ANAHEIM — Baseball America describes this year’s amateur draft class as one “built on quality depth more than top-end talent,” but if the Angels want to use the second overall pick on another college player they can fast-track to the big leagues – like they’ve done with their last three first-round picks – they’ll have plenty of attractive options.
At least three of the top four college pitchers – Louisiana State left-hander Kade Anderson, Tennessee left-hander Liam Doyle, Florida State left-hander Jamie Arnold and Oklahoma right-hander Kyson Witherspoon – will be available in Sunday night’s first round, depending on who the Washington Nationals take with the first pick.
Or, if the Angels wanted to take more risk and choose a prep star like they did with Jo Adell in 2017 and Jordyn Adams in 2018. At least three of the top four high school players – Stillwater (Okla.) shortstop Ethan Holliday, Fort Cobb-Broxton (Okla.) shortstop Eli Willits, the son of former Angels outfielder Reggie Willits, and Corona High pitcher Seth Hernandez and shortstop Billy Carlson – will be available.
Most mock drafts have the Angels choosing a pitcher with their top pick – understandable considering the lack of high-end starting pitching in the organization.
Anderson has drawn comparisons to New York Yankees left-hander Max Fried because of his tall and lanky 6-foot-2, 180-pound frame. While not overpowering, he has good command of a four-pitch mix that he used to go 12-1 with a 3.18 ERA in 19 starts, striking out 180 and walking 35, to lead LSU to the College World Series title.
The 6-foot-2, 220-pound Doyle, who went 10-4 with a 3.48 ERA in 19 games for Tennessee, striking out 164 and walking 32 in 95⅔ innings, has the best fastball in the college class, a four-seamer that sits comfortably in the mid-90s and touches 99 mph.
The 6-foot-1, 192-pound Arnold features a fastball that can touch 97 mph, a mid-80s sweeper/slider that is one of the best in this year’s class, and a deceptive delivery he used to go 8-2 with a 2.98 ERA in 15 games for Florida State, striking out 119 and walking 27 in 84⅔ innings.
The 6-foot-2, 206-pound Witherspoon combines a mid-90s fastball with a plus curveball, slider and cutter, a well-rounded arsenal he used to go 10-4 with a 2.65 ERA in 16 starts for Oklahoma, striking out 124 and walking 23 in 95 innings.
No matter what direction they go – college or high school – the Angels will be flush with options for their highest pick since they chose outfielder Darin Erstad with the first overall pick of the 1995 draft.
Erstad, the former Nebraska star, received a $1.575-million signing bonus, and seven years later, he helped the Angels win their only World Series title in 2002.
The cost of doing business has gone up since then. The second pick in this year’s draft is assigned a slot value of $10.25 million. The Angels will have three other picks on the first day, No. 47 overall ($2.08 million), No. 79 ($1.027 million) and No. 105 ($729,600). Their total bonus pool allotment is $16.656 million.
GOVERNOR SWITCH
Some of Zach Neto’s throws from shortstop have lacked their usual zip this month, raising concern he might be feeling some discomfort in the surgically repaired right shoulder that he injured on a head-first slide into second in a June 24 game against Boston.
Not to worry, Neto said.
“My shoulder is feeling good, better than before – I’m just trying to find that happy medium between when and when not to use my arm,” Neto said. “I’m not gonna be 24 forever. I’m not gonna be 25 forever.
“So I’m trying to get used to holding something back, like when to use and not use my arm, when to slide feet-first, when to slide head-first. I think that will help with my longevity.”
There is probably no better example of a shortstop conserving his throwing arm than the one who left town Thursday night, Texas Rangers star Corey Seager.
“He throws with what he needs, just about every time,” Angels interim manager Ray Montgomery said.
UP NEXT
Diamondbacks (RHP Merrill Kelly, 7-5, 3.41 ERA) at Angels (RHP Jose Soriano, 6-6, 4.00 ERA), Sunday, 1:07 p.m., FDSN West, 830 AM.