ANAHEIM -- Every time an Angels prospect throws a bullpen session during Spring Training, a coach situates himself behind the catcher, clipboard in hand, charting balls and strikes. Those numbers factor into each pitcher's overall strike percentage, and that percentage is written on a cork board inside the Minor League facility, exposed to the entire organization and subject to the most intense of scrutiny.
"We made guys aware," Angels director of player development Bobby Scales said. "When you put it on the board for everybody to see, it's amazing how much guys lock in."
The Angels' Minor League affiliates currently lead the industry in strikeout-to-walk ratio.