MLB draft 2018: Angels farm depth report - Relievers

The MLB draft is less than 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.

The system is actually relatively short on quality relievers - but keep in mind a lot of starters find success after being converted to the bullpen. Heard of Keynan Middleton??

Big League Guys

Contract Status

Near Future Major League Ready:

Jake Jewell, 24, RHP
Drafted: 5th Round 2014
Current Level: AAA
MLB ETA: 2018
Jewell has been converted to a reliever and has been finding some success in that role. He gives up a few too many walks and hits but has managed a 2.70 ERA with 27 Ks over 30 innings. He’s also 4 for 4 in saves. I’d be surprised if he doesn’t get a call up at some point this year.

Greg Mahle, 25
Drafted: 15th Round 2014
THR: L
Current Level: AAA
MLB ETA: Been there done that
Mahle is still around doing his funky thing and excelling at least at the AA level. He has a 2.05 ERA with a 1.00 WHIP and .194 BAA. He may likely find his way back up to AAA soon and perhaps on the major league roster again if his past struggled at the higher levels are behind him.

Jeremy Rhoades, 25, RHP
Drafted: 4th round 2014
Current Level: AAA
MLB ETA: 2018/2019
Rhoades has fallen off the top prospects lists but is still performing well - especially after moving to the bullpen. This year he has a 1.86 ERA over 29 innings and is now just one step away from the show. Rhoades has great control and an impressive build and could make a formidable bullpen piece.

Miguel Almonte, 25
Drafted: International free agent, 2010 (KC)
THR: R
Current Level: AAA
The Angels grabbed Almonte from the Royals for cash in early April. He hasn’t pitched yet this year and is probably mostly a depth piece. He does have 10 innings of big league experience under his belt and a carer 3.77 ERA in the minors.

Probably Major League Some Day:

Adam Hofacket, 24
Drafted: 10th Round 2015
THR: R
Current Level: AAA
Hofacket had been on a good trajectory and impressed enough to move up to AAA but he has been lit up there. This season in 25 innings, he’s allowed 3 home runs and a .347 BAA along with a 1.82. Those are some pretty bad numbers even for the hitter friendly PCL.

Too soon to know / Questionable:

Jerryell Rivera, 19
Drafted: 11th Round 2017
THR: L
Current Level: Rookie
Rivera is young and only threw 11 innings last year but he was impressive with only 2 runs allowed and 11 Ks. That worked out to a 1.64 ERA and .175 BAA. He has a strong fastball and decent changeup but still needs a bit of work on his secondary pitches and control.

John Swanda, 19
Drafted: 4th Round 2017
THR: R
Current Level: Rookie
Swanda was primarily a shortstop but the Angels liked him as a pitcher. He has average stuff but plenty of time and room to grow.

Adrian Almeida, 23
Drafted: International free agent, 2012 (NYM)
THR: L
Current Level: AA
Almeida has been around and was claimed off waivers in 2016. He is dominating hitters with a .155 BAA this year and 38 Ks in 28 innings, but he’s also walked 24. He was recently called up to AA and has a potential future with the big league club if he can cut down on those free passes. Being a lefty certainly helps his case.

Tyler Stevens, 22
Drafted: 18th round, 2017
THR: R
Current Level: AA
Who? Well, Stevens had a .154 BAA and 0.60 WHIP over 15 innings of A ball last year so he started the season in high A and is now with Mobile putting up the same type of numbers. Stevens has a large frame at 6’0” and 215 pounds. Over 55.2 innings in his minors career he has a 10.99 K/9 rate and 1.01 WHIP.