Since MLB Pipeline started ranking top farm systems in 2015, the Angels have never appeared on a list. That¡¯s five preseason rankings and five midseason rankings -- nine of which were Top 10 lists, one was a Top 15 -- in which the club could not be found.
But that could change soon.
The Angels have pursued high ceiling athletes aggressively, both in the Draft and on the international market, and many of those toolsy players have progressed very nicely. So while Jo Adell is the lone representative on the Top 100 as one of the most dynamic prospects in all of baseball, Brandon Marsh isn¡¯t too far behind, especially after his strong performance in the Arizona Fall League.
Patience is needed for such an approach to scouting and player development, but some are just about big league ready (Adell), some are close behind (Marsh), while those further behind (Jordyn Adams) took encouraging first steps in full-season ball in 2019. The arrow is definitely pointing up for this system.
TOP 5 PROSPECTS
- Jo Adell, OF (No. 5 on Top 100)
- Brandon Marsh, OF
- Jordyn Adams, OF
- Will Wilson, SS
- Jeremiah Jackson, SS/2B
HITTING & PITCHING PROSPECTS OF THE YEAR
Jared Walsh, 1B/LHP (No. 22): Walsh got to show off his ability as a two-way player in the Minors, which earned him the opportunity to put those skills on display in the Major Leagues as well. He hit .325 with a .686 slugging percentage for Triple-A Salt Lake in 98 games, all while also posting a 4.15 ERA in 13 innings pitched at the level.
Hector Yan, LHP (No. 17): After posting ERAs above 4.50 at the Rookie level in 2017 and 2018, Yan had a breakout year in 2019, with a 3.39 ERA in 109 innings -- 20 starts and six relief appearances -- for Class A Burlington. He struck out 12.2 batters per nine innings.
STOCK UP/DOWN
Hector Yan, LHP (No. 17): Yan wasn¡¯t in the Angels¡¯ Top 30 to start the 2019 season, but his breakout year has moved him to the middle of the list. While making his full-season debut, Yan saw his hit and walk rates go down while his strikeout rate jumped as he more than doubled his career innings pitched total.
Chris Rodriguez, RHP (No. 15): The Angels were very excited about Rodriguez¡¯s upside when they gave him an above-slot deal to sign in the fourth round of the 2016 Draft, knowing it might take a while for performance to catch up to potential. But he¡¯s only been able to throw 9 1/3 competitive innings over the last two seasons combined because of back injuries, leaving a big question mark next to his name until he can prove he can stay healthy.
NEW ADDITIONS
Draft: Will Wilson, SS, 1st round (No. 4); Kyren Paris, SS, 2nd round (No. 7); Jack Kochanowicz, RHP, 3rd round (No. 13); Erik Rivera, OF, 4th round; Garrett Stallings, RHP, 5th round (No. 30); Zach Peek, 6th round; Kyle Brnovich, RHP, 8th round. Complete Draft list ?
International: Arol Vera, SS (No. 9 on international Top 30; No. 28 on Angels Top 30); Adrian Placencia, SS (No. 28 on international Top 30)
While the Angels went the college route in the first round for the first time in a long time, they still were able to get some intriguing high-ceiling talent in the second, third and fourth rounds and added a total of seven players from MLB Pipeline¡¯s Draft Top 200 list to the organization. They were busy on the international market, too, giving seven-figure bonuses to a pair of Top 30 prospects in Vera and Placencia, two of nine bonuses of at least six figures doled out by the organization last July.
2020 IMPACT PROSPECT
Jo Adell, OF: Adell missed almost two full months at the start of the season because of hamstring and ankle injuries suffered during Spring Training, yet still managed to hit his way to Triple-A at age 20. He then showed off all his tools in the AFL, demonstrating he¡¯s just about ready to take over in right field, where there might be an opening in Los Angeles.
BEST TOOLS
Hit: Will Wilson
Power: Jo Adell
Arm: Brandon Marsh
Run: Jordyn Adams
Field: Brandon Marsh
Best athlete: Jo Adell
Fastball: Jose Soriano
Curveball: Oliver Ortega
Slider: Luis Madero
Changeup: Chris Rodriguez
Control: Luis Madero
HOW THE TOP 30 WAS BUILT
Draft: 16
International: 11
Trade: 2
Free agent: 1
Even with the top seven prospects in the Top 30 all coming from the Draft, the Angels are about as international-heavy as any organization in baseball. Two of the top three international signees, D¡¯Shawn Knowles and Trent Deveaux, fit nicely in the organizational philosophy of bringing in high-end, super-athletic talent.
TOP 30 BY POSITION
1B: 1
2B: 2
3B: 1
SS: 6
OF:: 7
RHP: 12
LHP: 2
Athletes and up-the-middle players -- that¡¯s been a focus for the Angels and it¡¯s reflected in their Top 30 breakdown with six shortstops, tied for the second most among all 30 organizations, and most of the outfielders possessing the athleticism to play center field.