10 Los Angeles Angels Prospects To Know Beyond The Top 30 in 2024
Baseball America’s Top 30 Los Angeles Angels Prospects entering 2024 are here exclusively for subscribers. The list includes updated scouting reports, BA grades and tool grade projections every player.
Inevitably, there are players every year who barely miss the cut when we narrow down the list. These players are all worth monitoring for various reasons and it’s likely some will either reach the big leagues in 2024 or enjoy breakout seasons lower in the minors.
Here are next 10 players to know in the Angels system beyond their Top 30.
31. Joe Redfield Jr., OF
The son of big league third baseman Joe Redfield, Redfield is an athletic outfielder who stands out for above-average speed and solid defense in center field. As a hitter, he has a contact-oriented ground ball heavy approach that profiles more in a backup role than as a regular.
32. Jorge Marcheco, RHP
A command-over-stuff righthander with fringy velocity, Marcheco’s lone plus tool is his control, but there’s hope that he’ll continue to add velocity to push his 87-89 mph fastball into the low-90s. His fringe-average changeup is effective because of his conviction in it and his ability to spot it well.
33. Riley Bauman, RHP
Bauman was recovering from Tommy John surgery when Angels scout K.J. Hendricks invited him to a pre-draft workout. Bauman displayed a power arsenal, touching 98 mph, and the Angels drafted him in the 13th round. The undersized athletic righthander became a standout at instructs with his mid-90s sinker, above-average slider and some feel for a changeup. He’ll continue developing as a starter due to his simple and repeatable delivery, though his below-average control and power arsenal might play better in the bullpen.
34. Guillermo Zuniga, RHP
A one-time Dodgers prospect, Zuniga was designated for assignment by the Cardinals and traded to the Angels for cash considerations. A hard-throwing reliever with a fastball that sits 98-100 mph, Zuniga also mixes in a upper-80s slider. He made his major league debut on May 2 for the Cardinals, but spent the majority of 2023 with Triple-A Memphis. He was shut down with right forearm tightness and transferred to the 60-day injured list in early September.
35. Luke Murphy, RHP
Murphy was Vanderbilt’s closer in 2021 and reached the College World Series. He has been a reliable reliever since the Angels drafted him in the fourth round in 2021. Murphy has a high-spin mid-90s fastball, two-plane slider and fading changeup that all flash above-average or plus. His mechanics can go awry, however, leading to inconsistent control, but he flashes high-leverage relief potential.
36. Kenyon Yovan, RHP
The Angels drafted Yovan out of high school in the 27th round in 2019, but he opted to attend Oregon. He was a highly regarded college pitching prospect until injuries forced him into mostly a DH role as a junior and senior. Yovan took a roundabout path back to the Angels, signing as an undrafted free agent in 2021. He scrapped hitting and returned to the mound a year into his career and has become a quick-moving righty reliever. Yovan flashes back-end bullpen stuff at times with a mid-90s fastball and two decent breaking balls, though they will blend together with below-average command.
37. Arol Vera, SS
Vera was a touted prospect in the 2019-20 international class who signed for $2 million. He’s a dependable defender at multiple infield positions, giving him some bench projection. The switch-hitter has a fair eye at the plate, but poor swing decisions haven’t allowed him to make strides with the bat, giving him minimal offensive projection.
38. Carlos Espinosa, RHP
Signed out of Cuba during the 2022 international signing class, Espinosa pitched his way to full season ball by the end of 2023. He mixes a four-seam fastball at 93-94 mph with 18 inches of ride on average with a tight gyro slider at 82-83 mph, an upper-70s 12-6 curveball and a mid-80s changeup. He showed solid feel for his fastball and slider but struggled to land his curveball and changeup.
39. Keythel Key, RHP
After two inconspicuous years in rookie ball, Key broke out as a 19-year-old in 2023 with a solid performance in the Arizona Complex League, ending the year with two excellent starts in High-A. He’ll work mostly 92-94 mph with his fastball that has touched 98, while his offspeed offerings show promise. He’ll need to continue developing his arsenal while finding the zone with more frequency as he fills out his tall and slender frame.
40. John Wimmer, SS
Selected in the 11th round from a remote high school in South Carolina and signed for $400,000, Wimmer is an athletic shortstop with tools to dream on, though his rudimentary skill set makes him a long-term development project.
