 innings.