2017 Los Angeles Angels Top 10 Prospects

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TOP 10 PROSPECTS
1. Jahmai Jones, of
2. Matt Thaiss, 1b
3. Alex Meyer, rhp
4. Brandon Marsh, of
5. Nate Smith, lhp
6. Taylor Ward, c
7. Grayson Long, rhp
8. Chris Rodriguez, rhp
9. Keynan Middleton, rhp
10. Jaime Barria, rhp

It was a disheartening year in Anaheim.

The Angels couldn’t overcome a slow start to the 2016 season, in part due to key injuries in the rotation, and the franchise recorded just its second losing season (74-88) in the last 13 years. An 8-19 record for June put the Angels far behind the pack at the season’s midpoint, and a 37-36 record after the all-star break wasn’t nearly good enough to get them anywhere close in the American League West Division race.

With large contract obligations to Albert Pujols, C.J. Wilson, Jered Weaver and the long-departed Josh Hamilton already on the books, the Angels were not able to spend big in the free agent market heading into 2016. With the worst farm system in baseball and the organization’s most talented prospects at the lower levels, there was no real help coming from Triple-A Salt Lake or Double-A Arkansas during the season.

And so the Angels had a gaping hole in left field, and lacked the depth to overcome injuries to starting pitchers Garrett Richards, Nick Tropeano and Andrew Heaney. (A failed comeback bid by Tim Lincecum was particularly painful to watch.) The pitching staff as a whole ranked near the bottom of the AL in most key statistics. Even the big offseason trade to acquire shortstop Andrelton Simmons from the Braves didn’t help as much as expected, especially when he missed more than a month to a thumb injury.

The Angels also experienced a down year on the farm. The organization’s six domestic affiliates posted a combined 313-381 record. However, both Rookie-level teams made their league playoffs, with Orem capturing the Pioneer League crown.
What talent is in the Angels system is at the lower levels. Salt Lake and high Class A Inland Empire both finished in last place in their respective leagues, with the latter going 48-92, second worst among all full-season teams.

On the bright side, the Angels possess the best player in the game in center fielder Mike Trout. Still just 25, Trout put together his usual outstanding season, winning his third Baseball America Major League Player of the Year Award in five seasons while batting .315/.441/.550 with 29 homers and 30 stolen bases.

Looking ahead to 2017, the Angels will gain around $40 million in salary relief just from the expiring contracts of Weaver and Wilson. General manager Billy Eppler begins his second year at the helm and started reshaping the front office. In August, he replaced scouting director Ric Wilson, who had been with the organization since 2003, with former Cardinals crosschecker Matt Swanson. Eppler had already put his stamp on the Angels’ 2016 draft, bringing more
analytics to the process and also with four of the top 10 picks being projectable high school athletes, a departure from previous years that saw more college players taken early.

The Angels will pick 10th in Swanson’s first draft in 2017 their highest selection since 2000, when they also picked 10th.

1. Jahmai Jones, of |

Born: Aug. 4, 1997. B-T: R-R. Ht.: 6-0. Wt.: 215. Drafted: HS—Norcross, Ga., 2015 (2nd round). Signed by: Todd Hogan.

SCOUTING GRADES

Batting: 55.

Power: 50.

Speed: 60.

Defense: 55.

Arm: 50.

Based on 20-80 scouting scale—where 50 represents major league average—and future projection rather than present tools.

Background: Jones, who hails from a rich football background, comes by his athleticism naturally. His late father Andre played for Lou Holtz at Notre Dame and in the NFL, while brother T.J. played wide receiver for the Detroit Lions in 2015. Another brother, Malachi, played collegiately at Appalachian State. Jahmai was a star wide receiver as a high school sophomore before giving up the gridiron to focus on baseball. He passed on a baseball scholarship to North Carolina to join the Angels organization, signing for $1.1 million as a second-round pick in 2015. Jones ranked as the organization’s No. 2 prospect last year, behind first-rounder Taylor Ward, but jumped to the top of the list in 2017 as a supreme athlete who has started to add polish. Jones showed significant improvement at 2016 extended spring
training, both in his baseball instincts and with an improved physique better suited for baseball than football. Those gains carried through to his outstanding season at Rookie-level Orem, and he earned a late promotion to low Class A Burlington.

Scouting Report: Jones stands out most for top-of-the-scale makeup that will consistently allow him to play above his tools. He took on more of a leadership role in his second pro season, helping to position other outfielders during his time at Orem. Jones’ baseball smarts, quick-twitch athleticism and above-average to plus speed should allow him to stay in center field, though some observers are concerned that his body is maxed out and that he may slow down with age. He takes good routes in the outfield and consistently re-positions himself based on hitter tendencies. His average arm should be sufficient for a corner spot if he moves out of center, a likely possibility with the Angels having Mike Trout entrenched at the position for the foreseeable future. At the plate, Jones has a short stroke with plus bat speed that indicates he could be an above-average hitter in time. He hits mostly line drives with gap-to-gap power, but shows average raw power with a good swing path and likely will hit for more power as he progresses. Jones has controlled the strike zone well against lower-level pitchers and makes a lot of contact. He has the ability to make adjustments quickly but needs to work on the short game to round out his skill set. Jones is an instinctual runner who stole 20 bases in 26 attempts over 64 games in 2016. He’s a good teammate and clubhouse leader with an advanced mix of smarts, skills and effort that earns everyone’s respect.

The Future: Jones was young for his high school class and just turned 19 in August. After getting a brief taste of full-season ball at the end of 2016, he likely will return to low Class A Burlington to start 2017, but Jones could earn a bump to high Class A Inland Empire by midseason. One Angels official called Jones the most likely prospect in the organization to contribute at the big league level, making him even more valuable to a farm system lacking potential impact talent.

2016 Club	AVG	OBP	SLG	AB	R	H	2B	3B	HR	RBI	BB	SO	SB
Orem (R)	.321	.404	.459	196	49	63	12	3	3	20	21	29	19
Burlington (Lo A)	.242	.294	.306	62	8	15	1	0	1	10	5	13	1

2. Matt Thaiss, 1b |

Born: May 6, 1995. B-T: L-R. Ht.: 6-0. Wt.: 195. Drafted: Virginia, 2016 (1st round). Signed by: Nick Gorneault.

Background: The Angels used their first-round pick to select a college catcher for the second straight year, but unlike 2015 pick Taylor Ward, Thaiss probably won’t don catcher’s gear as a pro. The Angels coveted his advanced hitting ability, not his glove, and played him at first base in his pro debut.

Scouting Report: There’s little doubt Thaiss is a plus hitter. He takes excellent at-bats, knows his plan, doesn’t chase bad pitches and isn’t afraid to take a walk. He walked nearly as often as he struck out in pro ball after
compiling a 55-74 strikeout-to-walk ratio in three college seasons. With plus bat speed and a strong, whippy swing with leverage, Thaiss has above-average to plus raw power. While some scouts project he’ll hit 10-15 home runs per season, his plate discipline should help him translate his raw power to game power. He’s a below-average runner. The biggest question about Thaiss is where he’ll play on the field. He is still inexperienced at first base, with stiff hands and uncertain actions around the bag.

The Future: Thaiss’ polished bat could move very quickly. He will head to high Class A Inland Empire after spring training and, but if he hits, he could shoot through the system to a big league roster shy on lefthanded bats.

2016 Club	AVG	OBP	SLG	AB	R	H	2B	3B	HR	RBI	BB	SO	SB
Orem (R)	.338	.394	.569	65	16	22	7	1	2	12	4	4	2
Burlington (Lo A)	.276	.351	.427	199	24	55	12	3	4	31	22	28	1

3. Alex Meyer, rhp |

Born: Jan. 3, 1990. B-T: R-R. Ht.: 6-9. Wt.: 225. Drafted: Kentucky, 2011 (1st round). Signed by: Reed Dunn (Nationals).

Background: The 23rd overall pick in the 2011 draft, Meyer has battled injuries and control issues and been traded twice, first by the Nationals to the Twins for Denard Span, and then to the Angels the Ricky Nolasco-Hector Santiago swap in August 2016. He pitched a total of just 54 innings in 2016 due to recurring shoulder issues.

Scouting Report: Meyer lowered his arm slot as a pro due to a biceps injury, so the Angels worked to get his release point back to the higher slot he used in college. They also helped the 6-foot-9 righty refine his mechanics to help his fastball control and keep him from pulling off on his front side. Meyer’s best pitch is a sinking four-seam fastball with tail, averaging 95-96 mph and in the past touching triple digits. He complements it with a hard mid-80s knuckle curveball that gets swings and misses. Meyer’s circle changeup with armside fade is a hard pitch around 90 mph, while a sinker with tail generates plenty of ground balls.

The Future: If Meyer can stay healthy and improve his mechanics, he will be in the Angels starting rotation in 2017 and beyond.

2016 Club	W	L	ERA	G	GS	SV	IP	H	HR	BB	SO	AVG
Rochester (AAA)	1	1	1.04	3	2	0	17	11	0	4	19	.183
Salt Lake (AAA)	0	0	0.00	1	1	0	4	2	0	1	6	.143
Minnesota (MLB)	0	1	12.27	2	1	0	4	8	1	4	5	.421
Los Angeles AL (MLB)	1	2	4.57	5	5	0	22	17	2	13	24	.215

4. Brandon Marsh, of

Born: Dec. 18, 1997. B-T: L-R. Ht.: 6-2. Wt.: 190. Drafted: HS—Buford, Ga., 2016 (2nd round). Signed by: Todd Hogan.

Background: After drafting Jahmai Jones in 2015, the Angels again used a second-round pick in 2016 to take another physically-talented Georgia prep outfielder. The Angels found a back issue in Marsh’s post-draft physical that delayed his signing, but he wound up signing for $1,073,300, right at slot. He missed all of the Rookie-level Arizona League and instructional league seasons with a stress reaction in his back, but spent that time working out at the Angels’ facility in Arizona.

Scouting Report: A two-sport athlete whose football career limited his showcase exposure as a prep, Marsh showed scouts a loud set of tools during his scholastic career, with both plus speed and a plus arm. He has a strong, athletic frame, and scouts who saw him take batting practice during instructional league noted the raw power and good loft in his swing as well as an ability to make adjustments from one session to the next. He’s a bit raw offensively, however, and the lost development time won’t help.

The Future: The Angels expect a complete recovery from Marsh’s back woes, and he will be ready to begin his career in 2017. Some scouts have likened him physically and tools-wise to Colby Rasmus, though he’s less polished at a similar age. Marsh will start 2017 in extended spring training, then likely make his pro debut at Rookie-level Orem.

2016 Club

AVG

OBP

SLG

RBI

Did not play—injured

5. Nate Smith, lhp |

Born: Aug. 28, 1991. B-T: L-L. Ht.: 6-3. Wt.: 205. Drafted: Furman, 2013 (8th round). Signed by: Todd Hogan.

Background: A 2016 Futures Game participant, Smith originally signed for a bargain price of $12,000 after being Furman’s highest draft pick since 1972. Smith is the closest of the organization’s top prospects to making it to the big leagues. In fact, he likely would have made his debut in 2016, especially considering the pitching woes on the big league club, had it not been for some minor elbow tendinitis towards the end of the year.

Scouting Report: Smith survived his first Triple-A Pacific Coast League season with diminished fastball velocity. His fastball typically sat in the upper 80s while touching 92 mph and comes out of a somewhat funky arm action and high three-quarters arm slot. The plus changeup that he throws 75-77 mph and commands well is the difference-maker for Smith. It’s a pitch that he uses to get swings-and-misses, but his reduced fastball velocity seemed to make him more reliant on the changeup, according to some observers. He added an 80 mph slider in 2015 and now uses it more than his mid-70s curveball, and it has become his bat-missing pitch. Smith has to be fine but has above-average control.

The Future: Smith will go to spring training in 2017 with a decent chance of making the Opening Day roster, possibly as a long reliever. He has the pitching smarts and mound presence to handle a big league role, assuming his elbow woes are behind him.

2016 Club	W	L	ERA	G	GS	SV	IP	H	HR	BB	SO	AVG
Salt Lake (AAA)	8	9	4.61	26	26	0	150	166	18	44	122	.283

6. Taylor Ward, c |

Born: Dec. 14, 1993. B-T: R-R. Ht.: 6-1. Wt.: 190. Drafted: Fresno State, 2015 (1st round). Signed by: Scott Richardson.

Background: Ward was the full-time catcher for two seasons at Fresno State in addition to spending a summer with USA Baseball’s Collegiate National Team. While projected as more of a third-round pick, Ward went to the Angels with the 26th overall pick in 2015. He spent the entire 2016 season at high Class A Inland Empire, improving offensively as the season went along (.541 OPS in first half, .774 in the second).

Scouting Report: Scouts have generally been skeptical of Ward’s offensive potential, but his improvement included nine of his 10 home runs coming in the second half. He was too aggressive early in the season and had to make adjustments by getting his hands higher. He doesn’t always have a consistent approach at the plate or get enough load in his swing. Ward stands out as a potentially above-average or better defender behind the plate, with a plus arm that allowed him to throw out 38 percent of basestealers in 2016. He wasn’t receiving the ball well early in the year, especially in catching strikes to his glove side, and his 19 passed balls tied for most in the California League, but he improved his glove positioning. He is a below-average runner but not a base-clogger.

The Future: Ward will move up to Double-A Mobile in 2017 and could get Triple-A time before the end of the summer.

2016 Club	AVG	OBP	SLG	AB	R	H	2B	3B	HR	RBI	BB	SO	SB
Inland Empire (Hi A)	.249	.323	.337	466	61	116	11	0	10	56	48	81	0

7. Grayson Long, rhp

Born: May 27, 1994. B-T: R-R. Ht.: 6-5. Wt.: 230. Drafted: Texas A&M, 2015 (3rd round). Signed by: Rudy Vasquez.

Background: Long threw 96 innings at Texas A&M in 2015, so the Angels limited him to 20 innings in his pro debut after signing him for $548,600. Het turned in eight productive starts at low Class A Burlington in 2016 before
general fatigue and soreness warranted a couple months on the sidelines. After four rehab outings in the Rookie-level Arizona League, Long finished his regular season with three starts at high Class A Inland Empire before being assigned to the Arizona Fall League.

Scouting Report: Big and physical, Long uses a low-maintenance, high three-quarters arm slot that keeps his pitches down in the zone, while allowing his heater to play up. His fastball comes out of his hand well with good movement and sits 88-92 mph. He touches 95 mph with late life that allows him to get some swings-and-misses. His slider-cutter hybrid, a solid-average pitch, shows quality depth and late action. His changeup flashes firm, late, sinking depth and projects as an average offering.

The Future: Long has the 6-foot-5 frame and easy delivery for an innings-eater type of starting role, but he needs to show he can hold up over a full season. He should begin 2017 back at Inland Empire, with a move to Double-A during the season.

2016 Club	W	L	ERA	G	GS	GS	SV	IP	H	HR	BB	SO	AVG
AZL Angels (R)	0	1	5.14	4	4	0	0	11	13	0	5	10	.295
Burlington (Lo A)	3	3	1.58	8	8	0	0	40	27	2	16	45	.190
Inland Empire (Hi A)	2	1	5.14	3	3	0	0	14	14	5	4	15	.269

8. Chris Rodriguez, rhp

Born: Jul. 20 1998. B-T: R-R. Ht.: 6-2. Wt.: 185. Drafted: HS—Miami, 2016 (4th round). Signed by: Ralph Reyes.

Background: Rodriguez raised his draft stock in 2016 with a strong spring, including a seven-inning, 85-pitch, two-hit shutout in the state 5A semifinal for Miami’s Pace High. He passed on a Jacksonville commitment to sign with the Angels for a well over-slot $850,000 and made his pro debut with seven Rookie-level Arizona League outings before being shut down for the year.

Scouting Report: Rodriguez has a lean, athletic build and delivers his fastball in the 92-94 mph range and tops out at 96. His breaking ball, which sits 78-80 mph, was called a two-plane slider by some scouts while others pegged it as a curveball. Rounding out his arsenal is a mid-80s changeup, with both of his secondary pitches grading as average right now. Rodriguez also works in a sinking two-seamer that moves like a slider. He has a quick arm and his pitches get good running movement. There’s effort to his delivery, which he finishes with a big head whack, but he repeats it well and has good rhythm.

The Future: At this point, Rodriguez is the best homegrown arm the Angels have, though lefthander Nate Smith is much more polished. Rodriguez may profile better as a reliever down the road, but for now he’ll continue to work as a starter. He’s mature, a good worker and a leader on the field, with a chance to jump to low Class A Burlington in 2017.

2016 Club	W	L	ERA	G	GS	GS	SV	IP	H	HR	BB	SO	AVG
AZL Angels (R)	0	0	1.59	7	5	0	0	11	6	0	3	17	.154

9. Keynan Middleton, rhp

Born: Sep. 12, 1993. B-T: R-R. Ht.: 6-2. Wt.: 185. Drafted: Lane (Ore.) CC, 2013 (3rd round). Signed by: Jason Ellison.

Background: The former basketball star struggled to translate his athleticism into
production as a starter, and the Angels moved him to the bullpen at high Class A Inland Empire in 2016 and told him to stop overthinking and just throw the ball. He took to the relief role quickly, shooting up the system and finishing 2016 at Triple-A Salt Lake.

Scouting Report: Middleton’s lively fastball jumped a few ticks in relief and now sits in the upper-90s and touches triple digits. He pitched off his heater with a low-90s wipeout slider to generate a lot of strikeouts and weak contacts, and showed an occasional below-average mid-80s changeup. With improved stuff and a better plan of attack to the mound, Middleton averaged 12 strikeouts per nine innings and significantly cut his walk rate in the second half. His high-three-quarters arm slot can be a little stiff, and his delivery features some effort, but both work well enough in a relief role.

The Future: Middleton will need to be added to the 40-man roster to avoid being exposed to the Rule 5 draft. With his big step forward this year, the Angels will certainly be keeping him around. He’ll go to spring training with a shot at earning a role in the Angels’ bullpen

2016 Club	W	L	ERA	G	GS	GS	SV	IP	H	HR	BB	SO	AVG
Inland Empire (Hi A)	1	1	3.72	25	0	0	0	36	22	7	20	56	.172
Arkansas (AA)	0	0	1.20	13	0	0	6	15	11	1	4	18	.196
Salt Lake (AAA)	0	1	4.91	8	0	0	2	15	14	1	4	14	.250

10. Jaime Barria, rhp

Born: July 18, 1996. B-T: R-R. Ht.: 6-1. Wt.: 205. Signed: Panama, 2013. Signed by: Roman Ocumarez.

Background: The Angels appear to have gotten good value in signing Barria in 2013 for $60,000. The Panamanian made his full-season debut in 2016, earning midseason Midwest League all-star honors and pitching a full workload at low Class A Burlington despite not turning 20 until midseason.

Scouting Report: Barria’s game is all about pitchability and racking up early-count outs, and he gets the most out of a limited repertoire. A fastball that he consistently throws for strikes sits in the low 90s with movement, and he commands it well despite its life. The combination of factors helps it play as a solid-average pitch. His best pitch is a solid-average changeup with good fade at 77-80 mph that projects to be at least an above-average offering. Barria rounds out his repertoire with a curveball that flashes average at times. With a clean, repeatable high three-quarters arm slot that allows him to throw his two-seamer, Barria uses the same arm speed to deliver his fastball and curveball. He projects to add velocity as his well-conditioned body matures. He controls the running game well, allowing just four stolen bases in 10 attempts in 2016.

The Future: With his first full season behind him, Barria is ready for the challenge of the hitter-friendly California League in 2017. He commands his pitches well enough to project as a reliable back-of-the-rotation starter.