Los Angeles Angels 2019 Midseason Top 50 Prospects

While the Angels farm system has taken a hit this year, it is due to the graduation of good prospects that are contributing on the major league club. Griffin Canning, Luis Rengifo, and Ty Buttrey have all debuted and filled major roles on the club. Even with the farm system having taken a step back there are some prospects having great seasons, and it also seems that Eppler and company have slowed their push towards aggressive assignments of prospects.

Matt Swanson drafted a majority of pitchers in the past two drafts and it shows. While there is a lack of top flight pitching prospects, there are multiple guys that have good potential and will be able to help with pitching depth both in the starting and relieving roles. Overall it is still a solid farm system with one of the best prospects at the top and should be able to continue to turn out good talent to supplement the big league club.

Prospects1500 tiers:
Tier 1: Players with high expectations of both making the majors and playing at an All-Star level for a number of years
Tier 2: Players with an above average expectation of making the majors and being a solid contributor
Tier 3: Players with an average expectation of making the majors and being a solid contributor
Tier 4: Players who have the potential of making the majors, or have a high likelihood of making the majors but providing minimal impact (e.g. middle reliever, low-ceiling UT guys)
Tier 5: Players who are worth keeping an eye on, but likely to never make a team’s 40-man roster

Tier 1:
1. Jo Adell, OF (Preseason #1)
Age: 20
2019 Highest Level: AAA
2019 YTD Stats: 230 AB, .286/.368/.496, 10 HR, 6 SB, 9.9 BB%, 26.3 K%

Adell’s start to the season was derailed by two leg injuries, but after recovering he picked up where he left off last year. Adell set fire to the Southern League, he is now in AAA, and I am excited to see what he can do with the sandbox that is the PCL. 

 

Tier 2:
2. Brandon Marsh, OF (Preseason #4)
Age: 21
2019 Highest Level: AAA
2019 YTD Stats: 317 AB, .268/.347/.382, 5 HR, 6 SB, 10.4 BB%, 24.1 K%

One of my predicted breakout players in 2019, Marsh struggled for his first few weeks in AA, but after that he has hit very well in the pitcher friendly Southern League. Marsh still has not been able to tap into the power that suit his frame, and that’s what keeps him from being a top tier prospect. 

3. Jordyn Adams, OF (Preseason #5)
Age: 19
2019 Highest Level: A
2019 YTD Stats: 358 AB, .257/.347/.352, 6 HR, 15 SB, 11.2 BB%, 22.2 K%
Adams is another guy I pegged for a great season, but he has been up and down. Still just a teenager he is working on pitch recognition. Adams has held his own in Single A but has not excelled, so that even a team like the Angels, who are aggressive with their prospect movement, are taking their time developing him. 

4. Jahmai Jones, 2B/OF (Preseason #2)
Age: 22
2019 Highest Level: AA
2019 YTD Stats: 420 AB, .224/.347/.352, 4 HR, 8 SB, 8.9 BB%, 20.6 K%

Jones has struggled all year in AA, which is not a great sign for a prospect repeating a level. Over the past few weeks though he has picked it up, from July 25th to present is hitting .314/.352/.373 with a wRC+ of 114. 

5. Matt Thaiss, 1B/3B (Preseason #8)
Age: 24
2019 Highest Level: MLB
2019 YTD Stats: 385 AB, .257/.347/.352, 6 HR, 15 SB, 14.9 BB%, 19.9 K%

Thaiss like Jose Suarez is likely to not be on this list for very much longer as he is with the Angels and they are “letting the kids play”. Thaiss was known as having about average power in the minors, but has been his best trait in the majors. Thaiss has 7 extra base hits in 56 AB and has performed well at the hot corner which has been surprising, as he has not played there professionally until a couple months ago. 

6. Jeremiah Jackson, SS (Preseason #10)
Age: 19
2019 Highest Level: Rookie
2019 YTD Stats: 228 AB, .268/.342/.606, 20 HR, 4 SB, 8.7 BB%, 27.2 K%

Somewhat surprisingly Jackson did not start the season in Single-A like Adams did. They kept him at Rookie ball. Jackson has made the most of his time there at times seemingly hitting a HR every game. He was recently named the Pioneer/Northwest All-Star Game MVP, connecting for a grand slam. 

Jeremiah Jackson with his THIRD HR of the night!! pic.twitter.com/woJJq6Yghp

— Justin Fay (@jfay_17) August 16, 2019

7. D’Shawn Knowles, OF (Preseason #9)
Age: 18
2019 Highest Level: Rookie
2019 YTD Stats: 170 AB, .241/.308/.365, 3 HR, 4 SB,  9.6 BB%, 32.0 K%

Knowles performed exceptionally in 2018 at Rookie Ball as a 17-year-old. The Angels would send him back to Orem in 2019, he just wasn’t able to repeat his success there. Still a very young player, his development will take sometime. 

8. Chris Rodriguez, RHP (Preseason #13)
Age: 21
2019 Highest Level: A+
2019 YTD Stats: 9.1 IP, 0.00 ERA, 2.17 FIP, 1.07 WHIP, 12.54 K/9

Tell me if you have heard this before, Rodriguez was put on the IL with a back injury. Just like last season Rodriguez season ended due to back issues, this time he had surgery to hopefully stop the problem. A healthy Rodriguez would have been #2 or 3 on this list as he is the only pitcher in the farm system currently who can better than a mid rotation starter. He was blowing away hitters in IE before the injury really showing the stuff that excited the Angels. Hopefully next season he can put the injuries behind him and show us how good he can be.   

9. Jose Suarez, LHP (Preseason #7)
Age: 21
2019 Highest Level: MLB
2019 YTD Stats: 85.2 IP, 5.60 ERA, 5.71 FIP, 1.54 WHIP, 8.88 K/9

I suspect that Suarez will be on here for too much longer as he is with the big league club and the Angels are hurting on the starting pitching front (What else is new?). Suarez pitched well in the PCL (no easy feat) before being called up, but has struggled in the majors and with how much the Angels restrict young pitchers has averaged less than 5 innings per start.

Man…oh…man does Jose Suarez have a nice CH pic.twitter.com/GBSHnymwCZ

— Alex Fast (@AlexFast8) July 3, 2019

10. Patrick Sandoval, LHP (Preseason #13)
Age: 22
2019 Highest Level: MLB
2019 YTD Stats: 94.1 IP, 5.74 ERA, 3.67 FIP, 1.71 WHIP, 10.8 K/9

Recently having made his big league debut, Sandoval has started 3 games and has thrown 17.1 innings, allowing 13 earned runs with 18 strikeouts. Sandoval struggled to adjust to AAA after blowing past Mobile. He performed well in his last 3 MiLB starts and with the injuries and poor performance the Angels decided to bring him up and he did not disappoint. Expect him to be with the major league club for the remainder of the season as they have the need for bodies in the rotation.

11. Jose Soriano, RHP (Preseason #20)
Age: 20
2019 Highest Level: A
2019 YTD Stats: 71.2 IP, 2.51 ERA, 3.44 FIP, 1.34 WHIP, 8.88 K/9

Soriano is having an excellent season for Burlington, flashing a plus curve to go with a really good fastball. He’s been developing a changeup for a third pitch and be successful with it, will have a good chance at becoming a mid rotation starter. Soriano is currently recently was rehabbing in AZ after an injury kept him sidelined for a month. 

12. Aaron Hernandez, LHP (Preseason #24)
Age: 22
2019 Highest Level: A+
2019 YTD Stats: 66.2 IP, 4.32 ERA, 4.59 FIP, 1.64 WHIP, 9.86 K/9

Hernandez was drafted last year and the Angels did what they have done with college pitchers under Eppler and sat him out for the rest of the season. This season they moved him straight to A+ where he has allowed 3 or less runs in all but 3 of his outing.

 

Tier 3:
13. Alexander Ramirez, RHP (Preseason #34)
Age: 16
2019 Highest Level: DSL
2019 YTD Stats: 154 AB, .234/.328/.429, 4 HR, 6 SB,  9.0 BB%, 33.3 K%

Ramirez is one of the youngest members in the Angels organization not turning 17 until August 29th. Ramirez, a toolsy outfielder, has performed well in the DSL, he has shown some good power, his calling card, hitting 17 extra base hits in 39 games. 

14. Jared Walsh, 1B/LHP (Preseason #13)
Age: 26
2019 Highest Level: MLB
2019 Hitting YTD Stats: 154 AB, .314/.413/.674, 4 HR, 6 SB,  12.6 BB%, 26.7 K%
2019 Pitching YTD Stats: 15.1 IP, 2.38 ERA, 3.33 FIP, 1.523 WHIP, 8.82 K/9

Walsh is one of 5 two way players in the organization. He’s made regular appearances this year on the Prospects of the Week lists here at Prospects1500, making a joke of the PCL and AAA. Walsh has played 15 games in the majors but it has been inconsistent which is hard on a new player adjusting to the league. Walsh has pitched okay with the Angels, with most of his appearances in mop-up duty. Unfortunately being almost exclusively a first baseman it limits his ability to stick around for a bench spot on a major league roster.

15. Kyren Paris, SS (Preseason NR)
Age: 18
2019 Highest Level: AZL
2019 YTD Stats: 10 AB, .300/.462/.400, 0 HR, 0 SB,  23.1 BB%, 30.8 K%

So I have a confession to make. I did not like this pick when it happened. Paris was known as a smooth defender and was said to have a swing that could generate some power. Now mind you he is listed at 6’0” and 165 lbs, this is small. For a guy like me at 5’5” that’s big, but not if you are 6 feet. I believed that he needed to add 30-40 lbs to hit for power. Then I saw a picture of him getting baptized and either that listing is wrong or he has bird bones, he is built really well. Paris is a guy that has a floor of a utility player if his hit tool lags. If the MLB ball doesn’t change I could see him hitting 15-20 HR if he reaches the majors. 

16. Davis Daniel, RHP (Preseason NR)
Age: 22
Level: N/A

17. Trent Deveaux, OF (Preseason #27)
Age: 18
2019 Highest Level: AZL
2019 YTD Stats: 171 AB, .257/.344/.439, 3 HR, 19 SB,  9.7 BB%, 29.2 K%

18. Kyle Bradish, RHP (Preseason #19)
Age: 22
2019 Highest Level: A+
2019 YTD Stats: 86.2 IP, 4.36 ERA, 3.95 FIP, 1.34 WHIP, 10.90 K/9

19. Jack Kochanowicz, RHP (Preseason NR)
Age: 18
Level: N/A

20. Kyle Brnovich, RHP (Preseason NR)
Age: 21
Level: N/A

21. Jack Kruger, C (Preseason #35)
Age: 24
2019 Highest Level: AA
2019 YTD Stats: 307 AB, .241/.308/.309, 2 HR, 2 SB,  6.8 BB%, 18.0 K%

22. Garrett Stallings, RHP (Preseason NR)
Age: 22
Level: N/A

23. Hector Yan, RHP (Preseason #37)
Age: 20
2019 Highest Level: A
2019 YTD Stats: 98.1 IP, 3.48 ERA, 3.13 FIP, 1.15 WHIP, 12.63 K/9

24. Isaac Mattson, RHP (Preseason NR)
Age: 24
2019 Highest Level: AA
2019 YTD Stats: 64.0 IP, 2.11 ERA, 2.29 FIP, 0.938 WHIP, 12.8 K/9

 

Tier 4:
25. Leonardo Rivas, SS/2B/OF (Preseason #17)
Age: 21
2019 Highest Level: A+
2019 YTD Stats: 244 AB, .230/.343/.377, 5 HR, 4 SB,  13.9 BB%, 25.8 K%

26. Livan Soto, SS/2B/OF (Preseason #16)
Age: 19
2019 Highest Level: A
2019 YTD Stats: 205 AB, .244/.319/.293, 1 HR, 4 SB,  9.5 BB%, 13.9 K%

27. Jeremy Beasley, RHP (Preseason #50)
Age: 24
Age: 23
2019 Highest Level: AA
2019 YTD Stats: 108.2 IP, 4.06 ERA, 4.23 FIP, 1.40 WHIP, 8.45 K/9

28. Jose Rojas, 1B/3B (Preseason #28)
Age: 26
2019 Highest Level: AAA
2019 YTD Stats: 446 AB, .300/.366/.581, 26 HR, 4 SB,  9.8 BB%, 23.8 K%

29. Zach Linginfelter, RHP (Preseason NR)
Age: 22
Level: N/A

30. Stiward Aquino, RHP (Preseason #21)
Age: 24
Age: 20
2019 Highest Level: Rookie
2019 YTD Stats: 29.2 IP, 6.98 ERA, 4.30 FIP, 1.618 WHIP, 12.1 K/9

31. Michael Hermosillo, OF (Preseason #15)
Age: 24
2019 Highest Level: AAA
2019 YTD Stats: 205 AB, .239/.339/.443, 26 HR, 4 SB,  9.6 BB%, 30.5 K%

32. Oliver Ortega, RHP (Preseason NR)
Age: 22
2019 Highest Level: AA
2019 YTD Stats: 105.2 IP, 4.00 ERA, 3.32 FIP, 1.315 WHIP, 11.2 K/9

33. Gareth Morgan, OF (Preseason NR)
Age: 23
2019 Highest Level: AA
2019 YTD Stats: 250 AB, .252/.305/.540, 22 HR, 1 SB,  6.3 BB%, 51.1 K%

34. Jordan Zimmerman, 2B/3B (Preseason NR)
Age: 24
2019 Highest Level: AA
2019 YTD Stats: 111 AB, .268/.334/.400, 8 HR, 7 SB,  8.4 BB%, 25.1 K%

35. Jeremy Rhoades, RHP (Preseason NR)
Age: 26
2019 Highest Level: AAA
2019 YTD Stats: 53.2 IP, 6.20 ERA, 5.86 FIP, 1.45 WHIP, 10.57 K/9

36. Kevin Maitan, 3B (Preseason #22)
Age: 19
2019 Highest Level: A
2019 YTD Stats: 419 AB, .224/.288/.341, 11 HR, 7 SB, 9.3 BB%, 29.4 K%

Tier 5:
37. Jake Lee, RHP (Preseason NR)
Age: 24
2019 Highest Level: A+
2019 YTD Stats: 35.0 IP, 4.11 ERA, 3.20 FIP, 1.086 WHIP, 12.6 K/9

38. Austin Warren, RHP (Preseason NR)
Age: 23
2019 Highest Level: AA
2019 YTD Stats: 50.2 IP, 3.02 ERA, 3.24 FIP, 1.362 WHIP, 12.8 K/9

39. Greg Veliz, RHP (Preseason NR)
Age: 22
2019 Highest Level: A
2019 YTD Stats: 23.0 IP, 1.96 ERA, 2.33 FIP, 0.826 WHIP, 10.6 K/9

40. Jerryell Rivera, LHP (Preseason #39)
Age: 20
2019 Highest Level: Rookie
2019 YTD Stats: 20.2 IP, 4.35 ERA, 7.23 FIP, 1.55 WHIP, 8.27 K/9

41. Arol Vera, SS (Preseason NR)
Age: 16
Level: N/A

42. Adrian Placencia, SS (Preseason NR)
Age: 16
Level: N/A

43. Brennon Lund, OF (Preseason #29)
Age: 24
2019 Highest Level: AAA
2019 YTD Stats: 314 AB, .271/.341/.452, 8 HR, 6 SB, 7.2 BB%, 23.9 K%

44. Matt Ball, RHP (Preseason NR)
Age: 24
2019 Highest Level: AAA
2019 YTD Stats: 77.1 IP, 4.89 ERA, 4.41 FIP, 1.552 WHIP, 10.2 K/9

45. Adrian De Horta, RHP (Preseason NR)
Age: 24
2019 Highest Level: AAA
2019 YTD Stats: 44.2 IP, 6.25 ERA, 5.55 FIP, 1.567 WHIP, 13.3 K/9

46. Jesus Castillo, RHP (Preseason #14)
Age: 23
2019 Highest Level: AA
2019 YTD Stats: 92.0 IP, 2.84 ERA, 3.35 FIP, 1.32 WHIP, 6.95 K/9

47. Luis Pena, OF (Preseason #40)
Age: 23
2019 Highest Level: AAA
2019 YTD Stats: 42.0 IP, 4.93 ERA, 4.46 FIP, 1.357 WHIP, 10.5 K/9

48.  Ryan Clark, RHP (Preseason NR)
Age: 23
2019 Highest Level: AA
2019 YTD Stats: 43.1 IP, 2.49 ERA, 2.54 FIP, 1.02 WHIP, 12.67 K/9

49. Brett Hanewich, RHP (Preseason #30)
Age: 24
2019 Highest Level: AA
2019 YTD Stats: 32.2 IP, 3.03 ERA, 4.29 FIP, 1.378 WHIP, 12.1 K/9

50. Bo Way, OF/LHP (Preseason NR)
Age: 27
2019 Highest Level: AAA
2019 Hitting YTD Stats: 310 AB, .248/.312/.368, 4 HR, 6 SB, 7.6 BB%, 17.4 K%
2019 Pitching YTD Stats: 10.2 IP, 5.29 ERA, 3.59 FIP, 1.961 WHIP, 8.82 K/9