HITTER TO WATCH:

Brandon Wood has 30-plus homer potential but doesn't make enough contact, and the Angels seem reluctant to move him to third base full time.

PITCHER TO WATCH:

Nick Adenhart has ace potential if he refines his changeup, and his curveball is among the best in the minors. Also, keep an eye on Australian reliever Rich Thompson, a two-pitch guy who pounds the strike zone.
-- Keith Law, Scouts Inc.

JUST THE FACTS

• The early schedule is cake. Only 15 of the Angels' first 43 games are against teams that had winning records in '07. That will help, considering John Lackey (triceps strain) and Kelvim Escobar (shoulder) will miss April.
• Torii Hunter needs to light a fire. Insiders say Orlando Cabrera, traded to the White Sox, was the one who pumped up Vladimir Guerrero. Look for Hunter to take over that role.
• It's short term versus long term. Maicer Izturis makes the routine plays; Erick Aybar does the spectacular. Mike Scioscia might split their time at shortstop for now, but the 24-year-old Aybar is the future.

HEARSAY

"You spend the last three innings of every game trying to figure out how not to let Guerrero beat you," an AL advance scout says. "But you wonder about his shelf life. [Guerrero is 32.] I saw chinks in the armor last year. "

HOUSE CALL

"My dad was a minor league player in Mexico, and he instilled a love of baseball in me. I'm excited to watch Torii Hunter this year; he's going to love it here. And adding Jon Garland to the rotation rounds out the pitching staff." -- Rep. Loretta Sanchez, D-Calif.
-- Buster Olney

How many games will the Angels win in 2008? Do they have the top lineup, rotation, bullpen or manager in their division? Did they do the best job improving their team in the offseason with the acquisitions of Jon Garland and Torii Hunter? Register your vote.

AL West poll page

SLEEPER

Casey Kotchman drew more walks and made better contact in his first full season. He's a 20-homer threat and just entering his prime.

BUST

Jon Garland has good control, but it's not good enough to overcome one of the worst strikeout rates among major league starters. Expect the luck that's fueled his lofty win totals to run out soon.
-- Will Harris

INJURIES

John Lackey was slowed early in spring training by a sore elbow and ultimately was diagnosed with a strained triceps (the large muscle on the back of the arm that attaches at the elbow). As of mid-March, the Angels projected him to miss three to four weeks, but that is just until he can resume baseball-related activities. Lackey still will need to get game ready, meaning several minor league starts to increase his endurance. That adds up to a May return at the earliest, assuming no additional setbacks. On a positive note, Lackey has been healthy until now, and the hopes are that this is a side effect of spring training and not an omen for the season.
-- Stephania Bell