Los Angeles Angels: Draft Review

General Manager: Tony Reagins
Farm Director: Abe Flores
Scouting Director: Eddie Bane

2006-2009 Draft Results:
First three rounds included
x- over-slot signees ($200,000 or more)

2009 1st Round: Randal Grichuk, OF, Texas HS
1. Mike Trout, OF, New Jersey HS
1S. Tyler Skaggs, LHP, California HS
1S. Garrett Richards, RHP, Oklahoma
1S. Tyler Kehrer, LHP, Eastern Illinois
2. Pat Corbin, LHP, Florida JC
3. Josh Spence, LHP, Arizona State (Did not sign)

Grichuk was not in a lot of first-round conversations prior to the draft, but the organization obviously coveted his raw power. The outfielder had solid numbers is his debut but he was aided by an extremely high BABIP of .418. Overall, his triple-slash numbers were .322/.352/.551 in 236 at-bats. He showed his power potential with an ISO of .229, as well as seven homers and 10 triples. Speed-wise, he was nabbed four times in 10 steal attempts and is considered a below-average runner, despite the double-digit triples. As expected for a young slugger, Grichuk’s strikeout rate was high at 27.1%, while his walk rate was disappointing at 3.5%. Defensively, he’s a modest left fielder.

Trout, like Grichuk, had a stellar debut and also was helped by his BABIP (.430). His triple-slash line in rookie ball was .360/.418/.506. The center-fielder possesses less power (.146 ISO) than his teammate but he is a better all-around player both and a better defender. Trout also has good base running abilities and he stole 13 bases in 15 tries. He received a five-game trial in low-A ball to end the year.

Skaggs made just five appearances after signing but he made an impact by striking out 13 batters, with just two walks, in 10.0 innings of work. Richards had a nice debut, as witnessed by his 2.01 FIP, although he was a college product playing in rookie ball. The right-hander showed excellent control (1.02 BB/9) in 35.1 innings, but he was a little too hittable (37) and his strikeout rate was modest (7.64 K/9). In reality, his low walk rates may have been the result of over-aggressive hitters swinging at everything close to the plate.

Another college product in rookie ball, Kehrer allowed a lot of hits (57 in 55.0 innings) and he showed that his control needs a little work (3.60 BB/9). His strikeout rate was solid at 9.33 K/9 and his FIP (3.91) was better than his ERA (4.75). Corbin may have suffered the same fate as Richards, as a pitcher with a low walk rate (2.14 BB/9) who allowed a lot of hits (59). He was certainly not helped by his BABIP of .385 and his 3.61 FIP was much nicer than his ERA of 5.05.

2008 1st Round: None
2. Tyler Chatwood, RHP, California HS
3. Ryan Chaffee, RHP, Florida JC
3S. Zach Cone, OF, Georgia HS (Did not sign)
11x – Rolando Gomez, SS, Florida HS

Chatwood was shown enough potential that he’s on the club’s Top 10 list. Chaffee had a respectable first full season in low-A ball and he posted good strikeout numbers (9.36 K/9) but his walk rate was high (5.03 BB/9). His walk rate of 54.7% is also encouraging. Gomez returned to rookie ball in ’09 and he had a nice year and a triple-slash line of .304/.408/.464 in 181 at-bats. He stole 12 bases in 16 tries and showed a willingness to take a walk (14.7 BB%), which is great since he projects to be a top-of-the-order hitter.

Will Smith (7th round) was a nice grab. The left-hander doesn’t have great stuff, but he’s posted solid numbers in his career, including 109 hits allowed in 115.0 innings and a walk rate of 1.88 BB/9 in low-A in ’09.

2007 1st Round: None
1S. Jonathan Bachanov, RHP, Florida HS
3. Matt Harvey, RHP, Connecticut HS (Did not sign)

After some early struggles (and health concerns) Bachanov has returned strong and made the club’s Top 10 list. Shortstop Andrew Romine (5th round), older brother to the Yankees’ Austin Romine, looks like a future utility player at the MLB level. Trevor Reckling (8th round) was a steal in his round and is one of the club’s best prospects. Outfielder Terrell Alliman (43rd round) is also worth keeping an eye on. He hit .307/.387/.396 with 12 steals in 202 rookie-ball at-bats in ’09.

2006 1st Round: Hank Conger, C, California HS
3. Russ Moldenhauer, OF, Texas HS (Did not sign)
9x – Nate Boman, LHP, San Diego
12x – Jordan Walden, RHP, Texas HS

Both Conger and Walden are high on the Top 10 list, as you’ll see tomorrow. First baseman Matt Sweeney (8th round) has battled injuries but he has potential. He was traded to Tampa Bay in the Scott Kazmir deal last season. Boman never made it back from injuries. Outfielder Chris Pettit (19th) has the chance to be a successful Major Leaguer.

Up Next: The Los Angeles Angels Top 10 Prospects