LA Angels 2017 Mock Draft

The LA Angels have a barren farm system. They also lack elite pitching talent in the organization. With the 2017 MLB Amateur Draft coming up, they have a chance to change this and add some high-potential players to the system.

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The LA Angels have a top-10 pick for this second time this millennium. They have a chance to land an elite prospect, and need to make sure they take the right player. The most likely pick will be a college pitcher in the first round. With Garrett Richards the only pitcher with ace potential in the Angels organization, the Angels cannot pass on the opportunity of a future ace.

This mock draft will go through the first five rounds of the MLB Draft. The Angels have picks 10, 47, 85, 115, and 145. Three top 100 picks can go a long way in starting the overhaul of the Angels farm system.

The Angels have a plethora of prospects who can develop into role players. However, they lack star potential in their farm system. The Halos should swing for the fences in this draft, with exception to the first round. Drafting high potential prep players could be a theme for this draft, as the Angels have done that excessively the past few seasons.

Round One, Pick Ten Selection: Alex Faedo

Age: 21 years, five months

Position: Right-handed pitcher

School: University of Florida

Height/Weight: 6″5’/ 225 lbs.

The LA Angels, barring a slip for high school phenom Hunter Greene, have to choose a college arm at number ten. Alex Faedo is not the flashiest name in this draft, but he has the potential to be the best pitcher from this draft. In 2014, he was drafted by the Detroit Tigers in the second round of the 2014 Draft, but chose a collegiate path instead. He pitched behind future top picks in every season he spent with the Gators, but he may be the best of the bunch.

Faedo uses three pitches, a fastball, slider, and a changeup. His fastball is refined beyond his age and is MLB-ready due to the cutting, sinking action that it features. His velocity sat in the mid-90’s last year, but two knee surgeries hurt his velocity a bit, as it now rests at around 92 MPH. However, that lost speed can be regained along his development.

His slider is on the same level of his fastball. It is undoubtedly the best in the class, and will his premier strikeout pitch in the majors. It sits mid-80’s, and Faedo has shown he is comfortable throwing it in any count or any situation.

His third pitch is a changeup, and is the biggest wild card in his development. His changeup is needed as a second strikeout pitch, one that can be effective against left-handed hitters. It is above-average, but will need to be even better if he plans on being a three-pitch hurler.

Faedo’s floor is that of a major league starter. He has the polish, frame, and track record to make that claim. His ceiling is that of a major league ace. He has excellent command of all three pitchers, and should make his way through the minor leagues relatively fast.

Round Two, Pick 47 Selection: Jacob Heatherly

Age: 19 years

Position: Left-handed pitcher

School: Cullman High School, Alabama

Height/Weight: 6″3’/200 lbs.

The LA Angels take another pitcher in round two, albeit a very different player. Jacob Heatherly is a high school leftie. He has very efficient control and command of his pitches. However, he is not just a finesse pitcher, as he also flashes exceptional velocity. His delivery is extremely quick, making it easy for him to be consistent with it.

Heatherly has a nice arsenal of pitchers, including a fastball, slider, curveball, and changeup. Heatherly himself claims his fastball is his best pitch, saying “I got it up to 95 this summer and I’m seeing a lot more velocity coming up on it this spring. I’ve been working really hard this fall, and I would say my fastball is probably my best pitch. It runs and it sinks well, and it throws hitters off balance.”

This confidence in his fastball is great, especially considering that most experts seem to agree all of his breaking ball pitches are average to above-average. Heatherly is a wildcard in this draft. He could go as high as the late first first round, but has also been projected as a third rounder. His potential is at least as a mid-rotation starter, with possibility of a number two guy.

If he slips to the Halos in the second round, they should pounce on the young prospect.

Round Three, Pick 85 Selection: Daniel Ritcheson

Age: 18 years and four months

Position: Right-handed pitcher

School: Bishop Alemany High School

Height/Weight: 6″4’/200 lbs.

The Angels take pitcher number three in as many rounds, selecting prep arm Daniel Ritcheson. He has used a four-pitch arsenal to catapult up draft boards. Ritcheson is an all-around athlete, playing infield and outfield throughout his high school career along with pitching. He threw his way to a 2.90 ERA this season while striking out 72 batters. His best performance came against St. Francis High School, where he threw a complete game, striking out 12 and allowing only two hits. St. Francis was able to get a run across the plate, albeit unearned.

Ritcheson uses a fastball, curveball, slider, and changeup against batters. His fastball has topped out at 89 MPH, but he has a solid frame to add muscle to. For being such a young ballplayer, he has an advanced feel for his three secondary pitches. His curveball has 12-6 motion and can come in at the low-70’s on occasion. His slider has solid motion across and downward, usually in the upper-70’s, with his changeup has a fade to it and comes in at the same speed.

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Ritcheson has also shown ability to use these pitches at the right time and truly understands the ins and outs of the game.

While he throws all of his pitches well, he does not have very good command of them. Disciplined batters were able to trust that he would throw balls and walk them, leading to 34 walks in 48.1 innings pitched this past season. This is the only thing that will keep him from the majors, as minor league batters will sit and wait for their pitch and accept a walk.

Ritcheson is truly a boom or bust prospect. If he can change his command from a liability to an advantage, his ceiling is that of a front-of-the-rotation starter. However, if he cannot fine tune his command, he may never reach The Show.

Round Four, Pick 115 Selection: Jacob Gonzalez

Age: 18 years and 11 months

Position: Third base

School: Chaparral High School

Height/Weight: 6″4’/205 lbs.

The LA Angels take their first position player of the draft by selecting high schooler Jacob Gonzalez. His father was a big leaguer, and the younger Gonzalez has every chance to keep the family business in tact. He is already an amazing athlete, and still has a lot of room to grow and get even stronger.

Gonzalez shows quick feet and good range at third base. He has a good glove to pair with that. While his arm is solid, he has trouble making the tougher throws and will need to improve his arm strength to counter that. However, he has also played first base in his career so that could be an option if his development falters.

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At the plate, Gonzalez is a right-handed hitter with an open stance and big leg kick. He makes solid contact consistently, and has exceptional power potential. He won’t burn you on the basepaths, but Gonzalez is a smart student of the game and in the classroom, where he earned a 3.9 GPA.

Gonzalez slashed a .489 average in his final high school season. He drove in 48 runs while scoring himself 38 times. He also sent the ball out of the park seven times. His plate discipline was exceptional as well, walking 25 times to just 7 strikeouts.

Gonzalez is currently committed to play college baseball at Texas Christian University, but a high enough selection and a bonus above pick value could warrant him to go straight to the minors.