Where Angels' Top 30 prospects are starting season

Where Angels' Top 30 prospects are starting season

April 4th, 2018

With the 2018 season getting started, here's a look at where the Angels' Top 30 prospects are projected to start the season:
1. (MLB No. 1), RHP/OF -- Los Angeles Angels (MLB)
2. Jo Adell (MLB No. 62), OF -- Burlington Bees (A)
3. Kevin Maitan (MLB No. 87), SS -- Extended spring training
4. Jahmai Jones (MLB No. 93), OF -- Inland Empire 66ers (A Adv)
5. Brandon Marsh, OF -- Burlington Bees (A)
6. Chris Rodriguez, RHP -- Burlington Bees (A) - DL
7. , RHP -- Salt Lake Bees (AAA)
8. Griffin Canning, RHP -- Inland Empire 66ers (A Adv)
9. , 1B -- Mobile BayBears (AA)
10. , OF -- Salt Lake Bees (AAA)
11. , RHP -- Mobile BayBears (AA)
12. Jose Suarez, LHP -- Inland Empire 66ers (A Adv)
13. Jose Soriano, RHP -- Extended spring training
14. Taylor Ward, C -- Mobile BayBears (AA)
15. Leonado Rivas, SS -- Burlington Bees (A)
16. Livan Soto, SS -- Extended spring training
17. , RHP -- Salt Lake Bees (AAA)
18. Nonie Williams, SS -- Extended spring training
19. Stiward Aquino, RHP -- Extended spring training
20. , RHP -- Salt Lake Bees (AAA)
21. Brennon Lund, OF -- Mobile BayBears (AA)
22. , RHP -- Los Angeles Angels (MLB)
23. Jerryell Rivera, LHP -- Extended spring training
24. , SS -- Salt Lake Bees (AAA)
25. Trent Deveaux, OF -- Extended spring training
26. Luis Pena, RHP -- Mobile BayBears (AA)
27. Cole Duensing, RHP -- Extended spring training
28. , RHP -- Mobile BayBears (AA)
29. Joe Gatto, RHP -- Inland Empire 66ers (A Adv)
30. John Swanda, RHP -- Extended spring training

• Angels prospect coverage | Angels Top 30 prospects stats
Team to watch
The Double-A Mobile BayBears have the most Top 30 prospects, with seven, but the Class A Burlington Bees in the Midwest League might be the most fun team in the system to watch. Checking out a pair of incredibly toolsy outfielders in Joe Adell and Brandon Marsh would be worth the price of admission by itself, but if you wait a little bit, you'll get high-upside right-hander Chris Rodriguez once he's healthy. All three are in the team's top six. Add in No. 15 Leonardo Rivas, the infielder who reached Burlington last year at age 19, and that's a fun quartet to check out.
Where baseball's top prospects are starting the 2018 season
Teams on MiLB.TV
Salt Lake Bees
Mobile BayBears
Inland Empire 66ers
Orem Owlz
New faces
When the Braves were penalized for violations of baseball's rules on signing international free agents by having 12 previously signed players set free, the Angels benefitted. They signed both No. 3 prospect Kevin Maitan for $2.2 million and No. 16 Livan Soto for $850K. The middle infielders will both start the year in extended spring training, awaiting assignment.
The Angels had been active on the international market earlier last summer, going to the Bahamas to sign speedster Trent Deveaux. The super-athletic outfielder got $1.2 million to sign. At age 17, he'll also get work in extended spring training before starting his pro career.
Players taken in the previous Draft typically go out and make their debuts that summer. Griffin Canning, the team's second-round pick last June, didn't pitch as a precaution, but he's ready to go and headed to Inland Empire.
The early part of Luke Bard's career was slowed by injury, but he made it to Triple-A with the Twins in 2017. When he wasn't protected from the Rule 5 Draft, the Angels nabbed him and he stuck, landing a spot in the big league bullpen.
The newest addition to the list is Miguel Almonte, who was designated for assignment by the Royals on Monday and acquired for cash considerations or a player to be named later earlier today. The right-hander has a pair of plus pitches, but has struggled with consistency throughout his career.
On the shelf
The Angels are very excited about Chris Rodriguez's upside, but they'll have to wait a bit to see him take on the Midwest League this year. A stress reaction in his back this spring has landed him on Burlington's DL to start the year.