Despite two generational stars on the Angels’ roster from 2018-23, Los Angeles has yet to make the MLB Playoffs since 2014. One could attribute it to several factors; trades and free agent signings not working out, and, injuries. But, what about the MLB Draft? The Angels haven’t hit big over the last decade but have still landed notable MLB talent. Here’s a look at the Angels’ best and worst draft picks this past decade.
Best Angels Draft Picks Over Last 10 Seasons
| Name | Position | Year Drafted | Round | Career bWAR |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sean Newcomb | P | 2014 | 1 | 2.4 |
| Taylor Ward | C/OF | 2015 | 1 | 7.1 |
| David Fletcher | 2B | 2015 | 6 | 10.5 |
| Brandon Marsh | OF | 2016 | 2 | 8.3 |
| Griffin Canning | P | 2017 | 1 | 4.7 |
| Kyle Bradish | P | 2018 | 4 | 6.1 |
| Reid Detmers | P | 2020 | 1 | 3.3 |
| Zach Neto | SS | 2022 | 1 | 6.8 |
| Ben Joyce | P | 2022 | 3 | 1.7 |
| Nolan Schanuel | 1B | 2023 | 1 | 1.3 |
For a team that has the longest-running playoff drought, the Angels have had success in the MLB Draft over the last decade. Particularly, in the first two days of the yearly event.
The Angels plucked several everyday players and pitchers over the last decade, including Taylor Ward, Brandon Marsh, and Kyle Bradish. Now, did the Angels hit stars? No. But did the Angels grab serviceable names? Absolutely.
Ward, a catcher at Fresno State, recorded two 20+ home run seasons as an outfielder. And out of all the players picked by the Angels over the last decade, no player has a higher bWAR than David Fletcher (10.5).
Now, part of that is largely attributed to his glove. Fletcher has a career OAA of +34. He also finished 17th in MVP voting in 2020 after he notched 66 hits over 49 games for the Angels that season.
However, Zach Neto is close to passing Fletcher in that category. Neto broke out in 2024, as the 13th overall pick in 2024 posted his first 20-20 campaign. Neto blasted 23 home runs, stole 30 bases, and was arguably the Angels’ best player in 2024.
Griffin Canning (2017) and Reid Detmers (2020) also became big leaguers, although neither has lived up to the hype trains that surrounded them. Canning was a first-round caliber talent who’s struggled to stay healthy and command the zone. The same can be said for Detmers, who spun a no-hitter in 2022 and put up gaudy strikeout totals in spurts.
The Angels also hit on another college pitcher, Kyle Bradish. However, the Angels traded him in the 2019-20 offseason for Dylan Bundy.
Worst Angels Draft Picks Over Last 10 Seasons
| Name | Position | Year Drafted | Round | Career bWAR |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Joe Gatto | P | 2014 | 2 | Never played in MLB |
| Jahmai Jones | OF | 2015 | 2 | -0.5 |
| Nonie Williams | ss | 2016 | 3 | Never played in MLB |
| Jacob Pearson | OF | 2017 | 3 | Never played in MLB |
| Jordyn Adams | OF | 2018 | 1 | -0.9 |
| Jeremiah Jackson | 2B/SS | 2018 | 2 | Never played in MLB |
| Will Wilson | SS | 2019 | 1 | Never played in MLB |
The Angels didn’t big on first-round picks over the last decade — until recently. Still, the interesting thing about the Angels is that from 2014-20, all of their first-round picks except for one (Will Wilson) made the Majors. Aside from Jordyn Adams and Wilson, all received significant time at the MLB level.
Now, did all live up to expectations? No. Catcher Matt Thaiss didn’t develop into the power bat many thought he would become while he was at the University of Virginia. Thaiss, the 16th overall pick in 2016, hit 22 home runs thus far in his MLB career.
It would also be tough to put Jo Adell on the “bust” list. Yes, Adell has had his swing-and-miss issues and didn’t live up to expectations set when the Angels picked him 10th overall. On the other hand, Adell’s also been one of the most productive bats from the top of the 2017 MLB Draft. The 25-year-old’s 38 career home runs are fourth among 2017 first-round picks.
But, that doesn’t mean everything has gone smoothly for the Angels, drafting-wise.
The Angels handed out seven-figure bonuses to high schoolers Joe Gatto, Jacob Pearson, and Jeremiah Jackson, all of whom never played in the Majors as of 2024. Jackson, now a Mets prospect, could still make it to the bigs. In his most recent campaign, Jackson hit 19 home runs but hit .205/.245/.373 (.618 OPS) and doesn’t get on base a lot.
2019 first-round pick Will Wilson was a good fielder at NC State and hit for power. However, his bat hasn’t been productive in the upper Minors. Wilson, now with the Giants, is a career .232/.311/.385 hitter.
But arguably the biggest whiff of the Angels’ drafting over the last decade was Jordyn Adams. Adams was a physical specimen and a two-sport star in high school. 24/7 Sports rated Adams as the third-best wide receiver recruit in 2018, ahead of NFL players Ja’Marr Chase and Jaylen Waddle. He chose baseball instead, as Adams took a $4.1M bonus after the Angels drafted him #17.
While still a speedster, Adams’ bat didn’t develop to plan. Adams owns a career MiLB OPS of .710 and struck out a lot (27.3% K%).
Draft picks who did not sign are included in these lists. bWAR figures as of October 2024. Check out how other AL teams, including the Astros and Yankees, have done in the MLB Draft recently.