With the 2022 Major League Baseball Draft in the rearview mirror, the Los Angeles Angels have currently locked up their first 11 picks with the signings of their first round pick, Zach Neto, and 11th-rounder, Caden Dana.
The Angels — having signed a majority of their top-10 selections — were eager to get their top pick under contract and did so after signing Neto for under slot value at $3.5 million, according Jim Wallis of MLB Pipeline:
1st-rder Zach Neto signs with @Angels for $3.5 million (pick 13 slot = $4,412,500). @GoCamelsBSB SS, first 1st-rder in Campbell history, career .403 hitter, outstanding bat-to-ball skills, strong arm (up to 93 mph as a reliever). @MLBDraft pic.twitter.com/k8uPnUXXRJ
— Jim Callis (@jimcallisMLB) July 22, 2022
Neto is the only player from Campbell University to be selected in the first round of the MLB Draft, and did so after posting a .407/.514/.769 slash during his final season at the plate, and his ability as a reliever made him all the more intriguing prospect for the Angels.
The Angels also made a bit of news by inking their 11th round pick for $1,497,500, a record for a player picked after round 10 in the bonus pool era.
11th-rder Caden Dana signs with @Angels for $1,497,500 ($1,372,500 counts vs bonus pool). Record for 11th rd, most ever after 10th rd in pool era. New Jersey HS RHP, can show mid-90s fastball & power breaking ball. Kentucky recruit. @MLBDraft pic.twitter.com/9adOhuwjtE
— Jim Callis (@jimcallisMLB) July 22, 2022
The Kentucky recruit from Montgomery, New York was signed well over slot value, and his bonus breaks the previous record that was set by the Angels in last year’s draft after they drafted a fellow high schooler, Mason Albright, in the 10th round and agreed to a deal worth $1,247,500.
Recapping rest of Angels draft selections
In round three, the Angels selected Ben Joyce, a right-handed pitcher from the University of Tennessee. This pick caught a lot of attention because his fastball has been clocked as high as 105.5 mph and could become a weapon out of the bullpen for L.A. as he could reach the majors fairly soon. He agreed to for a bit over slot value at $1,000,000.
The Angels selected and agreed to terms with Roman Phansalker, right-handed pitcher out of Oklahoma State for well under slot value at $27,500 in the 7th round.
In the 8th round, they selected and agreed to terms with outfielder, and left-handed pitcher, Dylan Phillips, from Kansas State at $42,500.
They selected and signed outfielder, Joe Stewart out of Michigan for $7,500, well under value, which stood at $162,500.
The Angels drafted Matt Coutney in the 10th round, and he agreed to terms with the club for $7,500, another undervalue pick, which was slated at $152,800.
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