For the last couple of years, any talk of the Angels farm system revolved around premium athletes. Even with the graduation of Jo Adell to the big leagues -- and we’re still bullish on that young outfielder’s future -- there are a lot of players on this year’s Top 30 list that fit that bill.

It starts at the top of the list with outfielder Brandon Marsh, who should be ready to join Adell in the big league outfield soon. And after Marsh, the top of this list is chock full of up-the-middle players, both of the infield and outfield variety. Middle infielders are a definite strength, with eight shortstops in the Top 30.

The Angels have used the international market as much as just about any organization, with 13 of the 27 homegrown players on the list scouted and signed as international amateurs. Most of them are still far away from reaching Los Angeles, so patience is needed.

While the system gets more recognition for its athletic position players, there is reason for some optimism on the mound. The addition of 2020 first-rounder Reid Detmers, who has the chance to be a quick to the big leagues college lefty, and the return to health of right-hander Chris Rodriguez gives the Angels two legitimate starting pitching prospects in the top five.

Here's a look at the Angels' top prospects:
1. Brandon Marsh, OF (MLB No. 53)
2. Reid Detmers, LHP (MLB No. 74)
3. Jordyn Adams, OF
4. Chris Rodriguez, RHP
5. Jeremiah Jackson, SS/2B
Complete Top 30 list »

Biggest jump/fall
Here are the players whose ranks changed the most from the 2020 preseason list to the 2021 preseason list.

Jump: Davis Daniel, RHP (2020: NR | 2021: 20) – A seventh-round pick in 2019 out of Auburn, Daniel didn’t pitch after signing in 2019 because he had undergone Tommy John surgery that April, but he made a very strong first impression at instructs last year.

Fall: Kevin Maitan, 3B (2020: 24 | 2021: NR) – Once thought to be one of the top international signees of all time, one who was made a free agent from the Braves after they broke international signing rules, Maitain has struggled to hit (.636 OPS), though he’s still just 21.

Top 30s:
ALW: HOU | LAA | OAK | SEA | TEX
ALC: CLE | CWS | DET | KC | MIN
ALE: BAL | BOS | NYY | TB | TOR
NLW: ARI | COL | LAD | SD | SF
NLC: CHC | CIN | MIL | PIT | STL
NLE: ATL | MIA | NYM | PHI | WSH

Best tools
Players are graded on a 20-80 scouting scale for future tools -- 20-30 is well below average, 40 is below average, 50 is average, 60 is above average and 70-80 is well above average. Players in parentheses have the same grade.

Hit: 60 – Brandon Marsh
Power: 55 – Jeremiah Jackson (Alexander Ramirez)
Run: 80 – Jordyn Adams (Trent Deveaux)
Arm: 60 – Brandon Marsh (William Holmes, Jose Bonilla)
Defense: 60 – Brandon Marsh (Jordyn Adams)
Fastball: 70 – Jose Alberto Rivera
Curveball: 60 – Reid Detmers
Slider: 55 – Chris Rodriguez
Changeup: 55 – Chris Rodriguez (Jose Alberto Rivera, Willliam Holmes)
Control: 55 – Reid Detmers (Chris Rodriguez)

How they were built
Draft: 14 | International: 13 | Trade: 1 | Free agent: 1 | Rule 5: 1

Breakdown by ETA
2021: 5 | 2022: 9 | 2023: 7 | 2024: 8 | 2025: 1

Breakdown by position
SS: 8 | OF: 7 | RHP: 12 | LHP: 3