TEMPE, Ariz. -- The Angels are known for expediting draftees to Anaheim. They had the first player from the 2021 Draft to arrive in the Majors (Chase Silseth), the first three from 2022 (Zach Neto, Ben Joyce, Victor Mederos), the first from 2023 (Nolan Schanuel) and now have a leading candidate to be the first from 2024 (Christian Moore).
Because their college Draft picks often spend little time in the Minors, the Angels' system skews young. The average age of the prospects on MLB Pipeline's new Angels Top 30 list is 21 years and four months, edging out the Red Sox as the youngest contingent in baseball.
The organization's youth is also a reflection of its activity on the international market, where players can start signing at age 16. The Angels have 14 homegrown Top 30 Prospects from that source, tying Boston for the most in the game.
"That speaks to our overall organization philosophy," farm director Joey Prebynski said. "We like to challenge players in our system, and we've also been very active internationally. Brian Parker and our international group have done a great job finding players."
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The Angels feature several intriguing teenage prospects from the international market, including shortstop Joswa Lugo, outfielder Nelson Rada and catchers Juan Flores and Gabriel Davalillo. They also invested seven-figure bonuses in two high school right-handers in the 2024 Draft, paying $1,957,500 to Trey Gregory-Alford in the 11th round and $1,247,500 to Dylan Jordan in the fifth.
The prize of the Angels' 2024 international crop, Lugo signed for $2.3 million out of the Dominican Republic. The younger brother of former big leaguer Dawel Lugo, Joswa slashed .301/.370/.466 with five homers and 18 steals in 53 games during his pro debut in the Rookie-level Dominican Summer League. His 6-foot-3 frame is reminiscent of a young Carlos Correa's and his power ceiling ranks among the best in the system.
"Joswa has plus raw power and big offensive run production upside for a shortstop," Prebynski said. "He was out here in Arizona early at our performance camp in January and continues to get better defensively. He has good range side to side and plus arm strength, and he'll continue to develop at shortstop."
Like Lugo, Davalillo comes from a baseball family and received the highest bonus in his Angels international class (2025). His grandfather (Pompeyo) and great-uncle (Vic) played in the Majors, his father (David) reached Double-A and his older brother (also David) led the Minors with a 1.88 ERA last year in the Rangers' system. Signed for $2 million out of Venezuela in January, Davalillo is an offensive-minded catcher who has elicited some comparisons to Francisco Alvarez.
"Gabriel's offense is ahead of his defense and he has the upside of run producer with power," Prebynski said. "We like some things about his defense too, and he has arm strength. With his family's history in baseball, he knows what to expect and his learning curve and acclimation period will be shorter."
A Colorado prep product, Gregory-Alford set a record for the highest bonus ever handed out in the 11th round and the most paid after the fourth round since the bonus pool era began in 2012. He helped his cause by hitting 100 mph with his fastball at the Draft Combine, and he usually works in the mid 90s while using his 6-foot-5 frame to create angle and extension. His mid-80s slider also shows promise, though his changeup and control are in the early stages of development.
"Trey has lost a lot of baby fat and added a lot of lean muscle mass since signing," Prebynski said. "He has a big fastball. Strike-throwing and repeating his delivery will be his early focus."
Bounceback candidate: Christian Moore
The eighth overall pick in the 2024 Draft, Moore reached Double-A two games into his pro debut and might have reached the Majors in September if not for a minor knee injury. A hot start in the Cactus League this spring fueled buzz that he might break camp with the Angels, though it now appears more likely that he'll open the season at Triple-A. He set Tennessee records for single-season (34) and career (61) home runs while helping the Volunteers win the 2024 College World Series, and he also has the quickness to steal bases and cover ground at second base.
"Christian has been great ever since he came in from the Draft," Prebynski said. "Obviously, he has an impact bat and he also continues to improve defensively. The work he put in at the instructional league has carried over to this spring. He'll play mostly second base, and some third base, and we'll see where it goes."
Breakout potential: Ryan Johnson
Like Moore, Johnson could race from the 2024 Draft to the Majors. A supplemental second-rounder from Dallas Baptist signed for an over-slot $1,747,500, the right-hander set Patriots records for strikeouts in a season (151) and career (314) and finished third in NCAA Division I in K/BB ratio (10.8) last spring. He has a scary delivery but it works for him and generates a wipeout low-80s slider and a fastball that sits at 92-96 mph and touches 100.
"Ryan is very routine-oriented and is prepared to work every day," Prebynski said. "He will maximize his ability. It's a plus fastball and a plus slider. He does have a unique delivery, but we're going to let Ryan be Ryan."
Breakout potential: John Wimmer
The Angels paid Wimmer a well-over-slot $397,500 bonus in the 11th round of the 2023 Draft because they liked the South Carolina prep shortstop's right-handed swing and power potential. He has slashed just .191/.332/.272 in two stints in the Rookie-level Arizona Complex League, but Prebynski said the organization is encouraged by some offseason changes.
"We've done some things with John's swing and turned his toe tap into a leg kick," Prebynski said. "His exit velocities and contacts rates have gotten better. We're very encouraged by where he's at."