The Los Angeles gamble on selecting LHP Xavier Mitchell in the MLB Draft has proven to be a good move. The Angels signed the talented lefty to $872,500 a contract on Friday, after drafting him in the 13th round. The UC Santa Barbara player has high upside, but dropped in the draft due to signing ability concerns, with the Longhorns hoping to get him to campus.
Heading into the draft, Mitchell was ranked as the No. 168 prospect by MLB.com. The Longhorns were hoping he would be a key piece of the pitching staff as they chased a national title. Now his focus will be on moving quickly through the Angels’ system.
In Mitchell, Los Angeles is adding a lefty with an intriguing arsenal. His fastball sits at 90-92 mph and tops out at 94. He keeps batters off balance with a curveball that plays well off his heater. Rounding out Mitchell’s pitch mix is a slider changeup that fades in the zone. If the Angels can maximize those pitches, they will have a very good arm to rely on.
After being viewed as one of the best high school pitchers available, it is no surprise to see Mitchell choose to go to the pros. The Angels showed how much they believed in him by giving Mitchell the fifth-highest post-bonus round signing bonus in the last five years. That was a deal too good to pass up.
During the draft, Mitchell was one of 13 players with Longhorns ties to hear their new name called. That shows how good Texas has been at developing prospects and the talent they have been able to attract. Over the next few days, more players on that list are expected to fulfill a lifelong dream when they sign their first deal with an MLB team.
As Mitchell begins the next chapter of his baseball career, many in Austin will be watching to see the player he turns into.
This article originally appeared on Longhorns Wire: Longhorns recruit signs with Los Angeles Angels
Reporting by Jamie Gatlin, Longhorns Wire / Longhorns Wire
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
