DENVER —
Making their highest overall draft selection in 24 years, the Angels picked right-handed pitcher Sam Bachman out of Miami (Ohio) University ninth overall in Sunday’s first round.
The hard-throwing 21-year-old became the second straight college pitcher the Angels have taken with a first-round pick, following Reid Detmers’ selection last year at No. 10.
And like Detmers, Bachman profiles as a prospect who could potentially have a short track to the big leagues.
His fastball reaches 100 mph and has natural movement, a pitch his college coach Danny Hayden compared to that of Cincinnati Reds starter Luis Castillo, a former All-Star.