Where to Watch Angels Prospects in 2016

A few days after the start of the MLB regular season comes the start of the MiLB regular season—that’s today!—and with that comes an important moment for prospect enthusiasts. It’s an important time because we find out where every prospect is placed, and their placement ultimately dictates how the club views them. If a player is held down at a level instead of being promoted, for instance, it tells us as fans that the club might think the player requires more development. (It’s also just fun to know where to look out for the next generation of Angels talent.)

With that in mind, here’s where many of the best Angels prospects—i.e. those in our Top 30 who are playing full-season ball*, plus a few more—will begin the 2016 season:

Burlington Bees — Single-A 

Joe Gatto – RHP
Prospect Ranking: #5

Currently the best pitching prospect the Angels have. RHP with mid-rotation potential.

Grayson Long – RHP
Prospect Ranking: #6

The best collegiate pitching prospect the Angels picked up last draft. RHP with mid or backend rotation potential. A little bit of a surprise he isn’t at Inland Empire.

Brendon Sanger – OF
Prospect Ranking: #15

Shocked the Angels kept him in A Ball. Beautiful LH swing, good plate discipline, speed and gap power.

Alex Abbott – OF
Prospect Ranking: #24

Just oozes upside as an OF. Good power/speed potential.

Michael Pierson – 3B
Prospect Ranking: N/A

Torched Orem last season. Collegiate hitter with good all around game.

Inland Empire 66ers — High-A 

Taylor Ward – C
Prospect Ranking: #1

Elite defensive catcher, showed a ton of ability with the bat upon being drafted. Could end up being a VERY good player in the major leagues someday.

Roberto Baldoquin – SS
Prospect Ranking: #9a

High-profile Cuban signee, struggled in his first year stateside. Came to Spring Training having added considerable muscle, swing and confidence soared and were on display in Spring Training. We should get a better look at who he really is this year.

Ayendy Perez – OF
Prospect Ranking: #14

Perez is a lightning-quick slap hitter that Rookie and A Ball simply haven’t been able to contain yet. He may be a fourth outfielder, or he may turn into a legitimate leadoff hitter in the major leagues someday.

David Fletcher – SS
Prospect Ranking: #20

Very good defensive shortstop with great plate discipline and decent speed. Had a great Spring Training, opened a lot of eyes. A continuation of the impressive performance he had in A Ball after being drafted.

Tim Arakawa – 2B
Prospect Ranking: #22

Fletcher’s double play partner over at second base. Outstanding swing, good gap power and plate discipline for a middle infielder.

Arkansas Travelers — Double-A 

Chad Hinshaw – OF
Prospect Ranking: #8

Should really be in Triple-A after hitting over .280 with a near-.400 OBP in Double-A last year. But the Angels have so much Eppler-created OF depth in Salt Lake that Hinshaw will again return to Double-A.

Victor Alcantara – RHP
Prospect Ranking: #12

Mid to upper 90’s fastball and a very good slider; adds a solid change up too. Struggles with command, so future might be in bullpen. Opened some eyes in spring training.

Kyle McGowin – RHP
Prospect Ranking: #16

Low-90’s fastball, very good slider, and developing change-up. Back-end type of starter.

Eduardo Paredes – RHP
Prospect Ranking: #18

Reliever with a darting mid-90’s fastball and very crisp slider.

Bo Way – OF
Prospect Ranking: #19

Good defensive OF with leadoff hitter type of profile. Looks like he could make a good fourth outfielder in the future.

Salt Lake Bees — Triple-A

Kyle Kubitza – 3B
Prospect Ranking: #2

Looked like he may enter camp as the leading candidate for third base, but then the Angels acquired Yunel Escobar and Kubitza just didn’t impress in Spring Training yet again. It’ll be interesting where he plays at Salt Lake. He’s behind Cowart at third, behind Navarro and Yarbrough at second, and may be behind Ortega/Cunningham in left.

Jett Bandy – C
Prospect Ranking: #4

Very good defensive catcher with plus athleticism and power. Occasionally plus plate discipline too. Should spend some time in Anaheim this year, looks to be Perez’s future platoon mate.

Kaleb Cowart – 3B
Prospect Ranking: #7

One of the best defensive third baseman you’ll ever see. Torched Triple-A with the bat last year, but that may be unsustainable. Well find out this year. Could either be an All-Star or a Quad-A type.

Alex Yarbrough – 2B
Prospect Ranking: #10

Once looked to be the heir apparent at second base for the Angels, but had a dud of a year in Triple-A. Has grown into a good defensive second baseman, former Double-A MVP as a hitter. If he refigures it out at the plate, Yarbrough could be a decent major league second baseman.

Greg Mahle – LHP
Prospect Ranking: #21

Very impressive in spring training. Hard fastball for a lefty, multiple arm angles. Death for left-handed batters. Should have made the team out of camp, but will be up in the majors at some point.

Newcomers

Ji-Man Choi – 1B/LF
Prospect Ranking: #9b

Choi made the major league team and will fill a variety of roles for the Angels. He’s an excellent defensive first baseman and will come in the game as a late-inning defensive replacement. Choi can also back up in left field where Nava/Gentry will be playing. He’s also a lefty, so he’ll be doing quite a bit of pinch hitting, and as an on-base and power threat, Choi should be the first man off the bench anyway.

Rey Navarro – UTIL
Prospect Ranking: N/A

A very good defensive middle infielder, hit .276 in his first taste of major league ball. Above all else, he should be able to play a solid defensive second base and make contact.

Rafael Ortega – OF
Prospect Ranking: N/A

Ortega is a great defensive outfielder who has the ability to hit for average, make contact, get on base and steal some bases. Should be the first position player called up.

Out of the Org

Natanael Delgado – OF
Prospect Ranking: #13

Traded for LHP Chris Jones, who has a solid track record and could work out of the rotation or bullpen in Triple-A.

Hunter Green – LHP
Prospect Ranking: #25

The 23-year-old has elected to retire. Former second round pick with a first round billing. Had enticing stuff but simply couldn’t stay healthy.

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*Players like Jahmai Jones (#3), Julio Garcia (#28), and Sam Pastrone (#30) won’t suit up until the summer, when short-season ball starts.