Angels biggest prospect busts since 2000

ANAHEIM, CA - SEPTEMBER 29: Brandon Wood #3 of the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim prepares to bat during the game against the Oakland Athletics at Angel Stadium of Anaheim on September 29, 2010 in Anaheim, California. (Photo by Lisa Blumenfeld/Getty Images)
ANAHEIM, CA - SEPTEMBER 29: Brandon Wood #3 of the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim prepares to bat during the game against the Oakland Athletics at Angel Stadium of Anaheim on September 29, 2010 in Anaheim, California. (Photo by Lisa Blumenfeld/Getty Images)
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ANAHEIM, CALIFORNIA – SEPTEMBER 25: Kaleb Cowart runs to first base after an RBI double. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)

4) Kaleb Cowart

Drafted in the first round (18th overall) in 2010, Kaleb Cowart quickly became one of the top prospects in the Angels system. Baseball America ranked him the Angels #1 prospect in 2012, and 60th across the major leagues.

The 6-foot-3 corner infielder got off to a good start as an 18-year-old in Rookie and Low-A ball. It’s when he was promoted to Double-A in 2013 that he started to struggle. Over two seasons with Arkansas, he failed to hit .225.

Cowart would eventually find his footing again in Salt Lake Triple-A in 2015 and made his way to the majors. But the former first round pick could never hit major league pitching. Over 171 games from 2015-2019, he failed to reach the Mendoza Line, batting .176 with a sheepish .292 slugging percentage.

After leaving the organization for a short stint, Cowart returned to the Angels in 2019 and tried his hand at pitching, emulating teammate Shohei Ohtani in hopes of becoming a two-way player. Out of minor league options, he was eventually designated for assignment and released.

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