We all love top prospects, but there are plenty of guys out there who will never show up on anyone’s top 100 prospects list that will become major league contributors. The Halos have a few prospects who could help the team in 2012.

David Carpenter

Carpenter’s numbers were off the charts in 2011, as he posted a 0.93 ERA in 29 innings in the Cal League before advancing to Double-A, where he didn’t allow a run in 18.2 innings. Minor league numbers are great, but tools are the best indicators of success in the major leagues. Carpenter doesn’t have a ton of velocity, but his command and control and his ability to keep the ball in the park should be enough for him to make it as a middle reliever. Middle relief comes and goes, so Carpenter could have a shot to help the Angels in 2012.

 Jeremy Moore

Moore is an interesting guy. He has a four solid tools, but his hit tool plays down a bit because of his awful plate discipline; he took 21 walks and struck out 114 times in 2011. There’s no clear spot for him in the Angels outfield, but an injury could make him the team’s fourth outfielder. He’s got the speed to be a pinch runner in late innings, and he’s certainly not a liability in the outfield.  

Andrew Romine

The 26-year-old enjoyed a few cups of coffee with the Angels in 2011 and could play a bigger role with the team in 2012. Romine is a defensive wizard at shortstop, and worked on his game at second and third this season. His bat is nothing special, but he has pretty good speed. Romine could help the Halos as a back-up infielder in 2012.

The Angels also have a bunch of very young prospects who could make the jump to elite prospect status this season. That’s a story for a different article, but many of those prospects will fail, a couple of them will rise up to top prospect status, and a few will find themselves in situations like those of Carpenter, Moore, and Romine. All three players should be a part of the big league team in 2012, and may have a chance to cement themselves onto the team for the next several seasons.

Hudson Belinsky can be followed on Twitter at @hudsonbelinsky.