Los Angeles Angels Select C Thaiss, & OF Marsh

The Los Angeles Angels entered the 2016  Amateur Draft with many holes to fill.  After two rounds of the draft the Angels have selected a catcher and an outfielder. Let’s analyze these picks.

The first and second rounds of the MLB Draft were held Thursday night, and the Angels selected two players to help rebuild the worst farm system in baseball. In the first round, at no. 16 overall, the Halos picked up Virginia catcher Matt Thaiss, and in the second round, at no. 60 overall, they selected Georgia high school outfielder Brandon Marsh.

Thaiss, who bats left and throws right, was regarded as one of the best college bats in this draft, and with good reason. Playing in the ultra-competitive ACC and playing half of his games in Virginia’s pitcher-friendly ballpark, he still hit .375/.473/.578, with 10 home runs and 59 RBIs. He has a great feel for the strike zone and makes a lot of contact, as he walked 39 times but only struck out 16 times.

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“We thought he was one of top bats in the draft,” Angels scouting director Ric Wilson said in a statement. “Obviously, we took a catcher last year, but we are looking to acquire as many assets as we can, and it’s exciting to get one of the best bats in the draft. We feel he has an above-average bat with power potential and some defensive versatility.”

He’ll undoubtedly hit, but scouts have questions about his ability to stick at catcher long-term. He’s “raw behind the plate, with a fringy arm and rough receiving skills,” according to MLB Pipeline. Thaiss’ value will be upped if he’s able to stay behind the plate, but his bat should carry him through the system and to the majors even if he has to move to left field or first base.

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Marsh also hits left and throws right. He is considered to be raw-like last year’s second-round pick Jahmai Jones, also an outfielder from a Georgia high school-but he has a lot of promising tools. An excellent athlete, he also played wide receiver on the football team, and focusing solely on baseball should speed up his development. He has plus speed and a plus arm, but needs to develop more consistency with his swing.

Next: Draft Day 2 Recap

Jones He played right field at Buford, but scouts believe he has the speed and athleticism to handle center field, and if he can, he becomes that much more valuable to an Angels farm system that desperately needs a talent infusion.