Here are the Angels' 2019 Top 30 Prospects
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Once upon a time, the Angels had one of the worst farm systems in baseball. These days, that's a story of a bygone era.
Under the watchful eye of general manager Billy Eppler, the Angels have built up a system to be proud of. While it's not quite top 10-caliber yet, with some dropoff after the top half of the new Top 30, it's not far off. And that's a far cry from the days when it was tough to fill out a list like this or find impact-level talent.
An emphasis on tools and athleticism in position players has made this one of the highest-ceiling systems in baseball. It all starts with top prospect Jo Adell, whose huge first full season of pro ball saw him get all the way to Double-A and shoot close to the top of the Top 100 prospects list. Fellow toolsy outfielder Brandon Marsh has progressed nicely as well and then the Angels added two-sport start Jordyn Adams to boot. Add in exciting international signs from the Bahamas like D'Shawn Knowles and Trent Deveaux and the organization is simply brimming with premium athletes. The Angels will have to be patient, but the payoff could be huge.
It's not like there's no pitching, either. And the good news is Angels fans won't have to wait long to see the best ones in Los Angeles. Jaime Barria burst on the scene last year and he could soon be joined by Griffin Canning and Jose Suarez should the need arise.
Here's a look at the Angels' top prospects:
1) Jo Adell, OF
2) Griffin Canning, RHP
3) Brandon Marsh, OF
4) Jam Jones, 2B
5) Jose Suarez, LHP
Complete Top 30 list ?
Biggest jump/fall
Here are the players whose ranks changed the most from the 2018 preseason list to the 2019 preseason list.
Jump: D'Shawn Knowles, OF (2018: NR| 2019: 10) -- The Bahamanian teen had tools on display, hitting across two levels of rookie ball in pro debut.
Fall: Nonie Williams, OF (2018: 18 | 2019: NR) -- The 2016 draftee hasn't hit, with a .580 OPS, and hasn't gotten out of rookie ball.
Best tools
Players are graded on a 20-80 scouting scale for future tools -- 20-30 is well below average, 40 is below average, 50 is average, 60 is above average and 70-80 is well above average. Players in parentheses have the same grade.
Hit: 55 -- Luis Rengifo (Jo Adell, Matt Thaiss, Jam Jones, Jeremiah Jackson)
Power: 60 -- Jo Adell
Run: 80 -- Jordyn Adams (Trent Deveaux)
Arm: 65 -- Kevin Maitan
Defense: 60 -- Jo Adell
Fastball: 70 -- Ty Buttrey
Curveball: 60 -- Griffin Canning
Slider: 55 -- Griffin Canning (Chris Rodriguez, Aaron Hernandez, Jake Jewell, Luis Madero, Williams Jerez)
Changeup: 60 -- Jose Suarez
Control: 55 -- Jose Suarez (Griffin Canning)
How they were built
Draft: 16 | International: 7 | Trade: 5 | Free agent: 2
Breakdown by ETA
2019: 9 | 2020: 8 | 2021: 5 | 2022: 8
Breakdown by position
C: 1 | 1B: 2 | 2B: 1 | 3B: 1 | SS: 4 | OF: 7 | RHP: 11 | LHP: 3