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You all know the drill, the Angels have a thin farm system - but it is not without some talent. Time for another checkin on the top prospects for 2016. There are certainly more players with talent in the Angels' farm system, but this features focuses on our top 10.
The 2016 MLB draft starts tomorrow, and once they sign, I wouldn't be surprised to see our round 1 & 2 picks jump into our top 10 prospect list because it is that thin.
The Angels top 10 list is according to Baseball America
"HH Grade" is my very unscientific opinion on their performance so far in 2016
2016 performances of the Top 10 Prospects:
| Rank | Name | Position | Team | Level | Notes | HH Grade |
| 1. | Taylor Ward | C | Inland Empire 66ers | A Adv |
Ward has been one big bummer in 2016. Batting .225 with great defense may be "ok" in the big leagues, but not when you are playing High A ball. Ward is currently the worst hitting catcher in the California League. |
C- |
| 2. | Jahmai Jones | OF | AZL Angels | Rok | Season starts June 20th | - |
| 3. | Nate Smith | LHP | Salt Lake Bees | AAA |
Smith just missed pitching a complete game on Friday and went 8.1 innings. He struck out 7 and allowed only 2 hits and 2 ER against the first place Tacoma Rainiers
|
A |
| 4. | Victor Alcantara | RHP | Arkansas Travelers | AA |
Alcantara's walk rate is down and he's only walked 1 batter his last 5 games. He's also only allowed 4 ER in his last 3 starts and struck out 10 in those 15.2 innings.
|
C- |
| 5. | Jake Jewell | RHP | Inland Empire 66ers | A Adv |
Two more games and two more poor performances for Jewell. His last two starts totals 8 IP and he gave up 9ER, 13 hits, and 8 walks. His ERA continues to climb and now sits at 7.51. Of qualified pitchers, he has the worst ERA in the California League. |
F |
| 6. | Grayson Long | RHP | Burlington Bees | A |
ON THE DL. 5/25 update: Long is having a spectacular season to date. He's only given up 4 hits over his last 2 starts (10 IP) with 10ks. He has a 1.58 ERA in 2016, and hasn't given up more than 2 ER in any game. Was just selected for the Midwest All Star Game. |
A |
| 7. | Joe Gatto | RHP | Burlington Bees | A |
Along with Jewell, Gatto is having one of the worst season for an Angel's pitching prospect. He gave up 11 ER his last two starts in just 7IP. He has a 7.42 ERA and 1.92 WHIP this year. |
D- |
| 8. | Kaleb Cowart | 3B | Salt Lake Bees | AAA | Had a brief 1 for 6 stint with the Angels but continues to hit well in AAA. Batting .349 over his last 10 games with only 1 K. Cowart has a .822 OPS this season. | B |
| 9. | Jaime Barria | RHP | Burlington Bees | A |
Since the last update, Barria has pitched twice and gave up 9 hits, 2 ER, 2 BB and had 9Ks over 10 IP. He's lowered his season ERA to 3.40 and has just 1.7 BB/9. He's showing good control for his age and doesn't turn 20 until July 19th. Was just selected for the Midwest All Star Game. |
B- |
| 10. | Chad Hinshaw | OF | Arkansas Travelers | AA | Hinshaw took his .191 AVG over the past 10 games on his last ranking and outdid himself this time around. As if saying "See - I can hit worse!". He's batting a measly .143 over his last 10 and .191 on the year now. His 33% K rate is kinda laughable, except the joke is on us since he's our #10 prospect. | F |
Prospect Notes:
Moved Jake Jewell down from a D- to an F as he continues to have a horrible year. He has the worst WHIP and ERA in the California League.
Victor Alcantara is showing some signs of improvement, especially with this control, so was moved from a D+ to a C-
Moved Joe Gatto from a D+ to a D-. His stats are crumbling and like Jewell, he leads his league (Midwest League) with the worst ERA and WHIP.
Changed Ward from a C+ to a C-. I was being too kind last time around. I don't care if C.J. Wilson was impressed with Ward in a recent rehab start. I understand this org loves great defensive catchers like that, but it is it too much to ask for one who can hit a little bit too?
Nate Smith pitches again today. Will be good to see what his followup to his 8.1IP will be.
Jaime Barria is the second youngest pitcher on this year's All Star Roster for the Western division in the Midwest league. He missed being the youngest by just 2 months.