Breaking down what LA Angels prospects you could see in Anaheim in 2019

Matt Thaiss – 

Matt Thaiss was drafted out of Virginia in the first round of the 2016 Amateur Draft as a catcher, but he was converted immediately into a first baseman.  In 2016 Thaiss started strong playing 67 games between Orem and Burlington hitting six homers with 43 RBIs and a .292 batting average.

Thaiss continued in 2017 playing in both High Single-A Inland Empire and then onto Mobile in Double-A. Thaiss hit .274 with nine homers and drove in 73 runs and his glove became an asset as well for Thaiss.

Moving on to last season Thaiss split time between Mobile and Triple-A Salt Lake City and continued to play well.  Thaiss hit .280 for the season cracking 16 homers and driving in 76 runs with eight stolen bases.

Thaiss will assuredly get a Spring Training invite and has a good chance to make the opening day roster if he stands out in Spring Training.  Thaiss is at a position where the Angels could potentially have a need if Albert Pujols gets injured or Justin Bour, who was signed as a free agent earlier this month.

We will have to see what happens early in the season, but in any case Thaiss may be one of the first call-ups the Angels have a need arise.  He is almost assuredly going to get called up during the September call-up period unless he is already up in the major by then.