Previous roundups:
- 2024: Draft Thoughts
- 2025: Round One Thoughts
- 2025: Let’s Talk Bats (Rounds 1-3)
- 2025: Let’s Talk Bats (Rounds 4-7)
- 2025: Let’s Talk Bats (The Outsiders)
I’ve focused most of the installments in this MLB Draft preview series on available bats, both because the Angels’ system is largely barren of them, and because there’s positional depth in this class that could benefit the club in what I hope is a bat-first draft.
That said, there’s a fair amount of industry consensus that the Angels will likely select a pitcher in round one. I think that’s probably right (and wise), even if the team is still known to be communicating with guys like Willits and JoJo Parker at this fairly late stage.
Even assuming the Angels select one of the top arms at #2, and hoping/wishing they bias toward offense in this draft, it’s still never good to fixate on a single player archetype (cough – 2021 all-pitcher draft – cough), and it’s smart to have diversity in one’s overall class. So this final article before Sunday’s podium calls focuses on some of the pitching that might be available to them this weekend.
Let’s start with who I would expect the Angels to target, and then move to some of the names that strike my personal fancy. If that sentence implies a divergence in appetites between the Minasian draft room and Turk’s Taste, well, maybe that’s just the case.
“The Angels Type”
You know it, I know it: the Angels love big fastballs, and relievers who dream of being starters, or college starters who look a lot like relievers. This is why everyone assumes the Angels are heavy on Liam Doyle in Round One (and hey, they are heavy on Doyle in Round One, among others).
Bachman, Joyce, Cortez – there’s a history here.
There are plenty of SIRP fireballers in the top 150 that I could imagine the Angels scooping up if they fell into their laps in rounds 2-6. Don’t be surprised if any of these eight names are called…
| Position/School | Stats | Rankings | |
| Patrick Forbes | RHP, Louisville | 4.42 ERA, 3.09 FIP 14.76 K/9, 4.29 BB/9 | MLB:31, BA:47 ESPN:33, JB:38 |
| Chase Shores | RHP, LSU | 5.09 ERA, 3.50 FIP 9.90 K/9, 4.38 BB/9 | MLB:77, BA:86 ESPN:68, JB:109 |
| Marcus Phillips | RHP, Tennessee | 3.90 ERA, 4.08 FIP 10.63 K/9, 3.69 BB/9 | MLB:61, BA:67 ESPN:40, JB:57 |
| AJ Russell | RHP, Tennessee | 3.55 ERA, 3.32 FIP 12.79 K/9, 3.91 BB/9 | MLB:70, BA:37 ESPN:67, JB:65 |
| Tanner Franklin | RHP, Tennessee | 4.89 ERA, 3.54 FIP 12.10 K/9, 2.09 BB/9 | MLB:124, BA:122 ESPN:111, JB:131 |
| Nate Snead | RHP, Tennessee | 4.53 ERA, 4.01 FIP 7.61 K/9, 3.81 BB/9 | MLB:148, BA:84 ESPN:229, JB:86 |
| Brian Curley | RHP, Georgia | 3.55 ERA, 3.59 FIP 11.59 K/9, 3.68 BB/9 | MLB:102, BA:216 ESPN:91, JB:268 |
| Mason Morris | RHP, Ole Miss | 3.29 ERA, 3.04 FIP 12.84 K/9, 3.46 BB/9 | MLB:117, BA:99 ESPN:130, JB:125 |
And yes, everyone in this group looks like a power reliever to me. The whole Tennessee quartet were exactly that, and the Angels have deep connections to Tennessee (Moore, Joyce, et al).
None here are exactly control specialists, but some zone miss can be expected of young kids with big fastballs. Franklin is the one guy here who keeps the free pass in check, but he also has the most trouble with the longball (1.4 HR/9).
The first couple of times I saw Chase Shores pitch, I said: this looks like a guy that the Angels would covet. I can’t help but imagine this Youtube video on infinite repeat in Perry’s office.
I do think there’s a strong connection between Forbes and the Dodgers at 40-41, and there’s a lot of interest in Russell in the first supplemental round, so both might be out of Minasian’s reach. Russell is an interesting case – has a devastating 70-grade fastball, though scouts are divided on his secondaries. He also has had UCL repair and shoulder troubles. Sound familiar?
Personally, given the dire need for projectable bats in the system, I’d hope the Angels’ draft room resists the urge to repeat old habits, and uses the top 4-5 rounds on hitters and a pitcher or two with clear SP projection.
But, of this group, I’ll say that I’m most interested in Curley and Morris.
While a bit undersized at 5’10”, Curley already has two 60 grade offerings in his fastball and slider, he holds mid-90s velocity deep into games, and he has excellent spin and carry on his pitches. At best, he has three secondaries, slider, cutter, curve – though these can also blend into one another and give him that power reliever look. If you get past the size, there’s the makings of a starter here, and certainly good value in the Rd 4-5 zone.
Morris, meanwhile, has much more of a starter’s build – 6’4”, plenty strong. Three above-average pitches: FB, slider, cutter. Changeup that needs more development. He’s sitting 95-97 with his heater, and touching 99. He’ll need to work on upper zone command and better fastball shape to make it through a batting order two or three times a game.
I still have some reservations about these profiles if taken high in this draft, but they’re the two among those fitting the “Angels’ type” who most intersect with my notions of what might yield a projectable starter.
Round 2
Let’s imagine a scenario where the Angels take one of the prep shortstops (Holliday, Willits, JoJo Parker) or Aiva Arquette in round one, and forgo one of the top five college pitchers on the board. In such a case, they might want to balance out their Day One selections with an arm or two.
I’m making an assumption that names like Riley Quick and Zach Root are off the table in the 30s and early 40s, and the first guy on this list could quickly follow. But here’s a quartet that’s interesting as a potential complement to a bat selection at #2.
| Position/School | Stats | Rankings | |
| Anthony Eyanson | RHP, LSU | 3.00 ERA, 2.49 FIP 12.67 K/9, 3.00 BB/9 | MLB:40, BA:32 ESPN:45, JB:60 |
| Joseph Dzierwa | LHP, Michigan State | 2.36 ERA, 2.38 FIP 10.21 K/9, 2.16 BB/9 | MLB:74, BA:50 ESPN:87, JB:75 |
| JB Middleton | RHP, Southern Mississippi | 2.31 ERA, 2.90 FIP 10.42 K/9, 2.14 BB/9 | MLB:74, BA:50 ESPN:87, JB:75 |
| Cade Obermueller | LHP, Iowa | 3.02 ERA, 2.90 FIP 12.64 K/9, 3.46 BB/9 | MLB:53, BA:193 ESPN:82, JB:93 |
Of this group, Anthony Eyanson is likely to be the biggest reach in terms of second round availability, and I’d be tempted to grab him even if the Angels take one of the college lefties in Round One. If the Angels could draft the 1-2 double punch of the National Champion LSU rotation, who says no? I do think that Eyanson has played himself into a supplemental round selection, but there are always guys who slide, so I include him nonetheless.
There’s a ton to like with Eyanson: “His mid-80s gyro slider is an above-average offering with sharp vertical biting action and generated a 52% miss rate in 2025. He also throws a curveball with more depth and more gradual top-down shape that serves as a more common secondary versus lefties. Eyanson will occasionally mix in a low-80s changeup, though his command of the pitch is behind both of his breaking balls. Eyanson is a top-two-rounds talent and high-probability starter with above-average control and a deep pitch mix.” (BA)
JB Middleton is athletic and has three above-average pitches (FB, SL, CH), but is a touch undersized for a righty, which historically dings guys for relief risk. He’s a converted reliever, so the mileage on the arm is low, and he significantly improved his control/command in just junior year, and kept his mid-90s velocity deep into games. The median outcome is a backend starter, with some mid-rotation upside, and the downside of a quick-moving reliever.
Joseph Dzierwa is a ridiculously tall (6’8”) command lefty with a soft fastball but an excellent changeup that’s a real bat-misser. He’s a no doubt starter with deception, though the ceiling might be capped by velocity. That said, there’s good life on the heater, and lefties can’t touch the change. He was the top pitcher in the Big 10, and took Pitcher of the Year honors this season.
Cade Obermueller also feels very Angels to me – “reliever risk due to his size, delivery and pitch repertoire” (BA), quick mover if placed in the bullpen, but some of the fundamentals to play in a rotation with some improvement. You’ll see a sharp divergence in the rankings above, based on how evaluators view his starter likelihood. MLB Pipeline is most bullish: “Obermueller works from a low arm slot that produces outstanding metrics on his fastball and slider. He sits at 91-94 mph and can reach 98 with his heater, showing the ability to create carry, run or sink from an unusually flat approach angle. He imparts huge horizontal break, as well as good depth, on a low-80s slider that eats up lefties and righties.”
Rounds 3-4
Now this group is where things get interesting. There’s intrigue, there’s upside, and there’s compelling value, especially for that extra pick that the Angels possess at #105.
| Position/School | Stats | Rankings | |
| Michael Lombardi | RHP, Tulane | 2.14 ERA, 2.68 FIP 15.64 K/9, 4.50 BB/9 | MLB:75, BA:101 ESPN:93, JB:82 |
| Matt Barr | RHP, Niagara County CC | 10-0, 1.74 ERA, 94 K’s 57 IP, 4 complete games, 2 shutouts | MLB:136, BA:223 ESPN:166, JB:150 |
| Justin Lamkin | LHP, Texas A&M | 3.42 ERA, 3.41 FIP 10.46 K/9, 2.03 BB/99 | MLB:111, BA:109 ESPN:154, JB:132 |
Michael Lombardi is a two-player who played all over the field for Tulane, and only recently converted full time to pitching, so it’s a fresh arm and there’s more projection (and development) to come. I think Lombardi was a lot of guys’ under-the-radar “secret” until the last few weeks, when it’s become clear folks are waking up to him, and he might get snatched in round two or three. The Royals, a team with multiple extra picks, have been connected to him in the compensation rounds. Two pitches are already plus: FB, CB, with the latter arguably double-plus.
JB: “The fastball can be outright lethal on some nights, featuring tons of backspin and slight cutting action upstairs with high carry numbers. He’ll hover around the 94-96 MPH range over outings, missing bats at a high clip. His best secondary to date is an upper-70s hammer of a curveball that tunnels off the heater and drops to the dirt, catching guys out front. At best, Lombardi is averaging nearly forty inches of vertical separation. You don’t come across that often.”
MLB: “Lombardi also has some feel for an 82-85 mph changeup with some depth, so he has enough pitches to start. After battling the strike zone during his first two college seasons, he has improved his control as a junior and has the athleticism and delivery to continue to get better once he becomes a full-time pitcher.”
To me, this is the sort of great investment for a team with an extra pick in rounds 3-4 like the Angels, though he may not make it there. There’s some work to be done, but it’s more upside than the typical college prospect, given fundamentals and recency.
Matt Barr is seen as the #1 junior college pitcher in the country (an archetype the Angels have had some historical success with), popping up onto teams’ radars as a result of elite level spin rates, displayed both in-season and at the combine. He’ll be 19 at drafting, so it’s a good age for both further projection, with a bit of college experience to prime the pump. He’s committed to Tennessee, so key programs are lusting after him, and the bonus would have to be commensurate to the demand.
MLB Pipeline: “At 6-foot-6, the long-limbed Barr oozes projection from the mound, and he already has some pretty exciting now stuff. He throws everything with a ton of spin, including a fastball he can crank up to 97 mph with good life. Both his slider and curve register elite-level spin rates and help him miss a ton of bats at the NJCAA DIII level.”
Justin Lamkin is less of an upside bet, and more of a solid value play. He profiles as a high-probability backend starter with a three-pitch mix that he can land consistently for strikes. That’s a good return in the fourth round. No single pitch is elite, but there’s floor and polish here, and the FB/SL combo is strong enough that he has a fallback in the bullpen if the rotation doesn’t work out. If his changeup improves, there might be more projection here as well. “One of the best college pitchability lefty options in this year’s Draft.” (MLB Pipeline)
Rounds 5-7
| Position/School | Stats | Rankings | |
| Harrison Bodendorf | LHP, Oklahoma State | 3.30 ERA, 3.60 FIP 9.91 K/9, 2.72 BB/9 | unranked |
| Blake Gillespie | RHP, Charlotte | 2.42 ERA, 2.44 FIP 11.75 K/9, 1.70 BB/9 | BA:231, ESPN:208 JB:272 |
| Riley Kelly | RHP, UC Irvine | 3.78 ERA, 4.09 FIP 9.45 K/9, 4.32 BB/9 | MLB:139, BA:139 ESPN:144, JB:287 |
| Jacob Morrison | RHP, Coastal Carolina | 2.42 ERA, 2.89 FIP 8.69 K/9, 1.92 BB/9 | MLB:173, BA:187 ESPN:150, JB:91 |
Harrison Bodendorf is a big lefty out of Temecula, CA, and after playing two years in Hawaii, transferred and became Oklahoma State’s ace, going 10-1 on the season. He was such a frequent mention in Baseball America’s weekly ace and stat freaksheet reports, with “a changeup and slider that have both produced whiff rates north of 50%”, it’s still a headscratcher that he’s unranked there. It’s a low 90-93 mph fastball, but the delivery is easy and repeatable, and the three pitch mix is advanced enough that there’s at least a good swing guy here, if not more.
Blake Gillespie is most known this season for throwing a nine-inning no-hitter against James Madison in early March. This year’s Pitcher of the Year in the AAC, he’s a slider-dominant righty with impeccable command, but the mid-majors context, low-90s FB and underused changeup makes him more of a 6-10 round guy. BA: “his ability to miss bats at a high clip, throw strikes and carry a heavy pitch load should give him plenty of landing spots in the first 10 rounds.”
Riley Kelly occupies a similar niche to Ethan Hedges in my “torso” bat installment – should go in the same range as Hedges as well. Hometown hero, good west coast performer. Went to Tustin HS, then to UC Irvine, starting initially in the bullpen, and then blossoming this season as a starter. Two plus pitches in his FB and curve, and solid average change piece. There’s a little reliever risk, but also upside if he develops a complementary glove-side breaker.
MLB Pipeline: “Kelly is a 6-foot-5 right-hander who started trending up when he became a starter in mid-March and really put his name on the map when he outpitched UC Santa Barbara’s Tyler Bremner in his second start. Kelly’s fastball sits around 92-93 mph and he can crank it up to 96 at times. But his best pitch has always been his curve, especially when he can land it for strikes. It’s a nasty 11-to-5 breaker thrown in the upper 70s that routinely registers over 3,000 rpm and flashes plus. He has a low-80s changeup that can be effective as well.”
Jacob Morrison is a tough guy to rank. By his performance, as Coastal Carolina’s ace, making it all the way to the MCWS Championship, he profiles as a Top 100 guy. Sun Belt pitcher of the year, made the All-America second team, posted all year. But he’s 6’8”, has recently come back from TJ, and his four pitch portfolio, while commanded well, is built of largely solid average offerings across the board. It’s a durable “workhorse” backend starter package that slots solidly in the torso of this draft, though a team might reward him for his competitiveness and success against the highest college competition.
Deep Cuts
| Position/School | Stats | Rankings | |
| Zac Cowan | RHP, LSU | 2.94 ERA, 2.76 FIP 10.38 K/9, 2.08 BB/9 | BA:245 |
| Samuel Dutton | RHP, Auburn | 4.31 ERA, 3.38 FIP 9.98 K/9, 2.00 BB/9 | BA:387 |
| Antoine Jean | LHP, Houston | 2.55 ERA, 1.72 FIP 14.78 K/9, 2.69 BB/9 | MLB:196, BA:458 JB:240 |
| Grayson Grinsell | LHP, Oregon | 3.01 ERA, 3.40 FIP 9.21 K/9, 2.55 BB/9 | MLB:190, BA:414 |
| Jake Knapp | RHP, UNC Chapel Hill | 2.02 ERA, 2.92 FIP 7.74 K/9, 1.41 BB/9 | BA:328 |
| Jay Woolfolk | RHP, Virginia | 4.73 ERA, 3.14 FIP 10.44 K/9, 3.34 BB/9 | BA:253 |
Zac Cowan was one of LSU’s best relievers, leading with a plus changeup. His FB is on the lighter side, but he commands it well. He has a history of starting prior to last year’s transfer, so there might be more value here than a backend reliever, should he make progress on his slider, a less effective third pitch at the moment.
Samuel Dutton spent three years in largely a relief role with LSU, before becoming Auburn’s Friday night starter in his senior year. He has four solid-average pitches, and is a good strike thrower. BA: “None of his offerings are a slam-dunk putaway pitch, but his deep pitch mix, ascending performance and long track record of performance against SEC competition should make him a coveted senior sign.”
If Antoine Jean were two years younger, he might be a Top 100 guy in this class. Instead, he will turn 24 shortly after draft day, after rehabbing from Tommy John in the middle of this college career. His 2025 was one of the best in the nation, and earned him second-team All-American honors. BA: “(Jean’s) 41.4% strikeout rate … ranked second among qualified pitchers. Jean has a deep array of pitch shapes and added power in 2025.
His 90-94 mph four-seamer can touch 96, and he’ll mix in two-seam and cutter variants. All three of his secondaries—a mid-80s slider, upper-70s curveball and a mid-80s changeup used mostly against righties—achieved swinging strike rates of around 20% or better. Jean’s quite an appealing money-saving senior sign, who threw enough strikes in 2025 with a deep bag of tricks to earn a chance to start in pro ball with a fallback as a multi-inning relief role.”
Grayson Grinsell was a mainstay for three years in the Oregon rotation, one of only six in Oregon’s history to surpass 200 strikeouts. MLB: “the epitome of a college pitchability lefty whose feel is better than any individual offering in his repertoire. His fastball tops out at 92 mph, but it’s one of those “invisible” heaters hitters don’t square up.” Good feel, good control, lots of experience, but likely to be tested by more advanced hitters at AA and above.
Jake Knapp joins Antonie Jean as the oldest players in the class – a grad student performer with Tommy John in his rearview mirror. He’d be a UDFA all the way save for the strength of his final season, his massive physique, and stuff that plays against competitive hitters. BA: “Knapp is workhorse righthander with a 6-foot-5, 270-pound frame that makes him one of the most physical players in the country. In 2025, he was the ACC pitcher of the year after posting a 2.02 ERA over 15 starts and 102.1 innings, with a 22.2% strikeout rate and 4% walk rate. He sits around 93 mph with his fastball and will run the pitch up to 97 mph.” Intriguing late-rounder who might move quickly, despite the age concerns.
Finally, another older player who made significant strides this year. BA: “After spending his first three seasons almost exclusively in the bullpen, Jay Woolfolk has firmly established himself as a reliable starter. His eight-inning outing against rival Virginia Tech was a fitting capstone to that evolution. The righthander, known for his upper-90s fastball and athleticism, has taken major strides in sequencing and stamina this spring, proving he can handle extended turns and navigate lineups multiple times. His ability to miss barrels while limiting free passes (was) central to Virginia’s late push for a postseason spot over the last month.”
The Young Ones
I’m not going to go into depth on potential prep pitcher signs beyond the first round, because it’s tough to know who is signable and affordable until the draft is actually underway. I think this feature from one of the last quality SB Nation blogs is a good survey.
I’m interested to know where the two SoCal UCLA-commits, Angel Cervantes and Zach Strickland, go.
Likewise with Mr. Helium, Uli Fernsler.
These are the sort of kids, along with two-way player Mason Pike, who I could see as Day Two overslot targets on the model of Caden Dana and Trey Gregory-Alford should their 7-figure demands not be met on Day One.
The world of high school projection arms is just more speculative and unknowable to me, absent deep-touch front office resources, and outside West Coast prospects whose progress is more visible to a rooted Californian like myself. I’ll watch, nod and scratch my chin like the rest of you.
