Angels receive low grade for 'stunner' draft pick

The 2025 MLB draft got off to a shocking start.

First, the Washington Nationals selected high school shortstop Eli Willits, a pick that many began to predict in the hours before the draft.

But at No. 2 overall, the Los Angeles Angeles selected UC Santa Barbara pitcher Tyler Bremner, who was listed as the No. 18 overall prospect by MLB.com. 

The pick, while still a potential win for the franchise, was widely viewed as a cost-saving move for the Angels to take some big swings later in the draft. 

As for the grades for the pick? Well, it wasn't well-received.

MORE: Live MLB Draft grades

The Sporting News gave the pick a "C," the lowest mark for any top-10 team.

"Another stunner. The Angels' strategy of giving Bremner a significantly under-slot deal is clear, so it will be hard to fully judge the pick until their next couple of selections are in, but this was a chance for Los Angeles to reshape its pitching staff around Kade Anderson or Liam Doyle long-term. Bremner should be a major-leaguer in the not-too-distant future, but this might have been the right time for the Angels to take advantage of the star talent at the top of the draft." 

CBS gave the selection its lowest grade of the first 10 picks, tied with one other.

"The Angels have reliably gone slot or under with their first-round picks in recent years, all the while emphasizing collegiate talent that could move quickly. I have to assume the former is the case here, too -- the latter sure is. Bremner, who entered the spring in contention for the top of the draft, has an elite changeup and saw his performance tick up late in the year after rediscovering his fastball. I think there were better arms available, but that doesn't necessarily make this a bad pick -- it just depends on how much the Angels saved and who they use it on later. Grade: C." 

Bremner had a stellar 2024 season, but took a step back this spring, posting a 3.49 ERA with 111 strikeouts in 77 1/3 innings pitched.

But he reportedly boasts a plus fastball and a stellar change-up.

There's plenty of potential in Bremner's arm, but it looks as though draft experts projected him to go 10-15 picks later.