The Los Angeles Angels, holding the No. 2 pick in the 2025 MLB Draft, have a serious decision to make. With a need for prospects who can contribute instantly to their season runs, experts believe high-profile prospect Seth Hernandez doesn’t align with the Angels’ diagram at this point, but there are three other options who stand out as ideal fits.
Why Hernandez Won’t Fit the Bill for the Los Angeles Angels
Hernandez, MLB.com’s No. 3 prospect, is a prep pitching phenom from Corona High School. According to Insidehalos, his high school stats include an 18-1 record, 0.51 ERA, and 178 strikeouts in 109.1 innings over two years, which is quite an impressive set of numbers. However, for the Angels, he’s not the best match.
High school pitchers require extended minor-league seasoning, carrying risks of arm injuries or developmental hiccups if they are rushed. The Angels’ strategy leans toward players who can impact the majors by 2027, not mid-career prospects. Hernandez’s long-term upside is undeniable, but the Angels need near-term contributors to complement their veteran core, says Brayden Zielke of Insidehalos.
So, if Hernandez is not the right candidate for the team, then who is? Zielke shares 3 names he thinks can provide what Los Angeles needs right now.
The MLB Draft is 17 days away. Here’s the Top 10, got an update…Kade Anderson has become the #2 prospect surpassing Seth Hernandez. Eli Willits is the #5 prospect ahead of Aiva Arquette. Liam Doyle, the #Angels have most been linked to him, is now the #8 prospect, up from #10 pic.twitter.com/JZ8m1rUGjv
— InsideHalos (@InsideHalos) June 26, 2025
1) Jamie Arnold
Jamie Arnold, a left-handed pitcher from Florida State and MLB.com’s No. 4 prospect, is the draft’s most major league-ready college arm. His consistency shines back-to-back in his first 11 starts of 2025. Arnold’s polish and track record make him one of the best candidates for the Angels’ rotation, potentially cracking the 2026 Opening Day roster.
2) Aiva Arquette
Aiva Arquette, MLB.com’s No. 6 prospect, offers a lot of offensive firepower and positional flexibility. He is an Oregon State infielder, capable of playing shortstop, second, or third base. Reportedly, he has hit 19 home runs in 2025. His College World Series performance was a good showcase of his clutch performance. The insider believes Arquette’s bat is major league-ready and can offer Los Angeles a solution to bolster their infield.
3) Kyson Witherspoon
Kyson Witherspoon, a right-handed pitcher from Oklahoma and MLB.com’s No. 10 prospect, is also a versatile option for the team. He has the fifth-most strikeouts in college baseball, which can be attractive to the Angels. Unlike other college arms, Witherspoon avoided catastrophic outings, making him a safer bet. Selecting him at No. 3 could allow the Angels to go under-slot, saving bonus pool money for later rounds while still landing a pitcher who could reach the majors soon.
Arnold’s polish, Arquette’s offensive upside, and Witherspoon’s value-driven consistency align with Los Angeles’s win-now ethos. As the draft nears, these three prospects offer the Angels a chance to fortify their roster for another deep postseason run.