This series will highlight a handful of prospects, team-by-team, heading into the 2021 season. I will offer a handful of Top Prospects, as well as a few “In The Pipeline” prospects for dynasty owners to keep an eye on in the next couple of seasons. With that, let’s jump right in!
Top Prospects
Brandon Marsh, OF
Hit: 50/55 | Power: 45/50 | Speed: 60/55 | Arm: 60/60 | Field: 50/55
Brandon Marsh is a plus runner, plus defender combined with a solid hit tool, and has increased power as he fills out his 6’4″ frame. He’s been playing CF in the minors but obviously won’t unseat the incumbent Angels CF, so he’ll slide to either corner OF spot whenever he gets the call. Marsh has 25/25 upside and has done a good job of pitch recognition to lower his K% at higher levels of the minors. Look for Marsh to open 2021 in AAA and possibly make a cameo appearance, or two, in the bigs this coming season.
Reid Detmers, P
Fastball: 50/55 | Slider: 45/50 | Curveball: 55/60
Changeup: 45/50 | Command: 45/55
According to many scouts, Reid Detmers was the Angels’ first-round selection in the 2020 amateur draft and has a chance to make his MLB debut in the 2021 season. Detmers ceiling is a mid-rotation starter, but his durable frame and mound presence should have moved him quickly through the Angels farm system.
Jordyn Adams, OF
Hit: 30/50 | Power: 30/50 | Speed: 80/80 | Arm: 40/45 | Field: 45/60
Jordyn Adams is fast, both in the OF and on the base path. He has a chance to become a plus defender as he improves his routes and reads. His hit-tool and power have improved as he makes adjustments and fills out his frame. Adams’s ceiling is as high as anyone in the Angels system and could be a 25/50 player in the majors.
Jeremiah Jackson, 2B/SS
Hit: 30/40 | Power: 35/60 | Speed: 55/55 | Arm: 55/55 | Field: 40/50
Jackson is an above-average runner who, in 2019, found a massive power stroke – belting 23 home runs over 65 games in Rookie ball; of course, he also had 96 strike-outs. There is concern over his swing-and-miss, but he made adjustments as the season went on and managed to lower K% towards the end of the season. If he continues to make adjustments as the plate and tighten his footwork in the field, Jackson may end up a multi-positional everyday player for the Angels. It is believed Jackson will start taking reps at 3B in the 2021 season to broaden his position versatility.
In The Pipeline
Gabriel Tapia, P
Fastball: 40/45 | Curveball: 40/50 | Changeup: 50/60 | Command: 25/50
Tapia is an 18-year-old, 6’1″ pitcher who has shined in the Angels intrasquad scrimmages. He’s shown mature command over his plus changeup and has a fastball sitting between 87-91MPH. The belief is as Tapia matures and develops into his 20’s he’ll gain a little more velocity, but either way, his command of the pitch may be enough for it to play. Should Tapia continue to improve his overall command, he may find himself a useful rotation arm for the Angels someday.
Alexander Rameriz, OF
Hit: 20/40 | Power: 25/60 | Speed: 40/30 | Arm: 50/60 | Field: 40/45
Rameriz is a powerful athlete who projects as the future RF for the Angels. There isn’t a question of his raw power, but he’ll need to develop patients and maturity in the batters’ box. After one Rookie ball season, Rameriz K% was 33.3%, but he did slash .234/.328/.429 with 4 home runs and 6 stolen bases. As Rameriz fills out his frame and makes adjustments at the plate, look for him to become run-producing RF for as he climbs through the Angels system.
Jose Bonilla, 3B/SS
Hit: 20/55 | Power: 20/50 | Speed: 40/40 | Arm: 60/60 | Field: 40/50
Bonilla has a plus arm, and it’s believed he’ll end up at 3B because of his projected thicker frame. His hit tool and power are believed to play at 3B as he fills out his frame. After one season in Rookie ball, Bonilla posted a 15.2% BB% and a 20.7% K% along with a slash line of .284/.402/.405. Pay attention to Bonilla in the next couple of seasons to see his progression both at the plate and in the field.
Denzer Guzman, SS/OF
The Angels signed Denzer Guzman in the 2020 J2 International signing period. Guzman is a hit-over-power type with advanced knowledge of the strike zone. He’s said to have a strong arm and quick feet. As always, there is a gap between his projection and reality with all teenagers, but with the Angels giving him a $2M contract, their scouts see the potential for Guzman to make the majors. Watch Guzman as he gets his first taste of professional ball in the 2021 season.
As always, feel free to reach out to me via Twitter @drunkenangelz.