Angels part with scouting director (source)

The Angels parted ways with scouting director Matt Swanson on Wednesday, a Major League source told MLB.com. The club, however, has yet to make an official announcement, and a replacement has not been named.

Swanson, who was hired by the Angels in August 2016, was offered an opportunity to remain in the organization in a different role. He oversaw five Drafts for the Angels, including their most recent one that saw them go 20-for-20 in selecting pitchers. The farm system improved under Swanson but hasn't consistently produced quality Major League players, especially on the pitching side. The Angels featured MLB’s 24th-ranked farm system per MLB Pipeline’s most recent team rankings.

General manager Perry Minasian has been conducting reviews of the club's front office, coaching staff and training staff in recent weeks. The team is reportedly moving on from catching coach José Molina and third-base coach Brian Butterfield, while they hired Connor Hinchliffe as a pitching analyst after his time at Driveline Baseball. Former Cardinals ace Chris Carpenter is also reportedly joining the organization as a mental skills coach for Minor League pitchers. The club has yet to make any announcements about those moves.

Swanson drafted notable players such as outfielder Jo Adell, left-hander Reid Detmers (Angels No. 1 prospect, MLB No. 23 overall per MLB Pipeline) and right-hander Sam Bachman (Angels No. 2, MLB No. 87). But the Angels didn’t get much from their 2017 Draft outside of Adell and right-hander Griffin Canning, while their 2018 Draft featured prospects Jordyn Adams and Jeremiah Jackson and relievers Austin Warren, Andrew Wantz and Kyle Tyler. The 2019 Draft was headlined by shortstop prospect Kyren Paris, but first-rounder Will Wilson was traded to the Giants.

Swanson, 39, previously worked with the Cardinals as a scout and crosschecker from 2008-16. Swanson pitched at Cal and also played in the Minor Leagues with the Pirates from 2005-07.