Los Angeles Angels 2022 MLB Draft Thread

[John Smith]

Darrell-Hicks signs with Angels

"Michael Darrell-Hicks had to wait a little longer than he hoped, but the former South Warren Spartan and Western Kentucky Hilltopper will get a chance to play professionally after agreeing to a free-agent deal with the Los Angeles Angels on Tuesday."

https://www.bgdailynews.com/sports/prep/darrell-hicks-signs-with-angels/article_59402e03-2b13-5711-9912-c9981b1b6e02.html

[greginpsca]

Still nothing on Ceballos and Osmond. Beginning to look like they are going back to school.

[rafibomb]

I highly doubt Osmond signs

 

[John Smith]

The deadline for signing 2022 draft picks is Monday, August 1

[Inside Pitch]

On 7/27/2022 at 7:05 PM, greginpsca said:

Still nothing on Ceballos and Osmond. Beginning to look like they are going back to school.

Nothing has been announced but he changed all his social media to say Angels Org.

[greginpsca]

Mlb.com still shows Osmond and Ceballos as unsigned. Hour and a half left.

[Stradling]

@Inside Pitch

[tdawg87]

Seems like this was a successful draft.

[Taylor]

14 minutes ago, tdawg87 said:

Seems like this was a successful draft.

I look forward to AJ's post in 10 years where he walks through the last decade worth of drafts.

[ThisismineScios]

Last year was a desperation draft to flood the system with arms. This seems more like a “normal” draft in the sense of how good teams select players. And they got some pretty high upside guys. 

[John Smith]

According to Angels transaction page:

08/02/22

Los Angeles Angels signed C Sabin Ceballos.

https://www.mlb.com/angels/roster/transactions

[tdawg87]

Well damn. 

[Vladdy Issues]

16 minutes ago, John Smith said:

According to Angels transaction page:

08/02/22

Los Angeles Angels signed C Sabin Ceballos.

https://www.mlb.com/angels/roster/transactions

can't get anything by John Smith #DraftNewsLegend

Thank You again for everything you do

Edited August 3, 2022 by StandOutRealty

[Stradling]

Fantastic!  19 of 19. 

[greginpsca]

Anyone know how many UDFA guys they signed?

[BTH]

1 hour ago, John Smith said:

According to Angels transaction page:

08/02/22

Los Angeles Angels signed C Sabin Ceballos.

https://www.mlb.com/angels/roster/transactions

I don't know if that's a mistake, but I think it might be.

That runs counter to what the Angels announced and Ceballos' Instagram is littered with stuff about his OU commitment and his recent stories seemingly indicate that he's intent on honoring that commitment.

[BTH]

Just now, greginpsca said:

Anyone know how many UDFA guys they signed?

7

[greginpsca]

Just now, Trendon said:

7

Thanks

[totdprods]

One year later...how does everyone feel? 
My very rough assessment...good, okay, and 'bad'.

• 1st: Zach Neto, SS
  I mean...can't really do much better than this. Rocketed to the bigs and has cemented himself into the Angels future.
   
• 3rd: Ben Joyce
  The injury concerns will loom overhead, but the velocity is blindingly impressive and the quick ascent to the bigs is a big positive, no matter how shaky his long-term prognosis could be. 
   
• 4th: Jake Madden
  The results at Inland Empire aren't overly impressive, but Madden had strong pre-draft promise and has yet to show any reason to doubt that. Just a solid, classic pitching prospect.
   
• 5th: Sonny DiChiara, 1B
  Always had defensive limits and question marks, but plus-power and a strong offensive profile has not translated to his pro career - his career slugging (.286) is just above his listed weight (.263) - and his BA? .205. He's literally not hitting his weight. Injuries have played a part, but time is nigh to start showing something.
   
• 6th: Victor Mederos
  Despite somewhat pedestrian numbers, his strong strikeout rates and quick ascent to Anaheim bode well, even if his future tops as an up-and-down swingman. Plenty young enough still to turn into something better.
   
• 7th: Roman Phansalkar
  Reliever drafted pretty early on, without any real standout numbers. He's produced well to date - 3.81 ERA this year and last, good numbers across the board, but at 25 already hasn't quite impressed enough to push into the long-term depth.
   
• 8th: Dylan Phillips, TWP (1B, LHP)
  Two-way player who hit well last year in limited ABs (.815 OPS in 47 ABs) but not this year (.566 OPS in 41 AB), and didn't pitch much (or particularly well) last year (12 hits, 6 ER in 8.1 IP), but pitching well this year (38.1 IP, 4.70 ERA, 14 BB to 54 K). At 24, he's a little old for his competition, but has offered enough glimpses of talent to provide some intrigue going forward.
   
• 9th: Joe Stewart, OF
  Now 25, Stewart has yet to produce enough to break past Tri-City, mustering a .247/.317/.334/.651 slash. Despite being 6'5", has stolen an insane 42 bases in 45 chances. 
   
• 10th: Matt Coutney, 1B
  Coutney has a solid .808 OPS in '23, mostly at IE. Nothing really standing out, but nothing really bad either. Solid org bat for now.
   
• 11th: Caden Dana
  A pure pitching prospect, the 6'4" 19-year old Dana has looked the part this season, already reaching Tri-City with a 3.56 ERA across 14 GS at both levels of A ball. He's limited hits and HR and striking out hitters at a well-above average rate (11.7 per 9 innings). Walks are a little high with 30 in 68.1 IP, but not bad at all for his age. One of my favorite Angels pitching prospects, and one who lines up really well with Mason Albright, Jake Madden, and newly drafted Barrett Kent for a future Angels' rotation at the back-end of the decade.
   
• 12th: Jared Southard
  Not great results to-date (4.04 ERA in 35.2 IP with 20 BB in that time), but he's striking guys out (44), limiting HR (3), limits hits (24) and, drafted as a pure relief prospect, has done nothing to tarnish that rep so far. Only 22, so plenty of promise still with no reason to rush yet.
   
• 13th: Tucker Flint, 1B/LF/RF
  The Angels have challenged Flint by aggressively moving him to AA to start the year, and while his slash is unimpressive (.212/.353/.365/.718), he has had a couple of hot streaks coupled with solid defense and discipline. He probably repeats AA in '24 and maybe even to start in '25 as he's only in his age 22 season, perhaps sort of filling the role that Orlando Martinez did once he inevitably moves up or moves on. 
   
• 15th: Bryce Osmond
  Currently posting a decent 4.24 ERA and below-average 1.55 WHIP at A+ Tri-City. Org arm.
   
• 16th: Casey Dana, 3B/1B
  Playing alongside his brother, 24-year old Casey is probably the lone highlight of his season so far. He's slashing .111/.219/.141/.361 in 115 PA but hey, maybe he's part of the reason the Angels were able to sign Caden.
   
• 17th: Sammy Natera
  Has flashed plus-stuff at times, with decent numbers on the season, particularly 62 K in 49 IP. There's plenty of intrigue with this lefty still to have some hope for an MLB arm.
   
• 18th: Max Gieg
  Unimpressive results (6.49 ERA, 38 H and 17 BB in 34.2 pro innings) but flashes of electric stuff. Way too early to call, but also nothing definitive here.
   
• 19th: Luke Franzoni, OF
  Already called it a career and voluntary retired after posting a .552 OPS in A-ball last year. 
   
• 20th: Brendan Tinsman, C
  Organizational catcher, decent defensively with a .653 OPS to date across both A-ball levels. Also retired. Thanks @mmc, missed that.

The 14th round pick, Sabin Ceballos, did not sign. He was the 94th pick (3rd round) by Atlanta this recent draft.

Good picks: 5/19
Mixed/decent picks: 8/19
'Bad' picks: 5/19

It's difficult to judge a draft too accurately just one year later...as of now, obviously, there's plenty of uncertainty. Most of the draft is still a question mark, as expected at this point, but also doing very little to really step forward, with most of these players a season away from falling into the 'bad' pick territory. Neto has turned out to be a slam-dunk of a choice, and the quick ascent of Mederos and Joyce have buoyed this class as well. The real measure of this success may be how much of an impact guys like Joyce, Mederos, and Southard have on the MLB club in '23-'25, how Dana and Madden progress, and if someone like Matt Coutney or Tucker Flint can find another gear and perhaps become the next unheralded Angels that contribute to the bigs, a la David Fletcher or Jared Walsh.

Edited July 20, 2023 by totdprods

[mmc]

Tinsman is also retired

[Revad]

34 minutes ago, totdprods said:

One year later...how does everyone feel? 
My very rough assessment...good, okay, and 'bad'.

• 1st: Zach Neto, SS
  I mean...can't really do much better than this. Rocketed to the bigs and has cemented himself into the Angels future.
   
• 3rd: Ben Joyce
  The injury concerns will loom overhead, but the velocity is blindingly impressive and the quick ascent to the bigs is a big positive, no matter how shaky his long-term prognosis could be. 
   
• 4th: Jake Madden
  The results at Inland Empire aren't overly impressive, but Madden had strong pre-draft promise and has yet to show any reason to doubt that. Just a solid, classic pitching prospect.
   
• 5th: Sonny DiChiara, 1B
  Always had defensive limits and question marks, but plus-power and a strong offensive profile has not translated to his pro career - his career slugging (.286) is just above his listed weight (.263) - and his BA? .205. He's literally not hitting his weight. Injuries have played a part, but time is nigh to start showing something.
   
• 6th: Victor Mederos
  Despite somewhat pedestrian numbers, his strong strikeout rates and quick ascent to Anaheim bode well, even if his future tops as an up-and-down swingman. Plenty young enough still to turn into something better.
   
• 7th: Roman Phansalkar
  Reliever drafted pretty early on, without any real standout numbers. He's produced well to date - 3.81 ERA this year and last, good numbers across the board, but at 25 already hasn't quite impressed enough to push into the long-term depth.
   
• 8th: Dylan Phillips, TWP (1B, LHP)
  Two-way player who hit well last year in limited ABs (.815 OPS in 47 ABs) but not this year (.566 OPS in 41 AB), and didn't pitch much (or particularly well) last year (12 hits, 6 ER in 8.1 IP), but pitching well this year (38.1 IP, 4.70 ERA, 14 BB to 54 K). At 24, he's a little old for his competition, but has offered enough glimpses of talent to provide some intrigue going forward.
   
• 9th: Joe Stewart, OF
  Now 25, Stewart has yet to produce enough to break past Tri-City, mustering a .247/.317/.334/.651 slash. Despite being 6'5", has stolen an insane 42 bases in 45 chances. 
   
• 10th: Matt Coutney, 1B
  Coutney has a solid .808 OPS in '23, mostly at IE. Nothing really standing out, but nothing really bad either. Solid org bat for now.
   
• 11th: Caden Dana
  A pure pitching prospect, the 6'4" 19-year old Dana has looked the part this season, already reaching Tri-City with a 3.56 ERA across 14 GS at both levels of A ball. He's limited hits and HR and striking out hitters at a well-above average rate (11.7 per 9 innings). Walks are a little high with 30 in 68.1 IP, but not bad at all for his age. One of my favorite Angels pitching prospects, and one who lines up really well with Mason Albright, Jake Madden, and newly drafted Barrett Kent for a future Angels' rotation at the back-end of the decade.
   
• 12th: Jared Southard
  Not great results to-date (4.04 ERA in 35.2 IP with 20 BB in that time), but he's striking guys out (44), limiting HR (3), limits hits (24) and, drafted as a pure relief prospect, has done nothing to tarnish that rep so far. Only 22, so plenty of promise still with no reason to rush yet.
   
• 13th: Tucker Flint, 1B/LF/RF
  The Angels have challenged Flint by aggressively moving him to AA to start the year, and while his slash is unimpressive (.212/.353/.365/.718), he has had a couple of hot streaks coupled with solid defense and discipline. He probably repeats AA in '24 and maybe even to start in '25 as he's only in his age 22 season, perhaps sort of filling the role that Orlando Martinez did once he inevitably moves up or moves on. 
   
• 15th: Bryce Osmond
  Currently posting a decent 4.24 ERA and below-average 1.55 WHIP at A+ Tri-City. Org arm.
   
• 16th: Casey Dana, 3B/1B
  Playing alongside his brother, 24-year old Casey is probably the lone highlight of his season so far. He's slashing .111/.219/.141/.361 in 115 PA but hey, maybe he's part of the reason the Angels were able to sign Caden.
   
• 17th: Sammy Natera
  Has flashed plus-stuff at times, with decent numbers on the season, particularly 62 K in 49 IP. There's plenty of intrigue with this lefty still to have some hope for an MLB arm.
   
• 18th: Max Gieg
  Unimpressive results (6.49 ERA, 38 H and 17 BB in 34.2 pro innings) but flashes of electric stuff. Way too early to call, but also nothing definitive here.
   
• 19th: Luke Franzoni, OF
  Already called it a career and voluntary retired after posting a .552 OPS in A-ball last year. 
   
• 20th: Brendan Tinsman, C
  Organizational catcher, decent defensively with a .653 OPS to date across both A-ball levels.

The 14th round pick, Sabin Ceballos, did not sign. He was the 94th pick (3rd round) by Atlanta this recent draft.

Good picks: 5/19
Mixed/decent picks: 8/19
'Bad' picks: 5/19

It's difficult to judge a draft too accurately just one year later...as of now, obviously, there's plenty of uncertainty. Most of the draft is still a question mark, as expected at this point, but also doing very little to really step forward, with most of these players a season away from falling into the 'bad' pick territory. Neto has turned out to be a slam-dunk of a choice, and the quick ascent of Mederos and Joyce have buoyed this class as well. The real measure of this success may be how much of an impact guys like Joyce, Mederos, and Southard have on the MLB club in '23-'25, how Dana and Madden progress, and if someone like Matt Coutney or Tucker Flint can find another gear and perhaps become the next unheralded Angels that contribute to the bigs, a la David Fletcher or Jared Walsh.

Thanks!

[mmc]

Michael Darrell-Hicks is an intriguing UDFA from this class

[totdprods]

Just now, mmc said:

Michael Darrell-Hicks is an intriguing UDFA from this class

Yeah, Quinton Martinez and CJ Mayhue have been solid too. Both summers have yielded a few interesting UDFAs, but for sake of simplicity I just focused on the actual draftees this time around, partially because there were so many in ‘21…more than actual draft picks. I like Bryce Teodosio still too. 

[BTH]

Usually the signing bonuses are more telling than the round a player was picked, so I went back and looked…

Only 4 players got meaningful bonuses:

Neto ($3.5M)

Dana ($1.5M)

Joyce ($1M)

Madden ($1M)

Next highest was Mederos at $227k, but even that was under-slot. No one else got a bonus above 200k.

Basically, the Angels most of their eggs in the basket of those 4 players.

Everyone else was a flier.

 

Neto alone makes it look like a success. Dana’s looking good. Joyce and Mederos have already made it to the majors. Madden has good stuff and could shoot up next year.

[totdprods]

6 minutes ago, Trendon said:

Neto alone makes it look like a success. Dana’s looking good. Joyce and Mederos have already made it to the majors. Madden has good stuff and could shoot up next year.

I really like the Madden, Dana, Albright, Kochanowicz, Kent crop of SPs. In about two years they may all be at the top of the prospect list. And that’s not counting the international arms like Urena and Marcheco.