ANAHEIM — In recent summers, when the Angels needed to make upgrades via trade, they were handicapped by a thin farm system.

This time, thanks to General Manager Billy Eppler’s focus on upgrading the system, the Angels have what is considered to be one of the most improved organizations in baseball.

In order to get an objective analysis of the state of the Angels’ farm system, to understand which prospects should be untouchable, which ones are valuable trade chips and which ones might be overrated, we consulted a scout.

It is just one scout’s opinion, but he is an unbiased professional who has covered the Angels’ system for years, giving him history with all their key prospects.

So far this year, he has seen all four of the Angels’ full-season clubs: low-A Burlington (Iowa), high-A Inland Empire, Double-A Mobile (Ala.) and Triple-A Salt Lake City.

The scout, who requested anonymity because his club does not allow him to publicly share his reports, agrees the system is improved, overall.

“You can see they’re making a conscious effort to get better, athletic players,” he said.

Going for more athletic, “toolsy” players has been an emphasis of Eppler since his first draft in 2016. Under Jerry Dipoto, the Angels leaned more toward college players who might have been closer to the big leagues, even without ceilings as high.

While the scout said the young position player group is impressive, he said there are still only three pitchers he likes.

A rundown of some of the most notable players:

Jo Adell: The 19-year-old was the Angels’ first-round pick in 2017. A center fielder, Adell has already risen through three levels, from short-season rookie ball to low-A to high-A. He is widely considered the top prospect in the farm system.

“He’s still a ways away,” the scout said. “He looks beautiful in a uniform, but they were dominating him with the fastball. He’s got some timing issues he needs to straighten out. The swing is going to have to tighten up. The power is mistake power right now. … He’s going to end up being a corner outfielder.”

Brandon Marsh: The Angels’ second-round pick in 2016, Marsh missed his first season with a back injury. Marsh, 20, started at Orem (Utah) last year, so he has just barely played one full season so far. Marsh has also risen to high-A.

“Oh, I love that guy. He’s better than all of them. He can mash. He hits with power. He plays with a chip on his shoulder. He’s got some swag. He’s the best guy, for me, out of all those guys. Adell might have the highest ceiling because of the all the gifts he has, but this guy is already a better hitter than (Kole) Calhoun. He may get (to the majors) next year, at the end of the year.”

Griffin Canning: The former UCLA and Santa Margarita High right-hander didn’t pitch in the minors in 2017 after the Angels took him in the second round, because the organization felt he needed a break from his heavy workload in college. So far in his first three months of professional baseball, the 22-year-old was quickly promoted out of high-A to Double-A. He’s started two combined no-hitters already. The Angels are moving him quickly, but being cautious with his pitch-counts.

“Their best pitcher. He’s got it all. It’s just a matter of him being humbled a little bit and learning to pitch with more moxie. He’s got all the stuff. He’s going to be a fast mover. He’s going to get (to the majors) quickly.”

José Suarez: The 20-year-old lefty from Venezuela has posted big strikeout numbers this season, rocketing from high-A to Double-A to Triple-A already.

“I have him as a 3-4 type starter. He can really pitch. With him, (Jaime) Barría, (Tyler) Skaggs and if (Andrew) Heaney stays healthy, the Angels have some guys who can pitch. I’m more excited about those guys because those flamethrowers don’t last anymore. He touched 95 mph, but he pitched more at 91.”

Joe Gatto: The last of the three pitchers in the organization this scout expected to be a productive major leaguer, Gatto has moved slowly through the system since he was the Angels’ second-round pick in 2014. Gatto, 23, didn’t reach Double-A until a month ago.

“He can pitch a little bit. His velo was down a little bit, but he was at 96. I always liked him. I think he’s a serviceable bottom-of-the-rotation guy. He’ll be (in the majors).”

Matt Thaiss: The Angels took Thaiss with their first-round pick in 2016 and immediately took him from behind the plate and put him at first base. Thaiss, 23, began this season at Double-A and was recently promoted to Triple-A, where he got off to a hot start.

“He can swing it. He looks comfortable at first base. He’s going to be a big leaguer. I think he’ll hit for more power (than he’s shown) because he’ll get comfortable. He can make adjustments. It’s quite obvious the adjustments he’s made in his swing.”

Jahmai Jones: The Angels took Jones with their second pick in 2015. An outfielder in his first three pro seasons, Jones moved this year at high-A to second base, a position he played in high school. Jones, 20, is thought to profile better there than the outfield because he wasn’t good enough defensively to play center and didn’t hit for enough power to play the corners.

“His swing is somewhat robotic. I put a 40 (grade) on him, which is the next step up from an up-and-down guy. You can’t say he’d be a utility player, because he can only play one position. He can’t go to his left. He can’t throw from angles. He’s going to struggle (defensively at second).”

Jesus Castillo: Lightly regarded when the Angels got him in the Joe Smith trade in July 2016, Castillo rose fairly quickly through the Angels’ system. Castillo, 22, made enough of an impression to be added to the 40-man roster last winter. He’s been at Double-A this season.

“Non-prospect. He was throwing 84-89, with a little curveball and a changeup. Not much life in his presentation. Limited arm speed. I didn’t like him at all. Not very deceptive.”

Luis Rengifo: The Angels got Rengifo from the Tampa Bay Rays for C.J. Cron just before spring training. A shortstop, Rengifo, 21, started at high-A and was already moved to Double-A.

“He can mash, from both sides. He’s like Ketel Marte, with more pop.”

Taylor Ward: The Angels’ top pick in 2015, Ward was believed to be an advanced defensive catcher with a bat that could come. This season the Angels moved Ward, 24, to third.

Although the scout missed seeing Ward this year, because he was injured at the time, he said he’s not surprised the Angels abandoned catching: “I hated his disposition.”

David Fletcher: A sixth-round pick out of Loyola Marymount in 2015, Fletcher earned his first big-league promotion last week. A Cypress High product, Fletcher, 24, has often been compared to David Eckstein, who was one of his favorite players while growing up in Orange County.

“I like little guys that play big. He’s gritty. Scioscia has got to love him. He’s good at both short and second. His swing can get a little big, but I’m OK with that. He’s a baseball player. You win with guys like that. I’m not saying he’s going to hit first or bat .300, but he’s going to be a great piece.”

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