The 2026 MLB draft came and went, with the Angels selecting 15 players among the 20 rounds. With interim general manager John Mozeliak now in charge, he allowed scouting director Tim McIlvaine more freedom in the draft.
As Mozeliak said when he was appointed interim GM, he wanted to focus on the draft and finding key players to help this ballclub's farm system and win in the future.
With the 12th overall pick, the Angels selected 17-year-old Jared Grindlinger out of Huntington Beach High School. This pick breaks the seven-year streak of the Halos selecting a college player with their first-round pick.
Grindlinger is a 6 '3, left-handed outfielder who batted .376 in 2026. He had an OPS of 1.000, combined with 22 RBI's, two home runs, two triples, and 10 doubles. While Grindlinger is an offensive threat and plays well in the outfield, he is also a decent left-handed pitcher. His versatility will certainly fit into the Halos' future.
To top it off, Grindlinger grew up an Angels fan. He's said that " it's been surreal ," as he officially signed with the Halos and visited the stadium on July 18. It's no surprise to see the Angels go after Anaheim natives.
For their remaining three picks for the first day, the Halos focused more on selecting major-ready players.
With their second-round pick, the Angels drafted second baseman Jarren Advincula from Georgia Tech, Texas A&M third baseman Gavin Grahovac and Georgia outfielder Rylan Lujo . With each of these players having college experience, they bring more readiness to the current Angels farm system.
Considering the history the Angels have at calling up players soon after their draft, it's possible these selections could make their way to the major league roster sooner rather than later. Looking at the farm system currently, the Halos are overwhelmed with pitchers and have been lacking on the bats.
Advincula is a high-contact hitter, as he led the NCAA Division I with 111 hits last season in 61 games. He's considered a solid baserunner, which always helps as the Angels currently sit 21st in the league with only 51 stolen bases. Grahovac hit .339 with 22 home runs in 57 games during his junior year. With the current revolving door the Halos have seen at third base the last few years, Grahovac fits perfectly. Lujo is considered a contact hitter as well, with good speed both on the bases and in the field.
The Angels selected only position players for the first day, and they carried that into the second and final day as well.
Within these five rounds, the Halos selected three players. Infielder Jaxon Willits , Catcher Garrett Wright , and right-hander Trevor Hansen .
While all three look like good fits, this was the first year since 2022 that the Halos have drafted a catcher. Wright is coming off a good offensive season for Tennessee, where he hit nine home runs, 17 doubles, and 30 RBIs in only 49 games.
Even with the hamate fracture he suffered earlier in the year, he has proven his offensive capabilities. And with the recent struggles Logan O'Hoppe has had at the plate, it will be nice to have a good offensive backup.
With three picks, the Angels selected another catcher, Adam Agresti , outfielder Jake Long , as well as two high schoolers, right-hander Jacob Sammis and shortstop Cameron Jackson.
While each of these players fills a spot that is currently occupied at the major league level, these three will be good fits for the team going forward. Similar to Grindlinger's situation, the Angels will most likely prefer Sammis and Jackson to remain in the minors for a bit until they get their footing with pro-level playing.
Long slashed .374 in 51 games with 11 home runs and 58 RBIs. He's had a great mixture of power as well as patience when at the plate for Utah this past year.
With their last five picks, the Angels selected more college players. Adding right-handers Robert Orloski and Greyson Chappel . As well as outfielder Jake Jackson , infield/outfielder TJ Grines , and outfielder Jack Salmon .
From this group, the player to watch is Grines. He's coming off a record-setting junior year where he stole 66 bases in 55 games while simultaneously hitting .386 with 10 home runs, 21 doubles, and 56 RBIs. From an offensive standpoint, he's a well-rounded player who fits perfectly with the Angels.
To top that off, he also has experience playing both second base and the outfield, which gives the Angels more of a reason to love him. In the past, we've seen the Angels play multiple of their infielders in the outfield. This season alone, we've seen them start to convert Christian Moore to an outfielder so he has more possibilities of staying in the majors.
With these 15 picks, the Angels come away with a good mixture of players we can expect to see flourish in the majors. Going into the draft, Mozeliak said their strategy is to go after the best player available when their picks come up.
As opposed to years past, when the team has gone down a more financial route instead. Or even only selecting pitchers as they did in 2021.
It will be interesting to see how each pick pans out, but if you've followed the Angels at all the last few years, you can probably expect to see one of these new kids in the show sooner rather than later.
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