With their first round pick of the 2016 draft, the Angels selected Matt Thaiss with the 16th overall pick, to the universal dismay of Angels fans everywhere. The Angels had just drafted Taylor Ward with their 2015 first round pick the year before, and sorely needed to “hit” on draft picks in order to boost both the minor league system and the major league product. Drafting another catcher in the first round did absolutely nothing to quell fears that the Angels are “throwing” away the opportunity to win in the Trout era.
It turns out, the Angels drafted Thaiss intending for him to be a quick-moving, college bat and moved him to first base upon the start of his playing career (just like they did with C.