The Los Angeles Angels potentially added 19 new players to their organization during the 2022 MLB Draft, including nine pitchers, five outfielders, three infielders and two catchers.
The Angels’ focus will now be on signing as many of those players as they can. According to Jim Callis of MLB Pipeline, the team went over the slot to ink fourth-round selection Jake Madden for $997,500:
4th-rder Jake Madden signs with @Angels for $997,500 (slot 118 = $512,900). @NWFRaiders_BSB RHP, one of best juco prospects in @MLBDraft, fastball to 98 mph, flashes solid slider & feel for a changeup as well. Alabama recruit. pic.twitter.com/gEjICMB00j
— Jim Callis (@jimcallisMLB) July 22, 2022
The right-handed pitcher out of Northwest Florida State is considered one of the best junior college prospects in the Draft and has a fastball that can touch 98 mph.
In addition to Madden, the Angels also agreed to terms with fifth-round selection Sonny DiChiara, who was signed below slot value:
5th-rder Sonny DiChiara inks w/@Angels for $172,500 (slot 148 = $383,200). Will go straight to Double-A. @AuburnBaseball 1B, SEC co-player of year, hit .383/.549/.777 w/22 HR, 2nd in NCAA D-I in OBP & walks (68), 5th in OPS (1.326). Power & patience are his strong suits @MLBDraft
— Jim Callis (@jimcallisMLB) July 22, 2022
DiChiara earned SEC Co-player of the Year honors after batting .383/.549/.777 with 22 home runs for the Auburn Tigers and will report to Double-A Rocket City.
The Angels also reportedly signed sixth-round selection Victor Mederos to a contract that is below slot value:
6th-rder Victor Mederos signs with @Angels for $227,750 (slot 178 = $291,400). @OSUBaseball RHP, big-time stuff (fastball to 99 mph, two-plane slider, downer curve, fading changeup) but not much history of strikes or success. Miami transfer. @MLBDraft pic.twitter.com/UcdwIAxi7R
— Jim Callis (@jimcallisMLB) July 22, 2022
Mederos pitched for the Oklahoma State Cowboys this season and throws four pitches, but has struggled with his command at times. If he is able to improve in that area, the Angels may have found a steal with the 178th overall pick in the Draft.
Angels Day 3 recap
The third day of the 2022 MLB Draft saw the Angels select 10 more players between rounds 11 and 20. The group is headlined by right-handed pitcher Caden Dana out of New Jersey, who has drawn comparisons to Noah Syndergaard.
