MLB draft 2017: Angels farm depth report - Relievers: Paredes, Grendell and the rest

The MLB draft is about a week away, so we’ll be taking look at the Angels farm system. Where are they strong? Where are they weak? In this edition, let’s take a look at relief pitchers.

If you count Huston Street, the Angels have 8 bullpen dudes whose contracts are up at the end of 2017. I expect Eppler to resign some of them, but not all. There are some guys in AAA would can step up us as well, but most of them have not been super impressive.

It may come as a surprise that the Angels don’t have a lot of strong reliever candidates in their system. However, they are relatively easy to come by as we’ve see some of the turn around performances in the Angels current bullpen.

After Keynan Middleton, Eduardo Paredes may be the next best reliever to come out of the system and he’s only 22 pitching in Salt Lake. There are a handful of guys at the AA level as well that could be ready for big league roles in 2019 or some time in 2018.

Big League Guys

Bud Norris, 32
THR: R
Contract: Signed through 2017, $1.75 Million

David Hernandez, 32
THR: R
Contract: Signed through 2017, $535K

Blake Parker, 32
THR: R
Contract: Signed through 2017, 1 year $560K (arb eligible)

Jose Alvarez, 28
THR: L
Contract: Signed through 2017, $557K (arb eligible)

Yusmeiro Petit, 32
THR: R
Contract: Signed through 2017, $2.25 Million

Keynan Middleton, 23
THR: R
Contract: $535K

Mike Morin, 26
THR: R
Contract: Signed through 2017, $535K (arb eligible)

Deolis Guerra, 28
THR: R
Contract: $535K

Huston Street, 28
THR: R
Contract: Signed through 2017, 2 year $18 Million w/ $10 Million 2018 option or $1 Million buyout

Cam Bedrosian, 28
THR: R
Contract: Team control through 2018, $555K

Andrew Bailey, 33
THR: R
Contract: Signed through 2017, $1 Million

Major League Ready:

Damien Magnifico, 26
Drafted: 5th Round 2012 (MIL)
THR: R
Current Level: AAA
MLB ETA: Been there done that
The Angels traded away minor league pitcher of the year Jordan Kipper for Magnifico early in May. The criticism on Kipper seemed to be his low K rate that would be not sustainable as he climbed the ladder. Magnifico throws upper 90s and had a very small sip of coffee with 3 big league innings pitched. So far in Salt Lake he has allowed 8 ER in 9 innings and has a .342 BAA. For his part, when he was traded, Kipper moved up to AAA and has a 2.45 ERA through 4 starts. Let’s hope this trade doesn’t come back to bite Eppler.

Cody Ege, 26
Drafted: 15th Round 2013 (TEX)
THR: L
Current Level: AAA
MLB ETA: Been there done that
Ege had a 3.86 ERA but 1.80 WHIP in 18 games for the Angels last year. He was as stud in spring training but not so much for the Bees this year with his 6.10 ERA, 1.45 WHIP and .288 BAA. Those numbers should be PCL adjusted though but still aren’t great. Ege is one of the few lefties on this list so may get the big league nod again sooner rather than later.

Austin Adams, 30
Drafted: 5th Round 2009 (CLE)
THR: R
Current Level: AAA
MLB ETA: Been there done that
Adams has 58 big league innings under his belt and was doing okay in Salt Lake this year. He went on the DL back on April 18th and is still yet to pitch again. No word on what caused his DL stint. He’s mostly around for depth.

Greg Mahle, 24
Drafted: 15th Round 2014
THR: L
Current Level: AAA
MLB ETA: Been there done that
Our old friend Greg Mahle is still only 24 years old. He had some great moments in his big league career but many more not so great ones. He’s having a really rough year and one has to wonder with his funky and changing arm angles if he can ever be a consistent big league pitcher.

Manny Banuelos
Drafted: Signed as International free agent in 2008 (NYY)
THR: L
Current Level: AAA
MLB ETA: Been there done that
Banuelos was moved to the bullpen in early May. He had a 6.75 ERA as a starter but so far only 3.00 out of the pen with 18 IP. He doesn’t have any options left so the Angels will probably keep him in Salt Lake until they are sure he’s ready. A few years back he was considered the best left handed pitching prospect in baseball but then he slipped back partially due to as series of injury problems. If he can stay healthy, he may be a good lefty bullpen piece for the Angels.

Near Future Major League Ready:

Eduardo Paredes, 22
Drafted: Signed as International free agent 2012
THR: R
Current Level: AAA
MLB ETA: 2018/2019
Paredes is the next big reliever the Angels could call up after Middleton. He’s been pretty impressive in his 14.2 innings for Salt Lake and was dominate in 12.2 AA innings before being called up this year. He’s still young though so I’m not sure the Angels call him up before next year.

Probably Major League Some Day:

Tyler Warmoth, 24
Drafted: Undrafted free agent 2016
THR: R
Current Level: AA
Warmoth hasn’t really been on any prospect charts and he went undrafted in 2016. However, he has already moved up to AA and in 60.2 minor league innings, he has a 1.48 ERA with 8.9 K/9 and 2.9 BB/9. Throw in a 1.02 WHIP and only 1 HR allowed, and Warmoth is starting to make a name for himself. He even had a brief 2.2 inning appearance in Salt Lake, allowing just 1 walk and striking out 2. He’s a guy to watch for in Salt Lake next year.

Kevin Grendell, 23
Drafted: 11th Round 2012 (BAL)
THR: L
Current Level: AA
Grendell had a 2.64 ERA across A and AA in 2016 and struck out 92 in 61 IP along with a .171 BAA and 1.16 WHIP. He’s been impressive throughout his minor league career but has not yet played in 2017 due to injury. Back in 2012 with the Oriole system, he was suspended 50 games for Dehydroepiandrosterone use (a steroid). One of the best leftys in the organization with a ridiculous K rate.

Abel De Los Santos, 24
Drafted: International Free Agent 2012 (TEX)
THR: R
Current Level: AA
De Los Santos is a top prospect in the system who throws a mid 90’s fastball. He’s a starter converted to a reliever that fits a future middle reliever profile. His secondary pitch is a curveball with huge movement and he has a pretty decent slider. While he put up good numbers in 2016, his year so far hasn’t been going that great with a 5.40 ERA in 13.1 IP. De Los Santos has 7 big league innings with the Reds and Nationals back in 2015 and 2016. The Angels are his 4th team.

Adam Hofacket, 23
Drafted: 10th Round 2015
THR: R
Current Level: AA
Hofacket was recently promoted to AA after a solid start for the 66ers, though he has struggled so far at the AA level. Hofacket could have a high ceiling with his good stuff and ability to consistently throw strikes. He has a career 1.8 BB/9 and 8.8 K/9 in the minors. He’ll crack a big league roster some day - maybe in 2019 or the tail end of 2018.

Greyfer Eregua, 23
Drafted: International Free Agent 2011 (CHC)
THR: R
Current Level: A+
Not a well known name since he was signed after the Cubs system released him earlier this year, Eregua has had an impressive career. Over the past 6 season, Eregua has put together a 3.01 ERA and a 1.04 WHIP. The Angels moved him up to high A in mid April where he has a 1.85 ERA and 1.11 WHIp in 24 IP. He has good back end of the bullpen potential in his future and it’s hard to know why the Cubs cut ties with a guy who puts up such good numbers.

Too soon to know / Questionable:

Brandon Peterson, 25
Drafted: 13th Round 2013 (MIN)
THR: R
Current Level: AA
Peterson was once a well regarded prospect in The Twins org who was released earlier this year. He throws hard but has control issues (an Eppler staple). So far in 2017 he’s walked 15 in 20 innings and has walked 100 batters in 226 career innings. He doesn’t give up a lot of hits OR homers though with only 8 long balls allowed in his entire career and 162 hits in 226 innings.

Jonah Wesely, 22
Drafted: 11th Round 2013
THR: L
Current Level: A
Wesely is a strong southpaw bullpen piece with plus off speed stuff. Good lefty relievers are few and far between in the Angels system though there are more this year than he past couple of years. Having good stuff as a lefty could give him a good path to the majors, especially if he can cut down a bit on his walk rate.