Los Angeles Angels

TRACK RECORD: A onetime top prospect, Jones was a mess his first two months at Double-A Mobile as he struggled to implement a swing change intended to incorporate a greater launch angle. The Angels finally let him revert to his old stance in the summer and he promptly began hitting. Jones hit .292 with a .370 on-base percentage from July through the end of the season, then hit .302 with an .886 OPS in the Arizona Fall League.

SCOUTING REPORT: Consistency has eluded Jones the last two seasons, and not always because it was his fault. The Angels converted him from center field to second base in 2018, then attempted to overhaul his swing in 2019. Jones battled through the challenges presented to him, and the Angels love his athleticism, plate discipline, attitude and work ethic. When right, Jones controls the strike zone, lines the ball to the gaps and amasses doubles with his above-average speed. He gets in trouble when he gets uphill in his swing path and tries to hit home runs. Jones is still learning the finer points of second base but is improving and has a chance to be a playable, if only fringe-average, defender there.

THE FUTURE: Jones salvaged his stock with a strong second half and was added to the 40-man roster in the offseason. He should open 2020 at Triple-A Salt Lake.

TRACK RECORD: While the Angels have been aggressive picking high school position players in the early rounds, they have not pursued many prep pitchers high in the draft. They made an exception for Kochanowicz, drafting the burly but athletic righthander in the third round and giving him an overslot $1.25 million signing bonus to sway him from a Virginia commitment. Kochanowicz did not pitch for an affiliate after signing and spent most of the summer working on his strength and conditioning.

SCOUTING REPORT: Kochanowicz's above-average fastball sits 90-93 mph and touches 95 with late, riding life up in the zone. He generates good spin on his low-80s curveball, and it should become an above-average pitch as he gets stronger and adds velocity to it. He already has a good feel for an upper-80s changeup with depth. Kochanowicz generates plenty of downhill plane with his height and high-threequarters arm slot. He is very fluid in the way he moves and appears comfortable in his delivery, allowing him average control.

THE FUTURE: Kochanowicz is far from a finished product but is very projectable with his size, athleticism and easy velocity. He will likely start 2020 in extended spring training before pitching in the Rookie-level Arizona League.

TRACK RECORD: Signed out of the Bahamas for $850,000 in 2017, Knowles was so raw when he signed the Angels had to teach him how to take a professional batting practice. He proved a quick study and raced up to Rookie-level Orem to finish his first season. He returned to Pioneer League in 2019 and regressed, but he was still only 18 and one of the league's youngest players.

SCOUTING REPORT: Knowles is mainly a contact hitter with a clean, compact, quiet swing from both sides of the plate. He has average raw power potential, with more pop coming from the left side. A highend athlete with plus speed, Knowles is still learning the nuances of baserunning. He is so athletic and versatile the Angels introduced him to second base in instructional league, and he will continue to explore the position moving forward. His arm is strong enough to play all three outfield spots, and it should play up in the infield.

THE FUTURE: Knowles turned 19 in January and still has plenty of time to mature physically and mentally. He might project more as a high on-base-percentage, speedy utility man than a regular. He is set to open 2020 at low Class A Burlington.

TRACK RECORD: Aquino signed for $100,000 in 2017 and showed immense promise before Tommy John sidelined him for the entire 2018 season. He returned in 2019 and appeared fully recovered, touching 96 mph and striking out 49 batters in 36.2 innings at two Rookie levels.

SCOUTING REPORT: The gangly Aquino missed a year of development because of his elbow injury, but he benefitted from the strength and conditioning program that came with rehabilitation. He has plenty of room to grow physically, and as he adds muscle to his thin frame, he should add even more velocity to a fastball that currently sits 93-95 mph. Aquino complements his heater with a low-80's power curveball that has good downhill bite and an improving changeup. He is coordinated for his size and has a clean, simple, repeatable delivery. He has a tick of deception in his delivery that, combined with his velocity, makes for a very uncomfortable at-bat for righthanded hitters.

THE FUTURE: Aquino will likely open 2020 in the rotation at low Class A Burlington. With his power repertoire and competitive nature, he may project more as a reliever in the big leagues.

TRACK RECORD: The Angels signed Ramirez for $1 million during the 2018 international signing period based on the belief that he has the power potential to grow into a middle-of-the-order slugger. The 17-year-old showed extra-base pop in his professional debut with eight doubles, five triples and four homers in 39 Dominican Summer League games, but he also struck out in one-third of his plate appearances.

SCOUTING REPORT: Ramirez is big, strong and muscular with an athletic frame that has very little baby fat. He has plus power and can hit a ball a long, long way. Ramirez has good bat speed and decent batto- ball skills but, like most youngsters, he is still learning to hit breaking balls. Despite Ramirez's youth and size, he has good coordination, flexibility and mobility, and his stride length and gait are improving. An average runner with solid defensive instincts and a strong throwing arm, Ramirez projects as a powerhitting corner outfielder, but the Angels will continue to challenge him by playing him in center field.

THE FUTURE: Ramirez is set to move stateside to the Rookie-level Arizona League in 2020. His growth as a hitter will be key to watch.

TRACK RECORD: Ortega signed for just $10,000 during the 2014 international signing period. He missed all of 2017 with a stress reaction in his back and largely stayed off the radar until 2019, when he emerged as a hidden gem. The hard-throwing righthander took advantage of a velocity bump to rack up 135 strikeouts in 111 innings in a breakout season, which included a star turn in the California League all-star game and a late promotion to Double-A.

SCOUTING REPORT: Ortega's fastball is the bedrock of his success. His heater sits 93-96 mph as a starter and 95-98 mph in relief. He complements it with a 12-to-6 knuckle-curveball in the low 80s that induced a 48 percent swing-and-miss rate in 2019. His upper-80s changeup is his clear third pitch, but has improved it to the point it could potentially be an average offering. Strong and athletic, Ortega attacks hitters with an even-keeled tempo and rhythm. He walked 4.6 batters per nine innings over his last two seasons, so he will have to find the strike zone more consistently to remain a starter.

THE FUTURE: Most scouts believe Ortega's power fastball-breaking ball combination will play best in shorter stints out of the bullpen. He will start 2020 back at Double-A.

TRACK RECORD: Franco, who signed for $50,000 in 2017, spent the first two and a half months of last year rehabilitating a forearm injury in extended spring training. He joined Rookie-level Orem in mid- June and set the tone for a breakout season with four innings of one-run ball with no walks and nine strikeouts in his first start.

SCOUTING REPORT: Franco soared up the depth chart because of his command of a fastball that has touched 98 mph with ride at the top of the zone, a considerable boost from his peak velocity of 94 mph in 2018. Franco has already added 25-30 pounds since he signed, and as he continues to fill out physically, gain strength and further distance himself from his arm injury, he should be able to maintain his velocity for longer stretches. Franco's secondary pitches need some work. He has flashed a swing-and-miss, mid- 80s changeup with significant fade and depth, while his upper-70s curveball lags behind his changeup at this point. His delivery is smooth and repeatable.

THE FUTURE: Franco will head to low Class A Burlington in 2020. He may have another velocity jump in him.

TRACK RECORD: Martinez participated in Cuba's 18U national league in 2016 and led the circuit in batting average while finishing second in slugging percentage behind only Luis Robert. The Angels signed him for $250,000 the following year. Martinez stood out early at high Class A Inland Empire last season before missing nearly two months with a broken finger, but he bounced back to post a .759 OPS in 88 games while playing all three outfield spots.

SCOUTING REPORT: Martinez's tools don't necessarily jump out at you, but he's a solid all-around athlete with good instincts and makeup. He has a solid swing and contact skills and an overall hit-over-power profile. When he gets the pitch he's looking for he can do damage, especially to the pull-side gap. He has a smooth lefthanded swing with the potential to add more power, and he knows how to manage an at-bat. Martinez is an above-average runner and defender with a strong throwing arm. He gets good reads off the bat and runs efficient routes in all three outfield spots.

THE FUTURE: Martinez will likely start 2020 at Double-A Rocket City. He doesn't project as a big-league starter, but has the potential to be a quality fourth outfielder.

TRACK RECORD: Pina signed with the Angels for $50,000 in 2017 and did little to distinguish himself until the Angels taught him a split-fingered fastball in instructional league after the 2018 season. The bigbodied, broad-shouldered righthander took off with the new pitch and finished second in the organization with 146 strikeouts at low Class A Burlington.

SCOUTING REPORT: Pina's fastball averages 93 mph and tops out at 96 with late life up in the zone. His low-80s curveball was his best secondary pitch until he scrapped his changeup in favor of the split-fingered fastball, an upper-80s pitch the Angels thought suited Pina because of his over-the-top delivery and huge hands. Pina walked 5.1 batters per nine innings last season, but his below-average command and control should improve as he grows into his body and learns to repeat his delivery. The Angels love Pina's competitive nature—he hates coming out of games—and the way he attacks hitters.

THE FUTURE: Pina will remain in the rotation at high Class A Inland Empire in 2020. With his repertoire and mentality, he could eventually find himself in the back of a big-league bullpen.

TRACK RECORD: The Angels drafted Holmes, formerly known as William English, as a two-way player in the fifth round in 2018 and signed him for an over-slot $700,000 bonus. Holmes showed why the Angels took the bold step of drafting him as a two-way player by batting .326 with a .920 OPS as a hitter and striking out 38 batters in 24.1 innings as a pitcher between two Rookie-level stops in his first full season.

SCOUTING REPORT: Holmes is a physical specimen with a broad-shouldered, muscular, athletic frame and huge hands. He has shown good raw power and speed as a hitter, but he appears to have more upside as a pitcher. Holmes features a lively fastball that averages 94 mph and touches 97 with different action, either cutting, sinking or riding to the top of the zone. He complements the heater with a big-breaking upper-70s curveball and a low-80s changeup that replaced the split-fingered fastball he used to throw. He has a clean, athletic delivery but is still working to consistently throw strikes.

THE FUTURE: Holmes has a high ceiling, but he's still adjusting to life as a full-time baseball player and his tools are raw. He will need to improve his command as he rises through the system.

TRACK RECORD: A senior sign from Georgia picked in the 39th round of the 2015 draft, Walsh defied odds by jumping from high Class A to Triple-A in 2018 and reaching the big leagues as a two-way player last season. He hit 36 home runs and led the minors with a 1.110 OPS at Triple-A Salt Lake last year, and he was more than functional as a pitcher with 14 strikeouts across 18 Triple-A and big-league innings.

SCOUTING REPORT: Walsh leveled out the uppercut in his swing in 2018 to produce a more consistent bat path through the zone. He began showing power to all fields with the change and delivering consistent hard contact. When Walsh connects he hits the ball hard, but he also has huge holes in his swing that were exploited in the majors. He's a smooth defender at first base with plus hands and a strong arm. On the mound, Walsh ranges from 90-94 mph with his fastball and can spin a decent curveball, but he hasn't focused enough on pitching to develop into a reliable major league reliever.

THE FUTURE: Walsh's lefthanded power and ability to eat innings in mop-up situations make him a unique option for the Angels. The addition of the 26th roster spot helps his chances of sticking in the big leagues in 2020.

TRACK RECORD: Rodriguez signed with the Angels for $40,000 in 2012 and spent most of his career as an unremarkable minor leaguer with an upper-80s fastball. Added strength, physical maturity and the adoption of a more rigorous throwing program led to a sharp velocity increase the last two seasons, and he jumped from Double-A to the majors in 2019.

SCOUTING REPORT: Rodriguez's fastball went from touching 92 mph in 2017 to 94 in 2018 and 96 in 2019. He now comfortably sits at 92-93 to give him an average major league fastball, although he has yet to completely harness his newfound velocity and has a long way to go with his fastball command. Rodriguez has an array of secondaries from his days as a pitchability righthander. He has a low-80s curveball he locates more effectively than his fastball and two distinctly different changeups. One cuts toward his glove side at about 85 mph and is a swing-and-miss pitch, the other sinks and fades to his arm side at about 86 mph.

THE FUTURE: Rodriguez likely doesn't have the durability or command to win a spot in the Angels rotation, but he could compete for a middle- or long-relief role in 2020.

TRACK RECORD: Soto, one of 12 former Braves prospects who were declared free agents by MLB as punishment for Atlanta's violation of international signing rules, gained 15 pounds between 2018 and 2019, but the added strength did not result in more power. He hit only one homer and had seven doubles in 273 at-bats in between the Rookie-level Arizona League and low Class A Burlington.

SCOUTING REPORT: Soto has an advanced approach at the plate—he has almost as many walks (84) as strikeouts (94) in three minor league seasons—and his bat-to-ball skills should allow him to hit for average. He'll never be a 25-homer hitter, but the Angels believe Soto can develop the gap-to-gap power to generate more extra-base hits. He's one of the better defenders in the system, with good instincts and fast-twitch actions, a good first step, quick hands and a strong arm. Soto's best position is shortstop, but he's also grown into a plus defender at second base. He's an average runner.

THE FUTURE: If Soto retains his agility as he gains weight, he could develop into a big-league utility infielder. He doesn't turn 20 until midway through the 2020 season and still has time.

TRACK RECORD: Placencia drew attention early in the 2019 international signing class as a baseball rat with a competitive edge. He progressively became more and more of a prospect as he grew into his 5-foot- 11 frame, and the Angels gave him a $1.1 million bonus to sign on July 2.

SCOUTING REPORT: Placencia is presently scrawny at a generously-listed 170 pounds, but he drives the ball hard for his size. He has a sound swing, puts together quality at-bats and makes hard contact when he finds the barrel. Despite his size, the natural lift in his swing gives him a chance to develop average or better raw power as he matures. Placencia signed as a shortstop, but he is a below-average runner expected to eventually move to second base. He has soft hands and an average arm with a quick exchange.

THE FUTURE: Placencia will still be 16 on Opening Day and has a long road ahead. He is slated to spend most of 2020 in the Dominican Summer League.

TRACK RECORD: Bonilla signed with the Angels for $600,000 on July 2 and immediately went out and hit in the Dominican Summer League. He batted .284 with an .808 OPS in 20 games, showing good pull-side power with occasional opposite-field pop.

SCOUTING REPORT: Bonilla has a clean bat path that allows him to barrel baseballs consistently and produce high-end exit velocities. He should add muscle as he grows, and with a natural launch angle that helps him hit the ball into the air, he has the chance to hit for average power. Bonilla has a stout frame and is not quite as athletic as some of the organization's other Latin American infielders, but he's a polished, smooth fielder with a plus-plus arm that allows him make throws from deep in the hole at shortstop. He is a fringe-average runner who is likely to slow down as he ages.

THE FUTURE: The Angels plan to groom Bonilla as both a shortstop and third baseman, with third base seen as his most likely long-term position. He is slated to make the jump to the Rookie-level Arizona League in 2020.

TRACK RECORD: Rivera wasn't sure he would be able to pursue his dreams of playing professional baseball after hurricanes battered his home island of Puerto Rico in Sept. 2017. He stuck with it and impressed enough scouts at the Puerto Rico Baseball Academy last spring to be selected in the fourth round and signed to a $597,500 bonus by the Angels, who announced him as a two-way player.

SCOUTING REPORT: Rivera, who passed on a commitment to Florida International, has plenty of raw power but has struggled at times to make consistent contact. His athleticism was apparent in the outfield, where his arm strength as a pitcher is an asset. On the mound, Rivera has a very fluid, athletic delivery. His fastball sits 88-92 mph and has touched 96 mph, and he backs it up with a promising hard curveball. Rivera's early emphasis will be on improving his overall control and developing a third pitch.

THE FUTURE: The Angels have been aggressive in their efforts to develop two-players such as Shohei Ohtani, Jared Walsh, Bo Way and William Holmes. They plan to give Rivera the opportunity to develop as both a pitcher and hitter, though most of his at-bats will likely come as a designated hitter.

TRACK RECORD: Stallings worked as Tennessee's Friday night starter last spring and held his own in the Southeastern Conference, going 8-5, 3.33 with 106 strikeouts and only 16 walks in 102.2 innings. The Angels drafted him in the fifth round and signed him for $312,500. Stallings threw several bullpen sessions in Arizona after signing but did not pitch for an affiliate.

SCOUTING REPORT: Stallings doesn't overpower hitters and lacks a true plus pitch. Where he succeeds is with a smooth, up-tempo and easy-to-repeat delivery that allows him to command and sequence his four-pitch repertoire effectively. His fastball sits between 88-91 mph with a peak of 93 mph and has some sinking action. He complements his heater with an average slider and changeup that are slightly ahead of his curveball at this point, although his curveball showed better than his changeup in college. Stallings' ability to throw four pitches from the same arm slot and release point adds to his deception.

THE FUTURE: Stallings has a chance to move fast because of his advanced feel for pitching, overall command and his business-like approach. He will likely start 2020 at high Class A Inland Empire and could reach Double-A Rocket City by the second half.

TRACK RECORD: Ball has bounced around quite a bit since the White Sox drafted him in the 11th round in 2013. The Rangers acquired him in a trade for Anthony Ranaudo in 2016, and the Angels selected him from Texas in the minor league portion of the 2017 Rule 5 draft. After not advancing past low Class A his first five seasons, Ball jumped to Double-A in is first season with the Angels and reached Triple-A Salt Lake last year.

SCOUTING REPORT: The big-bodied, broad-shouldered Ball combines a fastball that averages 93 mph and tops out at 96 with a slider, curveball and changeup. He induced a 50 percent swing-and-miss rate last season with his mid-80s slider, which has side-to-side and sinking action. He throws his overhand curve in the upper 70s and his sinking changeup in the mid-80s. Ball's control is below-average, but he's not excessively wild.

THE FUTURE: Ball will likely start 2020 in the rotation at Triple-A. He could be a fill-in option for the Angels when one of their starters or middle relievers goes on the injured list.

TRACK RECORD: The Angels made Hernandez their third-round pick in 2018 after a strong junior year, but his first pro season was a struggle at high Class A Inland Empire. He showed less velocity than expected, walked 5.7 batters per nine and allowed a .269 opponent average. He bounced back in the Arizona Fall League with a 3.38 ERA over six starts.

SCOUTING REPORT: Hernandez flashed 96 mph in college, but in his pro debut he sat 90-94 and struggled to hold his velocity for more than three or four innings. He heavily uses his 80-83 mph slurvy breaking ball, throwing it as often as his fastball at times, and flashes a tumbling mid-80s changeup that is his best pitch when he uses it. Hernandez's stuff is ahead of his command at this point, but the hope is both will tick up with a move to the bullpen.

THE FUTURE: Hernandez rebuilt his stock somewhat with his AFL showing and will continue starting for now. He'll head to Double-A Rocket City intent to show he can stay in the rotation long-term.

TRACK RECORD: Rivas missed the second half of May and all of June because of a significant hamstring injury, but that didn’t slow his development as a utility player. Signed as a shortstop for $40,000 in 2014, Rivas was versatile enough to play shortstop, second base, third base, left field and center field last season, all at adequate to above-average levels. His on-base percentage at high Class A Inland Empire (.328) was 92 points higher than his batting average (.236).

SCOUTING REPORT: A short, small-framed player, Rivas is an above-average runner and has advanced strike-zone discipline, which allows him to draw walks and be disruptive on the basepaths. Rivas has surprising power for his size but does not consistently impact the ball or hit enough homers to justify his rising strikeout numbers the last two seasons. The switch-hitter is significantly better from the right side than the left. Rivas' arm is strong and accurate enough to play the left side of the infield and the outfield, although he is stretched at shortstop for more than a few games.

THE FUTURE: With a better understanding of the pitches he can handle, Rivas has the tools to develop into a utility man. He should reach Double-A in 2020.