Angels.mlb.com

TEMPE, Ariz. -- The golden one of the Angels' farm system the past two seasons, Brandon Wood turned 22 on Friday with a new position -- third base -- and a familiar profile:
Can't miss prospect.

He figures to open the season at Triple-A Salt Lake, very likely playing third rather than his more familiar shortstop, but Wood could make his Major League debut sometime in 2007. That hinges on developments in Anaheim, health and performance.

"Brandon's been making a terrific transition to third base," manager Mike Scioscia said. "It's what we expected with his athleticism and aptitude. He'll make a quick study of it."

Solid defensively at shortstop, Wood accepted the new challenge with the awareness that a new position could hasten his journey to the big time.

The Angels are set at shortstop with Orlando Cabrera and have highly valued prospect Erick Aybar in the wings, with Maicer Izturis adding depth at the position.

Having made a series of superb plays at third in Cactus League play, Wood has relied on his athleticism to handle reaction plays that make or break third basemen.

"At short, you feel like you're involved in every play -- talking to the second baseman, being involved in almost every relay, relaying signs to the third baseman," Wood said. "It's a little more quiet at third base, a little less responsibility.

"There's a little less pressure there, but you've got to play good defense whether you're at short, third, wherever. You've got to make the plays."

It's his bat that brought Wood to the forefront among the game's premium prospects in 2005 at high Class A Rancho Cucamonga. In 130 games, the rangy right-handed hitter batted .321 with 41 homers and 115 RBIs, scoring 109 runs.

At Double-A Arkansas in 2006, he hit .276 with 25 homers and 83 RBIs in 118 games.

Baseball Prospectus has Wood ranked No. 5 among all Major League prospects.

As with all young hitters who swing with force, strike-zone judgment is a critical step in Wood's development. He struck out 149 times at Arkansas in 493 at-bats while drawing 54 walks.

"Brandon, as he gets experience and starts to understand his [hitting] zone, his upside is off the charts," Scioscia said. "His bat speed is right up there with anyone I've seen."