Tis the season to be jolly! Pitchers and catchers report today to the Angels spring training home in Tempe, Arizona. Along with the names we all know are 18 non-roster invitees. We won't see most of thes guys this year, but a few may be stars in the making. Here’s a brief scouting report on these guys, along with they're overall career outlooks:

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Jared Abruzzo, C

Switch hitting catcher who has spent the last three seasons in A ball with both Rancho Cucamonga and Cedar Rapids. Based on that fact alone I can safely say Jared is not a prospect. Career outlook: Not good.

Erick Aybar, SS

Aybar is a switch hitter who put up decent numbers (.308/.346/.446) at class-A Cedar Rapids and was named to the league’s all-star team. His eye certainly leaves something to be desired (only 17 walks in 125 games) and will have to be improved to have success at higher levels. Showed some power (46 extra-base hits) and blazing speed. Was half of an excellent double play combo with Alberto Callaspo. Career outlook: His fate seems to be tied to Callaspo in a way, but I don’t see him going as far.

Dusty Bergman, LHP

Bergman put up a 3.79 ERA with an 82/33 K/BB ratio in 109 innings of work for Arkansas in 2003. Not bad numbers. Projects as a middle reliever and being that the Halos are starving for left-handed relief, you may see him sooner rather then later. Will start this season in Salt Lake. Career outlook: Could make a couple of appearances in 2004, but I doubt he’ll ever make a real impact.

Ryan Buddle, C

Struggled mightily at AA Arkansas (.213/.289/.333 in 96 games). I would imagine he would take another shot at it this season. Career outlook: Not so good…

Alberto Callaspo, 2B

Right-handed 2B led the Midwest League in batting (.327) and runs (86) on his way to an all-star selection. Has a terrific eye (.377 OBP) and decent speed. Not a HR threat at this stage, but power could develop. I don’t have any defensive evaluation for this guy but I’ve heard good things about his glove work. Will likely start ’04 in Arkansas with running mate Erick Aybar. Career outlook: Expect him to make some appearances for the big club in 2006.

Eric Cyr, LHP

Made a brief appearance in the majors with San Diego in 2002 and spent last season in AA Arkansas. Career outlook: He’s done. But hey- he got a taste and that’s more then you can say bub!

Scott Dunn, RHP

Acquired from the White Sox in the Schoeneweis deal. It’s kinda hard to get a beat on this guy, as he doesn’t stay in the same place for very long. Dunn is middle reliever throwing in the low 90’s and he seems to put up good numbers wherever he goes. He’ll most likely close or setup for Salt Lake this year. Career outlook: He might work as an effective middle reliever in the bigs, and soon.

Brian Gordon, OF

Came over from the D-Backs (minor league free agent?) where he put up .265/.314/.428 with the Tucson Sidewinders (AAA PCL). He has no plate discipline to speak of and very little power. I assume he’s just going to fill one of the outfield positions in Salt Lake, where the system is extremely thin. Career outlook: Very doubtful he’ll ever see the bigs.

Nick Gorneault, OF

Free-swinger who set the California League on fire last year with .321/.363/.540. Needs to improve his plate discipline if he’s going to hit at higher levels. Will start the year at AAA Salt Lake as one of the organizations top outfield prospects- which isn’t saying much. Career outlook: With the log jam in the outfield this guy doesn’t stand much of a chance.

Matt Hensley, RHP

Started 27 games for Salt Lake in 2003 putting up an 8-12 record and 4.89 ERA in 158 innings. He notched just 85 strikeouts while walking 48. At 26, this is as far as he’s going. Career outlook: Career minor-leaguer.

Casey Kotchman, 1B

Widely considered the best left-handed hitting prospect in all of baseball. Has excellent command of the strike zone and good raw power. Also a plus defensively. Questions have arisen about his health (injuries having cut short both of his first two pro seasons) but the injuries seem to be freak accidents and not a sign of bad conditioning. Will start 2004 in AA Arkansas. Career outlook: This guy is as close to a lock as it gets- he’ll be a star by 2006.

Jeff Mathis, C

With Joe Mauer penciled in with Minnesota’s big club, Mathis takes over the title of top catching prospect. His .323/.384/.500 numbers in Rancho Cucamonga got him a sniff at AA Arkansas toward the end of last season. He hasn’t displayed much power yet, but it does appear to be coming. The guys over at Future Angels compare him to Jason Kendall, which seems right to me. Career outlook: Almost on the same level as Kotchman- but not quite. Expect to see him in 2006.

Tommy Murphy, SS

Hit .270 for Cedar Rapids in 2003. Has very little power or plate discipline. Good glove and good speed will earn him a spot in Salt Lake this year, but that’s as far as he goes. Career outlook: Highly unlikely to see the majors.

Josh Paul, C

Paul has had substantial time in the big leagues with the White Sox and the Cubs. He hasn’t shown the ability to hit big league pitching, but is solid defensively. I assume he will play the role of veteran leader in Salt Lake and will be the first call the Angels make if something happens to one of the Molina brothers. Career outlook: Should have a decent stint as an emergency catcher.

Adam Riggs, IF

Riggs saw action with the big club last year when injuries decimated the roster. He put up solid numbers (.246/.343/.492), but at age 30 his major league aspirations are long gone. Career outlook: The best he can hope for is a emergency call-up due to injury, but he’s slid further down the depth chart this off season, so even that’s unlikely.

Ervin Santana, RHP

Considered by many as the top right-handed pitching prospect in baseball, Santana combines a high 90’s velocity with pinpoint location. He throws a hard slider and has also developed a serviceable changeup. In 124 innings at Rancho Cucamonga he went 10-2 with a 2.35 ERA and 130 K’s. Those are big time numbers to say the least. The Angels are being careful not to rush him, so expect to see him in AA this coming season. Career outlook: I never bet on pitching prospects, but this guy should be in Anaheim by 2006.

Brian Specht, SS

Switch-hitter who put up anemic numbers (.248/.297/.321) in AA- and this was his second go-around. Will start in Salt Lake this season. Career outlook: Umm… no.

Pete Zamora

I have no clue who this guy is. Any help would be appreciated.

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Get the expert’s opinion at Baseball America and get Rob’s take over at 6-4-2. They’re both much better at this then I am.