LA Angels: Creating a 2021 mock draft to see if the Halos can find a star

The Angels need a boost to their farm system — could it come in the 2021 draft?

It was announced later on in the summer that the 2021 draft would take place during All-Star week in July.  As of now, the Angels hold the ninth selection. Coming off a draft with only four selections last year, it’s possible they lose their second-round pick again this year if #BauerToAnahiem becomes a reality.

Because of how far we are from the draft, it’s very hard to predict the picks, but given how little the draft is talked about. This is an attempt to help Angels fans understand how it could go, and who could become the next top prospect for them.

So, here’s a look at the first nine picks of the 2021 draft and how they could unravel from the perspective of the Angels.

1st Overall: Pittsburgh Pirates

Kumar Rocker, RHP, Vanderbilt

Most people think this pick is an obvious one, but it’s far from it. Pittsburgh’s newest assistant general manager Steve Sanders, who ran the draft for Toronto prior to leaving alongside Ben Cherington, is known for being strict on the medical side. Rocker’s stress factors on a kinetic sequencing report could scare them off, but as of now, he’s the pick here. This pick likely doesn’t affect the Angels’ selection at 9 all that much as Jud Fabian, Jack Leiter, and Jordan Lawlar will all be long gone before they pick, at least as of now it appears that way.

5th Overall: Baltimore Orioles

Jordan Lawlar, SS, Jesuit Prep (HS)

Lawlar’s going to go before 6, so he’s out of the picture for LA. This doesn’t affect them much at all, in fact it might have helped them because it leaves Christian Franklin, and Marcelo Mayer on the board. Elias is regarded as one of the best GM’s scouting-wise, perhaps he grabs one of the prep bats, like House or Mayer, but presuming Lawlar is higher than both on their board, he’s the pick here and should save them some money.

6th Overall: Arizona Diamondbacks

Ryan Cuisck, RHP, Wake Forest

Cusick’s FB has sat in the mid-90’s this fall working up to 100 with above average vertical carry and a hard SL with ideal vertical movement (2 > inches of VB). These are FB traits that intrigue progressive clubs and he does it at 6’6 which puts him in the upper percentile of velo projection over a career. Given the lack of pitchability traits and risk, I doubt LA would’ve taken him if he dropped so it’s probably a good thing he goes before them.

7th Overall: Kansas City Royals

Alex Binelas, 3B, Louisville

The Royals love college guys, more specifically arms, but there’s not too many of them available. So they go with the safest bet on the college side. This hurts LA, but it leaves House and Mayer for the taking. It’s possible KC goes with Hoglund or McLain which shouldn’t hurt LA all that much.

8th Overall: Colorado Rockies

Brady House, 3B, Winder-Barrow (HS)

They grabbed the best prep prospect in the class last year, and some would say the Rockies would get the best prep bat in this hypothetical draft. This isn’t great for LA, but plenty of options are left that seem positive.

9th Overall: Los Angeles Angels

Marcelo Mayer, SS, Eastlake (HS)

There’s so many options on the board that both make sense and should appease the Angels fan base. Mayer’s got a plus hit tool, above average power tool, and could play SS at the next level. If they want a college arm, Gunnar Hoglund or Jaden Hill could make sense. If they want a different variation of a high school bat, they could grab Tyree Reed or Benny Montgomery. If they wanna go ultra-safe, they take Matt McLain.

Overall

Given how far we are, nothing is guaranteed and we don’t know who’s ranked above who, or even who’s on their preference list necessarily. But the Angels use a model and tend to draft straight off it. From conversations their model values command scores extremely high, so Gunnar Hoglund could be an intriguing pick, but the lack of upside in Hoglund’s profile (similar to Reid Detmers), and the abundance of it in Mayer’s, makes this should a great pick for first year general manager, Perry Minasian.