Positional breakdown: C-0, 1B-0, 2B-1, SS-6, 3B-2, OF-7, RHP-10 LHP-2, 2 Way-2
Way of acquisition: Draft-14, International sign-16, Trade-0
Note: Players such as Patrick Sandoval, Michael Hermosillo, and Jared Walsh are top 30 prospects, but are not on this list because they will be losing their prospect eligibility within the first month of the season.
1. Jo Adell OF
ETA 2020
Highest level: Triple-A Salt Lake City
The consensus number 1 prospect in the Angels system and arguably the 2nd best prospect in baseball reigns supreme at the top… for now. There is a chance he’ll lose his prospect eligibility this year if everything goes well, and the Angels think he can contribute to the big league roster. Though one thing that might keep him down in AAA for longer than expected would be the strike out rate, which he has gotten better with but is still present.
Adell started 2019 on the IL with a strained hamstring, and sprained ankle that occurred on the same play, but he didn’t miss a beat. In 43 games in AA Mobile last year Adell was stellar as he slashed .308/.390/.553, with a 173 wRC+, 15 doubles, 8 home runs, 28 runs, 23 RBI, 41 strike outs(22.5 K%), and 19 walks(10.4 BB%). After being promoted to AAA at the age of 20 Adell just wasn’t the same as he was in AA. In 27 games he slashed .264/.321/.355 with a 67 wRC+, 11 doubles, no HR(though a few got taken back due to rain shorten games), 22 runs, 8 RBI, 43 strike outs(32.6 K%), and 10 walks(7.6 BB%).
Adell shows tremendous raw power in batting practice that also translates in games.(In his first SpringTraining with the Angels there were reports of him hitting 470+ ft home runs in batting practice). He has incredibly quick hands that allows him to barrel up balls that most aren’t able to barrel up. That only knock that anyone has on his offense is that he strikes out just a little bit too much. At the big league level there is a real possibility for him to be a .270/.360/.550 hitter that could hit 30-40 home runs a year. Add that to a lineup that already has Mike Trout, Anthony Rendon, and Shohei Ohtani in it.
Adell is an above average runner who could possibly steal 10-15 bags a year at the big league level. That speed also helps him track balls down in right field. He gets good jumps on balls as well. Add an above average arm to the mix with the above average speed and defense, and you’ve got yourself a 5-tool player in the making.
While Jo Adell will start 2020 in AAA, if he plays well and the Angels need a right fielder, I could see him up by May. A lineup with Jo Adell might look something like this, Fletcher, Trout, Rendon, Ohtani, Upton, Adell, Pujols, Simmons, Castro.
2. Brandon Marsh OF
ETA 2020
Highest level: Double-A Mobile
Brandon Marsh has had a few injury plagued years in the minors for the Angels, but that hasn’t hurt him from shining when he is on the field.
In 2019 Marsh played in 96 games in AA Mobile where he slashed .300/.383/.428 with a 137 wRC+, 21 doubles, 2 triples, 7 home runs, 48 runs, 43 RBI, 92 strike outs, 47 walks, and 18 stolen bases. He was, however, hampered by an ankle injury that cost him around 20 games.
Marsh is extremely athletic and it shows as he does everything on the baseball field well. He makes a lot of loud contact from the left side of the plate and uses his 6”4 frame to hit the ball to all parts of the ball park. Each year he has been in the Angels system he has improved with his approach at the plate. He is an above average to plus runner on the base paths that also helps him chase down balls at any outfield position. He also has an above average to plus arm.
He will presumably start 2020 in AAA Salt Lake, and if we see any Angels outfielders slumping or get hurt, Marsh could make his way on the big league roster(before Adell), if he stays healthy and come back from an early elbow injury.
3. Jordy Adams OF
ETA 2022
Highest level: High-A Inland Empire
The consensus number three prospect in the Angels system is arguably the most athletic one as well. Adams is still very raw when it comes to baseball, but the upside is there if he continues to develop like he has so far.
Last season, as just a 19-year-old, Adams made it all the way up to high-A by the end of the year. While the numbers in 2019 weren’t quite what you’d like to see out of the number 3 prospect in a system, the tools are. It starts off with his wide receiver, 80 grade speed. Yes, he was a highly recruited wide out coming out of high school. That speed helps him with good jumps as well as tracking balls down that most outfielders won’t get too. Being that he still very raw at the plate, there is still some room for improvement with his bat to ball skills. He does, however, have a good feel for the strike zone. The in game power hasn’t quite come around yet, but the raw power is there.
In 2019 between low-A Burlington and high-A Inland Empire, Adams slashed .257/.351/.369 with a 113 wRC+, 17 doubles, 3 triples, 8 home runs, 63 runs, 36 RBI, 111 strike outs(23.0 K%), 56 walks(11.6 BB%), and 16 stolen bases.
Adams will start 2020 in high-A Inland Empire, where he finished 2019. If all goes well he should end 2020 in AA, and we could see him up at the big league level by 2021.
4. Jeremiah “JJ” Jackson SS
ETA 2023
Highest level: Rookie Orem
Jeremiah Jackson “JJ” had a breakout year in 2019 for the Orem Owlz as he tied the Pioneer League home run record with 23 big flies. He slashed .266/.333/.605 with a 133 wRC+, 14 doubles, 47 runs, 60 RBI, 24 walks(8.2 BB%), and 96 strike outs (33.0 K%). While JJ did pull the ball 49.1 % of the time, he actually hit the majority of home homers to right field where he has serious pop.
At the dish, he has a smooth stroke that gives him a tremendous amount of power to the opposite field. At times it can get long as he does have a swing and miss issue that he will have to refine as he moves up the system. There was a bit of whip in his load that at times caused his swing to lag through the zone. JJ does however find a lot of barrels and the exit velocity shows as it ranks well above most his age.
Defensively I’m not sure he’ll stick at shortstop though he is labeled as one on this list. He split time between second base and short last year but some think he has the arm strength to play third base or even an outfield spot in the upper levels.
Speed wise, Jackson is very quick down the line, and can easily turn singles into doubles. This also helps him in the field with his range and is one reason why an outfield spot makes sense for him down the road.
5. Chris Rodriguez RHP
ETA 2021
Highest level: High-A Inland Empire
When Chris Rodriguez is healthy he has legitimate 1-2 stuff, that’s just it, he needs to be healthy, and all signs are pointing to that this spring as he has thrown bullpens on a consistent basis now. If you’re worried about it being an arm injury, don’t worry about that as Rodriguez has been sidelined due to back injuries each of the past 2 years.
Since 2018 Rodriguez has thrown just 9.1 innings, but in those 9.1 innings he has been very impressive giving up 0 runs, allowing just 6 hits and 4 walks while striking out 13.
At his best Rodriguez will command all 4 of his above average pitches. The fastball will sit in the mid 90’s, touching 97-98 at times, he’ll also mix in a two seam fastball as well. His slider is his go to out pitch that he can throw at any time, in any count and get consistent swing and misses with. The changeup is a tick below his slider, but will still flash plus. Even his “worst secondary pitch” his curveball is an above average pitch when he throws it.
The one thing that worries most is the max effort wind up which caused a lot of stress on his back.
Since Rodriguez only pitched in 9 innings in high-A last year, one would assume he’ll start there again. If all goes well and he stays healthy, there is no reason why we shouldn’t see him work his way to AAA this year and possibly to the big leagues by 2021.
6. Jose Soriano RHP
ETA 2023
Highest level: Low-A Burlington
Let’s just start this one off by saying Jose Soriano will miss all of 2020 with Tommy John surgery. None the less that didn’t hamper where he was placed in this list. Most nights Soriano will sit in the mid to upper 90’s touching 98-99 even 100 MPH at times. He’ll also mix in a two seen fastball that has serious horizontal movement and sits in the low to mid 90’s. The curveball can be inconsistent at times, but when he is spinning it well, it is arguable one of the best pitches in the minors. He’ll also mix in a changeup that he just started throwing in 2018 but will flash above average when he has a good feel for it.
In 2019 he appeared in 17 games, 15 starts for the low-A Burlington Bees. He pitched in 77.2 innings where he had a 2.55 ERA, 4.05 FIP, 84 strike outs(26.0 K%), 48 walks(14.9 BB%), and a 52.8 ground ball percentage.
If the command comes around and a third out pitch continues to develop, like we saw glimpses of in 2019, he has the upside of a 2-3 starter at the major league level. At the very least, his stuff plays up at a back end reliever with a plus out pitch.
7. Kyren Paris SS
ETA 2024
Highest level: AZL Angels
You want the Angels shortstop of the future? Well you’ve got it here with the Angels 2019 second round draft pick Kyren Paris. Speaking of second round picks, the Halos have done quite a good job with that pick over the past few years taking, Paris last year, Jeremiah Jackson in 2018, Griffin Canning in 2017, Brandon Marsh in 2016, and Jahmai Jones in 2015.
Back onto Paris, last season he made his pro debut but only played in 3 games in the AZL. He will also still only be 18 next season as he enters his first full year in the Angels organization.
At the plate Paris has a line drive approach and uses all parts of the field very well for his age. He has been adding on muscle which will help him handle the bat even better than he already does, as well as adds some power to his stroke too. Paris will also find a lot of barrels with his quick smooth swing.
Defensively Kyren Paris has all the makings of a player who will stay at shortstop in the long run. His above average speed allows him to get to balls most don’t get to, and the above average arm makes the range even better. He also has silky smooths that will only get better with age.
Keep an eye out for this young man as he should make a splash where ever the Angels decide to put him in 2020.
8. Jahmai Jones 2B
ETA 2021
Highest level: Double-A Mobile
2019 was a tale of two halves for Jones. In his first 27 games he slashed .135/.209/.154 with a 9 wRC+, 2 doubles, 10 walks(8.7 BB%), 33 strikeouts(28.7 K%), and 3 stolen bases. In his final 103 games with AA Mobile, Jones slashed, .262/.334/.370, with a 106 wRC+, 20 doubles, 3 triples, 5 home runs, 59 runs, 44 RBI, 76 strikeouts(17.7 K%), 40 walks(9.3 BB%) and 6 stolen bases. He continued to impress in the Arizona Fall League where he slashed .302/.377/.509 while playing both second base as well as the outfield, adding versatility to the already athletic 22-year-old.
Defensively Jones will do everything well. He used his 60-65 grade speed to track down balls in the out field as well as in the 3-4 hole at second base. The quickness does make up for an average arm.
At the plate the Angels have messed with his swing a little more than I’d like to see as it feels like we consistently see a different swing from him. When all things are going right though, the swing is quick and fluid through the zone and will barrel up a lot of balls. The swing kind of resembles a Justin Upton.
It’s tough to think that Jahmai will start in AA again, but if he does it won’t be for very long. While I don’t think we’ll see him this year, there is a real possibility he could make his MLB debut in 2021 if all goes well.
9. Trent Deveaux OF
ETA 2023
Highest level: Rookie Orem
The now 19-year-old out of the Bahamas is still very raw. He has started to develop into quite a nice prospect for the Angels in 2019, and hopes to continue the upward trend in 2020. While we haven’t seen the bat fully come along yet for Deveaux it is already looking light years better than it did in 2018 and he continues to make improvements. There is still a little hitch in the load that might hamper his ability to get to some pitches, but it’s nothing that can’t be fixed as he matures.
Trent Deveaux’s best attribute, like his Bahaman brother D’Shawn Knowles, is his speed which has been graded as an 80 by most, but is probably more like a 70-75.
Defensively Deveaux uses this speed to get good jumps on balls, and also have phenomenal range in the outfield. Add that to an above average arm and you have the makings of a Gold Glove outfielder.
In 2020, split between the AZL and Orem, Deveaux slashed .238/.320/.422 with a 101 wRC+, 16 doubles, 4 triples, 7 home runs, 42 runs, 26 RBI, 91 strike outs(33.1 K%), 26 walks(9.5 BB%), and 15 stolen bases.
I believe that 2020 could be a big year for Deveaux’s development as he continues to improve his swing and approach at the dish. We could see the bat really start to come along and see this kids name get more national recognition.
10. D’Shawn Knowles OF
ETA 2022
Highest level: Rookie Orem
D’Shawn Knowles took the Angels system by storm in 2018 when he slashed .311/.391/.464 with a 131 wRC+ and an 11.1 BB% as a 17 in the AZL and Orem. In 2019 the offense wasn’t quite there for him like it was the year before as Knowles slashed .241/.310/.387 with an 82 wRC+, 11 doubles, 4 triples, 6 home runs, 38 runs, 28 RBI, 76 strike outs(26.2 K%), 26 walks(9.0 BB%), and 5 stolen bases.
A switch hitter at the plate, Knowles has the ability to be an everyday leadoff hitter at the big league level, with a good feel for the strike zone. He has a quick bat that allows him to make a good amount of contact but can get long at times when he tried to hit the ball over the fence.
His best attribute is his speed which hasn’t been shown on the base paths as much as it has been in the field. Knowles will play solid defense at all three outfield positions, with good jumps on balls and an above average arm.
There have also been some reports on Knowles, who is very athletic, attempting to play some 2B in 2020, but we will have to wait and see what develops on that front.
11. Arol Vera SS
ETA 2025
Highest level: DNP
The only reason why Arol Vera isn’t higher on this list is due to the fact that he is just 17 years old, hasn’t played a lick of pro ball, and all we have to go by is a few scouting reports. These scouting reports are very good, but it’s hard for me to put someone like this any higher on this list… for now.
At the dish Vera is a switch hitter, who has an advanced feel for the zone for his age. He has a beautiful swing from both sides, as well as good bat speed which could make him an impact bat at the big league level.
Defensively Vera has a plus arm, plus hands, and an advanced knowledge of the game especially for his age. Even though his speed isn’t above average, he has plus range.
12. Jack Kochanowicz RHP
ETA 2025
Highest level: DNP
The Angels took the 6”6 230 pound right hander in the 3rd round of the 2019 draft. They quickly shut him down for the rest of the year which came to no surprise for most.
There are some reports out there of Kochanowicz now sitting in the low 90’s with room to grow on his velocity. His best secondary pitch is his curveball which he spins at a high spin rate with good depth. He also throws a changeup that has shown good depth and could be another go to out pitch as he matures as a pitcher. Kochanowicz has a nice a smooth delivery from a 3/4 arm slot and shows good command for his age.
13. Stiward Aquino RHP
ETA 2024
Highest level: Rookie Orem
After missing all of 2018 with a torn UCL that subsequently saw him having Tommy John surgery, Aquino came back looking better than ever. While his fastball was back to where it was before the surgery, he did get hit around a little bit. In a combined 12 starts last year between the AZL and Orem Aquino was 0-5 in 36.2 innings pitched. He had a 6.87 ERA, 4.48 FIP, 49 strike outs(29.0 K%), 16 walks(9.5 BB%), 40.4 ground ball percentage, and 20.1 SwStr%.
Standing in at 6”6, 170 pounds, the 20-year-old Stiward Aquino has a very projectable body and could add on some weight to fill it out as well.
Post surgery Aquino showcased a fastball that sat in the mid 90’s and would touch 96-97 MPH at times. He’ll spin a plus curveball with exceptional depth. The one thing he is missing is a solid third out pitch, though he does throw a changeup that sits 83-85 MPH and is an average pitch at the moment.
The size is there to maintain his velocity and he has a solid go to out pitch. In order for Aquino to stay in a rotation at any capacity, he’ll need to find another pitch that he can get guys out with or else he’ll find himself in the bullpen.
14. Hector Yan LHP
ETA 2022
Highest level: Low-A Burlington
This offseason as just a 20-year-old who hasn’t seen anything higher than Low-A, the Angels decided to protect Hector Yan from the Rule-5 draft and add him to their 40-man roster.
On the hill Yan will showcase a fastball that will sit 92-94 MPH, touching 95-96 MPH at times. A curveball that now flashes above average more often than not and works well since his velocity was up again last year. Yans go to pitch though is his changeup which is even more effective because of his Patrick Sandoval/Hector Santiago type delivery. The only thing that hampers him is his delivery is difficult to repeat leading to some control problems.
Last season in low-A Burlington Yan pitched a career high 109 innings while compiling a 3.39 ERA, 3.17 FIP, 148 strike outs(32.3 K%), 52 walks(11.4 BB%), 39.4% ground ball percentage, and 13.1 SwStr%.
While the numbers are solid the thing that worries most is his size and lack of command at times. The combination could see him in the bullpen at the major league level. If Yan can, however, keep the walks down and the strike outs up I don’t see why he can’t be a 4/5 starter at the big league level by 2022.
15. William Holmes RHP/DH
ETA 2023
Highest level: Rookie Orem
This dude is a stud and it comes so easy too. It’s an easy swing, easy power, and easy 92-94 MPH off the mound too. Yes, William Holmes is a two-way player, and a pretty good one that might actually stick as both a pitcher and DH. He’s also a freak athlete, arguably the best athlete on the mound in the Angels organization.
On the hill Holmes will sit 92-94 MPH topping off at 96 MPH at times with his four seam fastball, and will also throw a two seam fastball with good lateral movement. He will also showcase an above average changeup and knuckle curve. As a now 19 year old standing in a 6’3, he has a chance to increase his velocity more and more.
In 2019 between the AZL and Orem, William Holmes pitches just 24.1 innings where he accumulated a 5.18 ERA, 6.06 FIP, 38 strike outs(34.9 K%), 20 walks(18.4 BB%), and a .221 batting average against.
There is some potential at the dish but it is still pretty raw. Last season, though a small sample size, was quite encouraging. With his size there is some good raw power, but we haven’t seen it in game yet. When Holmes does make contact the ball FLYS off his bat.
In 43 plate appearances in 2019, Holmes slashed .326/.431/.488 with a 152 wRC+, 2 doubles, a triple, a home run, 3 runs, 14 RBI, 7 walks, 13 strike outs, and 3 stolen bases.
William Holmes joins Shohei Ohtani as the only true two way players in the Angels organization. While Jared Walsh, Erik Rivera, and Bo Way are “two-way players,” they probably won’t see too much time at both pitcher and as a hitter in the capacity we have seen Ohtani or probably will see Holmes.
16. Alexander Ramirez OF
ETA 2025
Highest level: DSL Angels
The Angels signed Alexander Ramirez for $1M out of the Dominican Republic in 2018 as a 16 year old who was the youngest eligible player to sign. Standing in at 6’2 180 lbs he has a very projectable body, and he still has a little bit of growing left to do. While he did have a 43.3 SwStr% last season as a 16 year old in the DSL, there is still a lot of upside as he has a simple swing with a lot of bat speed. There is also a lot of power with Ramirez and some say it’s second only to Jo Adell in the Angels system and could be upwards of a 65-70 grade when he is fully mature.
Defensively there is still a lot of work to be done as he struggles with his footwork in the outfield as well as his reads on batted balls. He showcases an above average arm but needs to work on his accuracy. He has average speed which will more than likely make him land in a corner outfield spot when it’s all said and done.
Last season in the DSL Ramirez had 177 PA where he slashed .234/.328/.429 with a 109 wRC+, 8 doubles, 5 triples, 4 home runs, 37 runs, 19 RBI, 59 strike outs, 19 walks, and a 39.5 fly ball percentage.
Ramirez has a legitimate shot of being a 30 home run, 20 stolen base outfielder for the Angels if it all works out. You might be wondering why he is 19 on my list, and that is because he is still just 17 years old. He still hasn’t come state side, and might not come state side until he is 18. Though as some of you might remember, Trent Deveaux and D’Shawn Knowles came over at 17 and look at them now. Once he comes state side and I actually have a good look at him, I expect him to jump up the ranking and possibly into some people’s top 100 list.
17. Livan Soto SS
ETA 2022
Highest level: Low-A Burlington
There’s a reason why I put Leo Rivas and Livan Soto right next to each other, and that is because I think they are very similar players. While Soto doesn’t have the speed that Rivas does, he makes up for it in pure hitting ability. Now he isn’t going to go out their and dazzle people with the bat and he hasn’t do that yet in the minors, but I believe it will come along, and this year will be the year we see it. We saw some glimpses of it after the Halos signed him in 2018, but last year he struggled. Soto won’t hit for much power as he has only hit one home run in his minor league career, but he has excellent bat to ball skills especially for a 19 year old.
Soto also has a bit of a height advantage on Rivas as he is 6 feet tall and weighing 160 pounds.
Defensively Soto has an above average glove and arm, and has a decent chance of staying at short stop down the road.
Speed wise he won’t dazzle you, but he has enough of it to steal you 5 bases a year.
Last season in low-A Burlington, Soto slashed .220/.311/.253 with a 73 wRC+, 5 doubles, 1 home run, 24 runs, 20 RBI, 32 walks(11.3 BB%), and 40 strike outs(14.2 SO%).
Like Leo Rivas there is potential for Livan Soto to be an every day player at the big league level, but will more than likely settle in as a 5th or 6th infielder who will out the bat on the ball more often then not and play above average defense for you.
18. Leo Rivas SS
ETA 2022
Highest level: High-A Inland Empire
Ever since the Angels signed Rivas as a 17 year old out of Venezuela he has always had a very good feel for the the strike zone. Though he lacks size, standing in at just 5”10, 150 pounds, he can swing it a little bit as he set a career high for home runs in a season last year with 6. While he doesn’t have crazy over the fence in game power Rivas will use his gap to gap power and use his wheels to turn singles into doubles, and doubles into triples.
Last season Rivas was held to just 4 stolen bases as he was side lined for a good chunk of the season with a leg injury, but don’t let the numbers fool you because he has blazing speed. In one game in August after Rivas came back from his injury I clocked him from first base to home plate in 11 seconds flat. On top of that some reports have Rivas as a 70 grade speed.
In the field Leo Rivas uses his speed to play above average defense as well as have an above average arm. To no surprise the Angels tried Rivas in center field for a few games last year to try to see if that might be a fit as well.
Last season in 73 games in high-A Inland Empire Rivas slashed, .236/.328/.377 with a 97 wRC+, 14 doubles, 5 triples, 6 home runs, 44 runs, 26 RBI, 39 walks(11.5 BB%), and 90 strike outs(26.6 K%).
If all goes well, Rivas could be a nice 5/6 infielder at the big league level who can play average defense for you, hit a little bit for you, and can run a lot for you.
19. Kevin Maitan 3B
ETA 2023
Highest level: Low-A Burlington
Kevin Maitan is probably the most interesting guy on this list. The Angels have tried him at shortstop, second base, and third base, and in some opinions he won’t end up at either of those positions. Way back in 2016 as a 16 year old out of Carabobo, Venezuela, Maitan was the number 2 ranked international prospect by MLB Pipeline ahead of guys like, Adrian Morejon, Lourdes Gurriel, and Randy Arozarena. Some scouts are even quoted as saying that “he is a once in a generational talent.”
While I personally hold on hope that Kevin Maitan could return back to what scouts saw as a 16 year old, some don’t think it will happen.
At the plate Maitan has plus raw power and that’s about it. He needs to work on his approach at the plate as well as his bat to ball skill.
Defensively Maitan has a plus arm, but lacks in range to play shortstop, or even in my opinion second base.
Last season in 123 games with the Burlington Bees Maitan slashed .214/.278/.323 with a 76 wRC+, 12 home runs, 11 doubles, 3 triples, 48 RBI, 56 runs, 164 strike outs(30.8 K%), 39 walks(7.3 BB%), and 7 stolen bases.
One take away you can have from 2019 is that Kevin Maitan is still only 20 years old and has time to develop as he was still 2 years younger that the average age at the level where he played at last season.
20. Aaron Hernandez RHP
ETA 2021
Highest level: High-A Inland Empire
The Angels took Hernández in the third round of the 2018 draft as someone a lot of people were expecting. In college we saw Hernández sit in the mid 90s well touching 98 MPH at times. Last season when I was able to watch Hernández in inland Empire he sat in the low 90s touching 93 MPH or even 94 MPH at times with run and sink. Out of the stretch his velocity went down as he was more 90-91 MPH. Hernandez showcased a change up that sat anywhere from 82-85 MPH with a good run and depth on it, and I thought this was his best out pitch. He also has a slider that will sit at 82-83 MPH, and a curveball that will sit at 74-77 MPH. The stuff is there for him to be a starter at the major-league level, but the command is not yet. While we haven’t seen the mid to upper 90s fastball yet there are reports of him slowing everything down to try to find his command again which seems to be working.
Last season as a 22-year-old, and his first full season in professional baseball Hernandez pitched 72.2 innings. He had a 1-4 record, 4.46 ERA, 4.70 FIP, 81 strike outs(24.1 K%), 46 Walks(13.7 BB%), 39.0 ground ball percentage, and a 13.2 SwStr%.
21. Oliver Ortega RHP
ETA 2021
Highest level: Double-A Mobile
Nothing crazy here with Ortega who stands in at 6”0, 165 except his 95-97 MPH heater, but we’ll get to that in a second. The Halos signed Ortega in 2014 for just $10,000 out of the Dominican Republic, but he scuffled when he first came state side. Now however he seems to have found it. Last season between high-A Inland Empire and double-A Mobile, he started 21 games where he had a record of just 4-8. Despite the record Ortega pitched in 111 innings where he has a 4.14 ERA, 3.71 FIP, 135 strike outs(28.5 K%), 57 walks(12.0 BB%), and a .217 batting average against.
Now back to the upper 90’s fastball. In 2019 Ortega sat 94-96 MPH most games and touched 99 MPH. He has a curveball which will flash plus at times, and misses a lot of bats, and a changeup he still needs to work out. If the changeup comes around we could see him rise even higher on this list but for now I see Ortega as a nice bullpen option as soon as next year for the Angels if the command come around a little bit more too.
22. Garrett Stallings RHP
ETA 2022
Highest level: DNP
The Angels selected Stallings in the 5th round in 2019 and shut him down for the remainder of the season as he pitches 102.2 innings for Tennessee as a junior.
The 22-year-old doesn’t have overpowering stuff as he will work with a fastball that will sit in the low 90’s, a slider, curveball, and changeup which are all average pitches. All of his pitches mix well together and he is very deceptive.
All together Stallings is a very polished pitcher who has a good chance of moving through the Angels system quickly as he could find him self sniffing the majors by 2022 if all goes well.
23. Denny Brady RHP
ETA 2021
Highest level: High-A Inalnd Empire
The Angels selected Denny Brady in the seventh round of the 2017 draft which makes him Rule-5 eligible next season, and if he pitches how he did this year I could see him getting picked up if the Angels dont add him to the 40-man.
Last season in the hitter friendly Cal League, Brady appeared in 17 games, 10 of which were starts. He pitched in 76.2 innings which he was 3-9 with a 3.64 ERA, 3.27 FIP, 86 strike outs(25.8 K%, 10.10 K/9), 25 walks(7.5 BB%), 40.9 ground ball percentage, and just 4 home runs allowed.
From the right side Brady works with a smooth and easy low 90’s fastball with a little bit of recoil. He has a changeup that will flash above average at times, and an above average slider that has very good depth and is a swing and miss pitch. Brady will also flip in a curveball occasionally, but doesn’t have great feel for it.
24. Orlando Martinez OF
ETA 2021
Highest level: High-A Inland Empire
I personally got to watch Martinez play quite a few times last season in Inland Empire, and he continually impressed me. In fact, he impressed me so much that I think he has a chance to be a fourth or fifth outfielder at the big league level someday. There isn’t anything that Martinez will do incredibly well, he just does everything good.
At the plate he has a smooth and easy swing from the left side that can create a little bit of power. He has above average bat to ball skills as you don’t see him swing and miss that often. Last season in 422 plate appearances Martinez slashed .263/.326/.434 with 21 doubles 12 home runs, 55 runs, 49 RBIs, 36 walks(8.5 BB%), 79 strikeouts(18.7 K%), and a 106 wRC+.
In the outfield Martinez played 20 games in left field, 41 games in centerfield, and 21 games in right field. He will make the routine play, but doesn’t get very good jump on balls at times. He has an above average arm that I personally saw showcased quite a few times last season. I’m not sure he sticks in center field but I do believe he can play all 3 outfield positions making him a viable 4th or 5th outfielder down the road for the Angels.
25. Sadrac Franco RHP
ETA 2023
Highest level: Rookie Orem
Fangraphs has Franco listed at 6’0, 155 pounds and the height is generous, but don’t let it fool you as he’ll light up radar guns. As a starter he will sit in the low 90’s but in shorter outings will sit any where from 95-97 MPH and will touch 98-99 MPH. His fastball is accompanied by a plus curveball that will sit in the upper 70s and is his go to out pitch. Franco also has a changeup that will flash good at times but still needs a little bit of work.
On the mound Franco will exclusively work out of the stretch and is a max effort guy that falls off to his glove side. This creates control problems at times and he will need to clean this up as he matures.
With the Orem Owlz in 2019 Sadrac Franco started all 8 of the games he pitched in, pitching just 25 innings all together. During those 25 inning he had a 5.04 ERA, 6.33 FIP, 25 strike outs(20.8 K%), 13 walks(10.8 BB%), and a 57.5 ground ball percentage. Don’t let the high ERA scare you too much as Orem is quite the hitters ball park, instead worry about the high walk rate.
Sadrac Franco will be given all the opportunities in the world to be a starter, but at the ends of the day size and lack of command might turn him into a nice middle-late reliever for the Angels some day. He won’t be lighting up very many prospect lists, but keep a eye out for the name as he continues to mature as a baseball player.
26. Adrian Placencia SS
ETA 2026
Highest level: DNP
The Angels signed the 16-year-old for $1.1 million during the 2019 international signing period. Reports have Placencia at 5’11, 165 pounds and we could still see him grow some more. At the moment he is a shortstop with good hands, range, and good instinct at the position, but might not have the arm to stick at there for long. If worse comes to worse he have to move to second base which isn’t the end of the world.
At the plate Placencia is said to have a great approach, with a good eye for the strike zone for a 16-year-old. He has a little more power than you might think as he could hit for double digits home runs at some point.
We probably won’t see Placencia stateside for another year or two, but when we do it wouldn’t surprise me if he moved quickly through the Angels system as a solid second baseman who gets on base and has a little bit of power.
27. Jerryell Rivera LHP
ETA 2024
Highest level: Rookie Orem
The 20 year old lefty currently stands in at 6’3, 180 pounds and still may have a little bit of growing left to do. Last season in Rookie Ball Orem, Rivera pitched in 10 games, starting 9 of them, and pitching 32.2 innings. In those 10 outings he had a 6.89 ERA, 7.05 FIP, 31 strike outs(19.9 K%), 23 walks(14.7 BB%) and a 45.8 ground ball percentage. Don’t let the ERA bother you too much as you should be more worried about the high walk rate.
I’m still holding on to hope that there is something still here with Rivera. There are a lot of moving parts in his wind up that make him miss arm side with his pitches a lot, and I would personally like to see the Angels refine his mechanics so that they are a little bit more repeatable, but there’s still upside here. His arm action is very loose almost like Madison Bumgarner.
On the mound Rivera will work a fastball that sits in the low 90’s and both a curveball and change up that need some work, but could come along nicely if the command comes too.
28. Robinson Pina RHP
ETA 2023
Highest level: Low-A Burlington
The lanky 21 year old stands in at 6’4, 180 pounds with some reports of him having a wing span of 7’2. Pina who sat 91-93 MPH at the beginning of the year finished the year on a bit of a hot streak as there were some reports of him sitting 94-96 MPH, and with the 7’2 wingspan makes the ball looks like it was shot out of a cannon at hitters. Pina will accompany his heater with a curveball that has plus movement, but he could use a little bit of help with his command on that pitch. He’ll also mix in a split finger which he started throwing in 2019, and it was a very effective pitch with a vertical movement.
Last season in his first full season at single-A Burlington, Pina pitched in 108 innings, with a 3.83 ERA, 3.29 FIP, 3.37 xFIP, 146 strike outs(30.7 K%), 61 walks(12.8 BB%), and a 48.6 ground ball percentage.
At the moment with only the 3 pitches and lack of command Pina profiles as a reliever with a lot of upside. If he finds the command off all 3 pitches he should continue to see himself rising on prospect charts, as well as starting in games.
29. Erik Rivera OF/LHP
ETA 2025
Highest level: AZL Angels
Coming in at number 29 is the Angels fourth round pick in the 2019 first year player draft, out of the Puerto Rico Baseball Academy Erik Rivera. Rivera stand in at 6’2, 200 pounds and both throws and hits from the left side. At the plate Rivera has some of the best bat speed that you’ll see on this list, and no shortage in power either, as he could hit 20 plus home runs at the Major League level one day if everything works out. He does have a bit of a swing and miss issue, but if he can refine his swing we could see him jump up this list quite a bit this year just from an offense of standpoint. In 2019, in the AZL in 83 plate appearances Rivera slashed .208/.313/.264, with 4 doubles, 8 runs, 9 RBI, a 71 wRC+, 31 strikeouts (37.3K%), and 9 walks (10.8BB%).
On the mound Rivera is extremely raw and is more of a thrower then he is a pitcher at the moment. He has an easy delivery that will sit him anywhere from 91-93 MPH touching 96 MPH at times with a little bit of run. At the moment he has a below average slider and changeup, but both pitches have flashed average at times. Rivera didn’t make his pitching debut last season for the Angels and will more than likely make it in 2020 at some point.
Since he is an average runner and has a very good arm he profiles as a corner outfielder in the future. To no surprise defensively in 2019 Rivera only started one game in center field, and designated hit the rest of the time. If you don’t see an improvement in the contact department, we might see Rivera work his way to being a full time pitcher in the very near future, and could turn into a nice back end bullpen guy if the secondary pitches come around.
30. Jose Bonilla
ETA 2026
Highest level: DSL Angels
In 2019 Angels signed Bonilla for $600,000 out of the Dominican Republic. He’s just one of the many talented middle infield international signings that the Angels had during that period as they also signed Arol Vera, and Adrian Placencia.
The 17-year-old made his DSL debut last year as he played in 20 games, fifteen of them at short stop, and five of them at third base. Bonilla doesn’t stand out defensively so I’m not sure he will stick at short, but I do think he has the capability to play the hot corner.
In 92 plate appearances in 2019 Bonilla showed good plate discipline as he worked 14 walks(15.2 BB%) and struck out 19 times(20.7 K%). He slashed .284/.402/.405 with 5 doubles, 2 triples, 13 runs, 6 RBI, and a 129 wRC+, but I wouldn’t look too much into those stats at the DSL level. Expect Bonilla to also grow into his power a little bit more next season.
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Below is a ranking by position for Angels prospects.
Catchers
1. Jack Kruger
2. Franklin Torres
3. Anthony Mulrine
4. Keinner Pena
5. Justin Kunz
1B/3B
1. Kevin Maitan
2. Jose Bonilla
3. Jose Rojas
4. Adrian Rondon
5. Jose Verrier
6. Jordan Zimmerman
7. Julio De La Cruz
2B/SS
1. Jeremiah Jackson
2. Kyren Paris
3. Jahmai Jones
4. Arol Vera
5. Livan Soto
6. Leo Rivas
7. Adrian Placencia
Outfielders
1. Jo Adell
2. Brandon Marsh
3. Jordyn Adams
4. Trent Deveaux
5. D’Shawn Knowles
6. Alexander Ramirez
7. Orlando Martinez
8. Jose Reyes
9. Gareth Morgan
10. Brennon Lund
Right Handed Pitching
1. Chris Rodriguez
2. Jose Soriano
3. Jack Kochanowicz
4. Stiward Aquino
5. William English
6. Aaron Hernandez
7. Oliver Ortega
8. Garrett Stallings
9. Denny Brady
10. Sadrac Franco
Left Handed Pitching
1. Hector Yan
2. Jerryell Rivera
3. Erik Rivera
4. Kelvin Moncion
5. Adrian Almeida
The Baseball Blog 
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