LA Angels Offseason Top Prospect Countdown: #24 Jared Foster

Another week closer to LA Angels Opening Day, another prospect highlight here at Halo Hangout. This week, Jared Foster goes under the microscope as the #24 prospect in the Halos farm system.

The LA Angels (arguably) have four outfielders inside of their Top 5 prospects. However, none of them are as close to the major leagues as Jared Foster. After finally having consistent at-bats in his senior season at LSU, the Halos were intrigued enough to make Foster their fifth round pick in 2015.

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Foster had a successful final collegiate season as he hit .278 with ten home runs and ten stolen bases (without being caught stealing). He also drove in 35 runs. His on-base percentage was great, with a .332 mark. It was a large enough sample size (212 at-bats) for the Angels to take a risk on him.

In his first season, the Angels swing looked like a home run. Foster didn’t blow anyone out of the water, but he showed he belongs on the diamond. He also showed how raw of a player he was when drafted, as he has continuously improved his game throughout his minor league career.

Foster brings a solid set of tools to his game. He can hit for contact, work walks, and has the potential to be a 15+ home run guy in the big leagues. In the field, he is an excellent athlete and has a good enough arm to play any position.

His entire game took a huge step this season. While his average did drop against higher competition, his swing found consistency. He made more solid contact, and eventually the hits will come. He has also improved his route running on fly balls, making him all the more efficient on defense.

Foster currently projects to be a career fourth outfielder with 3-4 years of starting. With so many top outfielders in the Angels system, that is exactly what the Halos may need from Foster. The depth he can give a major league club is the kind of depth that wins World Series.

Next: SoCal Native Noe Ramirez Impressed in Limited 2017

Angels Comparison: Darin Erstad

Darin Erstad and Jared Foster have more in common than most would think. Both were multi-sport athletes in college, hitting the gridiron for their respective colleges. Erstad served as the punter for the Nebraska Cornhuskers, and averaged 42.6 yards per punt, one of the best marks in the country in 1994. Foster served as LSU’s backup quarterback throughout his college career.

On the diamond, they possess the same traits. Great fielding, underrated power, and superb athletes. If the Halos can get even one or two season of Erstad-like impact from Foster, they should be beyond happy.