2025 May Farm Report: AL West

Compared to their peers, the Angels don’t have as deep a farm system. Los Angeles (AL) is still trying to get back on track after its unsuccessful, all-in 2023 strategy, which cost the team several notable prospects, most notably Edgar Quero. But more importantly, many of its top young players are in the Majors — which is a testament to how well the Angels have done atop the MLB Draft in recent years.

Caden Dana, who made his MLB debut late last season, is arguably the Angels’ best pitching prospect and performed very well in the hitter-friendly PCL in April. Dana finished tied for fifth in strikeouts (27) and third in ERA (2.49) with Salt Lake (AAA) during his first run at Triple-A. Additionally, more than half the swings he induced on his slider this season have resulted in whiffs (51.7%).

The Angels did acquire several high-end prospects last summer, both through the MLB Draft and the Trade Deadline. George Klassen (3.86 ERA, 34 K over 25.2 IP) and Sam Aldegheri (3.29 ERA, 29 K, 14 BB over 24.1 IP) have been fine, although the latter’s command issues will be under heightened scrutiny.

As for their 2024 draft picks, Ryan Johnson is in the Majors as a reliever. Christian Moore, who appeared to be on a glide path to Anaheim, had a cold April, as he batted .219 (.712 OPS). There were positives in Moore’s April, namely the 16 walks. He remained a dangerous hitter but the numbers don’t lie: MiLB teams know Moore’s reputation and will pitch around him.

Chris Cortez, drafted 45th overall in 2024, struck out 22 but walked 13 over his first 22.1 IP.

One other note: Cole Fontenelle, who missed most of 2024 thanks to a dislocated ankle & fractured fibula, led the Southern League with 44 strikeouts over 21 games.

Astros

The Astros made Cam Smith the first 2024 first-round pick to make it to the Majors by adding him to their Opening Day roster. However, adjustments have been tough to come by for Smith, who struck out 29 times over his first 25 MLB games. Smith’s up-and-down April headlined what’s been a weird first month for Astros prospects.

Houston’s 2024 first-round pick, Walker Janek, showed pop late last season in Asheville (A+), unsurprising given he hit 37 home runs over 166 career college games at Sam Houston. But thus far, Janek picked up four extra-base hits and no home runs over his first 14 games back with the Tourists.

As for their 2023 first-round pick, Brice Matthews, the former Nebraska star showcased power and athleticism in his first full pro season. The Astros challenged him, moving him all the way to Triple-A last season. Matthews returned to Sugar Land (AAA) for 2025, and it’s been a grind. He struck out 30 times in April, tied for 10th in the PCL.

However, he’s done a good job of at least not whiffing too much on breaking balls (29.8% Whiff%). It’s been the fastballs that’ve done Matthews in thus far, with a 37.2% Whiff% being indicative of that.

Aside from those two, the Astros haven’t seen many of their top prospects get time in the Minors. Ryan Forcucci and Luis Baez haven’t played a game yet this season, while Jacob Melton last suited up for Sugar Land in mid-April.

Houston’s also needed reinforcements at the MLB level thanks to injuries, meaning the likes of Shay Whitcomb, Ryan Gusto, and AJ Blubaugh have all played in Houston. Gusto, to his credit, has been very good thus far. The 26-year-old struck out 29 over 27.2 IP in a starter/reliever role.

Athletics

Minor League Baseball was no trouble for Nick Kurtz, who finished April with the third-highest SLG (.616) in the Pacific Coast League and a promotion to Sacramento. Yes, he’s undergoing growing pains at the MLB level, with a 40.5% Whiff% that likely will get better (although, expect strikeouts and misses with his naturally long swing).

But, thus far, Kurtz has been a major success story for the A’s in 2025. Several other athletics 2024 picks have also been great thus far. Tommy White picked up 12 extra-base hits in his first month with Lansing (A+), while his ex-LSU teammate, Gage Jump struck out

And speaking of success stories, Gunnar Hoglund posted the lowest ERA (2.10) in the PCL during April, which got him a promotion to the Athletics. He showed two strong fastballs, including a carrying four-seamer, along with a sinking changeup that netted him a 42.9% Whiff% in his first MLB start. Not too shabby, to say the least.

There have been, however, growing pains for some of the Athletics’ other 2024 MLB Draft picks. Joshua Kuroda-Grauer found every hole possible at Rutgers — a school the A’s have heavily targeted over the years, as the team picked Ryan Lasko and Drew Conover in 2023 — and batted over .400 last year for the Scarlet Knights. But thus far, he’s batting .255 (.620 OPS), something to note given he doesn’t have above-average pop.

Rodney Green Jr. led the Midwest League in home runs (6) in April. However, 36 strikeouts over 21 games is a major red flag, especially for a bat who struck out 200 combined times between 2022-24 and never batted above .300 in a season at California.

And looking back at 2023, second-round pick Steven Echavarria (15 BB over 16.2 IP) and first-round pick Myles Naylor (49 K over 25 GP) have also shown weaknesses.

Mariners

The Mariners have done well in recent years with their drafting, and that was evident in April. Pitcher Logan Evans made his MLB debut and pitched well in that game, while former second-round pick Ben Williamson provided support as a utility player. However, their top prospects shone, as well.

Infielder Felnin Celesten, who batted .352 last year in the ACL, is currently batting .330 and picked up 23 hits — tied for 12th in the California League — in April. Meanwhile, in Everett, power-hitting outfielder Lazaro Montes finished tied for 11th in hits (22), and second in walks (20) & SLG (.585). Only Angels prospect Ryan Nicholson, a former Kentucky product, had a higher slugging percentage (.627) than Montes.

Then, there’s switch-pitcher Jurrangelo Cijntje. Cijntje struck out 22 over 17.1 IP and carried a 6.75 ERA in April, largely raised by struggling in outings coming out of the pen. However, he’s been highly effective working as a starter.

Seattle even got significant offensive production from an undrafted free agent, Carter Dorighi. Dorighi was a good contact hitter and rangy defender with Butler but didn’t have one standout tool, including a 25 grade power tool. He signed with the M’s after a strong run in the MLB Draft League. In April, Dorighi finished with a .461 SLG, ninth-best in the California League and a number buoyed by his 25 hits.

However, not all has been great with some of their bats. Cole Young and Harry Ford, both former first-round picks, have struggled, and neither currently has an OPS above .666. However, one thing about the two is that Ford & Young both have equally good eyes at the plate. Young’s been more aggressive at the plate (23.8% Chase% at Triple-A), while Ford (13.2%) has not.

Rangers

Much has been made this year about the Rangers’ offense at the MLB level. The good news, at least thus far, is their high-end hitting prospects have been fine.

Sebastian Walcott slashed .244/.376/.390 (.766 OPS) with five stolen bases, eight extra-base hits, and 16 walks over 22 games. There’s an old Moneyball adage that one either has discipline or does not. Walcott, thus far, has proven he does, and at 19 years of age, continues to show pop and promise.

Outfielder Alejandro Osuna, a 5’9” left-handed hitter, is not the most intimidating hitter up close but has shown power and strength, all while not striking out too much at the dish. Osuna struck out 15 times compared to eight walks over 22 games, along with nine extra-base hits and a .462 SLG in April.

Malcolm Moore, the Rangers’ first-round pick in 2024, got off to a good start with Hub City (A+) before landing on the injured list in mid-April. Moore hit three home runs and four extra-base hits over nine games, along with nine walks.

Then, there’s the upside pitchers. Kohl Drake, a former juco pitcher whom the Rangers drafted in the 11th round in 2022, struck out 148 batters in a breakthrough 2024 campaign across three levels. Drake is off to arguably an even better start in 2025, as the lefty K’d 34 over 22.1 IP and a .120 opponents’ average. He’s an unconventional lefty who puts his hands over his head before releasing, and the fastball plays up.

Michael Prosecky, the ex-Rockies prospect and a strikeout machine in the lower Minors, finished April with a 2.86 ERA and 24 strikeouts over 22 innings with Spokane (A+).