Dynasty: Los Angeles Angels’ 2020 Preseason Top 50 Prospects

Despite featuring the game’s best player for almost a decade, the Los Angeles Angels haven’t made the playoffs since 2014. And while the blame has largely fallen on the lack of talent around superstar Mike Trout, the farm system in particular has not provided much help in recent years.

Thanks to a renewed effort to hoard athletic, tool-driven players in the minors, however, the system is finally turning a corner. Two key outfield prospects are poised to make their big league debuts in 2020 and behind them a slew of compelling arms have emerged.

The question looming  is whether the emphasis on raw skills over more polished prospects will pay off in the long run. For the most part, those compelling arms I mentioned have not progressed past A-ball yet. And many of the bats in the lower levels, especially recent international signings, carry a lot of uncertainty in their projections.

Here are my rankings for the Top 50 prospects in the Angels organization.

Note: These Top 50 lists are all done through a fantasy baseball-focused lens. Many players who are ranked higher or lower on other platforms will get a boost here. For example, players who profile as middle relievers or glove-first infielders likely won’t have much fantasy relevance, so they won’t be ranked as highly. 

 

1. OF Jo Adell

 

Age: 20
Highest Level: AAA

Scouts (and fantasy owners) have been drooling over outfielder Jo Adell since he was selected 10th overall in the 2017 draft. And he’s not just the Angels’ top prospect; he’s a consensus top-five prospect in baseball with an impact at the major league level expected to come next year.

His skill set screams 20-20, though I think he could end up more of a 30-15 player down the line. It is worth noting, he suffered an ankle injury in 2019 and was limited to 76 games in the minors. His final 2019 numbers across Double-A and Triple-A looked like this: .289/.359/.475 with 10 HRs and 7 SBs. To make up for lost time, the Angels also sent him to the Arizona Fall League (AFL), and he played for Team USA in the Olympic qualifiers. So, it was still quite a long season for him.

For fantasy purposes, he’s worth a stash in redraft leagues, but I won’t be shocked if he’s not up until late May. He only played in 27 games at Triple-A and didn’t click at the plate (.264 avg., 0 HRs). So, depending on how the Angels address the outfield in free agency, it probably makes sense for Adell to start in Triple-A again. But at least the wait is almost over.

ETA: 2020

 

 2. OF Brandon Marsh

 

Age: 22
Highest Level: AA

While all the attention justifiably goes to Adell, there’s another Angels outfield prospect right behind him who is flying a little under the radar. Meet Brandon Marsh, a toolsy 22-year-old who put up a .286/.367/.407 slash line with 7 HRs and 15 SBs in 96 games at Double-A in 2019.

This offseason, the Angels also sent Marsh to the AFL, where he hit his way to a .909 OPS and finished fourth in the league with a .328 average. And while Marsh showed a fair amount of swing and miss in the lower levels, he managed to cut his strikeout rate more than five points in 2019 from 27.7% to 22.4%.

Scouts continue to rave about his glove in center field and expect he’ll be an above-average defender at all three outfield spots. Marsh may not have the huge upside of Adell, but he’s still an attractive dynasty asset and should be ready to contribute in 2020 as well.

ETA: 2020

 

3. OF Jordyn Adams

 

Age: 20
Highest Level: A+

A first-round pick in 2018, Jordyn Adams is another outfielder with a five-tool skill set and high ceiling. Admittedly, his numbers don’t jump off the page yet. In 2019, he hit .257 with eight home runs and 16 steals in 109 games. But scouts love his athleticism and raw skills, and the expectation is that he’ll develop more power as he works his way up the minors.

Also, his speed is no joke and has earned 80 grades, pointing to big steal potential if he can get on base regularly. There’s definitely some risk here as the bat hasn’t quite caught up with his other skills yet, but the payoff could be huge if he puts it all together.

ETA: 2022

 

 4. SS Jeremiah Jackson

 

Age: 19
Highest Level: Rookie (Advanced)

A second-round pick in 2018, Jeremiah Jackson put up video-game numbers in the Pioneer League in 2019. He blasted 23 home runs in 65 games, which was good for one home run in every nine at-bats. Despite striking out a ton (33.0% K rate), the 19-year-old still managed to hit .266 and record a .939 OPS.

With a strike out rate that high, it’s certainly possible his batting average takes a nosedive as he moves through the minors. But he likely won’t cost an arm and a leg yet in dynasty, which makes him an appealing target in my eyes. After all, it can be hard to find this type of raw power in middle infield prospects.

ETA: 2022

 

5. LHP Patrick Sandoval

 

Age: 23
Highest Level: MLB

The Angels acquired Patrick Sandoval in the Martin Maldonado trade with the Astros in 2018, which was just in time for the lefty’s breakout season in which he put up a 2.06 ERA across three levels in the minors. On the heels of that success, Sandoval made nine starts in the majors in 2019, and while his 5.03 ERA and 1.37 WHIP don’t look great on the surface, there is still a lot to like about him.

For starters, he recorded a strong 24.9% K rate, as well as an attractive 13.5% swinging-strike rate, in his first run through the league. His repertoire goes four pitches deep and features a standout changeup, which had a 24.9% swinging-strike rate in its own right. It should be noted his numbers at Triple-A in 2019 were pretty terrible (6.41 ERA, 1.97 WHIP), but Salt Lake was an extreme hitter’s park so I’m willing to look past it given what he showed in the majors.

With the Angels recently adding starters Dylan Bundy and Julio Teheran, Sandoval’s path to a rotation spot may be a bit muddled. But I still like him as a sleeper pick in deep redraft leagues, and he’s likely available on the cheap in dynasty as well.

ETA: 2020

 

6. SS Arol Vera

 

Age: 17
Highest Level: N/A

The Angels signed Arol Vera out of Venezuela for $2 million as part of the July 2 international class this year. He’s an athletic shortstop with solid defensive skills and a promising bat. A switch-hitter, scouts already like his ability to spray line drives. He’s listed at 6’2″, 170 pounds, and should grow into more power as well.

Given how much of a commodity he was during the international signing period (MLB.com had him ranked ninth), there’s optimism that Vera’s bat will indeed deliver. His ranking could shift a lot, though, depending on how he acclimates to pro ball next year.

ETA: 2024

 

7. SS Kyren Paris

 

Age: 18
Highest Level: Rookie (AZL)

The Angels liked Kyren Paris enough to draft him in the second round as a 17-year-old. He only played three games at rookie ball in 2019, so there isn’t much of a pro track record yet, but similar to Vera he’s touted as an exceptional athlete who can make all the plays at short. His speed points to solid SB upside, and he could develop some pop as he grows and puts on weight (he’s currently listed at 6’0″, 165 lbs).

For fantasy, Paris is a bit of a gamble as it all comes down to if he’ll hit enough to make a real impact. I like his compact swing, though, and could see a future 10 HR-25 SB player down the line.

ETA: 2023

 

8. LHP Hector Yan

 

Age: 20
Highest Level: A

Hector Yan is another promising southpaw in the Angels system. After struggling with injuries in rookie ball, Yan broke out in 2019 with a 3.39 ERA and 1.16 WHIP in 109 IP. Even more impressively, he led all Angels minor leaguers who threw at least 80 innings in K% (32.3), K-BB% (21.0) and opponents’ average against (.189).

He is not a big guy (5’10”, 180 lbs), but scouts like his sharp curve from the left side, which he pairs nicely with a low- to mid-90s fastball and a developing changeup. He was also not a splashy signing out of the Dominican Republic back in 2016 (just $80 K), so he’s still very much off fantasy radars.

While I’m probably higher on Yan than most, his ability to miss bats and limit hard contact is a combo that has me very intrigued. I’m excited to see if he can excel at High-A next year, which would certainly boost his stock in dynasty circles.

ETA: 2022

 

9. 2B Jahmai Jones

 

Age: 22
Highest Level: AA

It feels like Jahmai Jones has been around forever. Drafted in the second round back in 2015, the toolsy second baseman was anointed a fringe top-100 prospect early in his pro career, but after two down years in a row, there’s some question about his future value.

In 2019, Jones put up a .234/.308/.324 slash with just five home runs in 130 games. Once an asset, his speed also failed him as he was just 9-for-20 on the base paths. So, it’s not hard to see why he has gained some doubters.

Given his struggles, the Angels sent him to the AFL where he flashed a better hit tool, hitting .302 with seven steals in 16 games. I’m not sold this is a sign of a real turnaround, but it offers a glimpse at why he was held in high regard in the first place.

ETA: 2021

 

10. RHP Jose Soriano

 

Age: 21
Highest Level: A

Jose Soriano’s pro career is full of ups and downs, so it was encouraging to see him finally establish himself as one of the best pitching prospects in the Angels system in 2019.

An international signing out of the Dominican in 2016, Soriano put up a 2.51 ERA, 1.32 WHIP and 26% K rate at Burlington in 2019. He has a stellar fastball, which hits 97-98 and has earned 65 grades. He also throws an above-average curve and a developing changeup.

His success may ultimately ride on his control, which thanks to a 14.9% walk rate was still poor in 2019. If he can cut down the walks, he has the arm to become a fixture in the Angels rotation.

ETA: 2022

 

11. OF D’Shawn Knowles

 

Age: 18
Highest Level: Rookie (Advanced)

A native of the Bahamas, D’Shawn Knowles burst onto the scene in 2018 with a .311 average and .855 OPS in 58 games across two levels of rookie ball. His early success firmly put him on the prospect map as another athletic, albeit raw, talent near the top of the Angels system.

His sophomore campaign, however, was a different story as Knowles slumped to a .241/.310/.387 slash in 64 games, despite it being his second year in the Pioneer League. Still, it’s far too early to give up on his potential as he doesn’t turn 19 until January. His stock could really jump if he’s able to rebound next year.

ETA: 2023

 

12. OF Alexander Ramirez

 

Age: 17
Highest Level: Rookie (DSL)

Stop me if you’ve heard this before: an athletic outfielder who projects to have five tools and plays good defense. The Angels sure have a type, eh? I suppose that’s why they’re so high on Alexander Ramirez, who made his pro debut at just 16 years old in the Dominican Summer League in 2019. His numbers were pretty solid for his age; he hit .234 with 4 HRs, 6 SBs and a .756 OPS in 39 games. He’s very much another high-upside dart and could make his debut in the states next year.

ETA: 2024

 

13. RHP Jack Kochanowicz

 

Age: 18
Highest Level: N/A

Jack Kochanowicz is a young prep arm the Angels took in the third round of the 2019 draft. He’s a big right-hander, listed at 6’6″, 220 pounds, and already has a nice three-pitch mix led by a fastball that can hit 95 mph.

Reports are also positive on his curveball and the early spin rate indicators on the pitch. There’s obviously a lot of volatility with a projection for a high school arm who hasn’t debuted yet, but there’s enough to get excited about that the 18-year-old cracks the top 15.

ETA: 2023

 

14. RHP Chris Rodriguez

 

Age: 21
Highest Level: A+

After missing all of 2018 with a back injury, Chris Rodriguez returned for just 9.1 innings in 2019 before he underwent surgery on his back to repair a stress fracture that was still bothering him. Despite losing almost two years, however, there’s still a lot of enthusiasm around the young right-hander’s stuff.

Rodriguez has a big fastball that can reach the upper 90s, and he pairs it with a potentially plus slider, as well as a curve and changeup that grade out to at least average. With four pitches and good command, you could argue he has the highest ceiling of any pitcher in the whole system. But his inability to stay on the mound is a red flag for me. If he can show the back issues are behind him next year, he’s a prime candidate to climb the rankings.

ETA: 2022

 

15. OF Trent Deveaux

 

Age: 19
Highest Level: Rookie (Advanced)

The Angels signed Trent Deveaux out of the Bahamas for $1.2 million in 2017. Thus far, his production hasn’t quite lived up to that signing, as he hit just .238 in rookie ball in 2019 and struck out more than 30% of the time.

So, what’s to like? Despite his bat lagging behind a bit, Deveaux is another outfielder whose best asset is his athleticism. Scouts like his ability to cover ground in center field and he’s starting to show his speed on the base paths, swiping 15 bags in 60 games in 2019. It looks like the Angels will need to be patient with his progress at the plate, but if things do click, he could be worth chasing in dynasty.

ETA: 2023

 

16. RHP Robinson Pina

 

Age: 21
Highest Level: A

Robinson Pina has shown significant strikeout potential as a starter in the lower minors. With a fastball-curve-splitter mix, he put up a 3.83 ERA and 1.35 WHIP in 2019 in a career-high 108 IP. But what really stands out are the 146 punch outs, good enough for a 30.7% K rate.

Like a lot of young pitchers, Pina’s control remains the biggest roadblock in his progression, as he walked batters at a 12.8% clip. Still, he’s a candidate to crack the Angels’ top 10 next year if he keeps missing bats.

ETA: 2022

 

17. RHP Aaron Hernandez

 

Age: 23
Highest Level: A+

A third-round pick in 2018, Aaron Hernandez had mixed success in his pro debut. On the one hand, the Angels gave him an ambitious assignment out of the gate sending him to High-A. But in 72.2 IP, he rung up a 4.46 ERA and 1.67 WHIP, which suggests he still has a lot to work on.

Hernandez did show he can miss bats with a mid-90s fastball that led to a 24.1 K%. I’m not sure he will stick as a starter, though, if he can’t cut down on both hits allowed and his 13.7 BB%. He’s a nice arm to monitor next year, but he’s not a priority in dynasty formats right now.

ETA: 2021

 

18. OF Orlando Martinez

 

Age: 21
Highest Level: A+

Signed out of Cuba in 2018, Orlando Martinez had a productive, albeit injury-shortened season at High-A batting .263 with 12 HRs in 88 games. He’s known more as a contact hitter but the power he showed in 2019 could be a sign of more to come. He doesn’t have a lot of speed, though the bat is interesting enough to suggest there’s fantasy upside if he can stay healthy. He’s a nice sleeper pick to take a jump up the rankings in 2020.

ETA: 2021

 

19. OF Jared Walsh

 

Age: 26
Highest Level: MLB

Jared Walsh put up crazy stats in the Pacific Coast League (PCL) in 2019. He hit .325 with 36 HRs in just 98 games, and he walked 13% of the time. That was good enough to produce a .423 OBP and 161 wRC+. The Angels rewarded his breakout with several call-ups throughout the year, but Walsh didn’t really take advantage of them. In 34 games with the Angels, he hit just .203 and struck out 40.2% of the time. Clearly there is a divide there and given his age and the favorable PCL hitting environment, I’m skeptical he’ll provide much fantasy value. He should be back up again this year, though, potentially as a placeholder for Jo Adell and Brandon Marsh.

ETA: 2020

 

20. SS Adrian Placencia

 

Age: 16
Highest Level: N/A

Shortstop Adrian Placencia is another J2 signing who the Angels snagged for $1.1 million. MLB.com had him ranked as the 28th-best international prospect in the 2019 class and while he doesn’t come with as much hype as Arol Vera, the Angels’ top signing, they are similar in that Placencia is also a switch-hitter who projects to have good on-base skills. There’s no need to run out and grab him in dynasty yet, but Placencia is a name to watch when he debuts next year.

ETA: 2024

 

21. RHP Oliver Ortega

 

Age: 23
Highest Level: AA

While a bit old for the level, Oliver Ortega flourished at High-A in 2019, where he registered a 3.34 ERA, 1.23 WHIP and 30.8% K rate in 94.1 IP. He also led all Angels minor leaguers who threw at least 80 innings with an impressive 15.5% swinging-strike rate.

Opposing batters had a hard time squaring up his mid-90s fastball, which has earned 60 grades from scouts. He struggled after receiving a promotion to Double-A, however, where he put up an 8.64 ERA in five starts. It’s also worth noting the Angels chose to not protect him from the Rule 5 Draft.

ETA: 2021

 

22. SS Jose Bonilla

 

Age: 17
Highest Level: Rookie (DSL)

The Angels went all-out on shortstops in the international market in 2019. Dominican-born Jose Bonilla was the team’s third shortstop signed during the J2 period. But even though he slots in behind Vera and Placencia, he still received $600,000, so the Angels clearly like him. He debuted in the DSL over the summer and hit .284 with a .402 OBP in 20 games. He’s on the smaller side at 6’0″, 185, and didn’t hit any homers, but he could be interesting if his brief debut is a sign of things to come.

ETA: 2023

 

23. 3B Kevin Maitan

 

Age: 19
Highest Level: A

It’s hard to believe that Kevin Maitan is still just 19 years old. And while he may never live up to his $4.25 million signing bonus, which he got from the Braves way back in 2016, he’s still trucking away in the minors.

Unfortunately for Maitan and the Angels, who famously jumped in to sign him when the Braves had to forfeit his rights, his continued efforts stalled again in Class A in 2019. Maitan played in 123 games, putting up a pedestrian .214 avg. with 12 HRs and a .601 OPS.  Given his age I wouldn’t write him off completely, but each year it’s getting harder to see him even reaching the major leagues.

ETA: 2022

 

24. 2B/3B Jose Rojas

 

Age: 26
Highest Level: AAA

Jose Rojas is a true late bloomer. Drafted in the 36th round in 2016, he always put up solid numbers in the minors, but he was also old for each level and so he continued to fly under the radar. He really broke out the last two seasons, though, culminating with 31 HRs and 107 RBI in 103 games in Triple-A in 2019. Those numbers are certainly inflated by the PCL, but it still feels a tad harsh that the Angels chose not to protect him from the Rule 5 draft. Even if it’s just in an infield utility role, he should get a look in the big leagues sooner or later.

ETA: 2020

 

25. RHP Luis Madero

 

Age: 22
Highest Level: AA

Luis Madero is a former Diamondbacks’ prospect who has been in the minors since 2014. His best assets are a big curveball that’s graded as a plus pitch and good control of all three of his pitches. His walk rates in the minors have been excellent, hovering around 6% or less at most stops.

He struggled in Double-A in 2019, however, posting a 5.72 ERA and 1.57 WHIP. He was just far too hittable, giving up 117 hits in 89.2 innings. If he can find a little more swing-and-miss to his arsenal, there’s still potential to be a back-end rotation piece.

ETA: 2020

 

26. LHP Luiz Gohara

 

Age: 23
Highest Level: MLB

I had a hard time ranking former Braves’ prospect Luiz Gohara, who didn’t pitch at all in 2019 due to a shoulder injury. The Angels reportedly picked him up at the end of August after the Braves released him. While the move appears to be official, I’ll note there was very little information out there regarding the signing. So, I’m putting this ranking here with the idea Gohara will indeed report to the Angels next year.

Gohara is only 23 and has shown that when healthy, he can get major-league hitters out with a strong fastball-slider combo. We’ll have to wait and see though if he can still dial up the upper-90s velocity he debuted with back in 2017. He may just be a reliever-only option at this point and will need to show something in 2020 to get back on the fantasy radar.

ETA: 2020

 

27. RHP Stiward Aquino

 

Age: 20
Highest Level: A

Stiward Aquino was signed out of the Dominican Republic for $100,000 in 2016 and quickly flashed a fastball that touched 96 mph. After a year in rookie ball, he went down with Tommy John surgery and subsequently missed all of 2018. The big righty, who stands 6’6″, 170 pounds, returned for 36.2 innings in 2019, though the results were mixed with a 6.87 ERA and 29% K rate. Next season should be a much better indicator of Aquino’s true talents and what trajectory his career will take.

ETA: 2022

 

28. DH/RHP William Holmes

 

Age: 18
Highest Level: Rookie (Advanced)

William Holmes opted to turn pro when the Angels took him in the fifth round in 2018, forgoing a college career at Tennessee. He was seen as a 2-way player due to his all-around athleticism in high school, and so far, the Angels have stuck with that path. On the mound in 2019 Holmes struggled to a 5.18 ERA, but he battled injuries and pitched just 24.1 innings. At the plate he hit .326 in 43 at-bats. He’s definitely a work in progress but has real potential if he puts it all together.

ETA: 2023

 

29. OF/LHP Erik Rivera

 

Age: 18
Highest Level: Rookie (AZL)

Much like with Holmes, the Angels like Erik Rivera’s versatility as a potential two-way player. After selecting him in the fourth round of the 2019 draft, Rivera was subsequently sent to the AZL where he hit just .208 in 21 games. Even if the bat doesn’t work out, though, his arm offers enough upside to make up for it. He can already hit 95 mph with his fastball, and he pairs it with a solid curveball. He’s another project, especially given he’s just 18 years old, but he could develop into a sneaky dynasty asset in a few years.

ETA: 2023

 

30. RHP Jeremy Beasley

 

Age: 24
Highest Level: AAA

Jeremy Beasley is a bit of a tweener. His stuff doesn’t really project to be good enough to stick in a big league rotation. But he’s got enough quality that it’s a bit of a waste to be relegated to the bullpen. On the year between Double-A and Triple-A he put up a respectable 4.49 ERA and 1.45 WHIP with 115 Ks in 122.1 IP. The Angels may give him a look next season if they need someone to fill innings in Anaheim.

ETA: 2020

 

31. RHP Garrett Stallings

 

Age: 22
Highest Level: N/A

Drafted out of Tennessee in the fifth round in 2019, Garrett Stallings has yet to make his pro debut but could move through the system fairly quickly. Scouts like his makeup and polished arsenal, though his fastball that sits around 90 mph is likely to limit his overall potential. I’m taking a middle-of-the-road approach to his ranking until we see how his stuff plays against professional hitters next year.

ETA: 2022

 

32. OF Michael Hermosillo

 

Age: 24
Highest Level: MLB

Michael Hermosillo still ranks as a prospect despite two cups of coffee with the Angels and amassing 93 big league at-bats. He hasn’t made much of an impression at the MLB level yet, hitting just .183 with 1 HR in that time. In the minors though he flashed some pop, including 15 bombs at Triple-A in 2019. I think he probably ends up as a fourth outfielder who offers solid defense.

ETA: 2020

 

33. 2B/SS Leonardo Rivas

 

Age: 22
Highest Level: A+

It’s been two disappointing years in a row for Leonardo Rivas, who was signed out of Venezuela back in 2014. In what was essentially a repeat season with High-A Inland Empire, Rivas hit .236/.328/.377 with 6 HRs and 4 SBs in 73 games. In his defense, he did suffer an injury that kept him out for two months and he maintained a healthy walk rate at 11.5%. He’s still a decent infield prospect overall, but the bat hasn’t been impressive enough to warrant much fantasy hype.

ETA: 2022

 

 34. RHP Jake Lee

 

Age: 24
Highest Level: A+

Jake Lee wasn’t a top draft pick (ninth round), but he impressed with K rates above 30% at two stops of A-ball in 2019. Unfortunately, he also hit the IL twice and only threw 35 innings, so it’s hard to gauge his progress and if he’s a prospect to even get excited about. Given the Angels seem intent on starting him and he’s capable of missing bats, a ranking in the mid 30s seems about right.

ETA: 2021

 

35. SS Livan Soto

 

Age: 19
Highest Level: A

Livan Soto was another international signee the Angels scooped up when the Braves had to forfeit his rights. He doesn’t really have any pop yet; he’s hit just one home run in 162 career minor-league games. But he makes a lot of contact and walks more than 10% of the time. Unfortunately, he hit just .220 in 2019 in A-ball, so he still needs to make gains with the bat before I see him having any fantasy impact. The thing working in his favor is his defense is rated quite highly, so I expect the Angels to give him ample opportunity to turn the bat around.

ETA: 2022

 

36. RHP Ryan Clark

 

Age: 26
Highest Level: AAA

Ryan Clark had a strong showing in Double-A as a back-end reliever with a 2.96 ERA, 1.12 WHIP and 64 Ks in 45.2 IP. Perhaps more impressive than his 30.6% K rate is that he paired it with excellent control, walking batters just 6.5% of the time. He got a cup of coffee in Salt Lake (Triple-A) before the year was out and could be in line for a bullpen role with the Angels at some point next season.

ETA: 2020

 

37. C Jack Kruger

 

Age: 25
Highest Level: AA

One of the few promising catching prospects in the Angels system, Jack Kruger took a step backward offensively in 2019. He had a breakout the year prior hitting .299 and making it to Double-A, but this season he repeated the level and hit just .240 with 3 HRs in 92 games. His defense should keep him in line to reach the big leagues, but it looks like he may ultimately be a backup and thus any fantasy potential is rather limited.

ETA: 2021

 

38. RHP Kyle Tyler

 

Age: 22
Highest Level: A+

A 20th-round pick in 2018, Kyle Tyler was a pleasant surprise for the Angels in 2019, posting a 2.59 ERA and 1.03 WHIP in 121.2 innings across of two levels of A-ball. He developed a changeup to complement his fastball/slider approach, and while he doesn’t have the highest K potential, his control might be good enough to get outs at the upper levels.

ETA: 2022

 

39. RHP Denny Brady

 

Age: 22
Highest Level: A+

A former seventh-round pick, starter Denny Brady had his best season yet with a 3.64 ERA, 1.34 WHIP and 86 Ks in 76.2 innings at High-A in 2019. He missed more than a month due to injury, but he still hit a career-high mark in IP. He projects more as a fringe rotation candidate in the majors though his 18.3 K-BB% suggests the ceiling could be higher than that.

ETA: 2021

 

40. LHP Garrett Williams

 

Age: 25
Highest Level: AA

Southpaw Garrett Williams recently came over from the Giants in the Zack Cozart and Will Wilson trade. It’s pretty clear that move was indeed a salary dump by the Angels, as Williams has nowhere near the upside of Wilson, the Angels’ No. 1 pick in 2019. That said, Williams had a solid year in Double-A with a 3.60 ERA, 1.35 WHIP and 22.2 K%. He walks a lot of batters, but he does throw a heater in the mid-90s and has a plus curveball. I’m not high on his potential long term, but if nothing else he adds depth and helps fills a void after the Angels sent four prospect arms to the Orioles to acquire Dylan Bundy in early December.

ETA: 2020

 

41. RHP Davis Daniel

 

Age: 22
Highest Level: N/A

The Angels took a flier on Davis Daniel even though he missed nearly the entire 2019 season at Auburn due to Tommy John surgery. Scouts like his repertoire, which features a mid-90s fastball and two solid off-speed offerings. Despite the promising arsenal, he was fairly hittable in college and had a 5.76 ERA over three seasons. He looks like a reclamation project for the Angels and a player to check back in on in two years.

ETA: 2023

 

42. RHP Sadrac Franco

 

Age: 19
Highest Level: Rookie (Advanced)

Sadrac Franco was an international signing out of Panama and at just 19 years old, he’s yet to tap into his potential. In the Pioneer League in 2019 he pitched just 25 innings with a 5.04 ERA and 1.64 WHIP but did notch 25 Ks. He has a low-90s fastball and a solid curveball that could be enough to get him to the big leagues if he can add innings to gain some much-needed experience on the mound.

ETA: 2023

 

43. RHP Luis Pena

 

Age: 24
Highest Level: AAA

Luis Pena has been in the Angels organization since 2013 and was primarily used as a starter until last season, when the team moved him to the pen. The transition was mostly a success as he notched a 2.67 ERA and 0.96 WHIP in 30.1 IP at Double-A. I say mostly because Pena had a rough start to the year with the Triple-A squad in Salt Lake before moving back down. Still, his mid-90s fastball and slider combo could be a force in the Angels pen in the near future.

ETA: 2020

 

44. OF Brennon Lund

 

Age: 25
Highest Level: AAA

Brennon Lund is yet another outfielder the Angels have in Triple-A who could get a call-up next year. In 96 games with Salt Lake, he hit .284 with 8 HRs, a .350 OBP and .805 OPS. He’s shown some speed and stolen 20 plus bases at previous stops in the minors but only swiped six this season. Lund might find a place as a fourth outfielder, but he’ll be hard pressed for regular playing time at the next level.

ETA: 2020

 

45. RHP Zach Linginfelter

 

Age: 22
Highest Level: N/A

Another University of Tennessee product, Zach Linginfelter has a big fastball that hit 97 mph in college. And even though he posted a 5.64 ERA in 16 starts with the Vols in 2019, the Angels liked him enough to draft him in the ninth round. Scouts have suggested he may ultimately find success in the bullpen with his fastball-slider combo, so how the Angels choose to develop him will go a long way in determining his future fantasy value.

ETA: 2022

 

46. RHP Austin Warren

 

Age: 23
Highest Level: AA

Austin Warren is another reliever with high K rates in the minors, including a 30.6% mark across two levels in 2019. He will need to watch his control, as he walks too many batters (11.9%), which led to a 1.40 WHIP on the year. He strikes me more as a future sixth- or seventh-inning set-up arm, so any long-term fantasy potential may be low.

ETA: 2021

 

47. 2B/3B Adrian Rondon

 

Age: 21
Highest Level: A

The Angels like their reclamation projects. The club acquired infielder Adrian Rondon, a former top international signee, in a trade with the Rays last March after he had four underperforming seasons in the lower minors. With the Angels in 2019, Rondon showed signs of life with a .315 average in the Pioneer League. After a promotion to A-ball, though, he slumped to a .231 average and a .536 OPS in 39 games. It’s a long shot that Rondon will live up to the nearly $3 million signing bonus he got back in 2014.

ETA: 2022

 

48. RHP Andrew Wantz

 

Age: 24
Highest Level: AA

A seventh-round pick in 2018, Andrew Wantz breezed through A-ball with a low-90s fastball, slider and changeup mix. His success stalled, though, after a midseason promotion to Double-A, where his stuff was more hittable and ultimately led to a 7.13 ERA and 1.77 WHIP in 48 IP. The right-hander still had a 25.8% K rate on the year, but I could see him ultimately moving to the bullpen, which is where the Angels originally used him when he debuted in 2018.

ETA: 2021

 

 49. OF Gareth Morgan

 

Age: 23
Highest Level: AA

The Angels signed outfielder Gareth Morgan when he was released by the Mariners in April. He has massive raw power and showed it when he smashed 20 HRs in just 44 games for High-A Inland Empire. Unfortunately, the wheels came off after a promotion to Double-A, where he hit just .206 with 1 HR in 27 games. Even worse, on the year he posted a jaw-dropping 49.4 K%. So, while the power is nice and all, he’s a long shot to reach the majors because he just doesn’t make enough contact.

ETA: 2021

 

50. OF Torii Hunter Jr.

 

Age: 24
Highest Level: A+

Torii Hunter Jr. is indeed the son of former Angels star Torii Hunter. And much like his dad, one of his strengths is his speed on the bases. He swiped 17 bags in just 77 games at High-A in 2019. But unlike his dad, he doesn’t have much power, with just 4 HRs in 239 career games. Given he’s already 24, with just an average hit tool, his fantasy ceiling is pretty low.

ETA: 2022

Featured Image by Michael Packard (@designsbypack on Instagram)