OC Register: In Jordyn Adams and Jeremiah Jackson, Angels drafted a pair of friends

[AngelsWin.com]

• Angels’ second-round draft pick Jeremiah Jackson, left, and first-round draft pick Jordyn Adams answer questions in the dugout before the Angels’ game against the Diamondbacks at Angel Stadium in Anaheim on Tuesday, June 19, 2018. (Photo by Kevin Sullivan, Orange County Register/SCNG)

• Angels’ first-round draft pick Jordyn Adams answers questions in the dugout before the Angels’ game against the Diamondbacks at Angel Stadium in Anaheim on Tuesday, June 19, 2018. (Photo by Kevin Sullivan, Orange County Register/SCNG)

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• Angels’ first-round draft pick Jordyn Adams, right, chats with veteran Chris Young during batting practice at Angel Stadium in Anaheim on Tuesday, June 19, 2018. (Photo by Kevin Sullivan, Orange County Register/SCNG)

• Angels’ second-round draft pick Jeremiah Jackson, left, and first-round draft pick Jordyn Adams in the dugout before the Angels’ game against the Diamondbacks at Angel Stadium in Anaheim on Tuesday, June 19, 2018. (Photo by Kevin Sullivan, Orange County Register/SCNG)

• Angels’ second-round draft pick Jeremiah Jackson, left, and first-round pick Jordyn Adams chat with General Manager Billy Eppler in the dugout before the Angels’ game against the Diamondbacks on Tuesday at Angel Stadium. (Photo by Kevin Sullivan, Orange County Register/SCNG)

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ANAHEIM — It’s early, but it seems like Jordyn Adams and Jeremiah Jackson are going to get along just swell.

Adams, the Angels’ first-round draft pick, signed his first professional contract Tuesday. He and Jackson, the Angels’ second-round draft pick, then went on a tour of Angel Stadium led by General Manager Billy Eppler. Adams, an outfielder, and Jackson, a shortstop, had plenty of time to get to know each other.

They didn’t need it.

Adams and Jackson were teammates at last year’s Under Armour All-America Game at Chicago’s Wrigley Field. Three days later, both played in the East Coast Pro Showcase in Tampa, Fla. The 18-year-olds grew up more than 700 miles apart – Adams in Cary, N.C., Jackson in Mobile, Ala. – but the summer of 2017 brought them together.

“We talked about rooming together and everything too in Arizona,” Jackson said.

Adams said he was surrounded by teammates, friends, coaches and family when the Angels drafted him 17th overall, on June 4. Forty picks later, the Angels used their second-round pick on Jackson. Each one quickly reached out to the other.

“It was crazy,” they both said, almost in unison.

Now, Adams and Jackson are off to Arizona to be teammates again. They can finish each other’s lines off the field too; Jackson got a head start and already picked out an apartment for them to share.

“We got the bed waiting for you,” Jackson said to Adams.

The Angels have signed 26 of their 40 picks. Other than college seniors, who have until one week before the 2019 draft, the deadline for teams to sign their draft picks is July 6.

MINOR TRADE

The Angels acquired right-handed reliever Deck McGuire from the Texas Rangers for cash considerations or a player to be named later. To make room for McGuire on the 40-man roster, catcher Juan Graterol was designated for assignment.

McGuire, 28, began the season with the Toronto Blue Jays and split the season between Toronto and Triple-A. He allowed six runs over 8-1/3 innings in four major league appearances. McGuire was designated for assignment June 9, claimed by Texas, and made only one appearance for the Rangers’ Triple-A affiliate before he was designated again.

In 10 games over the last two seasons with the Jays and Reds, McGuire is 1-1 with a 4.09 ERA in 22 innings. The Angels optioned him to Triple-A Salt Lake.

Graterol, 29, was batting .322 at Triple-A Salt Lake. He singled in his only major league at-bat this season, on May 5.

INJURY UPDATES

Catcher Rene Rivera has been hitting in the batting cage and is “almost into a full squat, as far as where he can catch,” Manager Mike Scioscia said. Rivera hasn’t played since he suffered a torn meniscus in his right knee, an injury that required surgery on May 25. His return is still “weeks away,” Scioscia said.

Kaleb Cowart (sprained left ankle) was in the starting lineup for Salt Lake as a third baseman, one day after playing eight innings in right field in his first rehab game. Cowart, who had never played right field as a professional before this year, will continue to see time in the infield and outfield going forward, Scioscia said.

“It just adds to his versatility,” Scioscia said. “Trying to make footprints in the major leagues … versatility is one way to crack that door open.”

ALL-STAR UPDATE

Mike Trout is second among American League outfielders in the latest All-Star balloting results released by MLB. Trout (1,323,292) trails only Boston Red Sox outfielder Mookie Betts (1,568,417).

Trout, 26, has been voted to start every All-Star Game since 2013. He also made the team as a reserve as a rookie in 2012. Trout is the only Angel with enough votes to make the team as a starter so far. Shohei Ohtani is fourth among AL designated hitters.

The All-Star Game is July 14 in Washington, D.C

ALSO

Relief pitcher Oliver Drake cleared waivers and was outrighted to Triple-A Salt Lake. … The owner of the Angels’ Rookie ball team in the Pioneer League is planning to move the franchise from Orem, Utah to Pueblo, Colo., according to multiple reports. KOAA.com reported the move is a “done deal,” but did not specify when it would take place. … Four of the Angels’ minor league affiliation agreements are expiring this year: Orem (Rookie), Burlington (low Class-A), Inland Empire (advanced Class-A) and Mobile (Double-A). The Angels’ affiliation with Triple-A Salt Lake runs through 2020.

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