By Taylor Blake Ward, AngelsWin.com Contributor

 

1st Round, 8th Overall

Christian Moore, 2B, Tennessee

R/R, 6'1, 210, 10/21/2002

Scouting Report: Christian Moore is a super physical six-foot-one, 210-pound second baseman with incredible power and hitting prowess. A touted Connecticut prep, Moore was a three-year starter for Tennessee with outstanding offensive performance. Prior to his freshman year, Moore had eye site issues addressed with contact lenses and hit the ground running hitting .305 with a 1.062 OPS as a freshman. He replicated that performance his sophomore year and launched into Tennessee stardom as a junior hitting .375 with a 1.248 OPS and setting a program single-season record with 34 home runs (also set the Tennessee career home run record with 61 total). Moore capped off one of the best pedigrees in Vols history by hitting for just the second cycle in College World Series history and helping lead Tennessee to its first College World Series title. Built like a running back, Moore is a super physical hitter who puts frequent A-swings on balls in the zone, while his combination of pure strength and bat speed can turn even mistake hits into over-the-fence home runs to all fields. It is easy plus power that translates into consistent high exit velocities and 30+ home run projection. He has done a better job of staying compact in his swing this spring, aiding his ability to make consistent contact. There is still aggression in his game with tendencies to over swing or outright miss on breaking balls, though he has become more selective, limiting his chase, and walking at a fair clip. The aggressive swing can take away some of his pure speed assets, but he is an average-or-better runner once underway. Defensively, he saw limited time at shortstop and the outfield with Tennessee and seems to have found a safe home at second base where his fringy arm plays better with his athletic dirt actions. He can look lackadaisical in the field at times but should be more than serviceable. This is a power slugger who has a solid chance to hit for average and be placed anywhere in the front five of a Major League lineup in the near future if he can continue harnessing his chase and aggression. 

Tim McIlvaine: "I've been watching Christian for a long time. He's actually from Brooklyn and I grew up in New York and went to high school in the Bronx. I've always kind of followed him a little bit. Now I live in Nashville and he's at the University of Tennessee, so I have a pretty long track record of watching Christian and watching him just get better every year. It's been fun to watch, and he's got a lot of power. Plays with a lot of energy, a lot of confidence. I think he's going to be a lot of fun to watch here... He's an athletic kid. He can probably play a couple of different positions. We're going to run him out at second base and let him take off there. He's got power to all fields. He can hit too. He's got kind of a flare for the dramatic. I don't know if you guys saw the college playoffs at all, but it seemed like every time (Tennessee) needed a big hit, (Christian) was right there to do it. Drive runs in. He's a good player... The more you see a guy the more you can see all the little things that they can do. You can see how hard they're working in practice. You can see how they react to failure. You can see when everything isn't going well what they do to try and get out of it. You can see the highlights of it too... I think once he gets in this environment with the way (Ron Washington) and his guys run everything I think he's just going to excel here. I think it's going to be a great spot for him. Christian is hungry and I think once he gets in this pro-environment he's going to take off and it's going to be a lot of fun to watch."

2024 NCAA Divison-1 Statistics: 337 PA, .375/.451/.797, 83 R, 34 HR, 74 RBI, 5 SB, 11.2 BB%, 14.5 K%

Career NCAA Statistics: 761 PA, .338/.447/.698, 179 R, 61 HR, 160 RBI, 22 SB, 15.1 BB%, 20.2 K%

 

2nd Round, 45th Overall

Chris Cortez, RHP, Texas A&M

R/R, 6'1, 205, 10/6/2002

Scouting Report: Chris Cortez is a six-foot-one, 205-pound flame throwing right-handed pitcher with an electric sinker-slider combination. A three-year member of the Texas A&M pitching staff, he split time between starting and relieving while finding a high-leverage role in his junior season that helped lead the Aggies to the College World Series while posting a 2.78 ERA over 64.2 innings with a 36.7 K%. Cortez attacks hitters with a power sinker that sits 96-98 and has been up to 101. The pitch has immense arm-side run and sink and counters well with a power slider with late snap that sits in the upper 80's and touches 92. He also throws a rudimentary upper 80's changeup on occasion. Cortez gets to his power with low effort but can get erratic with his strikes. With moderate-at-best control and no real third pitch, relief is the likely outcome with high-leverage and late-inning upside. The Angels will send him out as a starter in development, with hopes of becoming a groundball heavy mid-rotation upside arm.

Note: Carlos Collazo of Baseball America reported that Chris Cortez signed with Angels for $1,597,500 (7/18/24)

Tim McIlvaine: "The goal is for him to be a starter. We're going to point him in the direction of starting for sure... The two-seam we like a lot actually. He's going to be able to work against lefties and righties, I think. The slider is tough, and the changeup is going to come along as well."

2024 NCAA Divison-1 Statistics: 64.2 IP, 10-3, 2.78 ERA, 0 SV, 1.237 WHIP, 5.1 BB/9, 14.2 K/9

Career NCAA Statistics: 150.1 IP, 19-7, 4.67 ERA, 1 SV, 1.503 WHIP, 5.4 BB/9, 10.4 K/9

 

2nd Round, 74th Overall

Ryan Johnson, RHP, Dallas Baptist

S/R, 6'6, 215, 8/5/200 

Scouting Report: Ryan Johnson is a physical six-foot-six, 215-pound right-handed pitcher with funk, deception, and a loud arsenal. Joining the Dallas Baptist rotation as a sophomore, Johnson took all the expected steps forward his junior season posting a 2.21 ERA over 106 innings, while setting a program-record in strikeouts (151) and being named Conference-USA Pitcher of the Year. Everything about Johnson starts with the delivery. It's an unorthodox look with plenty of moving parts, starting with sidestep windup and then immediately going into a slinging arm action from a low/near sidearm release, finishing with violence. The oddity comes in both the pitch mix he possesses and the consistent strikes he can throw with the wild delivery. Johnson works mostly off of a low 80's horizontal sweeping slider that could be a plus-plus offering. He pairs it with a mid-90's fastball with a counter sinking break to the sweeper and has been up to 100. He uses a hard cutter to counter and change pace to the slider-sinker combo. He also has a curveball and changeup to change pace, but both are below-average or fringe in their current state. Everything leans back to the delivery. The effort and moving pieces are clear relief movers, while his power sinker-slider duo would play quickly. However, he throws strikes, and quality strikes at that, with a strong frame and durability track record. There are plenty of outcomes with Johnson, whether it be a deceptive, unorthodox groundball heavy rotation arm with all variances of upside, or high-leverage reliever with funk and power.

Tim McIlvaine: "I think the thing that stands out with Ryan on video or in person is the competitor that he is. He is a big competitor. He is there to beat you. Then it is fun to watch because he has big stuff, and he comes right at you. We've seen his fastball up to 98. He's got a pretty good slider that he can throw for a strike in just about any count. He can really lean on that. He really trusts it. Big stuff and he's got a good head on his shoulders. We're excited about him because he's a big guy who we think is going to eat up a lot of innings as a starter... We think (the delivery) has a lot of deception too. I don't worry about the deceptive looking delivery when you're throwing a ton of strikes like he does. I think everything kind of tunnels off of that fastball where guys -- you talk to other hitters in the league and they just don't pick up the slider, they don't pick up the changeup. So, I think the changeup moving forward for him is going to be a pretty good pitch too. I mean he had 124 strikeouts to 20 walks this year so strike-throwing for him is a huge piece of it."

2024 NCAA Divison-1 Statistics: 106.0 IP, 11-3, 2.21 ERA, 0 SV, 0.915 WHIP, 1.2 BB/9, 12.8 K/9

Career NCAA Statistics: 252.0 IP, 22-9, 3.46 ERA, 1 SV, 1.103 WHIP, 2.1 BB/9, 11.2 K/9

 

3rd Round, 81st Overall

Ryan Prager, LHP, Texas A&M

L/L, 6'3, 200, 10/26/2002 

Scouting Report: Ryan Prager is a six-foot-three, 200-pound pitchability left-handed pitcher with a rotation future. A touted prep, Prager was a Sunday starter as soon as he hit campus at Texas A&M with solid underclass success until blowing out his elbow and requiring Tommy John surgery that eliminated his sophomore season. Returning as the Friday man in 2024, Prager helped lead Texas A&M to the College World Series while posting a 9-1 record and 2.95 ERA over 97.2 innings. His fastball will sit 89-91 and plays up from its humdrum velocity with his ability to locate the pitch at will and solid carry created from an over-the-top release. His changeup and slider play perfectly off of his fastball and release, deadening below the zone for swings-and-misses. His cambio is the better of the pair with more fastball plane and late action, though the slider will miss bats despite more identifiable break. Pitchability is the strong suit here, with an ability to locate and mix three pitches with deception at his disposal from a trebuchet delivery. If there's more juice in the fastball post-Tommy John, Prager has two bat-missing secondaries and quality command that could carry into a mid-rotation arm and backend floor.

Tim McIlvaine: "He's a year out of surgery now so after a little bit of rest he may come back a little bit stronger (with more velocity). We'll see what kind of strength and conditioning he's been doing and get him on our path as well and see what happens with it. Delivery wise I don't know if I want to touch any of it because there's a deceptive piece to it too that he gets a ton of outs with."

2024 NCAA Division-1 Statistics: 97.2 IP, 9-1, 2.95 ERA, 1 SV, 1.055 WHIP, 1.8 BB/9, 11.4 K/9

Career NCAA Statistics: 157.0 IP, 10-5, 3.78 ERA, 1 SV, 1.204 WHIP, 2.6 BB/9, 10.1 K/9

 

4th Round, 110th Overall

Austin Gordon, RHP, Clemson

R/R, 6'5, 200, 6/14/2003

Scouting Report:  Austin Gordon is a six-foot-five, 200-pound right-handed pitcher with quality pitching traits. A three-year member of the Clemson pitching staff, Gordon had a nice sophomore season starting 16 games with the Tigers, setting himself up for a breakout year, but his stuff and command regressed as a junior leading to a closing role where he was among the nation's save leaders. He works mostly in the low 90's with his fastball and will toss in the occasional 95-96 with slight bore and run at its best. His curveball is a bat-misser with power and depth that he can bury below the zone. His slider is a short breaker that is mostly power based to attempt tying batters up. There is a fringy usable changeup in the bag, but it is rarely used. There is effort in his delivery, while strength gains to his solid frame may get him back to his underclass strike-throwing and add more consistent power to his fastball. Without better control and command, he fits the part of a middle-reliever down the road.

Tim McIlvaine: "He does throw hard. What happened with him is he had a bad case of like strep throat early on in the year which kind of sidelined him a little bit and slowed his buildup. But we're going to build him up as a starter as well. He moves well. He's got a good arm action, good delivery. He's a big kid. He's athletic."

2024 NCAA Division-1 Statistics: 39.1 IP, 2-2, 4.35 ERA, 11 SV, 1.297 WHIP, 4.1 BB/9, 12.1 K/9

Career NCAA Statistics: 151.1 IP, 5-6, 4.64 ERA, 13 SV, 1.216 WHIP, 2.9 BB/9, 9.5 K/9

 

5th Round, 143rd Overall

Dylan Jordan, RHP, Viera High School (FL)

R/R, 6'3, 205, 10/15/2005

Scouting Report: Dylan Jordan is a highly projectable six-foot-three, 205-pound right-handed prep pitcher. He has the ideal pitcher's frame with present strength and room for more power and durability. After an extended summer on the showcase circuit, Jordan had an outstanding high school season just east of the Orlando-region and solid MLB Draft Combine, showing steady progression to an already alluring arsenal. His high-spin fastball sits 92-94 with good bat-missing life through the zone. He can throw the fastball for strikes but lacks the in-zone command. His low 80's slider flashes plus, staying on a fastball line with late snap, though there's some consistency needed. Like most preps, he has a changeup that he rarely utilizes, but shows initial traits of being a usable third offering. The ball comes out of his hand with relative ease, and he can work around the zone, but his mechanics may need some tweaking with a long arm action that can hinder his command. It's a rotation project arm, with a focus on finding more power in the arsenal and consistency in throwing quality strikes. 

Note: Carlos Collazo of Baseball America reported that Dylan Jordan signed with Angels for $1,247,500 (7/18/24)

Tim McIlvaine: "He's a big kid. Good body, good delivery, easy arm. Kind of take our time with him and let him ramp up pretty good."

2024 High School Statistics via MaxPreps: 58.1 IP, 0-0, 1.32 ERA, 0 SV, 0.943 WHIP, 2.6 BB/9, 15.9 K/9

Career High School Statistics via MaxPreps: 147.0 IP, 10-5, 1.38 ERA, 1 SV, 1.061 WHIP, 3.6 BB/9, 14.7 K/9

 

6th Round, 172nd Overall

Peyton Olejnik, RHP, Miami University (OH)

L/R, 6'11, 210, 12/4/2002 

Scouting Report: Peyton Olejnik is a mass-sized six-foot-eleven, 210-pound right-handed pitcher. The size is the biggest marker, as only a handful of pitchers his size have seen pro ball. Olejnik received five quick relief stints over his two years with Oklahoma, before transferring to Miami University (Ohio) where he blended as a long swing arm, posting a 4.76 ERA over 64.1 innings. Early in the summer, he was a standout in the MLB Draft League for both his size and performance. He pitches mostly off of his low 90's fastball that gets on hitters quicker than the velocity would suggest due to solid carry. His tight low 80's slider shows some promise of being a bat misser. There is a sparsely used changeup in the bag. It is fair pitchability, though everything is about the frame and how to capitalize on it. He has a loose operation and keeping the body and limbs in harmony will be a focus on tapping into the upside, though he didn't show any problematic signs during the spring with fair control and a synced delivery. There is room to fill in the frame, and potential power gains if he was moved purely to relief. 

Note: Carlos Collazo of Baseball America reported that Peter Olejnik signed with Angels for $197,500 (7/18/24)

Tim McIlvaine: "We were keeping tabs on him more as it kind of came down the stretch with all the success he was having. Struck out a ton of guys which continued in the Draft League this summer. Being 6'11, the way he does it, I think it fools guys. They're just not used to seeing it from the spots where he gets into because he's so big. I think it just gives a lot of deception. I don't think guys track it really well and I think his fastball is going to play really well too. (He'll develop as a starter) because he can pitch off of his fastball which is entertaining to us." 

2024 NCAA Division-1 Statistics: 64.1 IP, 9-1, 4.76 ERA, 1 SV, 1.352 WHIP, 3.8 BB/9, 11.8 K/9

Career NCAA Statistics: 68.0 IP, 9-1, 4.76 ERA, 1 SV, 1.368 WHIP, 4.1 BB/9, 11.4 K/9

 

7th Round, 202nd Overall 

Bridger Holmes, RHP, Oregon State

R/R, 6'4, 218, 8/27/2002

Scouting Report: Bridger Holmes is a six-foot-four, 218-pound right-handed sidearm reliever. A two-year starter for Feather River Junior College (CA), Holmes transferred to Oregon State for junior season and was immediately thrusts into high-leverage relief with great success, posting a 1.93 ERA over 32.2 innings, and finishing third in Division-1 baseball in saves with 13. His two-pitch arsenal plays up from a complete sidearm delivery. His low 90's fastball has some natural life from the slot and is used as a setup pitch for his slider which he will go to at will as his primary. The breaker is a high spin offering with late break that missed bats at a premium and should continue to do so in pro ball. He has a fair feel to locate both pitches. There may be some minor delivery and usage tweaks to get more out of the fastball but it's a constant attack from a deceptive angle that will work in relief with closing experience and leverage upside.

Note: Carlos Collazo of Baseball America reported that Bridger Holmes signed with Angels for $215,000 (7/18/24)

Tim McIlvaine: "I think we're going to leave him in that relief role. He's had a lot of success there. We had really consistent evaluations throughout the spring on him. They brought him in in a lot of high-leverage spots and I think he'll probably just continue in that role for us." 

2024 NCAA Divison-1 Statistics: 32.2 IP, 3-4, 1.93 ERA, 13 SV, 0.949 WHIP, 4.1 BB/9, 12.9 K/9

Career NCAA Statistics: 32.2 IP, 3-3, 1.93 ERA, 13 SV, 0.949 WHIP, 4.1 BB/9, 12.9 K/9

 

 8th Round, 232nd Overall

Randy Flores, SS, Alabama State University

L/R, 5'9, 180, 9/18/2000

Scouting Report: Randy Flores is a five-foot-nine, 180-pound graduate student utility man with good speed and defensive traits. A solid hitter for Division-2 Franklin Pierce, Flores transferred to Alabama State for his senior and post grad seasons where he was a versatile table-setter for the Hornets. His offense is mostly focused on getting on base and letting his plus speed play. Small statured, he has a lowered stance that makes his strike zone even smaller and battles at bats with a short and quick swing. He has done a good job of staying in the zone and has walked nearly twice as often as he has struck out in his college career. His stature and on-base approach limit his power production to fairly minimal. He is a real burner with plus speed and knows how to use it with aggression and instincts on the base paths, making him a consistent stolen base threat. He played all over the field defensively in college, with catcher and right field being the only spots he never held (he even pitched once). His primary homes were center field and second base where his speed and fringy arm fit best. There is speed and positional versatility to see some table-setting depth bench value if he can continue hitting and getting on base at a fair clip.

Note: Carlos Collazo of Baseball America reported that Randy Flores signed with Angels for $1,000 (7/18/24)

Tim McIlvaine: "He makes things go man. There's some position versatility to him. He can play second; he can play center. At the plate he really works counts. Stole 31 bases this year. He'll surprise you with a little bit of power even. Opposing pitchers are going to hate facing him because he's gonna get on base and drive them crazy. I think there's a path (to the Majors) for him. The way the game has kind of swung back to putting a little more emphasis on speed I think he's one of those guys that really falls into that category where he could find a path to the big leagues for sure." 

2024 NCAA Divison-1 Statistics: 264 PA, .341/.424/.558, 56 R, 9 HR, 42 RBI, 31 SB, 12.1 BB%, 8.3 K%

Career NCAA Statistics: 986 PA, .334/.422/.547, 216 R, 31 HR, 184 RBI, 111 SB, 13.2 BB%, 7.2 K%

 

9th Round, 262nd Overall 

Derek Clark, LHP, West Virginia

L/L, 5'9, 190, 12/25/2001

Scouting Report: Derek Clark is a smaller five-foot-nine, 190-pound left-handed pitcher who was a workhorse senior for West Virginia. Transferring from Division-2 Northwood University (MI) to West Virginia for his senior campaign, Clark joined the weekend rotation about a month into the spring and limited runs throughout the year with a 3.23 ERA in 97.2 innings. His season ended with a gritty 144-pitch performance against North Carolina in the Super Regionals. It's a simple operation with a soft three-pitch mix that he locate at will. His upper 80's fastball pairs and tunnels well with an upper 70's changeup, while his slider is a short loop breaker in the middle bucket of his fastball and changeup. The tools aren't flashy, and the small stature limits some of his starting ability, but he mixes and matches well and throws strikes with all three pitches. It's a prototype of high-level competitors with on-mound experience putting them tight to the depth chart early in their pro careers with development finding that needed touch to make the leap (happened with the Angels as recently as Kolton Ingram in 2023). Clark fits the mold and should be a reliable mid-level swing arm early in the process, who could perform his way to the Majors.

Note: Carlos Collazo of Baseball America reported that Derek Clark signed with Angels for $1,000 (7/18/24)

Tim McIlvaine: "The size might (limit his ability to start) but I don't think the heart will. This guy, it's so fun to watch him because he leaves it out there every game. Every pitch he is into it. Every game he has ever pitched. He is not afraid to compete. He's not afraid of the lights. This guy is going to come right at everybody. It'll be fun to watch him pitch and there is a path for him. We've seen some of the smaller guys, Tim Collins, and guys like that where they can kind of carve that out and get there and have a little impact. I'm not doubting him for one second because he is competitive as anybody that was taken in this draft."

2024 NCAA Divison-1 Statistics: 97.2 IP, 8-3, 3.23 ERA, 0 SV, 1.085 WHIP, 2.1 BB/9, 8.4 K/9

Career NCAA Statistics: 361.2 IP, 31-10, 3.33 ERA, 2 SV, 1.120 WHIP, 2.4 BB/9, 8.7 K/9

 

 10th Round, 292nd Overall

Ryan Nicholson, 1B, Kentucky

L/L, 6'4, 220, 8/29/2000

Scouting Report: Ryan Nicholson is a physical six-foot-four, 220-pound left-handed hitting and throwing fifth-year senior first baseman. Nicholson transferred to Kentucky after four solid years at Cincinnati, and was the Wildcats most productive run producer, setting a single-season school record for home runs (23), as well as driving in 63 runs. He has a loose swing with solid leverage and strength from his frame to tap into his above-average raw power. There is feel for the barrel with manipulation traits, but it is mostly a swing meant for damage which creates natural swing-and-miss. Limited to first base, he is a serviceable defender with little questions on managing the position. Fifth year seniors, particularly corner only types, tend to perform well early in their pro ball careers due to their collegiate experience and can carve out a quick path to the mid-to-upper minors and depth charts where they begin showing their actual value as prospects or organization pieces. 

Note: Carlos Collazo of Baseball America reported that Ryan Nicholson signed with Angels for $1,000 (7/18/24)

Tim McIlvaine: "He's a big dude who can hit a ball a long way. I think he hit over 50 home runs in his college career. We had him at a workout where he was just launching balls too. For me, the power is real. Especially being left-handed you take a shot on that. There is certainly a path for him, and the power is real." 

2024 NCAA Divison-1 Statistics: 245 PA, .306/.405/.689, 47 R, 23 HR, 63 RBI, 3 SB, 11.4 BB%, 22.9 K%

Career NCAA Statistics: 930 PA, .295/.381/.566, 160 R, 56 HR, 178 RBI, 19 SB, 11.3 BB%, 19.6 K%

 

11th Round, 322nd Overall

Trey Gregory-Alford, RHP, Coronado High School (CO)

R/R, 6'5, 235, 5/4/2006 

Scouting Report: Trey Gregory-Alford (TGA) is a Rocky Mountain sized six-foot-five, 235-pound right-handed prep pitcher from Coronado High School in Colorado Springs, Colorado. As a general region, Colorado has seen a rise in prep talent over the past decade, while TGA is among the best arms to come from the region in that same span of time showcasing a power arsenal that he flashed during the summer circuit and with Team USA's U-18 club, while maintaining it through the spring. He sat in the mid 90's both in the summer and spring, scattering some 97-98 while hitting 99.7 at the MLB Draft Combine. The pitch gets on hitters quick with the angle his frame creates and could see some more consistent upper 90's touch as he maneuvers strength across his advanced frame. He compliments the heater with a solid mid 80's slider that has late breaking action, darting away from right-handers and should be a plus pitch. He has a changeup that made strides over the spring but is still raw and purely a separation pitch. His delivery works but can look rushed and may need some pacing adjustments to better improve his control, which is just fair and fringy right now. It is a dream physique with electric arm speed to project a power arm with a rotation future if you can tap into the command. TGA is committed to Virginia, though should be an overslot third day signee, with a potential seven-digit bonus. 

Tim McIlvaine: "He's a Colorado kid that we followed a lot over the summer, though the fall, a bunch of us took a trip out to Colorado at different times to go see him pitch out there. He's a big dude. He's got a big arm, and a lot goes into getting these guys right and we spent a lot of time (with him). We've dotted the Is and crossed the Ts on the makeup here as well and we really like the kid. We think everything should come together with that one which is exciting because it's a big arm. Big kid and he's a good kid too on top of that which is nice... I think a lot of the minor leagues are for -- obviously, it's development -- but it's getting to the point where you're more consistent and learning how to get to that consistency more often. You'll see him some days and he fills up the zone with strikes and other days where there's a few more extra balls than what you'd want to see. But as big as he is, the body he that he has, I think he's going to grow into that a little more. He's got plenty of room for some good strength. I think once he can kind of control his delivery and be a little bit more consistent every time he's out there I think we'll see more strikes. That's when he's really going to take off, but I think for him it's just learning his body a little bit more and growing into it and maturing." 

2024 High School Statistics via MaxPreps: 45.2 IP, 2-0, 1.84 ERA, 0 SV, 0.985 WHIP, 4.1 BB/9, 18.5 K/9

 Career High School Statistics via MaxPreps: 89.0 IP, 3-0, 2.75 ERA, 0 SV, 1.225 WHIP, 6.0 BB/9, 18.7 K/9

 

12th Round, 352nd Overall

Fran Oschell III, RHP, Duke

R/R, 6'7, 230, 10/18/2002

Scouting Report: Fran Oschell III is a physical six-foot-seven, 230-pound right-handed power reliever. A touted prep arm, Oschell became of the nation's best lockdown relievers as a sophomore where he allowed three runs over 39.1 innings with a 41.5 K% that landed him on Team USA's collegiate club over the summer and on track for a rotation spot with Duke and first day call in the draft. While the pure stuff remained the same, the control disappeared entirely as a junior with more walks than innings pitched, leading to a 6.94 ERA and 23.1 BB%. With mostly a two-pitch operation, his fastball has explosive action through the zone caused by the angle he creates from a high slot from a naturally tall starting point. He has been up to 99 with the fastball, sitting mostly 93-96 and lives and dies on it with a near 3/4 usage, though his command of the pitch is well below-average. His breaking ball has slider velocity in the low 80's, but more of a curveball shape at finish with vertical depth. He has a separation changeup in the bag that may be a well-suited development pitch in pro ball. He has solid arm speed, but there are plenty of excessive moving parts to his delivery that make him deceptive but hinder his ability to throw strikes and maintain throughout an extended workload, giving him relief only projection. If he can find even fringe or below-average control, there is relief upside.

Tim McIlvaine: "Last year he was one of the best relievers in college and he's got a fastball that can just jump right past guys. He had a little trouble getting it in the zone this year and we're just hoping we can get him back to what it was last year. We've talked to him on the phone and our scout Nick Gorneault has talked to him plenty and sat with him. We've gone through what it is and for him I think he's excited about a new opportunity. He's excited about coming here. We're just hoping to get him back to what it was closer to last year."

2024 NCAA Divison-1 Statistics: 23.1 IP, 0-3, 6.94 ERA, 0 SV, 1.886 WHIP, 10.8 BB/9, 8.5 K/9

Career NCAA Statistics: 69.2 IP, 6-3, 3.75 ERA, 0 SV, 1.378 WHIP, 6.7 BB/9, 12.1 K/9

 

13th Round, 382nd Overall

Fulton Lockhart, RHP, College of Central Florida

R/R, 6'4, 198, 12/30/2003

Scouting Report: Fulton Lockhart is a right-handed pitcher with an ideal high-waisted six-foot-four pitcher's frame with some room for strength gains. Recovering from Tommy John towards the end of his high school career, he pitched just one inning with South Florida in 2023, before transferring to the College of Central Florida (C.C.) where he pitched mostly in relief and ending his sophomore-season with a solid showing in the Florida Collegiate Summer League. He comes at hitters with a high 3/4 slot and whippy arm action that creates some deception but can make his control erratic. His fastball touches 94-96 early in outings and has hit 98 late in the summer but tends to fade to the 91-94 bucket featuring some run and carry as he gets deeper into his workload. He shows a better feel for locating a two-plane low 80's slider to his glove side that gets plenty of swing-and-miss. He also has a sparsely used changeup. He has cleaned up his delivery, eliminating some recoil and becoming more consistent over the spring, though he's still mostly a chucker with strikes being a limited part of his game. It's a fun development project with a pair of potentially above-average pitches that will likely be relief exclusive.

Tim McIlvaine: "JC kid from Central Florida CC. They've done a nice job with arms. They've had a few guys come out of there. Nate Pearson was probably the highest draftee out of there in recent years. We kind of followed him through the summer, a little bit in the fall, and then once the spring started back up got in there and saw him. He's done really well in the Florida Collegiate Summer League. Took another jump there. He's 6'4, arm, and delivery work. He's starting to show a little more velocity too. I think he's a guy that's on the upswing. He's been up to 95-96 this summer but during the spring it was more 90 to 93-94."

2024 NJCAA Statistics: 33.1 IP, 1-3, 6.75 ERA, 0 SV, 1.380 WHIP, 6.2 BB/9, 14.3 K/9

Career NCAA Statistics: 34.1 IP, 1-3, 6.82 ERA, 0 SV, 1.427 WHIP, 6.6 BB/9, 13.9 K/9

 

14th Round, 412th Overall

Najer Victor, RHP, Central Florida

R/R, 6'1, 195, 11/28/2001

Scouting Report: Najer Victor is a six-foot-one power armed right-handed reliever who grew up in St. Thomas, a northern part of the U.S. Virgin Islands. A senior who transferred to Central Florida from Florida Gulf Coast after his sophomore-season, he will show glimpses of being a lockdown reliever who can miss bats with his fastball. His fastball is a lively mid 90's heater that has touched 99. He throws a downer curveball to keep hitters off the heat, but it is mostly a fastball-centric relief profile. He has solid mechanics and should be able to maintain consistency with the fastball in one-or-two inning stints.

Tim McIlvaine: "Power arm. He had more strikeouts than innings pitched which is always nice. He leans on the fastball the most and I think we can try and get a little bit more with the breaker. That'll be the goal or just something else to go with it but it's a power fastball."

2024 NCAA Divison-1 Statistics: 24.1 IP, 0-3, 5.55 ERA, 0 SV, 1.151 WHIP, 4.8 BB/9, 11.1 K/9

Career NCAA Statistics: 115.2 IP, 7-4, 4.28 ERA, 2 SV, 1.357 WHIP, 4.4 BB/9, 11.6 K/9

 

15th Round, 442nd Overall

Bailan Caraballo, OF, Reborn Christian Academy (FL)

R/R, 6'6, 205, 3/6/2006

Scouting Report: Bailan Caraballo is a physically gifted right-handed hitting and throwing prep outfielder. He has a strong and athletic six-foot-six frame that makes him a physical standout, with some room to continue adding already advanced strength. He takes that strength to the box with him and in each swing, with a long and loose cut that explodes through the zone. The strength, bat speed, and leverage allow him to tap into what is presently plus raw power and could grow into near top of the charts raw. He has a busy hand load and gets long which causes some timing and swing-and-miss issues that may keep his hit tool limited, though he has shown an ability to make adjustments giving some faith to getting to his offensive upside. With the strong rips, he isn't as quick out of the box as he is underway with average-or-above raw speed. He is athletic for his size and is a fundamentally sound defender with a strong, potentially plus, arm that fits a power profile in right or left field. The tools are undoubtably enticing, though it may take a lengthy development with the bat to tap into the upside. Caraballo is committed to Miami if he does not sign.

Note: Carlos Collazo of Baseball America reported that Bailan Caraballo signed with Angels for $150,000 (7/18/24)

Tim McIlvaine: "I'd use the term 'Tomorrow Guy'. You just have to be patient with him. He's a big-bodied kid. It's a great body. He's got tools. He can run, he can throw, and he's got huge power. We're taking a shot here and kids like that just need to play and that's what he's gonna do here. We're going to give him every opportunity to get as many at bats as possible to figure that out because the tools are there, the body is there. He's a great kid with a big smile so there's a lot to like about him. We're just gonna turn him loose and let him play."

2024 High School Statistics via MaxPreps: N/A

Career High School Statistics via MaxPreps: N/A

 

16th Round, 472nd Overall

Will Gervase, LHP, Wake Forest

 

L/L, 6'9, 220, 5/2/2002

Scouting Report: Will Gervase is a super tall left-handed sophomore-eligible pitcher with a power fastball. Part of the Angels colossal pitching draftees in 2024, Gervase stands out more from a physical projection standpoint with some room to fill in his six-foot-nine, 220-pound frame. He works primarily off of his fastball that sits 93-96 that comes in from a lower, near sidearm slot. He'll compliment the heater with a slider that shows some natural sweep from the angle. He has a low-effort delivery but struggles with body synchronization which has caused near bottom-of-the-scale control and unsustainable walk rates that held him to limited in-game action with Wake Forest in 2024. Dreaming purely on the body and power here, with a focus to harnessing control in a relief only profile.

Tim McIlvaine: "Big dude. 6'9. Lefty. We've seen him run it up there in the mid 90's. Kind of taking a shot there to get him in the zone a little bit more. Another one where you just have to be a little more patient with these big body guys. Sometimes it takes them a little bit longer. There's not many people in the world that are doing what he does in terms of the arm strength on a body that big that has some upside in it too. Take a shot there on a 6'9 lefty that can run it in the mid 90's."

2024 Division-1 Statistics: 4.1 IP, 0-0, 14.54 ERA, 0 SV, 3.462 WHIP, 24.9 BB/9, 10.4 K/9

Career NCAA Statistics: 4.1 IP, 0-0, 14.54 ERA, 0 SV, 3.462 WHIP, 24.9 BB/9, 10.4 K/9

 

17th Round, 502nd Overall

Lucas Ramirez, OF, American Heritage High School (FL)

L/R, 6'3, 205, 1/16/2006

Scouting Report: Lucas Ramirez is an athletic and projectable left-handed hitting prep outfielder. He has a solid frame at six-foot-three and 205-pounds, who got stronger over the spring and still has some physical projection. Notably, Lucas is the youngest of three sons of 12-time All-Star, Manny Ramirez. He is also the only left-handed hitter of the trio. Any comparisons to his father stop at the last name and position. Ramirez has gone through some swing adjustments over the spring that has limited some of his busy hand load and made better use of his lower half. It's a strong swing with good loft that allows him to tap into some of his raw power, though he doesn't sell out for power and can find the barrel consistently driving the ball to all fields. The swing and offensive tools will be a project with good initial traits to tapping into a rounded profile that leans to power. He is mostly an average-or-better runner who does a respectable job of covering ground in the outfield with a chance at getting reps in center field. He has an average arm.

Note: Carlos Collazo of Baseball America reported that Lucas Ramirez signed with Angels for $150,000 (7/18/24)

Tim McIlvaine: "Seen him a few times throughout the summer the summer last year and fall a little bit. I actually saw him this spring as well. I saw him hit a long home run at one point. Left-handed hitter so I don't know if he's got dad's genes or not. I hope he does. We'll see. But he was really excited. I called him today and he couldn't have been more grateful. Tears on the phone. The whole bit. He couldn't have been more excited. It's really turned into a nice story but he's deserved every piece of that. He's a good hitter. He's got power. He's got a big body. He's strong. So we're excited to get him out here and turn him loose."

2024 High School Statistics via MaxPreps: 113 PA, .308/.425/.549, 23 R, 4 HR, 22 RBI, 15.0 BB%, 15.9 K%

Career High School Statistics via MaxPreps: 289 PA, .288/.403/.470, 48 R, 7 HR, 47 RBI, 13.8 BB%, 20.4 K%

 

18th Round, 532nd Overall

David Mershon, SS, Mississippi State

S/R, 5'8, 175, 5/24/2003

Scouting Report: David Mershon is a smaller statured switch-hitting middle infielder. A touted prep hitter, he missed sporadic time during his freshman year at Mississippi State with hamstring issues but was an everyday regular when healthy through his draft-eligible sophomore season. There's a prototype by nature for players of Mershon's sort in a grinding middle infielder style who plays above their stature limitations. He is a twitchy hitter who fires the barrel head at the ball and makes plenty of contact in the process. There's some sneaky line drive pop from the right side, though he's likely limited to single-digit home run production at the highest levels. He rarely expands the zone and makes sound swing decisions while battling and covering all quadrants in deep counts and will walk at a fair clip. He is a plus runner and quick-twitch athlete who is not afraid to steal bases and can cover plenty of ground across the dirt. His arm may move him off of shortstop at the upper levels, but he should be able to play in a pinch with solid range and a quick release. The profile screams utility grinder, with all the tools to project a Major League outcome and potential multi-year regular at second base at his peak. A sophomore, Gershon may be a harder sign in the 18th round with a chance to return to Mississippi State.

Tim McIlvaine: "Shortstop from Mississippi State who was a great player there. I think probably had bigger (draft stock) expectations maybe coming in but this guy is a baseball player. He loves to play. That's the biggest draw to him besides the ability. This guy loves to play and I think he would look great in Angels red here. We're gonna give that one a big go (on the signing process)."

2024 NCAA Divison-1 Statistics: 276 PA, .347/.454/.500, 60 R, 6 HR, 41 RBI, 27 SB, 14.9 BB%, 13.8 K%

Career NCAA Statistics: 383 PA, .329/.447/.447, 76 R, 6 HR, 46 RBI, 39 SB, 15.9 BB%, 14.4 K%

 

19th Round, 562nd Overall (not expected to sign)

Connor Gatwood, RHP, Baker High School (AL)

R/R, 6'5, 208, 10/14/2005

Scouting Report: Connor Gatwood is a highly projectable right-handed prep pitcher. A standout on the summer circuit, he missed chunks of senior season with a lat strain; and broken throwing hand on a bunt attempt, limiting him to just over 15 innings. Despite the injuries, he was seen frequently enough for clubs to find his ideal projectable six-foot-five, 195-pound frame and power arsenal with a simple throwing operation alluring. He was up to 98 with his fastball while sitting in the mid 90's regularly with some liveliness coming from a higher slot. There may be more to come with physical gains, whether it is more sustainability in the mid 90's, or potential for sitting in the upper 90's and flirting with triple digits. His low-spin slider has some depth over cut despite its mid-to-upper 80's register and can miss bats playing off of the fastball. He can sell a changeup well for a prep arm with arm speed, though it is still firm in its current stage and mostly just grip differentiation, giving signs of improving to average down the road. He has a low-effort delivery with all the markers of a future innings eater as he harnesses his feel for quality strikes, while his physical projection leaves plenty of rotation upside. In a report from Joe Doyle of Future Stars Series on 7/16/2024, Gatwood is believed to be honoring his commitment to Auburn, and will be the most challenging signing for the Angels.

Tim McIlvaine: "He's from Mobile, Alabama. I went to college in Mobile so always keep tabs on those guys too. I talked to him before, and he has a strong commitment to Auburn but we're gonna see what happens with it... (Hand injury) was kind of inner spurs. Luckily, we have a good amount of history with him from over the summer, over the fall, even from last spring when we ran into him then as well. So we've seen him at different events for probably the last two years so him getting hurt this spring (hand injury) is obviously unfortunate. We'd have liked to have seen as much as we could of him but he was out for a little bit. I think it was a bunt and I think it hit the tip of his finger, but everything is fixed. He's kind of back tossing and getting back close to turning it back up. We'll see."

2024 High School Statistics via MaxPreps: N/A

Career High School Statistics via MaxPreps: N/A

 

20th Round, 592nd Overall

Zachary Redner, RHP, Hillsborough Community College (FL)

L/R, 6'1, 200, 12/6/2004

Scouting Report: Zachary "Zach" Redner is a six-foot-one, 200-pound right-handed pitcher with quality arsenal ingredients. Mostly a reliever for Hillsborough Community College, he established himself as a solid swingarm while pitching in the South Florida Collegiate League early this summer. He has a long inverted arm action and stays in sync through release giving some faith to throwing strikes in pro ball. His fastball sits 90-94 and is complimented by a big sweeping slider in the low 80's. He also throws a changeup with fastball separation. The Angels hope to make some tweaks and harden his two-pitch arsenal, which will likely come purely in a relief role due to his arm action.

Tim McIlvaine: "He's having a great summer. That's where we did most of the scouting on him was this summer. He's made a little jump there to where we were like, 'Alright, you know what? We should take this guy now.' Kind of contemplating whether he was a draft now or wait a little bit but we feel like he's ready. He's a good athlete. Arm works well. Delivery works well. We're hoping we can get a little more sink out of him and enhance the slider a little bit. But pretty good."

Career NCAA Statistics: 57.1 IP, 2-2, 5.34 ERA, 1 SV, 1.483 WHIP, 3.8 BB/9, 8.6 K/9

 

The Angels signed non-drafted free agents

Cesar Avila, RHP, University of Cumberland

Scouting Report: Cesar Avila took home all the hardware you could receive from the Mid-South Conference after his junior year where he went 13-0 in 15 starts with a 2.85 ERA, setting the single-season program record in wins and strikeouts (124). Avila dominated NAIA hitters with a lively low 90's fastball and standard shape curve and changeup. It's mostly fringe or average stuff but he can locate it reasonably well and has the length and ease to project a solid pro career.

Harold Coll, IF, Houston

Scouting Report: Harold Coll was a versatile senior middle-infielder for Houston who has a choppy swing and put up solid power numbers in the Big-12. He'll show some flash with the leather and has a strong arm.

Mitchell Daly, 3B, Kentucky

Scouting Report: Mitchell Daly is a left-side infielder who had notable postseason hits for Kentucky -- the first College World Series visit for the Wildcats -- on a roster that saw their infield go to pro ball, as well as four pitchers. He was a touted two-sport prep prospect who was a three-year middle-infield starter for Texas before his senior year at Kentucky.

Rolando De La Cruz, RHP, Abilene Christian

Scouting Report: Rolando De La Cruz is a hard-throwing Dominican-born senior reliever. He has touched the mid 90's while coming from a low slinging arm slot. The Angels now have three Abilene Christian arms in the organization (Logan Britt, Riley Bauman).

Stone Hewlett, LHP, Arkansas

Scouting Report: Stone Hewlett was a lefty specialist for Arkansas during his senior year. He has an upper 80's fastball that touches the low 90's and a sweeping breaking ball. His soft arsenal plays up from a deceptive sidearm slot. He missed plenty of bats as a senior, while also missing the strike zone with some regularity.

Kaden Hopson, C, Charlotte

Scouting Report: Kaden Hopson is a polished defense-first senior catcher. He has experience behind the plate, including catching for a handful of pro arms counting Angels Chase Silseth in that blend. He attended Redlands East Valley as a high schooler.

Kyle Roche, RHP, Franklin Pierce

Scouting Report: Kyle Roche was a three-year starter for Franklin Pierce who struck out 300 batters over 238.2 innings over his four years with the program. He is not to be confused with the six-foot-eight Richmond sidearm reliever.

Colin Summerhill, C, Northern Illinois

Scouting Report: Colin Summerhill is a physical mashing backstop with interesting batted ball data who set the Northern Illinois single-season home run record (19) as a senior in 2024. There's power and a reasonable approach to keep the bat active in pro ball. He likely moves from catching to the corner outfield, but has a solid arm.

Jaren Warwick, RHP, Southeastern

Scouting Report: Jaren Warwick is a tall, long-levered right-handed reliever who was dominate in NAIA play after a quick junior-season stint with Texas A&M.