Angels engage in arms race in 2013 Draft

The Angels entered the 2013 First-Year Player Draft with the worst farm system in baseball, according to ESPN and Baseball America.

While the Angels' obvious goal was to improve their farm system as a whole, the specific need was to bolster their organizational pitching depth, as seven of its top 10 prospects are position players.

And that's what the team did as it tied a club record -- originally set in 1999 -- selecting a pitcher with each of its first seven selections.

When all was said and done, the Angels drafted 22 pitchers -- 16 right-handers and six lefties.

Recent free-agent signings are among the reasons the Angels' farm system is so depleted.

Due to the signings of Jeff Weaver, Gary Matthews Jr., Justin Speier, Torii Hunter, Scott Downs Albert Pujols, C.J. Wilson and Josh Hamilton, the Angels have been without a first- or second-round selection in six of the last eight seasons.

The Angels did not pick until the second round -- No. 59 overall -- in 2013, but wasted no time selecting a pitcher, as left-hander Hunter Green from Warren East High School in Kentucky was the pick.

As the farm system lacks depth, it was important for the organization to err on the side of caution by avoiding a large number of high school prospects.

While the club used its first pick on Green, there were only four high schoolers selected by the Angels.

In addition to the 22 pitchers, the Angels drafted three catchers, six infielders and eight outfielders.

In the Pipeline: As a whole, the Angels farm system was not widely regarded entering the 2013 First-Year Player Draft.

Specifically, the lack of pitching prospects stood out.

The Angels certainly addressed this problem as 10 of their first eleven picks -- including their first seven selections -- were pitchers. Green is just a high school pitcher, but his potential and upside makes him an intriguing prospect for the Angels.