LA Angels’ Farm System and Prospects Are Gaining Respect

For years, the LA Angels’ farm system was seen as one of the worst in baseball, if not one of the worst ever. There was a complete lack of talent within their system as early as four years ago.

Luckily for the LA Angels, Billy Eppler has made the farm system a priority ever since he took over as general manager in 2015. Last season we saw David Fletcher and Taylor Ward starting over the last part of the season. That was the beginning of the Angels’ youth movement, and more is coming.

Earlier this week, two Top MLB Prospects lists were released. Baseball America, arguably the most respected rankings by baseball media, gave the Angels some hope with two prospects ranked in the Top 100 for them. Starting pitcher Griffin Canning, a 2017 second round pick, was ranked #63 on the list. This comes after just one season of pitching in MiLB, and Canning could find himself in the big leagues before 2019 is over.

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Coming in at #6 for Baseball America was top Halos’ prospect Jo Adell. Adell, a natural center fielder, was the first round pick in 2017, so he and Canning seem to have that class off to a solid start. Adell is the definition of a five-tool player, and will either become Mike Trout‘s premier running mate or the man who replaces him in center field in 2021. Adell could reach the bigs as soon as this summer.

The second list was given to us courtesy of Baseball Prospectus and was much more favorable of the Angels’ farm system. This list, made up of the top 101 prospects in baseball, featured five Halo players. Adell (ranked #2) and Canning (56) were both listed. Following them was Jahmai Jones (68), Brandon Marsh (94), and Jordyn Adams (99).

Jahmai Jones was a second round pick in 2015 and was originally drafted as an outfielder. However, given to the surplus of outfield prospects in the Angels’ system (three of their top six prospects are outfielders), Jones switched to second base, where he could develop into one of the best defensive second basemen in the MLB. It is likely Jones shows up in Anaheim in 2020.

Brandon Marsh is one of those outfield prospects, ranking #3 in the Angels’ system. Like Jones and Canning, Marsh was another second round pick (in 2016). He fit the Angels’ prototypical prospect archetype as an uber-athletic type who just needed to refine his skills to make an impact in the league. Given the Halos’ other outfield prospects (and a guy named Trout), Marsh could be a prospect involved in a trade, as there seems to be a clogged outfield in the Angels’ future.

On top of Adell, another reason for that potential clog in the outfield is Jordyn Adams, who ranked #99 on Baseball Prospectus’ list and is currently #6 for the Angels. He was the team’s first round pick last season, and is still a ways away from breaking into the MLB. Adams’ ceiling is sky-high, as he has the athleticism and raw tools to be as successful as he is determined to be. He is also just now focusing on solely baseball, as he was also a 4-star football recruit at wide receiver.

Overall, the Angels’ farm system is deeper than it has been in a long, long time. While they only had five make these lists, there were numerous names who could have been, and probably will be come 2020.