How the Halos' top prospects are faring

Seven of Angels' top 10 farmhands are in big league camp

March 3rd, 2019

TEMPE, Ariz. -- The Angels have plenty of youth on display this spring with seven of their top 10 prospects and 14 of their top 30 prospects, as ranked by MLB Pipeline, in big league camp.

The Angels’ farm system is on the rise, and it’s clear much of their talent is getting closer to the Majors, as evidenced by the number of prospects seeing action in Cactus League games this spring. Here’s a look at how their Top 10 prospects are faring so far:

No. 1 prospect Jo Adell, CF

Despite being only 19, Adell has impressed, going 4-for-13 with two doubles and two RBIs. He's struck out three times and walked once but has not looked overmatched at the plate. Adell remains an elite fielder and runner, but his bat has come around quicker than many imagined when he was taken with the 10th overall pick in the 2017 Draft. He’s expected to open the year at Double-A Mobile but could reach the Majors later in the season.

No. 2 prospect Griffin Canning, RHP

Canning, 22, has thrown only one inning in Cactus League play, but it was a scoreless frame with a strikeout against the Rockies on Wednesday. He reached Triple-A Salt Lake last year in his first full professional season after being taken in the second round of the 2017 Draft out of UCLA. He’ll begin the season at Triple-A but is considered close to being Major League ready and could step in if any Angels starters get injured or are ineffective.

No. 3 prospect Brandon Marsh, OF

Marsh, 21, has been solid at the plate, going 4-for-10 with four RBIs, three walks and two strikeouts. He did get charged with a throwing error in right field on Friday, but he's an above-average athlete and is regarded as a plus-defender at all three outfield spots. His plate discipline is a good sign, as he's continuing to mature as a hitter. Marsh, a second-round pick in the 2016 Draft, finished last year at Class A Advanced Inland Empire and could open the year there, as he's a bit behind Adell.

No. 4 prospect Jahmai Jones, 2B

Jones has seen action in five games, going 2-for-10 with a walk and five strikeouts. Jones, 21, is working to improve his contact rate, as he struck out 114 times in 123 games between Class A Advanced and Double-A last year. But he's coming off a very strong showing in the Arizona Fall League and comes from a family full of athletes. He possesses speed and sneaky power and has adapted well to his switch to second base from center field. He’s likely to open at Double-A.

No. 5 prospect Jose Suarez. LHP

Suarez, like Canning, is on the cusp of the Majors and has also thrown one scoreless inning this spring. He made 26 starts last year, including 17 at Triple-A and held his own despite being 20 years old last year. His fastball sits in the low 90s but he has good command of his sinking fastball, changeup and curveball. He'll open the year at Triple-A and gives the Angels another young arm who could make his debut in 2019.

No. 7 prospect Luis Rengifo, 2B

Rengifo is competing for a starting infield spot with David Fletcher and Taylor Ward but is more likely to start the season at Triple-A. Rengifo, 22, is 3-for-8 with three RBIs and a stolen base in six games this spring and is coming off a breakout year that saw him reach Triple-A Salt Lake. He hit a combined .299/.399/.452 with 41 stolen bases in 127 games across three levels last year, showcasing on-base skills and speed. The Angels would like him to be a more efficient basestealer, he was caught 16 times last year, but he's close to being ready to be an everyday second baseman in the Majors.

No. 8 prospect Matt Thaiss, 1B

Thaiss has been the club’s best hitter this spring despite going 0-for-3 on Sunday, as he's gone 8-for-16 with three doubles, two triples and a homer in six games. Thaiss, 23, hit .277/.328/.457 in 85 games at Triple-A Salt Lake last year and the Angels want him to continue to improve his power numbers. This spring has been a good sign from Thaiss, who is also working on improving his defense after moving over from catcher after being drafted as the 16th overall pick in the 2016 Draft out of the University of Virginia.