Reviewing the Angels 2017 draft class

In total, the Angels signed 28 of their 40 draft picks (compared to 35 out of 40 in 2016 and 39 out of 40 in 2015). That 70% signing rate was the worst the Angels have seen since they only signed 52% in the 209 draft. Eppler and team went young in the draft and when you go young, you run the risk of picks holding out for money money and a higher pick order in a future draft.

Top 10 picks:

1. Jo Adell, 18, OF - Adell didn’t play a single inning in the field for his first pro season and spent the entirety in the DH role. He split his time between Arizona and Orem in the rookie leagues and hit a combined .325/.376/.532 with 5 home runs, 49Ks, 14 walks, and 8 stolen bases. Due to his young age, the Angels are in no rush and he should stay the season back in Orem next year.
2. Griffin Canning, 21, RHP - Canning didn’t throw any pro innings in 2017 due to the 119 innings he threw at UCLA. He’s set to begin a throwing program in December and will open 2018 at either Class A Burlington or Advanced A Inland Empire.
3. Jacob Pearson, 19, OF - Peason spent his entire season in Arizona and hit .226 with 15 walks and 37 Ks. It wasn’t a great season for a guy who hit .519 with 12 home runs in his last college year. He’ll probably open 2018 in Orem.
4. John Swanda, 18, RHP - Swanda had a pretty rough debut and an even worsier off-season as he was recently arrested for operating a vehicle under the influence and possessing a fake ID. Swanda had a forgettable 9.31 ERA and 1.97 WHIP in just 9.2 innings for Arizona this year. I imagine his future in the organization in jeopardy given that he is facing up to 2 years in jail, but he could turn things around next year if he wiggles out of serving any time.
5. Joseph Booker, 19, RHP - Didn’t sign
6. Jonah Todd, 22, OF - Todd split his time between Orem and Burlington - the later where he spend the majority of time. In Burlington he hit .257 with a .330 OBP and zero stolen bases in 4 attempts. Todd spent time at all 3 outfield positions and had 3 assists along with a .990 FPCT.
7. Denny Brady, 20, RHP - Brady had an okay season in Orem with a 4.43 ERA and a 1.33 WHIP. He struck out 24 and walked only 4 in 20.1 innings.
8. Connor Riley, 22, RHP - Riley pitched well in hitter friendly Orem, but not so great when he moved up to Burlington. From Orem to Burlington, his WHIP went from 1.20 to 1.70 and his BAA went up from .196 to .308. He’ll probably start back up in Burlington in 2018 to see if he settles in better there on his second time around.
9. Brett Hanewich, 22, RHP - Hanewich had a rough time in Arizona to the tune of a 7.18 ERA, 1.86 WHIP and 18 walks over 26.1 innings.
10. Daniel Procopio, 22, RHP - rounding out the slew of pitchers in the top 10 is Procopio who put up a 2.49 ERA and 1.29 WHIP in Orem. He also struck out 32 and walked 14 over 21.2 innings.

Others of note:

It was only 11 innings, but 11th round pick Jerryell Rivera (18) had a 1.64 ERA, .175 BAA, and 0.91 WHIP for the Arizona Angels.

Tyler Stevens (21), threw 15 innings for Burlington after being promoted from Orem. He had a 2.40 ERA, 1.54 BAA, and 0.60 WHIP. He only walked 1 batter in 7 appearances. Stevens was drafted in the 18th round.

19th round pick Isaac Mattson (22) split his time between Arizona and Orem. Overall he had a 1.44 ERA, .174 BAA, and 0.96 WHIP. He stuck out 47 in 31.1 innings.

23 year old James Ziemba (22nd round), had a 1.99 ERA In Orem with a .224 BAA and 1.23 WHIP.

Zac Ryan (23) was ridiculous when he got his call up to Burlington. In 28.2 innings, he allowed just 2 runs (both homers) for a 0.63 ERA. The 23rd round pick also had an overall .203 BAA and 1.16 WHIP across two levels.

Shortstop Matt McCann (22) spent time at 4 levels in 2017. The 25th round pick didn’t have all that stellar of a year though with a combined .246 AVG and .373 OBP.

Across 3 levels, outfielder Brandon Sandoval (22) hit .332/.388/.443 with 22 walks and 44Ks in 253 ABs. He was drafted in the 27th round and ended the season in Advanced A Inland Empire.