Angels won't draft 20 pitchers again ... right?

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ANAHEIM -- The Angels made history in the 2021 Draft, as they went 20-for-20 in selecting pitchers, drafting 19 college arms and one high schooler. It marked the first time in MLB history that a club selected only pitchers in a Draft.

But the Angels aren’t expected to repeat that strategy for this year’s 20-round Draft, which will be held from Sunday to Tuesday. The Angels have the No. 13 overall selection in the Draft on Sunday, but forfeited their second-round pick after signing Noah Syndergaard to a one-year deal because he rejected the qualifying offer from the Mets. It’s also the club’s first Draft under new scouting director Tim McIlvaine.

“The Draft prep has been great,” Angels general manager Perry Minasian said. “Our staff has been here since July 6. We’ve been going through a lot of players. We all know the importance of it and having a quality Minor League system and being able to build from within. We don’t take the Draft lightly. This is the part where you get in the room and you have debates and see how things line up.”

Minasian pointed out that last year’s Draft featured a lot of premium college pitching because of the players who returned to school in 2021 after the COVID-19 pandemic shortened the '20 season. The Angels also didn’t come into last year’s Draft set on only taking pitchers; as he said it just happened to work out that way.

This year’s Draft is heavier on position players, but the Angels have still been linked to a few pitchers with their first-round pick, including high school left-hander Brandon Barriera and prep right-hander Brock Porter. High school lefty Robby Snelling and collegians Cooper Hjerpe and Gabriel Hughes are also in the mix.

“I know we took a lot of pitching last year, and we could do that this year if that’s what presents itself on the board,” Minasian said. “But we could go the other way if we feel like bats are the strength of the Draft. But McIlvaine and his group have been pretty impressive. It’s gone well.”

First pick and bonus slot: No. 13; $4,410,200
Additional first-day picks: None
Total bonus pool: $7,024,300
Last three first-round picks: RHP Sam Bachman, LHP Reid Detmers, SS Will Wilson
Best pick of the last 10 years, per MLB Pipeline: David Fletcher in 2015