LA Angels top prospects who’s hot and who’s not: Week four

For the LA Angels, they have already had to begin tapping their farms system in this young 2017 season. Already, Alex Meyer, Brooks Pounders, and Keynan Middleton have seen action with the big club.

As we have already in our previous installments, we will look at the LA Angels prospects: who’s been heating up, who’s been cooling off, someone doing well who isn’t in the top 30 prospects, and when applicable, how the prospects with the big club are doing.

Hot: Jaime Barria – High A (Inland Empire). Barria nearly made the list last week. The right hander continues to impress. Despite taking the loss Tuesday night, he surrendered a mere 2 ER, while striking out six and walking none in six strong innings. That has been the story for the 20 year old so far this season. One poor start aside, Barria has been excellent so far.

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Not: Jahmai Jones – Low A (Burlington). The LA Angels prospect continues to struggle mightily in 2017. His batting average remains  below the Mendoza line and his K’s outpace his BB’s 5:1. In his last 10 games he has nine strikeouts to just two walks to go along with just seven hits and two stolen bases. A prolonged performance like this could see Jones make a significant drop on the prospect list in 2018.

Hot: Eduardo Paredes – Triple A (Salt Lake). Paredes is also making his second appearance on the list. The right handed reliever has built upon a strong start at Double A Mobile with lights out work at Triple A. In three appearances with Salt Lake he has gone 6 IP with 4 K, 1 BB, 0 ER and a sub 1.00 WHIP. With continued success it is not unreasonable to think Paredes would see action in Anaheim at some point in 2017.

Not: Vicente Campos – Triple A (Salt Lake). Campos has struggled in 2017. He has yet to make it out of the fourth inning so far this season. While slowed by an injury earlier in the season, the results have still not been good with the length of his starts.

Worth Watching: Matt Williams – Triple A (Salt Lake). The 27-year old career minor leaguer is hitting .338 with 2 HR and 14 RBI on the season, with a .382 AVG and .447 OBP in the last 10 games. A career average-at-best SS in six previous minor league seasons, Williams is among many experienced non-prospect types hitting well at Triple-A. If the success continues and the injuries persist, Williams make get a shot to fill a spot at some point in 2017.

Prospects in the Show: Brooks Pounders was sent down to Triple-A. Starting Pitcher Alex Meyer made his first winning effort for the Angels in 2017. Facing the Oakland A’s, he turned in 5.1 IP with 7 K’s, however he also gave up 5 BB. Keynan Middleton has also made his debut with the Angels. So far the results have been mixed in three appearances. Still, the hard throwing reliever finds himself on the big club. The hope is that has more to do with anticipated positive results.

Next: Osmer Morales making his name known for LA Angels

While the Angels continue to hold the largest amount of their prospect talent in the lower minor leagues, players are advancing. Double-A Mobile is featuring more and more players are advancing through the lower levels already in 2017.