Who's first? Not the Angels, who are projected to sit fourth in the AL West with a 41-55 record heading into the All-Star break.
However, their roster is littered with No. 1 players. A dozen of the current Halos were first-round draft picks, a remarkable pedigree of talent that hasn't translated into wins.
So forgive Angels fans if they don’t do cartwheels over Sunday’s selection of second baseman Christian Moore with the eighth overall pick in this year’s draft. That’s not a criticism of Moore, who hit .375 with 34 homers, 74 RBIs and a 1.248 OPS this season for College World Series champion Tennessee.
It’s just that they’ve seen this before. Moore will likely rush to the big leagues to sink or swim with first baseman Nolan Schanuel to his left and shortstop Zach Neto to his right, other first-round picks who were rushed to Anaheim and are so far swimming like madmen to stay afloat.
For his part, Moore already exudes a confidence worthy of a first-round draft pick.
“I want to be able to compete at the highest level as quickly as I can,” he said after being selected. “I haven't really talked to anyone.” [the Angels] I don’t know much about it, but definitely, if I get the opportunity, I will try to take it.”
He's not the only one. The Angels can count on a lineup of players selected in the first round. Namely:
Catcher Matt Thaiss was the Angels' first-round pick (16th overall) in 2016 University of Virginia (Charlottesville, VA)Thaiss is the backup to Logan O'Hoppe, a promising young player who was selected in the 23rd round of the draft by the Philadelphia Phillies in 2018 and acquired in a trade.
First baseman Schanuel was the Angels' pitcher. first round choose (11th) in 2023 from Florida AtlanticHe was the first player from last summer's draft to reach the major leagues, but he hasn't shown the power he displayed in college.
Second baseman Keston Hiura was the Milwaukee Brewers first round choose (9th) in 2017 from University of California, Irvine and Valencia High. After hitting .303 with a stellar .948 OPS as a rookie in 2019, his production plummeted and the Angels signed him to a minor league deal in June to back up Brandon Drury at second base and Schanuel at first base.
Shortstop Neto was the Angels' favorite. first round choose (13th) in 2022 from among the small ones Campbell University (Buies Creek, North Carolina)He has proven he can handle the position defensively and has shown power at the plate. Neto, 23, is here to stay because he is looking for the number one spot.
“I like to have a lot of fun,” he said. “You could say it’s confidence, you could say it’s arrogance, whatever. It’s just the way I carry myself every day. I just go out there and try to have fun.”
Third baseman Anthony Rendon, once the Washington Nationals' No. 1 pitcher, rarely seems to enjoy himself on the field. first round choose (6th) in 2011 from RiceRendon, an oft-injured enigma, is both the most successful and most disappointing player on the Angels' active roster. At least (for now) he's healthy.
Left fielder Taylor Ward was the Angels' pitcher. first round The 26th overall pick in 2015 out of Fresno State, Ward has been a consistent performer and a leader in the locker room since earning a starting job in 2021. However, his production has dipped this year and he could be traded before the July 30 deadline.
Center fielder Mickey Moniak was the first overall pick in 2016, coming to the Phillies from La Costa Canyon High in Carlsbad and signed for a $6.6 million bonus. Moniak had decent numbers for the Angels last season but has otherwise been a dismal bust, hitting .209 this season after hitting .144 in parts of three seasons in Philadelphia.
Right fielder Jo Adell was the Angels' pitcher. first round choose (10th) in 2017 from Ballard High School in Louisville, Kentucky.
In five seasons in the majors, Adell has yet to prove he can hit or play adequately in the field. He is hitting .190 with 15 home runs playing every day this season.
Utility player Cole Tucker was the Pittsburgh Pirates first round selection (24th) in 2014 of High point of the mountain in Phoenix. He’s batting .180 for the Angels, and has only made headlines for marrying “High School Musical” and “Princess Switch” alum Vanessa Hudgens.
Pitcher Tyler Anderson was the pitcher for the Colorado Rockies. first round selection (20th) in 2011 of OregonThe left-handed starter is the Angels' representative in the All-Star Game, having posted a 2.97 ERA in 19 starts this season. Anderson was also an All-Star in 2022 when he posted a 15-5 record and a 2.57 ERA for the Dodgers before signing a three-year, $39 million contract with the Angels.
Pitcher Carson Fulmer was the Chicago White Sox first round choose (8th) in 2015 from VanderbiltThe right-hander who supposedly couldn't miss was designated for assignment six times, sent to the minors nine times and claimed off waivers six times before landing with the Angels last season. Now 30, Fulmer is having his best season, posting a 3.45 ERA in 47 innings.
And of course, there's outfielder Mike Trout, who is expected to return from the disabled list in August after recovering from surgery to repair a torn meniscus in his right knee. The future Hall of Fame slugger was the Angels' go-to hitter. first round selection (25th) in 2009 of Millville High School (New Jersey).
Oh wait, yet another No. 1. Pitcher Reid Detmers was the Angels’ first-round pick (10th) in 2020 out of Louisville and serves as a cautionary tale about being rushed to the big leagues. The lefty made just 14 minor league appearances before being called up to Anaheim and bombed in five starts in 2021. He pitched well the following season, including a no-hitter, but has regressed since then and is currently pitching poorly in Triple-A. At just 24, Detmers still has plenty of time to turn things around.
It doesn't appear the Angels plan on going slow with Moore. Shortly after the pick was made, scouting director Tim McIlvaine mentioned that the power-hitting second baseman would benefit from being close to Angels manager Ron Washington.
“I think once he gets into this environment, with the way Wash and his guys handle everything, I think he'll excel here,” McIlvaine said.
One thing is certain. When (if?) Moore is promoted to the Angels, he'll have plenty of company as a first-round pick.
