Los Angeles Angels 2020 Midseason Top 30 Prospects Update

1. Jo Adell, OF

Adell showed big power and made hard contact against major league pitchers throughout summer camp. He is nearly ready for the majors, but the Angels want him to get a few more reps against high-quality secondary pitches before they bring him up for his debut.

2. Brandon Marsh, OF

Marsh was delayed arriving at summer camp, but he joined the team on July 14 and is fully healthy. The superb athlete has impressed the Angels with his polish on defense, on the bases and in his approach, and now the next step is seeing how last year’s swing changes hold up against advanced pitching.

3. Reid Detmers, LHP

The Angels locked on to the Louisville lefthander early in the draft process and didn’t hesitate to take him with the 10th overall pick. His mature demeanor, wipeout curveball and pristine control have him in position to rise through the organization quickly.

4. Jordyn Adams, OF

Adams received a lot of playing time on defense in big league intrasquad games during summer camp. A lean, speedy athlete with a keen eye for the strike zone, his main goal at the alternate site camp this year will be to add strength so he can make better contact at the plate.

5. Jeremiah Jackson, SS

Jackson tied the Rookie-level Pioneer League record with 23 home runs last season, but also struck out 33 percent of the time. He was not included in the Angels player pool, so he’s working out on his own at home to cut down on his strikeouts and add polish to his offensive game.

6. Chris Rodriguez, RHP

Rodriguez has fully recovered from last year’s back surgery and averaged 98 mph on his fastball while commanding three secondaries in his first intrasquad appearance. His stuff is electrifying, but he’s pitched only 9.1 innings combined the last two years and will spend the season at the alternate training site building up his endurance.

7. Patrick Sandoval, LHP

Sandoval tested positive for COVID-19 and did not rejoin the team until July 9. Even with the delay, the Angels plan to have him in their rotation at some point this season after he showed the stuff to succeed in his major league debut last year.

8. Arol Vera, SS

The Angels’ top 2019 international signee remained in Arizona through the shutdown and has been working out when possible. The Angels are excited not only about his athleticism and ability to hit the ball hard from both sides of the plate, but also his advanced polish and skill level for a 17-year-old.

9. Hector Yan, LHP

Yan led the Angels system with 148 strikeouts last year and was added to the 40-man roster in the offseason. He impressed in intrasquads with his ability to draw weak contact with his fastball and slider out of a funky arm slot, and he will continue to try and refine his command at the Angels’ alternate training site this year.

10. Kyren Paris, SS

Paris has been working out aggressively at home during the shutdown and has made significant physical strength gains. He is not part of the Angels’ player pool, so he will continue his development on his own for now.

11. Jahmai Jones, 2B/OF
12. Jose Soriano, RHP
13. Jack Kochanowicz, RHP
14. D’Shawn Knowles, OF
15. Stiward Aquino, RHP
16. Alexander Ramirez, OF
17. Oliver Ortega, RHP
18. Orlando Martinez, OF
19. Robinson Pina, LHP
20. William Holmes, RHP/OF
21. David Calabrese, OF
22. Sadrac Franco, RHP
23. Werner Blakely, SS
24. Jared Walsh, 1B
25. Jose D. Rodriguez, RHP
26. Adam Seminaris, LHP
27. Livan Soto, SS
28. Adrian Placencia, SS
29. Jose Bonilla, 3B
30. Erik Rivera, LHP/OF

SYSTEM STRENGTHS

The Angels have one of baseball’s best collections of outfield prospects with Adell, Marsh and Adams. Top international signees D’Shawn Knowles and Alexander Ramirez and third-round pick David Calabrese give them another trio of promising outfielders in the lower levels. Orlando Martinez is an unheralded but well-rounded outfielder who many coaches think will reach the majors someday.

SYSTEM WEAKNESSES

The Angels have no long-term catcher anywhere in their organization. They drafted college catchers with back-to-back first-round picks in 2015 (Taylor Ward) and 2016 (Matt Thaiss), but Ward moved out from behind the plate at Double-A and Thaiss immediately moved to first base after signing.

PLAYER POOL TIDBITS

Adell and Marsh unsurprisingly made the Angels’ player pool, but the club also wasn’t shy about including lower-level prospects. Rodriguez, Adams and Yan have yet to play above high Class A but will get valuable experience as part of the Angels’ alternate training site group. The Angels also added Detmers, their first-round pick this year, to their player pool immediately after he signed for $4.67 million. Fifth-rounder Adam Seminaris was a late addition, as well.

HURTING

RHP Jose Soriano had Tommy John surgery in February. He will be out until mid-2021 barring any setbacks. RHP Sadrac Franco had Tommy John surgery over the winter and will also be out until mid-2021. RHP John Swanda is progressing well in his rehab from Tommy John surgery last year and would be nearly ready to pitch if there was a minor league season.