It wasn’t too long ago that the Los Angeles Angels had one of the worst farm system in baseball, if not the worst.

But after several years spent adding talent via the Draft, trades and the international market, the Angels now boast a system that’s teeming with fast-rising, high-ceiling prospects.

“We have waves of talent, and that’s something organizations strive for,” Angels director of Minor League operations Mike LaCassa said. “It’s taken time for us to get to this point, but it’s the first time in my career with this organization that I feel like we have those waves.”

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Those waves came into focus in 2018 as several of the organization’s top prospects began to speed through the Minors, climbing multiple levels and in the process boosting their stocks.

“We had a significant number of players play at three levels last year,” LaCassa said. “I would say that’s not necessarily the normal path, but we’re not afraid to challenge players when they prove to us that they are ready for the next challenge. That’s what Jo did last year.”

LaCassa, of course, is referring to Angels top prospect Jo Adell (No. 14 overall). The No. 10 overall pick in the 2017 Draft, Adell ascended from Class A Burlington to Double-A Mobile in his first full season, slashing .290/.355/.543 with 20 homers and 32 doubles at age 19.

Griffin Canning, the Angels’ second-round pick in ’17 and No. 2 prospect, also scaled three levels in his first full season, finishing the year on the cusp of the Majors at Triple-A Salt Lake. Altogether, the 22-year-old right-hander compiled a 3.65 ERA and 125 strikeouts over 113 1/3 innings.

“Just from a scouting perspective, the way that he will analyze his video and break down his outing the day after is very advanced,” said LaCassa about Canning, MLB Pipeline’s No. 63 overall prospect.

“He’s someone who we’re able to challenge with different tasks like trying to execute different pitches in different situations -- stuff that’s definitely beyond his years in terms of pro-ball experience.”

Lefty Jose Suarez (Angels’ No. 5) progressed through the Minors nearly in lockstep with Canning, with both hurlers making the bulk of their 2018 starts in Triple-A. At 20 years old, he was one of the youngest players at the Minors’ highest level.

“He has as much confidence as of any pitcher in our system,” said LaCassa about Suarez, who posted a 3.92 ERA with 142 strikeouts over 117 innings last year.

“Some may look at his stature and see he’s 5-foot-10, but he’s one of our better athletes, very strong relative to his size and has an absolute pit bull mindset when he’s on the mound.

“A ton of credit has to go to our scouting departments, amateur and international, as well as our pro scouting,” he continued. “That’s really step one: getting the right players in the door. And through some of the systems we’ve built up in player development, we’ve been able to take those high-end athletes, with off-the-charts makeup and character that our scouts bring to us … we’re able to help them excel and help them maximize their tools.”

Camp standouts

Adell was a fixture in the Angels’ lineup this spring and off to a hot start before suffering a Grade 2-plus right ankle sprain and a Grade 1-plus left hamstring strain during Saturday’s Cactus League game against the Cubs.

He owned a .391 average with two doubles and three RBIs through his first 11 games before the injuries, which will sideline him for 10 to 12 weeks.

Angels No. 21 prospect Jared Walsh -- another three-level climber in 2018 -- is showcasing in big league camp his potential to contribute with both his powerful left-handed bat and arm.

A 39th-round senior signing out of Georgia in 2015, the first baseman-outfielder erupted to hit .277/.359/.536 with 29 homers and 34 doubles last season, playing at least 40 games at three different levels and finishing in Triple-A.

“He figured out some things with his rhythm and timing last year that really allowed him to break out. He averaged over 92 mph with his exit velocities,” LaCassa said about the 25-year-old slugger.

Walsh also pitched at all three stops, registering a 1.59 ERA with seven strikeouts in 5 2/3 frames spanning eight appearances.

“He’s always shown off plus arm strength,” noted LaCassa, “and we’ve given him the opportunity -- dating back to when he first entered the organization in 2015 -- to come into games a couple times per year.

“Last year those situations showed up a few more times than in the past, and frankly with what we’ve seen from him is the ability to sit in the low 90s and flash some interesting secondary stuff, we’re now challenging him to be a two-way player.”

Walsh has hit safely in five of the 11 games this spring, posting an overall line of .278/.435/.500 with four doubles and five RBIs. He’s also reached base four times via walks.

On the mound, Walsh has yet to allow a hit while making four appearances out of the Angels’ bullpen. He tossed a perfect frame in each of his first three appearances.

Walsh issued three walks and allowed three earned runs in his most recent outing, though all three runs scored after he had departed the game with two outs and the bases loaded.