Angels take a familiar approach in 2024 Draft

This story was excerpted from Rhett Bollinger’s Angels Beat newsletter. To read the full newsletter, click here. And subscribe to get it regularly in your inbox.

ANAHEIM -- The Angels have been known for drafting college players considered close to reaching the Majors in recent years, and they didn’t buck that trend on Day 1 of the 2024 MLB Draft on Sunday.

After taking University of Tennessee second baseman Christian Moore with the No. 8 overall selection, the Angels went with Texas A&M right-hander Chris Cortez at No. 45 overall in the second round and right-hander Ryan Johnson with the No. 74 overall choice as a compensation pick.

It’s been a preference for the Angels to take highly developed college players in recent years such as shortstop Zach Neto and first baseman Nolan Schanuel. Right-handers Chase Silseth, Ben Joyce and Sam Bachman all reached the Majors soon after being drafted, as well as lefty Reid Detmers.

Scouting director Tim McIlvaine, however, said they didn’t head into the Draft looking to draft collegiate players, as they simply go by the best player available.

“We're going to try and get as many good players as we can,” McIlvaine said. “That's the goal coming in. There wasn't any kind of agenda coming in like we’re going to stay in one scholastic area or another. We’re just trying to get as many good players as possible.

Cortez, the club’s first second-round pick since 2021, has a power arm with a sinker that sits in the high 90s and can touch 100 mph. He had more success once he moved to the bullpen, including posting a 2.45 ERA with 13 strikeouts in 7 1/3 innings in the College World Series as Texas A&M finished second to Tennessee.

Cortez, ranked as the No. 85 Draft prospect, also has an impressive slider, but his changeup is still developing. There’s a chance the Angels could try to stretch him out as a starter, but he was most effective in relief this season. He dominated opposing hitters in 2024, striking out 102 batters in 64 2/3 innings and holding opponents to a .187 average against. The Las Vegas native posted a message to Angels fans after being drafted.

“I’m beyond blessed and fired up to be a part of this organization and play in front of this great fan base,” Cortez said. “My parents grew up in California, so it’s always been a dream to be able to take them back there. I remember when I was younger going to Disneyland and going by that stadium, and it’s still the only one I’ve ever seen an MLB game in.”

The Angels had a third pick on Day 1 because they lost Shohei Ohtani in free agency to the Dodgers after extending him a qualifying offer. They went with an intriguing prospect in Johnson, who has a funky delivery that some scouts thinks is best suited for the bullpen. But he's had a track record of success as a starter and has a 6-foot-6 frame.

Johnson, ranked as the No. 47 Draft prospect, was the 2024 Conference USA Pitcher of the Year. He set a school record with 151 strikeouts in 106 innings and just 14 walks in 16 starts. He uses his sweeper/slider more than half the time, but it’s an elite pitch that’s hard to hit because of his unorthodox throwing motion. But his fastball is also big, as it can touch 100 mph and is usually around 92-96 mph, to go along with a cutter, curveball and changeup.

The concern is that Johnson's delivery is high-effort and comes from a low arm slot, which could eventually move him to the bullpen. But with his success as a starter throughout his career, the Angels are expected to keep him in that role to open his professional career.

McIlvaine wouldn’t say if Moore or any top picks would sign for under the slot value, which would give the Angels some leeway to sign players later in the Draft for more than their recommended slot value. Cortez's pick has a slot value of $2.07 million, while Johnson's is $1.06 million. The club’s overall bonus pool is $12,990,400.

The Draft continues on Monday with Rounds 3-10 and again on Tuesday with Rounds 11-20. The second and third days begin at 11 a.m. PT, and the coverage will stream live exclusively on MLB.com.