LA Angels MLB Draft Preview: Three Round Mock Draft 1.0

With the LA Angels and the rest of the MLB only 70 days away from the 2019 MLB Amateur Draft, it’s time for our first mock draft of the year, with two more right up until June 3rd, the first night of the 2019 MLB Draft.

This preview will preview how the first three rounds of the MLB Draft could go for Billy Eppler and the LA Angels. With Mike Trout in Anaheim for the long haul, and apparently very interested in the team’s farm system, Eppler can give complete focus to the long-term health of the organization with this draft.

Round One, Pick 15: Nick Lodolo, LHP, Texas Christian University

This is the dream pick for Billy Eppler and the LA Angels. Lodolo came into the year as a late first/early second round type of prospect. However, after a dominant start to the year, has seen his stock rise as far as anybody’s this year.

This isn’t the first time I’ve written about Lodolo, as he was one of three pitchers I highlighted as first round fits for the Angels. Since that article last week, Chris Sale-lite went out had what was arguably his best start of the season, throwing eight innings of mesmerizing baseball against the Texas Longhorns, who have one of the best lineups in the entire NCAA.

In those eight innings, Lodolo allowed nine hits but also struck out nine batters. He allowed one run in the outing, but nonetheless proved yet again why he is more than worthy to be the Halos’ first round pick.

The only worry the Angels should have in terms of drafting Lodolo in June is whether or not they’ll get the opportunity to. He might just pitch himself out of their range if he continues this absolute dominance throughout the NCAA season. However, with a plethora of catchers and high school pitchers ranked highly, there is still a chance Lodolo is still available at No. 15. If so, Eppler needs to select Lodolo and never look back.

Round Two, Pick 56: Drew Mendoza, 3B, Florida State University

With the Angels having an influx of outfield prospects and going after a top pitcher in round one, improving their infield becomes a noticeable need for the Halos. Even with Taylor Ward seemingly the long-term answer at third base, the Angels can’t bank the future of the position on a hot Spring Training.

That’s where Drew Mendoza comes into play. The junior out of FSU has been on the MLB radar for years, as he was drafted in the 36th round in 2016 by the Detroit Tigers. He would have been selected much higher if not for him being set on playing in college, but that decision may just be a blessing for the Angels.

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In his first two seasons at Florida State, Mendoza showed a jump from a solid freshman to a star sophomore, and has saved his best for his junior season. Standing at 6’5” and 225 pounds, Mendoza has an impressive build Billy Eppler has often targeted since taking over in Anaheim. He provides a left-handed bat with as much raw power as anyone in this draft class, just look at this absolute bomb he hit over the weekend.

Mendoza, as a hitter, reminds me a lot of Paul Goldschmidt. The downward swing and amount of time spent in the strike zone is eerily similar, and that bodes well for Mendoza and whoever drafts him. His power is still mostly raw, but the Angels have proven with players such as Matt Thais that they have the right coaches to turn raw power into legitimate power.

Mendoza may have already began that process of becoming a more mature hitter. After two seasons of high strikeouts and a low amount of walks, Mendoza has completely flipped that narrative through the first 16 games of the Seminoles’ season. While he is striking out at a relatively high clip at 23.86%, his walk percentage has taken a huge jump in his third year.

After a 16.20% mark his sophomore year, Mendoza is now walking in 27.27% (!!) of his at bats. Usually when a hitter isn’t putting a ball in play more than 50% of the time, that’s a discouraging thing. However, with a walk percentage like Mendoza’s, you’ll take that everyday.

The improved walk rates show he has a greater vision now than in past seasons, and if he can now just improve his discipline as a hitter and limit the strike outs, Mendoza has an All Star caliber future ahead of him.