Tracking Potential Angels Draft Picks

With the NCAA season coming up in a little under a month, I would like to touch on a few prospects the Halos could land this year with having a prime draft position of the number 2 overall pick. Each week I will highlight a few players and keep tabs on how they are doing, updating the list as prospects rise and fall. Look for this column to start mid February once NCAA baseball is underway and run each week until draft time.

As of now, here are a few candidates for the Angels selection:

The first player the Angels should target this summer is none other than Texas A&M’s Jace LaViolette. That should be a surprise to no one with the season he had last year and the frame that he has, standing 6’6 and 230 pounds he will be a very physical player along with decent speed. His stats last year were pretty impressive, he tallied 29 Homers, had an Avg. of .305, OBP of .429, and SLG .726, adding up to an 1.175 OPS. He started every game for the Aggies this year, which shows he can take care of his body and can sustain himself throughout a long season. This is a little corny but what a lot of coaches say is that the best ability is availability and he showed that.

The second player I think is a great option for the Halos is Tyler Bremner, RHP, from UC Santa Barbara. He is 6’2, 190 Lbs, with lanky arms, and a whippy arm action. His stats last year were very impressive. 11-1 record, 2.54 ERA (10th nationwide) 104 K’s, and just 21 walks throughout 88.2 innings. Also, his whip was .88 which ranked 5th in D-1 baseball. His fastball sits 92-96, topping 98. His slider has nasty horizontal movement that sits in the upper 80s, and he debatably has the best change-up in all of College Baseball. Everyone should be excited about what this kid is capable of and what his future has in store.

Last but definitely not least is Florida States Jamie Arnold, LHP, who stands 6’1 190 Lbs. He has one of the most electric arms you’ll see from the left side. His fastball sits 94-95, topping 97. Which is almost unfair considering the side arm motion coming across his body. It almost reminds me of Chris Sale a little bit. I think the most impressive thing about Jamie Arnold is how many swings and misses he gets. He racked up 159 K’s last year which was third in college baseball and he walked only 26 of the 450 batters he faced. Another thing to note about Arnold is his slider and the command he has on it. The horizontal movement gets quite a few swings and misses and soft contact. He also has developed a change-up to his arsenal to complete his 3-pitch mix that is going to terrorize the ACC. His record was 11-3, 2.98 ERA in 105.2 innings. Everyone’s eyes should be on him as we inch closer to the start of the season.

I would also like to add that as the college season gets started, the top few prospects that I will be highlighting could change. It will not stay the same, in fact, I’m going to say I would expect this list to fluctuate as the season goes on. Hopefully by the time the draft comes around we have a really good idea of who the Angels might select and how they can help the team.

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Kevin
Member
1 month ago

I haven’t seen either pitching prospect up close but I’m a little surprised by the body dimensions. Six foot one or two and 190 isn’t very big. For hard throwers, bigger is often better.

Jeff Joiner
Editor
Legend
1 month ago
Reply to  Kevin

We have a series coming up on how to watch prospects.

I have one on Bremner already written. We’ll drop them closer to NCAA season.

gitchogritchoffmypettis
Legend
Reply to  Jeff Joiner

That’s gonna be some prime beef content bro!

HalosFanForLife
Super Member
1 month ago

I saw Jace a few times this year – he and Grahovac are beasts. The ball just explodes off of Jace’s bat. I imagine with wood, he’s going to have that different sound. I would gravitate to an everyday player – but if Bremmer is a legit #1 – we need that more. Whoever it is – I just hope we hit. I think they’ve done pretty good of late with the #1’s – connecting here is a must.

YOUknowulovetheIE
Super Member
1 month ago

I’m cool with whoever they pick. Just having this type high caliber player in the organization will have me excited to watch.

gitchogritchoffmypettis
Legend

Bremner = Choe = GO! I love that he doesn’t NEED to throw hard cause of the change up. He just CAN throw hard. As long as he doesn’t lose control when faced with scarier line ups I think he could be up with the big team fairly fast.

HalosFanForLife
Super Member
1 month ago

A scout friend of mine who covers Florida thinks he’s going to be special. Maybe not Paul Skenes special, but very good.

Jeff Joiner
Editor
Legend
1 month ago

Ok, I’m back on the Bremner wagon.

gitchogritchoffmypettis
Legend
Reply to  Jeff Joiner

Ride the Pampas baby! Go with the choe.

I kid. I’d be just as happy with the top college hitter too.

But seriously, if our first 4 picks looked like this I’ll be stoked…

2- Bremner
46- Andrew Fischer(3B), Brandon Compton (OF), Dallas Macias (OF)
80- Joe Ariola (P), Murf Gray (3B/LF), Gavin Turley (OF)
106 – A guy that’s slipped down lower than expected

2002heaven
Super Member
30 days ago

Wee need to hit on all of them!!!!!!!

2002heaven
Super Member
30 days ago
Reply to  Jeff Joiner

Where’s TT?
Always interested in his takes on all things minor leagues and prospects.

Jeff Joiner
Editor
Legend
1 month ago

This will be a fun column. I’m excited to watch it develop. Rarely does a prospect start and finish the year in the same position.

My heart wants Bremner but I am concerned about his durability. I might be over thinking it but he gives me Blake Snell vibes right now.

One thing I do know is that I’ve started to enjoy college baseball more the last couple of years and can see myself watching a decent amount this season.

FungoAle
Legend
1 month ago
Reply to  Jeff Joiner

Yeah, amateur baseball will be great this year

cookmeister
Trusted Member
1 month ago

Jace would be a good pick as long as he improves his contact rate/swing and miss. He has elite power, EV, discipline, and a good outfielder.
If he takes a step forward on his weaknesses a la Jac C, he’s a slam dunk

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