Los Angeles Angels Farm System Discussion

by John Sickels on Oct 31, 2025 3:11 PM EDT Comment 34 comments

I'm now working on the Washington Nationals. The next team in the queue is the Los Angeles Angels, so use this thread to discuss the Angels farm system.

I'm driving to Arizona this week to take in some Fall League games and take part in the Baseball HQ First Pitch Arizona Fall League Forum.

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brandon wood

career minor leaguer? star in the making? is he even a shortstop?? what is this mans future??

by matthewmafa on Oct 31, 2025 3:57 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

500 ABs

Is what the Angels need to give him to see what they’ve got. Either do that, or trade him.

by seabass on Oct 31, 2025 5:33 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

dead on

It really is criminal how much they have screwed around with this guy. His major league numbers are horrendous, but what do you expect from a young hitter who is used so sparingly.

Look at this September. He’s called up on 9/1 and then he sits around for nearly a MONTH without getting an at bat… not a single AB. Not surprisingly, when he finally gets at bats, he doesn’t do well. He goes 4-15 with 9 K. They need to either trade him to a team that wants him or tell him next year “here’s 550 at bats, have at it.”

Figgins is a pending FA so that could open up a hole at 3B for Wood. I kinda see Dan Uggla type numbers… .250, 30 HR, 160 K. A lot of people kinda had forgotten about Kendry Morales prior to this year but he was finally given a prolonged look and thrived. He only got his shot after Texiera left, much like Wood could finally get his shot after Figgins leaves.

Wood isn’t technically a prospect anymore, but he’s certainly one of the most intriguing players in their system.

by rdf8585 on Oct 31, 2025 6:26 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I just find it hard to believe that they'll let Figgins go

Maybe Figgins wants to find another opportunity or go for the gold. I don’t know that, but short of it is, Scioscia seems to be a guy who wants a clearcut leadoff hitter, and outside of Figgins, I don’t see who else fills that role.

That said, yes, Wood needs AB’s.

by toonsterwu on Oct 31, 2025 10:48 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

He is or will be 32 for 2010

Too old to give him what he wants.

by Sethy on Nov 1, 2025 10:34 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Wood is out of options

Either they keep him on the 25 man roster, trade him, or release him.

by mustard_man on Oct 31, 2025 6:59 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Top levels are thin on talent

Lower levels has some intriguing prospects. The top guys in the Angels system are probably Reckling, Conger and Boujos

by mustard_man on Oct 31, 2025 7:05 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

It’s probably Bourjos followed by Conger.

Twitter: @FlyByKnite

by FlyByKnight on Oct 31, 2025 7:30 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Pretty bad system

Those top three guys are all pretty flawed.

Bourjos is a good speed/no power OFer with not a lot of upside. Conger is a pretty poor defensive catcher who can hit for a catcher, but if he moves isnt worth much. Reckling has pretty good stuff and decent marks across the board, but his stuff and velocity are second rate. I like Will Smith and a few other raw guys who are pretty far away, but there just isnt much there. Its a good thing the Halos have a solid core of young players - but they better make some smart signings (like keeping Lackey) if they’re going to hold off the A’s, Rangers and M’s - who are all getting better and smarter every year.

by alskor on Nov 3, 2025 2:49 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

We've been over this

Conger is not a poor defense catcher. He is a catcher with good skills who hasn’t gotten the reps to be a good overall defender yet. He may never get there, but he’s not some sort of defensive abortion back there.

You are also selling his bat short, imo. He was 21 in AA this year, catching regularly for the first time in a couple years, and he still put up a solid slash line: .295/.369/.424. He also displayed a much improved BB/K, which was the main knock on his bat. If he takes the offensive strides he made this year and combines them with his “prodigious raw power” (BA, 2008), then his bat will play anywhere.

He’s not a perfect prospect by any stretch, and he’s not MLB ready yet, but you (well not really just you; I’d say the consensus on him is overly negative) are overselling his weaknesses and ignoring the positive improvements he made this year. I was dubious on his future coming into the season, but I think he made great strides this year.

by aCone419 on Nov 3, 2025 10:44 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Re: Conger

Yes, we have been over this before. I gave a recent quote from KG:

questions about his ability to stay behind the plate long-term remain unanswered.

You quoted this from BA:

He’s still raw behind the plate

While he has raw arm strength, though, he lacks accuracy and needs work on his game-calling.

It praised his raw talents and athleticism, but its pretty clear that at this point in time he’s a pretty poor defensive catcher. Can he get better? Sure. Will he get better? Maybe. We’ll see. Either way, right now he’s not good behind the plate and for me that’s a pretty big mark against a catching prospect.

Im not really sure what you objected to in my post. I dont think anyone is claiming Conger is good behind the plate or was good behind the plate this season. Yes, there is some reason to think he can get better, but that’s the argument that he’ll take a step forward next year and not an accurate representation of what he brings right now. Bourjos and Reckling could take steps forward as well. You see a lot of projection in Conger. I see some projection and a healthy amount of risk.

by alskor on Nov 3, 2025 4:58 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

I objected to two things. I thought I was pretty clear

1) There is a difference between a “pretty poor defensive catcher” and a catcher with good skills which are unrefined due to lack of experience. It’s a fine distinction, but an important one when you are trying to evaluate his long term prospects. Jesus Montero is the former. Will Myers is the latter.

2) The other thing I objected to was your characterization that his bat would be nigh worthless at any non-C position. I think there is little evidence of that.

by aCone419 on Nov 3, 2025 5:18 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

There's some objective data in Conger's D

HIs -1 TotalZone rating is right in line with a guy who throws out a few more runners, prevents a few more passed balls, but gives up more errors than the average AA backstop. That all adds up rather nicely.

And since when does a KG quote win a debate? He’s a smart guy, but the argument by no means ends with him.

by rghan on Nov 3, 2025 6:56 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Fabio Martinez Mesa

I’m very interested in what kind of grade he gets.

by jar75 on Oct 31, 2025 7:48 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

B- / B?

by rdf8585 on Oct 31, 2025 8:36 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I like their system as follows:

1. Trevor Reckling
2. Peter Boujos
3. William Smith
4,5,6 Tyler Skaggs, Hank Conger, Jordan Walden

others: Grichuk , Mesa

Deolis Guerra = Daniel Cabrera ?
I tend to think so

by SteveHoffmanSlowey on Oct 31, 2025 8:51 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Michael Trout?

He should be in there somewhere.

by kmule on Oct 31, 2025 9:37 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Definitely in the top 5

Man ripped so much ass this summer.

Brett Anderson is the Truth. Brett Anderson is divine presence. Brett Anderson is eternal life. Brett Anderson is within you. Brett Anderson is here. Brett Anderson is Now.

by Frederick0220 on Nov 1, 2025 12:22 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

SSS alert and rookie ball. Yes, I know.

Brett Anderson is the Truth. Brett Anderson is divine presence. Brett Anderson is eternal life. Brett Anderson is within you. Brett Anderson is here. Brett Anderson is Now.

by Frederick0220 on Nov 1, 2025 12:22 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

My take:

1. Conger (those who claim he won’t stick at C will look foolish in 5 years);
2 Reckling;
3. Bourjos (I like the speed and defense, but am not entirely sold on the bat just yet);
4. Chris Pettit (he can hit);
5. Walden (I’he gets half a pass this year due to inuries but will need to bounce back next year);
6. Trout (I think he will be really good);
7. Garrett Richards (needs to keep throuwing strikes, but he has #1 stuff);
8. Skaggs (a lot of projection here)
9. Grichuk;
10. Martinez-Mesa (see Skaggs);
11. Bachanov (now healthy and is getting rave reviews);
12. Will Smith (was over-hyped);
13. Jean Segura (if you don’t know the name, you will soon);
14. Alexia Amarista (led the MWL in hitting with plus defense, but is overlooked due to his size?);
15. Trumbo (too much power to totally overlook);
16. Ryan Mount (Sean Rodriguez lite?)
17. Tyler Kehrer;
18. Rolando Gomez;
19. Carlos Ramirez
20. Pat Corbin

Others: Ryan Chaffee; Tyler Chatwood; Mason Tobin (had TJ surgery); Andrew Taylor; Michael Kohn; Bobby Mosebach; Ken Herndon; Terry Evans; Bobby Wilson; Luis Jiminez (out with injury); Bobby Cassevah; Dillon Baird.

by oater on Oct 31, 2025 11:03 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Great list

Smith and Mount might fall further, Kohn and Jiminez could shoot up next year. Mendoza revived his prospect status this year. I think Bell is still eligable too, not sure how long he was technically on the roster.

by rghan on Nov 1, 2025 6:33 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

I've gotten a hit off Pat Corbin

That’s all I have to say.

by byronlhsdrmr on Nov 2, 2025 1:21 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Segura

Hadn’t heard of him at all. Looks interesting on paper. What’s the story? I think Skaggs could start turning heads next year. Great frame to add weight. The Angels really made hay off HS talent this year.

by blackoutyears on Nov 2, 2025 4:22 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Segura played very well in the DSL 2 years ago as a 17 year old

And then didn’t play much last summer in the ASL due to injury, so came out of nowhere in the Pioneer League. He did a good impression of Howie Kendrick in both an AAA teaser and a month+ of Utah before getting hurt again this year. Tom Kotchman called him the best position prospect in the league. He’s a middle infielder who makes solid contact, doesn’t walk much, but doesn’t strikeout either. A classic Halos up-and-comer.

by rghan on Nov 2, 2025 5:32 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Very helpful

Thanks, rghan.

by blackoutyears on Nov 5, 2025 11:25 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Conger

He’ll have a tough time gaining Scioscia’s favor no matter how good the bat (see Napoli). Sciosc wants his kind of defense behind the dish and Conger hasn’t got it….yet.

by TRrrr on Nov 5, 2025 3:41 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Tyler Skaggs.....

….was a complete steal in the draft this year. I think this kid has a big future.

by sheetskout on Nov 1, 2025 10:40 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

…I think Chatwood and Chaffee are both really underrated here. Chatwood walked too many but he’s also pretty new to pitching. He won’t turn 20 until around Christmas, and he fanned nearly 22% of the batters he faced in Lo-A. He had a FIP of 3.88 and a GB% of 50%. There was nothing lucky about his performance and he was a high draft pick last year.

Ryan Chaffee was a bit older but missed all of last year. He was lucky (.278 BABIP) but he gets grounders (61%) AND misses bats (24.4% K Rate at Lo-A). Again, the walks were high, and I’ve heard he has kind of a funky delivery, but I think he’s an easy top 20 candidate.

by WrenFGun on Nov 2, 2025 9:31 AM EST reply actions 0 recs

Chatwood has great stuff, but

he hasn’t been able to consistently throw strikes. I would not argue, however, if you substituted Chatwood and Chafee for any of the players in the 15-20 slots (there is a lot of uncertainty in rating players from the low minors).

by oater on Nov 2, 2025 3:19 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

Carlos Ramirez & Mike Trout

The Sun Devil was drafted in the 8th round, and dominated at Orem. How did he slip to round 8?

His career BA/SLG at AZ:
361/635

Compare that to a recent AZ who has established himself as a slugger, Andre Ethier:
371/559

I couldn’t find his walk totals for 2007-08, so no OBP, but his walk rate for 2009 is in the same ballpark as Ethier’s. Only negative is he had a higher strikeout rate. His defensive stats were very good as well.

Is this guy for real?

Trout did everything you could dream of him doing in his debut, except hit for power. At 17, he’s got plenty of time to work on that. High average, patience, speed, and great CF defense. One day he’ll be playing in an outfield where fans are accustomed to rooting for a fish.

The HK-47 hitting droid is the finest line drive machine ever built

by RallyMonkey5 on Nov 3, 2025 9:32 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

Top 10 Halos Rank'em

As an Angels fan who realizes the system isn’t near the best around…

1) Mike Trout- highest ceiling in the organization and a great debut. No one else is even close.

2) Hank Conger- If he can stay behind the plate….If

3) Trevor Reckling- Not overpowering. Projects to middle of the rotation… if all goes well.

4) Peter Bourjos- Great speed, great defense, good bloodlines, gap power, but still getting a clue about working counts and getting on base.

5) Chris Pettit- Injuries have marred his development…but he can still play….unfortunately, like many Angel prospects, he’s challenged to take a walk.

6) Randall Grichuk- lots of doubters that he was 1st round material, but the bat is legit

7) Jon Bachanov- Really?!? Yea, he’s back. Sure it was the Arizona Rookie League, but 47 K’s and 4 BB’s in 28 innings! Well, maybe he just finally got started.

8) Fabio Martinez- Arizona Rookie League again…Signed Dominican in ‘07, 19 years old, throws mid 90’s, 6’3". Long ways away but potential top of the rotation stuff.

9) Jordan Walden- Fallen a long ways….needs to get healthy and improve his secondary stuff. He could get back to the top of this list next year.

10) Alexia Amarista- 20 years old, Midwest league All-Star. Bats left, little guy but over a third of his hits went for extra bases. I give him the nod over Segura who I would probably like at #11.

The Rest) Chatwood, Chaffee have a lot of potential. Trevor Bell turned his career around, Andrew Romine is a ++ defender at SS, Mark Trumbo…generally over-rated. The Angels should consider sticking Trumbo back on the mound….seriously.

That’s one Angel’s fans opinion.

by TRrrr on Nov 5, 2025 3:05 AM EST reply actions 0 recs