by Ryan Falla

Much of the Angels tenure post-2010 has seen the organization marred with a reputation lacking in developmental allure. Through most of the last decade Anaheim has suffered from a lack of true talent depth, often seeing the organization showcase one or two top end talents each year. However, reputations within Anaheim have begun to shift as the quality of prospects has seen steady improvement in recent years due to drafting efforts by GM Perry Minasian. The Angels recent Top 10 Prospect list features a few draft picks from 2023, one of those vaunted picks being future star pitcher Barrett Kent. The 19 year old right handers immediate establishment as a top prospect is no accident; his power repertoire, advanced feel for the game, and elite work ethic have him on pace for top-of-the-rotation stardom as an Angel in the coming years.

“I do see those numbers [Top 10 Prospect ranking], and they mean something to me. I got a chip on my shoulder, it's up to myself to prove I can do it. I'm ready to prove that. I'm ready to be here. I deserve to be up in the Top 10. I'm gonna go about my business and work as hard as I can in being the best version of myself.” 

Following his debut with Inland Empire last season a comprehensive preview on Kent was put together on AngelsWin, which can be referred to at this link

His above average repertoire, which includes a high 90’s power fastball worthy of its Texas origins, has seen refinement this off-season with Kent focusing on the development of his secondary heading into 2024. His slider was a go-to breaking pitch last year due to the quality of its break across both planes, and behind that pitch he also commands a sizeable curveball alongside a change-up that played exceptionally well against left handed hitters. Kent’s curveball was self-admittedly his least favorite pitch coming out of last season, though it appears an off-season focus on the pitch has flipped the script on his connection with the curve.

“I've been throwing some bullpens and feeling the pitches out right now. Just taking my time with it, getting ready for the first game. The curveball is coming in. I'm starting to get a real good feel for it. Like I said, executing is the name of the game. Gotta execute the curveball. I think it's looking great, that and the changeup. I've built up on it and I think it's turned into a really great pitch. I'm excited to see those two in action.”

Kent will likely start the season at Low A given his limited experience last year, though he is projected to move quickly through the lower levels. For reference, last year the Angels current #2 prospect Caden Dana entered the season as a 19 year old and pitched himself into a High A promotion just three starts into the season. Kent’s advanced makeup across the board paired with the Angels reputation for progressing young players quickly should see Kent move along the lower levels with little wasted time. As of now the biggest developmental need for Kent coming out of high school is seeing live batters at game speed and getting his eye adjusted to the professional groove.

“I have to execute every pitch that I make, the mistakes get hit pretty far here. I learned that it's more about being consistent, just execute everything and don't make mistakes at the end of the day. It's on me to do as good as I can possibly do for the team, go out there and compete on the mound. Pitch like I know I can and hopefully I see that [promotion]. It'd be a good goal, but right now I just keep it as it is and do what I can do. ”

The fact that Kent was able to break the Top 10 with just 4 innings of Low A work shows how advanced his quality as a pitcher is compared to most 19 year olds. The road to the Majors is often a long one, though it becomes much shorter when you possess the makeup that Kent brings to an organization. He's arguably the most advanced high school pitcher the Angels have drafted in the last decade next to Chris Rodriguez, who would be the Angels most notable HS draft pick post-2010 to make the Majors. Kent carries the advantage of a clean bill of health as he enters the 2024 season looking to make his name known as a Top Prospect not just with the Angels, but across all of baseball. It is still too early to pin a Major League date on him, but with a strong 2024 season to springboard off of we could see a timetable as early as late 2025. For now, however, the immediate goal is to simply continue building on the dream, executing with successes, and focusing on one day at a time as Kent builds his stock as a future Top 100 MLB Prospect.