22-year old Nick Adenhart felt like he was on top of the world after his performance against the A’s last Wednesday Night as he worked 6 scoreless innings allowing 7 hits, walking 3 batters and whiffing 5. But, just hours after the game the car his was riding in was hit by a drunk driver killing Adenhart and two of his friends. The Angels are reeling as they called off last night’s game to pay tribute to their fallen friend and comrade. Adenhart worked hard this off season to correct some things that he thought would help him…..and they did. He was the #1 rated prospect in the Angels’ minor league system according to Baseball America coming into the 2009 season. Adenhart pitched 4 years in the minors for the Angels appearing in 91 games (90 starts) in which he was 37-28 with a 3.87 ERA and a 1.41 WHIP. But, his talent outweighed his minor league numbers. He finished his career with the Angels pitching in 4 games (all starts) in which he was 1-0 with a 6.00 ERA and a 2.28 WHIP. I will remember Nick Adenhart in my prayers this Easter Weekend and also his family as this is the kind of thing that isn’t supposed to happen to 22-year old kids.

The Angels have received 24-year old righty starting pitcher Robert Mosebach back from the Phillies. He was selected by the Phillies in the Rule 5 Draft over the winter. Mosebach pitched in 29 games (all starts) in AA-ball for the Angels last season and he was 9-12 with a 4.62 ERA and a 1.57 WHIP.

The Angels will be without 30-year old righty starting pitcher John Lackey for a month due to elbow tightness. Lackey pitched in 24 games (all starts) for the Angels last season in which he was 12-5 with a 3.75 ERA and a 1.23 WHIP. He has now pitched in 207 games (206 starts) in 7 years with the Angels and he is 91-63 with a 3.81 ERA and a 1.31 WHIP. The Angels better hope they hit the ball well to make up for not having John Lackey, Ervin Santana and Kelvim Escobar for at least a month apiece.