The Minor League baseball season is under way and now is the time to start monitoring prospects, as many could have an impact this season in the American League West.

Of MLB Pipeline’s Top 100 prospects, 17 are with organizations in the division, but even those not ranked among the Top 100 are important to the long-term success of each organization. Here’s a look at a prospect to keep an eye on for each club in the AL West:

Angels, RHP Griffin Canning
Canning, ranked as the club’s No. 2 prospect and No. 62 overall by MLB Pipeline, made a strong first start at Triple-A Salt Lake, allowing one unearned run over five innings with five strikeouts and no walks. Canning, 22, pitched at three different levels in 2018, including Triple-A, after being taken in the second round of the 2017 Draft. Canning is expected to join the rotation at some point this season, especially if back-end starters such as Felix Pena or Chris Stratton struggle.

Astros, RHP Forrest Whitley
Whitley, Houston's top prospect and No. 7 in all of baseball, is one of the Astros' most anticipated prospects in years and should be pitching in the big leagues this season. The 6-foot-7 pitcher made his Triple-A debut Tuesday for Round Rock and struck out seven, allowing two runs and four hits in five innings while throwing 96-97 mph. After losing 50 games last year with a suspension and then a couple of injuries, Whitley is on track to be a key piece of the Astros' rotation in the near future.

Athletics, C Sean Murphy
With top pitching prospects Jesus Lazardo and A.J. Puk currently out with injuries, Murphy is one to watch for the A’s. Murphy, the club's No. 3 prospect and No. 44 overall, is off to a solid start at Triple-A Las Vegas, batting .313 with one RBI and three walks in four games. Murphy is regarded as a top defender behind the plate, as he’s an athletic receiver with one of the better throwing arms among catchers in the Minors.

Mariners, OF Julio Rodriguez
General manager Jerry Dipoto acquired some quality prospects over the winter, but the youngster with the most intriguing upside might be the 18-year-old Rodriguez, who signed as an international free agent out of the Dominican Republic for $1.75 million in 2016 and is off to a scorching start this spring for Class A West Virginia. The five-tool prospect, ranked No. 5 in Seattle's system, hit .423 (11-for-26) with three doubles in his first seven games in the U.S. after a good debut last year in the Dominican Summer League.

Rangers, LHP Taylor Hearn
Hearn is the No. 11 prospect in the Rangers' system. There are six pitchers ranked higher, but Hearn is at Triple-A Nashville and could be needed in Arlington this summer as Texas lacks much pitching depth. Hearn allowed one run in five innings against Round Rock on Tuesday night. He can hit the upper 90s with his fastball and possesses a decent change-up, but his breaking ball is still a work in progress. He needs more development time, but the Rangers may not have that luxury with all their pitching injuries.