BASEBALL / DAILY REPORT : ANGELS : Erstad Talks Remain Stalled

Jeff Moorad, adviser for No. 1 draft choice Darin Erstad, said negotiations between him and the Angels aimed at signing the Nebraska outfielder are showing “no signs of life.”

Moorad is seeking a signing bonus in excess of $1.55 million, which is what Paul Wilson, the top pick in 1994, received from the New York Mets, but the two sides are believed to be about $500,000 apart on a deal. There have been no discussions between Moorad and the Angels for the last week.

“My optimistic feelings of a quick resolution have been replaced by the inevitable feeling that the Angels have to see more signings before they move forward,” Moorad said. “Without further market development, there is no reason for optimism.”

Only three of the top 14 picks have signed, but one of them is No. 2 pick Ben Davis, a high school catcher from Pennsylvania who received $1.3 million from the San Diego Padres. That’s $100,000 more than Ben Grieve, the No. 2 pick in 1994, received from Oakland.

Moorad said the Davis signing should provide enough of a measuring stick for the Angels.

*

The Angels are in first place, with players among league leaders in numerous offensive and pitching categories, but word apparently hasn’t reached those casting all-star ballots.

No Angel infielder was among the top eight vote-getters at his position, and the only Angel mentioned in a Major League Baseball release was Tim Salmon, who rated 14th among outfielders.

It should be noted that designated hitter Chili Davis, who said he would decline an all-star invitation, is not on the ballot.

*

Center fielder Jim Edmonds, who hit .500 (12 for 24) with a double, two home runs and nine runs batted in to help the Angels win five of six games last week, was named American League Player of the Week on Monday.

*

USC pitcher Brian Cooper, the Angels’ fourth-round pick in the June 1 draft, and Katella High School pitcher Jason Stockstill, the Angels’ ninth-round pick, have signed with the team. Stockstill was 10-3, with a 2.06 ERA and 75 strikeouts in 81 2/3 innings in his senior season at Katella. He will report to the Mesa, Ariz., rookie league affiliate at the end of June. . . . Tim Mead, assistant general manager, said there is no truth to rumors the Angels are interested in trading for Chicago White Sox third baseman Robin Ventura.

*

Those gnarly sounds emanating from a room next to the Angel clubhouse Monday afternoon were from none other than pitchers Mark Langston (guitar) and Mike Bielecki (drums), who staged a little jam session in hopes of getting a team band together.

What the group lacks in talent it apparently makes up for in volume.

“I came out for batting practice and my ears were ringing,” Langston said. “I need to get some ear plugs.” How did they sound? “I think there’s a lot of work to be done.”