It is easy to overlook the Los Angeles Angels farm system. However, minor league infielder David Fletcher has a chance to become a solid piece for the future.
For years, the Los Angeles Angels minor league system has been considered to be one of the worst in baseball. They lacked anything that was considered a high end talent, at least until the past offseason. Then, the Angels added the sensational Shohei Ohtani and former Braves top prospect Kevin Maitan, elevating their system above the bottom tier.
However, it is a holdover in the Angels system that could emerge as a key building block for the lineup. Since being drafted in the sixth round of the 2015 MLB Amateur Draft, all minor league infielder David Fletcher has done is hit. In just three seasons, he has risen from the short season Pioneer League to the Pacific Coast League, spending his first full season with the Salt Lake Bees.
Throughout that time, all Fletcher has done is hit. Over those three years, he has posted a .293/.344/.398 batting line, hitting 78 doubles and stealing 60 bases. This season, he has an excellent .349/.394/.570 batting line in 255 plate appearances, hitting 24 doubles and six homers. Fletcher has also displayed an elite contact rate, striking out only 18 times.
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What makes Fletcher even more interesting is his positional flexibility. Although he has primarily been a shortstop during his minor league career, he has also played over 100 games at second, while adding third to his defensive resume this year. He has been solid at either position, showing solid instincts and positioning, despite having what are considered to be average tools at best.
Add everything together, and Fletcher has become far more than the sum of his tools would lead anyone to expect. This improvement, and subsequent surge up the Angels prospect rankings, is also coming at an opportune time, as Ian Kinsler is a free agent after the season. Fletcher could be positioning himself for a look as the long term answer at the keystone.
In Fletcher potentially getting a look at second, either later in the year or in 2019, the Angels could find themselves with some financial flexibility. While the albatross of Albert Pujols will continue to hang around their neck, having Fletcher take over at second would allow more resources to help the pitching staff and bullpen.
The Los Angeles Angels could have a long term answer at second with David Fletcher. Despite seemingly underwhelming tools, he has become quite the intriguing piece for the future.