When the 2021 season was all said and done, the Angels had seen 64 players take the field in their uniforms. That was a franchise record — a considerable feat given this was the first full season without 40-man rosters in September.
By the end of it, 14 of those players had left the organization. Many more are now free agents. But as a result of the churn, the Angels actually got a pretty good look at some of the top young players in the organization. Some played in the majors. Others rose through the minor leagues more quickly as a result.
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There’s really no telling what the 2022 roster will look like. The Angels will prioritize pitching and a shortstop in free agency. But because of what happened this season, there’s a clearer picture of which prospects might be able to help the team on some level in 2022.
Here is a breakdown of Angels minor leaguers who could see time with the big-league club next year.
Pitchers
Sam Bachman: Bachman was drafted as a fast-track pitcher for the Angels this year. Had the team been competitive in September, it’s possible he might have made a cameo appearance in the big leagues to help shore up a weak pitching staff. Drafted ninth, Bachman earned a promotion to Double A by season’s end — though he didn’t pitch there because of a COVID-19 outbreak on the team — and finished with a 3.77 ERA in five starts, all for Class A-Advanced Tri-City.
Ky Bush: The Angels think very highly of Bush, who was drafted in the second round this year but could have easily been a first-rounder. The left-hander made five starts for Tri-City and had a 4.50 ERA, striking out 20 batters in 12 innings.
Janson Junk: Out of all the young pitchers who were hurried to the majors out of a need this September, Junk probably left the best impression. He had a wild summer. First he was traded from the Yankees for Andrew Heaney. Then he was three outs shy of a perfect game in Double A. After that, he was immediately called up to the big leagues.
Though he doesn’t record many strikeouts and is not overpowering, he is effective. And in four starts with the Angels, he had a 3.86 ERA over 16 1/3 innings.
Hector Yan: Yan is an interesting case. He spent the whole season on the 40-man roster but struggled throughout, pitching to a 5.25 ERA in 20 games (16 starts) for Tri-City. He’s on this list, though, because the Angels clearly like him. If he’s going to continue staying on the 40-man roster, it would seem to make sense he’d be inching closer toward an MLB opportunity.
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Davis Daniel: Daniel was elevated several times in his first season in the Angels system. He started in Class A-Advanced and ended in Triple-A Salt Lake. He struggled in his five games for the Bees, but he was excellent in nine starts for Rocket City with a 2.68 ERA.
Ryan Smith: Smith was promoted even more times than Daniel. He started the year in Low A and ended it in Triple A, compiling a combined 4.24 ERA. The former Ivy Leaguer has turned himself from an 18th-round pick into a top-30 prospect. He might get a look with the Angels in the not-too-distant future.
Robinson Pina: Pina reached as high as Double A this year but wasn’t incredibly effective there or in Tri-City. But his strikeout numbers are through the roof. He recorded 140 of them in 95 1/3 innings. The 56 walks are a huge issue. He’s pitching in the Arizona Fall League and could refine himself heading into 2022.
Elvis Peguero: Peguero, who arrived with Junk in the Heaney trade, got a cup of coffee in the majors this year based on need. He had a 1.09 WHIP in the minors this year but struggled with command at the major-league level. If he can figure that out, he might be a bullpen arm for the Angels.
Jose Marte: Marte’s situation is similar to Peguero’s. He had a brief chance in the big leagues. He threw two shutout innings and struck out four batters in his first Angels appearance, but a bout with COVID-19 threw a wrench in his season, and he was demoted in late September. He at least seems capable of pitching in an Angels uniform.
Catcher
Anthony Mulrine: Mulrine was a 25th-round pick in 2019 and isn’t really considered a prospect. But he did catch a slew of Angels pitching prospects in Double A this year. Then he was promoted to Triple A in September. He has not proved himself to be a good hitter, but the Angels’ catching depth is so limited right now, it wouldn’t be shocking to see him in the majors if a need arises.
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Infielders
Livan Soto: Soto is the No. 12 prospect in the Angels system, according to MLB.com. He hasn’t hit much in the minor leagues, but he is still just 21 years old. He has speed and can steal bases, and he plays shortstop — which is notably a thin position for the Angels. Maybe if he can show a little more power and consistency at the plate, he’ll have a chance for a call-up.
Michael Stefanic: Stefanic is not considered a prospect, somehow. He hit .336 with a .408 OBP and .901 OPS between Double A and Triple A this year. He mostly lacks a position but is one of the best pure hitters in the Angels system. It would be hard to imagine him continually getting spurned if he puts up offensive numbers like this next year. The Angels will also need to protect him from a Rule 5 draft poaching.
Jake Gatewood: Gatewood is a 26-year-old former prospect in the Brewers system. But, hey, he hit 28 homers for Salt Lake this year. Way more power than he’s ever shown.
Brendon Davis: Davis was a fifth-round draft pick of the Dodgers in 2015. He shot up through the system this year and dominated in Triple A. Davis had a 1.050 OPS with the Bees, hitting eight homers in just 31 games. In all, the 24-year-old hit 30 home runs in 124 games this year.
Outfielders
Jordyn Adams: Adams would seem to be an outside candidate to play on the big-league club next year. But he’s considered one of the organization’s top prospects. He has a ton of speed but struck out 116 times in 277 at-bats in Tri-City this year. If he refines that quickly, though, we could see him called up.
Orlando Martinez: Martinez, a top-30 prospect for the Angels, played the whole season at Double A and posted a .758 OPS with 16 home runs. With the Angels’ lack of outfield depth in the organization, it’s possible he could be considered for a call-up at some point if a need arises. He’ll also be playing in the Arizona Fall League.
(Photo of Sam Bachman: Lucas Dolengowski / Rocket City Trash Pandas)