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1. Jo Adell, OF

Hit Power SB Patience Glove Overall 60 60 50 50 50 70

Background: Looking back at the opening round of the 2017 draft: there’s a tremendous amount of talent weaved within the first 10 selections. Brendan McKay, Kyle Wright, Adam Haseley, and Keston Hiura have already reached the big leagues. Royce Lewis, Hunter Greene, and MacKenzie are all widely recognized as Top 100 prospects. Pavin Smith is showing some signs of 50-grade power. And, of course, there’s Jo Adell, the tenth overall pick that year. A product of Ballard High School, which is home to former fellow first rounder Jeremy Sowers, Adell is positioned to be the best among the group. A toolsy, 6-foot-3, 215-pound outfielder, Adell ripped through two rookie leagues during his debut as he slugged .325/.376/.532 with 11 doubles, eight triples, and five homeruns. He followed that up by sprinting through three separate levels – he made stops with Burlington, Inland Empire, and Mobile – en route to battering the opposition to the tune of .290/.355/.543 with 32 doubles, four triples, and 20 homeruns. Last season, in an injury shortened campaign, Adell hit .289/.359/.475 with 27 doubles and 10 homeruns and seven stolen bases in as many attempts. The gifted outfielder missed the opening six weeks recovering a from Grade II ankle sprain and a Grade I hamstring strain.

Scouting Report: Consider the following:

Only two 20-year-old hitters have topped a DRC+ (Deserved Runs Created Plus) total of 160 in the Southern League since 2006 (min. 175 PA): Giancarlo Stanton and – of course – Joe Adell

Now, to be completely fair, (A) Stanton’s production line crushed Adell’s statistical showing (206 and 168, respectively) and (B) it still falls into a relatively small sample size. However, they’re the top two most productive 20-year-old hitters of the past decade-and-a-half in the Southern League, which happens to reside at the minor league’s most challenging level. Adell’s a budding a star, a bonafide rarity that oozes five tool production: he hits for average, possesses 35-homer power potential, runs well and efficiently, can handle all three outfield positions, and shows a powerful throwing arm. Throw in a slightly better-than-average eye at the dish with solid contact skills and the former first round pick looks like – and will be – a super star. Adell’s peak exit velocity, 116 mph, was tops according to FanGraphs.

Ceiling: 6.5-win player

Risk: Low toModerate

MLB ETA: 2020

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2. Brandon Marsh, OF

Hit Power SB Patience Glove Overall 55 40/50 40 60 50 60

Background: Similarly with Jo Adell and the first round of the 2017 draft, there are several notable players taken in the second round of the 2016 draft: Nolan Jones; a top prospect in the Indians’ organization, Bryan Reynolds, who is fresh off a debut rookie showing in which he slugged .314/.377/.503 with the Pirates; Nick Solak, who posted an .884 OPS during his 33-game cameo with the Rangers; Pete Alonso and his prodigious power; Bo Bichette; and – of course – Brandon Marsh. The 60th overall player chosen that year, Marsh has consistently surpassed expectations – despite an aggressive promotion schedule. And he continued to do so as he moved in the Southern League last season. In 96 games with the Mobile BayBears, the 6-foot-4, 215-pound outfielder slugged .300/.383/.428 with 21 doubles, a pair of triples, and seven homeruns. He also swiped 18 bags in 23 total attempts. His overall production, as measured by Baseball Prospectus’ Deserved Runs Created Plus, topped the league average mark by a whopping 41%.

Scouting Report: Consider the following:

Since 2006, only two 21-year-old hitters met the following criteria in the Southern League (min. 300 PA): 135 to 145 DRC+, double-digit walk rate, and a strikeout between 21% and 26.5%. Those two hitters are: Tyler O’Neill, who owns a .258/.307/.454 triple-slash line in 121 big league games, and – of course – Brandon Marsh.

Perhaps the most encouraging sign for Marsh and his power potential: over his final 29 games with the BayBears, the former second rounder batted .348/.405/.545 with seven doubles and five of his seven homeruns. And he continued to flash above-average power as he moved into the Arizona Fall League as well, hitting .328/.387/.522 with five doubles, one triple, and two homeruns in only 19 games. I’m still betting big on the continued development of the power. Beyond that, he owns an above-average hit tool and speed, the defensive chops to play all three outfield positions, and a plus eye at the plate. In terms of offensive ceiling, think .300/.380/.490. The lefty-swinger shows no platoon splits.

Ceiling: 4.5-win player

Risk: Moderate

MLB ETA: 2020

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3. Patrick Sandoval, LHP

FB CB SL CH Command Overall 55 60 50 65 45 55

Background: It was a deal that barely made a ripple in the headlines – especially outside of the Angels’ and Astros’ reach. But Halos received a lot more than a just a middle tier prospect – with international bonus slot money – when they dealt veteran backstop Martin Maldonado near the trade deadline two years ago. Sandoval, a 6-foot-3, 190-pound southpaw, continued his rapid ascension through the minor leagues which culminated with his late-season call up to The Show. Taken by the Astros in the 11th round out of Mission Viejo High School five years ago, Sandoval pressed – heavily – on the accelerator beginning in 2017 as he made stops at three different levels (the New York-Penn League, the Midwest League, and the Carolina League). The underrated southpaw – once again – split time across three levels the following year as well, making 14 appearances in Low Class A, eight in both organizations’ High Class A affiliates, and capped it off with an impressive four-game stint with Mobile. When the dust finally settled on his second whirlwind campaign Sandoval tossed a career best 122.1 innings with a whopping 145 strikeouts and just 29 walks to go along with a 2.06 ERA. And for the third straight season, Sandoval’s 2019 campaign involved stops at three different levels – including a 10-game stint with the Angels. The left-hander tossed 80.1 innings with Mobile and Salt Lake, fanning 98 and walking 42 to go along with a 5.71 ERA. He threw an additional 39.1 innings with the Angels, recording a 42-to-19 K-to-BB ratio.

Scouting Report: It was – admittedly – a rough year for Sandoval, despite making it to the big leagues for an extended stint. But…but everything is still in place to become a solid, middle-of-the-rotation caliber starting pitcher for the Angels. Only entering his age-23 season, Sandoval’s fastball sits in the low-90s, averaging 93 mph during his late season call up. He complements it with a pair of plus secondary pitches: a mid-80s changeup that (A) he’ll throw in any count, in any situation and (B) has become one of the better ones in the minor leagues; his curveball, an upper-70s offering, adds a third swing-and-miss offering with sharp, late bite. He’ll also mix in a standard, rather vanilla 50-grade slider. The bumps in the road last season were largely from a regression from his normally sharp command / control. The pinpoint accuracy he showed in 2018 may prove to be an anomaly, but last season’s showing will be on the opposite side of the spectrum.

Ceiling: 3.0- to 3.5-win player

Risk: Moderate

MLB ETA: 2022

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4. Jordyn Adams, CF

Hit Power SB Patience Glove Overall 45/55 40/45 50 55 55 50

Background: Sandwiched in between a couple of highly touted pitchers in Matthew Liberatore and Brady Singer; Adams, the 17th overall pick two years ago, already reached High Class A before he turned 20-years-old. After batting a respectable .267/.361/.381 in 29 games between both rookie league affiliates, Adams opened up last season with the Burlington Bees in the Midwest League. The front office brass bumped the promising young center fielder up to High Class A in mid-August for the remainder of the year. The 6-foot-2, 180-pounder hit an aggregate .257/.351/.369 with 17 doubles, three triples, eight homeruns, and 16 stolen bases (in 22 attempts) – which includes a three-game cameo in the Arizona Summer League following a brief stint on the disabled list.

Scouting Report: Consider the following:

Since 2006, only two 19-year-old hitters met the following criteria in the Midwest League (min. 300 PA): a DRC+ total between 118 and 128, a double-digit walk rate, and a strikeout rate between 21 and 23%. Those two hitters: Taylor Trammell, who (A) is one of the best prospects in baseball and (B) was highly coveted by the Padres in the Trevor Bauer three-team deal, and – of course – Jordyn Adams.

Very raw, but making plenty of important strides to his offensive game; Adams does a lot of things well with a few – correctable – flaws. He shows above-average patience and a strong nose for first base; blazing speed and the production and efficiency to match it on the base paths and in center field; and strong contact skills. The lone lagging skill: the thump in his bat. But it’s improving. Adams is beginning to loft the ball more frequently and he has the potential to belt out 15 or so homeruns down the line. He may never develop into a true impact player at the big league level, but he’s going to settle in quite nicely as an above-average regular.

Ceiling: 2.5- to 3.0-win player

Risk: Moderate

MLB ETA: 2021/2022

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5. Arol Vera, SS

Hit Power SB Patience Glove Overall 30/50 35/50+ 30 N/A 50 50

Background: One of the more highly touted players on the international market last summer, Vera, who was picked by MLB.com as the ninth best prospect, agreed to a deal worth $2.2 million – not bad money for a 16-year-old kid.

Scouting Report: Pretty solid swing from either side of the plate. One of the things I look for in teenage hitter is how well they utilize their lower half of their body at the plate. And Vera’s significantly better at it than, say, the Angels’ 2019 second round pick Kyren Paris. Vera creates a tremendous amount of torque that – barring any contact issues – will lead to 20-homer pop down the line. And the best part: he should be able to remain at third base. Vera could be a Top 100 Prospect within a year or two.

Ceiling: 2.5-win player

Risk: Moderate

MLB ETA: 2024

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Hit Power SB Patience Glove Overall 40/45 60 35 50 45/50 50

Background: A second round pick out of St. Luke’s Episcopal School two years ago; Jackson, a wiry, strong-wristed middle infielder, turned in a solid debut as he split time between the Arizona Summer and Pioneer Leagues. In 43 combined games, he slugged .254/.314/.491 with 10 doubles, five triples, and seven homeruns to go along with 10 stolen bases in 12 attempts. Last season Jackson returned to the Orem Owlz and – simply put – was historic. The 6-foot, 165-pound middle infielder tied the Pioneer League homerun record by belting out 23 dingers in only 65 games. He shares the record with the immortal Gregory Morrison, a 71st round draft pick who slugged .448/.473/.826 in 69 games with the Medicine Hat Blue Jays in 1997. Morrison, by the way, was the 1,632nd player chosen that year. Along with all the dingers, Jackson batted .266/.333/.605 with 14 doubles, two triples, and five stolen bases (in six attempts). His overall production, as determined by Deserved Runs Created Plus, topped the league average threshold by just 11%.

Scouting Report: Consider the following:

Since 2006, here’s the list of 19-year-old hitters to post a DRC+ total between 105 and 115 in the offensive-friendly environment known as the Pioneer League (min. 250 PA): Jacob Scavuzzo, Stryker Trahan, Chris Dennis, Brandon Allen, Hainley Statie, Julio Carreras, and Jeremiah Jackson. But here’s the kicker, unfortunately: only one player’s strikeout rate topped 26.5% and that’s Jackson’s.

Plus power from an up-the-middle position is always sought after. And Jackson offers up plenty of thump – clearly. But then, again, so did Brandon Wood. Jackson’s swing-and-miss tendencies were apparent during his debut season as he fanned in 30.8% of his plate appearances. And he upped the ante even further by whiffing in one-third of his plate appearances last season. And that’s likely the reason why he found himself back in the advanced rookie league instead of moving up to Low Class A in 2019. He’s still young enough to tweak the swing / approach at the plate, but he could very easily get chewed up when he reaches High Class A or Class AA. Boom or bust type prospect – just like Wood.

Ceiling: 2.0-win player

Risk: Moderate to High

MLB ETA: 2022

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7. Chris Rodriguez, RHP

FB CB SL CH Command Overall 60 50 55 50 45 50

Background: It’s been a rough couple of years for the 2016 over-slot fourth rounder. A stress reaction in his back forced him to miss the entirety of the 2018 season. And – for a fleeting moment – it looked like Rodriguez had moved past the injury. Except after three brief starts in the California League, which spanned just 9.1 innings, before a stress fracture forced the promising right-hander under the knife for surgery. He finished the year with 13 punch outs and four walks without surrendering an earned run.

Scouting Report: The good news: Rodriguez’s repertoire came roaring back before the stress fracture shut him down for good. During his first start against the Lake Elsinore Storm, the San Diego Padres’ High Class A affiliate, the 6-foot-2, 185-pound right-hander’s fastball was pumping 94- to 95-mph with added life; his slider flashed some wicked potential as a true swing-and-miss offering; his curveball was a solid 50-grade; and the changeup still looked like he was feeling his way around with it. At this point, Rodriguez remains a true wild card. He could easily vault himself up the organization’s prospect list within a year if he can remain healthy. If there is a silver lining to missing two years – or basically two years – it’s the fact that it was a non-arm issue. He still looks like a capable #4.

Ceiling: 2.0-win player

Risk: Moderate to High

MLB ETA: 2022/2023

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Hit Power SB Patience Glove Overall 45 40/45 40 50+ 55 45

Background: Added to the organization during the same 2015 draft class that included the likes of Taylor Ward (the 26th overall pick) and David Fletcher (195th). Jones, the 70th overall pick, has had a rough go of it over the past two seasons. Once considered a Top 100 Prospect by some publications, Jones faltered – greatly – in his return to High Class A in 2018 as he batted a lowly .235/.338/.383. But despite the 20-year-old’s offensive struggles, the front office – aggressively – pushed him up to Class AA during the second half of the year. He predictably struggled. Last season Jones, unsurprisingly, found himself back with the Mobile BayBears. And the results were…well…the same. In 130 games he batted .234/.308/.324 with 22 doubles, three triples, and five homeruns to go along with nine stolen bases in 20 attempts. His overall production, according to Deserved Runs Created Plus, was a whopping 21% below the league average mark. Jones’ bat did – however – seem to come around during his second stint in the Arizona Fall League as he slugged .302/.377/.509 in 16 games with the Mesa Solar Sox.

Scouting Report: Well, it wasn’t exactly a bounce back season for Jones – and that’s putting it mildly. However, he was showing some signs of putting it all together as the season progressed. After batting a lowly .195/.260/.278 over his first 78 games, Jones cobbled together a .292/.370/.391 triple-slash line over his final 55 regular season games. And that’s not including his terrific stint in the Arizona Fall League. The power hasn’t developed as expected, though he’s only entering his age-22 season, but his batted ball data is showing signs of an improvement: he posted his lowest groundball rate of his career (42.1%). One more final note: the former center fielder was otherworldly on the defensive side of the ball during his second season at the keystone. I think it’s still too early to give up on him.

Ceiling: 1.5- to 2.0-win player

Risk: Moderate

MLB ETA: 2020/2021

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9. Jack Kochanowicz, RHP

FB CB CH Command Overall 55/60 55 50 40/45 45

Background: After taking North Carolina State University shortstop Will Wilson – who was subsequently dealt to the Giants along with the remaining $12 million on Zack Cozart’s contract – and fellow shortstop Kyren Paris with their first two draft picks, the Angels dipped their toes into the pitching pool and fished out tall, lanky right-hander Jack Kochanowicz in the third round. The 92nd overall pick, the 6-foot-6, 220-pound prep star signed for $1.25 million, nearly twice the recommender slot bonus. Kochanowicz was committed to attend collegiate power house University of Virginia.

Scouting Report: A very intriguing prep arm from Harriton High School. Kochanowicz’s above-average fastball sits in the low 90s and has considerable room for growth as he adds strength to his slender 6-foot-6 frame. His curveball adds a second above-average, potential swing-and-miss weapon to his arsenal. And the teenage hurler will mix in a solid average changeup. One more final thought: his $1.25 million bonus is equivalent to a mid second round selection, roughly the value assigned to the 57th overall selection.

Ceiling: 1.5- to 2.0-win player

Risk: Moderate

MLB ETA: 2022/2023

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10. Jose Soriano, RHP

FB CB CH Command Overall 70 65 45 40/45 45

Background: Equipped with – arguably – the best heater in the entire Angels farm system. Soriano spent the 2016 and 2017 seasons moving through the foreign and stateside rookie leagues and made the leap up to Low Class A two years ago. The 6-foot-3, 168-pound, firebolt slinging right-hander posted a 42-to-35 strikeout-to-walk ratio in 46.1 innings spread across 14 starts with Burlington. Unsurprisingly, the Dominican hurler found himself back in the Midwest League for a do-over – or at least in hopes of showing signs of improved control / command. And despite missing roughly two months on the disabled list, Soriano tossed a career-best 82.1 innings with 92 strikeouts and 51 walks with the Bees. He compiled a 2.55 ERA and a 4.40 DRA.

Scouting Report: Along with the – slight – uptick in his ability to throw more consistent strikes, Soriano made a few important developmental strides in 2019. After simply overpowering the Low Class A with his 70-grade fastball two years ago, there were plenty of times where Soriano shook off the catcher’s sign for a fastball and wanted to throw an offspeed pitch. And, to me, that’s an important building block in the development of a young pitcher. Beyond that, his curveball was simply unhittable at times – easily a plus pitch with fall-off-the-table-type late movement. And he wasn’t afraid to mix in his changeup late last season as well. It’s not good, but the willingness to mix it in is encouraging. His fastball / curveball combo is reminiscent of Pittsburgh’s Mitch Keller. The problem, of course, is that he walks too many hitters. In his 17 appearances with Burlington last season, we walked (A) one or fewer hitters just twice and (B) two or fewer hitters just eight times. He’s still likely headed down the relief path, but there’s incredible potential as a starting pitcher though it seems like an unreachable dream at this point.

Ceiling: 1.5- to 2.0-win player

Risk: Moderate

MLB ETA: 2022

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Statistics provided by FanGraphs, BaseballReference, BaseballProspectus, ClayDavenport, and TheBaseballCube.