LA Angels: 5 promising facts about the young core

The LA Angels have been consistently absent from the MLB top farm systems rankings since 2015.

The LA Angels have been frequently caught in the middle of wanting to keep young talent and selling the farm to be competitive.

The problem with being in the middle of contending and rebuilding is you’re left with a team that is mediocre year after year with little to be excited about at the minor league level. Despite this lack of clarity from the front office, the Angels have managed to produce some promising young talent that is being given a chance to prove themselves at the major league level amidst this year’s injury-riddled season. Although much of the talent is still developing and getting their feet wet at the big-league level, here are five promising facts about the Angels’ young core.

No. 2 promising fact about the LA Angels’ young core: Brandon Marsh has an 0.6 overall WAR despite “slow start”

Taken 60th overall in the 2016 draft by the Angels, Brandon Marsh has climbed his way up the MLB top prospects list since 2018, with his 55/55 grade raw power and 60/60 grade speed. Through 36 games at the Major League level, Marsh’s tools have been impressive, flying around the infield on multiple occasions and making impressive plays in the outfield.

His power has been absent thus far; still looking for his first long ball in the big leagues. Although, there were two questionable plays during the Detroit series that both could’ve been ruled a home run.

Despite what could be looked at by many as a “slow start,” Marsh is hitting .250 with an OBP of .326. He’s knocked in eight runs, swiped three bags, and scored 12 times. Only 23 years old and already making an impact, there is tons of time and plenty of room for Marsh to blossom into the 25+ homerun, 30+ stolen base player that he is expected to be.

No. 3 promising fact about the LA Angels’ young core: Reid Detmers is 1st of the 2020 Draft top 10 picks to make debut

The 10th pick in the MLB draft, Detmers was widely regarded as the most polished and close to the big leagues pitcher in the draft. A perfect fit for the Angels, Detmers has made it to the show a year later, and looks to be a staple in the Angels rotation for years to come. Although the results have been sub-par thus far, it is worth noting that Detmers has faced two top five lineups in the MLB, and two top 15 lineups: the Dodgers, the Astros, Oakland, and Cleveland.

His best start thus far was when he fired six innings of one run ball against the Astros on August 15th, giving up two walks, three hits, and striking out six. His “Devil’s rainbow” of a curveball has been on full display, and his shaky start is nothing to be concerned about given how quickly he was rushed to the big leagues.

No. 4 promising fact about the LA Angels’ young core: Chris Rodriguez has 0 HR Allowed in 29.2 Innings of Work

A fourth-rounder in 2016 out of Monsignor Edward Pace High School in Miami Gardens, Florida, Chris Rodriguez had not pitched above A ball before 2021. His strong spring training performance forced Joe Maddon’s hand at saving a big league roster spot for him on opening day, and Rodriguez has impressed since. Splitting his time out of the bullpen and as a starter, Rodriguez has thrown 29.2 quality innings for the Halos, and has allowed just one home run.

In an era where launch angle and lift is so prevalent in MLB hitters’ minds, Rodriguez’s ability to keep the ball in the park has been incredibly impressive, and he will be an asset both out of the bullpen and in the rotation for years to come.

No. 5 promising fact about the LA Angels’ young core: Austin Warren has an 81.3% left-on-base percentage in 16 IP

The 17th pick in the sixth round of the 2018 draft, Austin Warren was not regarded as one of the top draft prospects coming out of the University of North Carolina at Wilmington. Even after being drafted, Warren has never been ranked as a top 30 prospect in the Angels farm system. In his debut on July 29th against Oakland, Warren struck out a batter while walking none and allowing no hits.

Since then, Warren hasn’t looked back. In recent years, the Angels have really struggled with allowing inherited runners to score out of the bullpen, and Warren has been a breath of fresh air. He has allowed only one of seven inherited runners to score, leading to a 81.3% LOB%, while the MLB average is 71%. He looks like a guy who could be a back-end of the bullpen piece for years to come for the Halos.

The Angels young core hasn’t looked this good in years, including Jose Suarez, Patrick Sandoval, and Jared Walsh not mentioned in this article. With a healthy Mike Trout and Anthony Rendon to provide mentorship and stability to some of the young players’ ups and downs, 2022 could be a year that many of these young studs experience monumental growth – and Angels fans are here for it.