3 MLB Draft prospects the Angels should look out for
Don't be surprised if the Angels select one of these players in the MLB Draft
The 2023 MLB draft is right around the corner and the Los Angeles Angels will have the 11th pick in the draft due to the first draft lottery in MLB history. Additionally, the team's pick is worth around $5 million with the team's bonus pool, how much the team can spend, is around $8 million.
With that said, there are a lot of options the Angels can move toward when it comes to deciding who to take in the first round. Former top pick Zach Neto has already proven his worth by already being in the big leagues as the team looks to continue to add to its talent.
1) LA Angels draft target: Jacob Wilson
With no one ever knowing for certain where players will end up, taking a shot at a young shortstop that has great hitting ability that is from California could be a dream come true. While the Angels have a solid player in Neto for the foreseeable future, you never draft on what the MLB team needs.
According to MLB.com, all Wilson does is hit and get on base with an outstanding 1.004 OPS in 2022. His scouting report reads "He might be one of the better pure hitters in the class, who consistently finds the barrel and struck out just seven times in 275 plate appearances as a sophomore."
His only knock is that he doesn't hit for power as The Athletic's Keith Law writes "He's got a skinny frame that offers little projection. He doesn't drive the ball at all or hit it hard, and his launch angle is barely over zero degrees." While this might be concerning, his ability to hit isn't going anywhere and if he rises to the big leagues, he can move around the diamond.
2) LA Angels draft target: Brayden Taylor
Staying within the infield, Brayden Taylor is another infielder that can show promise with his power and his ability to play the hot corner of third base. His swing reminds me a little of Zach Neto from the left side, but his leg kick isn't as high, his ability to hit the long ball is what really is interesting.
It does sound like he is less consistent than Wilson for contact, but MLB.com writes "Using a sweet left-handed swing and fine bat-to-ball skills, Taylor makes repeated contact to all fields. He's not afraid to work deep counts and controls the strike zone well. Though he has sacrificed some batting average while looking to pull and drive more balls this spring, he demonstrated increased power."
To add to the hype, Keith Law writes "He's just an average runner but savvy on the bases, with a perfect 23 for 23 on the bases his last two years at TCU. He's a solid average defender at third with a 55 or 60 arm" Although the Angels have Rendon at the position for a while, Taylor could find his way to third base given some time or move within the infield as he has some experience everywhere.
3) LA Angels draft target: Chase Dollander
Of course, we can't go without mentioning a pitcher that could be on the Angels' radar if they want to go that route. Dollander is being projected as a front-line starter and while he did have a down season in terms of numbers, that might help him fall to the Angels if other teams are scared he won't pan out.
According to MLB.com, Dollander has top-shelf stuff that makes it hard to see him fall toward the Angels, but crazier stuff has happened. His scouting report reads "Dollander's devastating arsenal begins with a 95-97 MPH fastball that peaks at 99 and produces elite swing and miss rates. His best secondary pitch is a tight slider that parks in the mid-80s and reaches 91 MPH."
You can never have too much pitching and the Angels have failed to develop their own front-line starter since Jered Weaver. Sam Bachman had that hope of being the first-round pick two years ago, but his being used in the bullpen may have changed those plans.
The LA Angels farm system has been thin all over the baseball field with some of their top prospects getting called rather early thanks in part to general manager, Perry Minasian's aggressive approach. There doesn't seem like a bad option for the team as these three players all have huge potential. But, with where the team is at with the big league club, they will need to hit on another prospect.