ANAHEIM -- The Angels recently had an infusion of talent into their farm system with the 2022 Draft and the Trade Deadline on Aug. 2.
The Angels had the No. 13 overall pick in the Draft and selected shortstop Zach Neto, who immediately became the club’s No. 2 prospect. He’s right behind catcher Logan O’Hoppe, who was acquired in a trade with the Phillies for outfielder Brandon Marsh. O’Hoppe is the only Angels prospect ranked among MLB Pipeline’s Top 100, as he checks in as the No. 67 overall prospect.
Fellow 2022 Draft picks Jake Madden (No. 9), Caden Dana (No. 11) and Ben Joyce (No. 12) also joined the Angels' Top 30 list. Right-handed reliever Eric Torres, who is having a breakout year with Double-A Rocket City, also joined the club's top prospect list at No. 29.
The Angels also have seen strong years from catcher Edgar Quero (No. 3), lefty Ky Bush (No. 4) and shortstop Denzer Guzman (No. 5), while right-hander Sam Bachman fell to the club's No. 6 prospect, as he's dealt with back issues and lower velocity than expected this season.
Here’s a look at the Angels’ top prospects:
1. Logan O’Hoppe, C (No. 67 overall)
2. Zach Neto, SS
3. Edgar Quero, C
4. Ky Bush, LHP
5. Denzer Guzman, SS
Complete Top 30 list »
Biggest jump/fall
Here are the players whose ranks changed the most from the preseason list:
Jump: Chase Silseth, RHP (Preseason: 18 | Midseason: 7) -- Silseth moved 11 spots after becoming the first player selected in the 2021 Draft reach the Majors. Silseth, 22, has struggled in his first taste of the Majors with a 6.59 ERA in 28 2/3 innings but has been dominant at Double-A Rocket City.
Fall: Arol Vera, SS (Preseason: 3 | Midseason: 20) -- Vera dropped 17 spots, as he's struggled offensively with Single-A Inland Empire this season, batting .207/.289/.291 with four homers, 52 RBIs and 18 stolen bases in 98 games. He's mostly played shortstop but there's a chance he might have to move off the position.
New to the list
Here are the players added to the Top 30 from outside the organization:
No. 1, Logan O’Hoppe, C (Trade with Phillies on Sept. 2)
No. 2, Zach Neto, SS (No. 13 overall pick in 2022 Draft)
No. 9, Jake Madden, RHP (Fourth-round pick in 2022 Draft)
No. 11, Caden Dana, RHP (11th-round pick in 2022 Draft)
Impact callup
Chase Silseth, RHP
The first member of the 2021 Draft class to reach the big leagues, Silseth’s time in the Majors has been uneven since his stunning debut. That hasn’t kept him from absolutely dominating in Double-A, with a 1.91 ERA, 1.02 WHIP, .193 BAA and a K/9 rate over 12. With the Angels looking to the future, why not let him finish out the year in the rotation?
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 -- Zach Neto
Power: 55 -- Logan O’Hoppe (Alexander Ramirez)
Run: 80 -- Jordyn Adams
Arm: 55 -- Arol Vera (Logan O’Hoppe, Denzer Guzman, Jeremiah Jackson, Alexander Ramirez , Kyren Paris)
Defense: 60 -- Jordyn Adams
Fastball: 80 -- Ben Joyce
Curveball: 55 -- Landon Marceaux
Slider: 65 -- Sam Bachman
Changeup: 55 -- Sam Bachman (Landon Marceaux)
Control: 55 -- Landon Marceaux
Senior Reporter Rhett Bollinger covers the Angels for MLB.com. He previously covered the Twins from 2011-18.
