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We already told you who is heading to the Arizona Fall League and this list is rather think. The Instructional league roster, however, is full - and full of some big names.
Let’s break it down.
Angels Top 30 Prospects (MLB.com listing)
#1 Jo Adell, OF/19, 2018 team = AA Mobile Baybears
In 2018, Adell was named to the MLB Futures Game (1 for 4 with a double at the leadoff spot), was Cal League player of the month in June, and player of the week twice for Inland Empire.
#2 Brandon Marsh OF/20, 2018 team = A+ Inland Empire 66ers
Marsh struggles with a high K rate, and from my observations, has trouble with swing decisions which causes some late swings and helps contribute to his K rate. The instructs will be good for him. Despite a high K rate, he still managed a .359 OBP in 2018.
#4 Jahmai Jones, 2B/21, 2018 team = AA Mobile Baybears
Jones was converted to a second baseman this year and made 20 errors in 115 games. He also only hit .239 at the plate.
#6 Jordyn Adams, OF/18, 2018 team = Rookie Orem Owlz
One of the many super youngsters in camp, and the 2018 #1 pick for the Angels. He had 4 outfield assists in only 23 games.
#7 Kevin Maitan, SS/18, 2018 team = Rookie Orem Owlz
Only hit .248 and had a really rough time in the field with 32 errors in 61 games
#9 Jose Suarez, LHP/20, 2018 team = AAA Salt Lake Bees
20 year old Suarez has been with the Angels since 2015. He pitched in 3 levels this year and seems poised to make the big league jump some time in 2019.
#14 Jose Soriano, RHP/19, 2018 team = A Burlington Bees
Soriano walked nearly a batter every inning this season so it’s clear where some of his work will need to be in the instructs. He throws gas though, and can touch upper 90s while averaging around 93 MPH.
#15 Jeremiah Jackson, SS/18, 2018 team = Rookie Orem Owlz
Jackson is listed at 165# but that didn’t stop him from hitting 7 home runs in 43 games. The 2018 second round pick made A LOT of errors (17) though in his debut season.
#16 Leonardo Rivas, SS/2B/20, 2018 team = A Burlington Bees
Rivas finished his 4th year in the system though it was his lowest in terms of AVG and OBP. Still, he gets on base a TON and walked 84 times in 121 games.
#17 Livian Soto, SS/18, 2018 team = Rookie Orem Owlz
Soto made 20 errors in the field and had a .385 OBP. Along with Kevin Maitain, he’s the other player the Angels picked up when the Braves had to put them back into free agency.
#20 Patrick Sandoval, LHP/21, 2018 team = AA Mobile Baybears
Eppler nabbed a good one from the Astros in the Martin Maldonado trade. Sandoval easily one of the top minor league pitchers this year with a 2.06 ERA in 122.1 innings along with a .196 BAA and 0.96 WHIP. In 14 of his 20 starts he didn’t allowed a run.
#23 Jerryell Rivera, LHP/19, 2018 team = Rookie Orem Owlz
Rivera threw 31.1 innings in 2018 compared to his 11 in this debut season last year. He gave up a lot of hits - 45 of them along with 29 walks.
#24 Trent Deveaux, OF/18, 2018 team = Rookie Arizona Angels
He had 4 outfield assists in 43 games but only slashed .199/.309/.247 in 166 at bats.
#25 D’Shawn Knowles, OF/17, 2018 team = Rookie Orem Owlz
This switch hitting youngster comes from the Bahamas and in his debut season he hit .311/.391/.464 with 9 stolen bases. Not bad for a 17 year old.
#26 Willian English RHP/OF/17, 2018 team = Rookie Arizona Angels
English was a two way player in high school with a 95MPH fastball and some raw power at the plate. He’s actually listed on MLB.com as a two way player though so far has only hit. He had a .220 AVG wtih a .325 OBP and 4 stolen bases. He’s listed as a pitcher on the instructional league roster.
#30 John Swanda, RHP/19, 2018 team = Rookie Orem Owlz
Swanda was a 4th round pick in 2017 who had a much improved 2018 season, but he still needs some fine tuning as would be expected for many 19 year old pitchers.
Notable missing prospects
#3 prospect Griffin Canning is not attending - likely due to workout and protecting his arm.
#5 prospect Matt Thaiss has been there before and he’s now playing in AAA, just a small step away from the big leagues
#8 prospect Taylor Ward is now on the big league roster and will be graduating from the top prospect list before too long
Other notable Invitees
Jack Kruger, C/23
Kruger played for the Baybears last season and is the next best thing the Angels have to a big league catcher. He hasn’t been strong at throwing out runners but he swings a hot bat and hit .299/.357/.413 with 13 stolen base this season
Bo Way, LHP/26
Way played for the Salt Lake Bees last year as an outfielder. You read that correctly. The Angels appear to be developing his pitching side a bit more. Way threw 6.1 innings over 6 games in 2018 with a 2.84 ERA and 5Ks.
Jared Wash, LHP/25
Also getting the invite as a pitcher is another Salt Lake Bees outfielder. Walsh pitched in 8 games this season and over 5.2 innings had a 1.59 ERA with 7 Ks.