The Los Angeles Angels selected Huntington Beach High School standout Jared Grindlinger with the 12th overall pick in the MLB draft Saturday, signaling a fast-moving professional avenue for the 17-year-old local player and sparking immediate interest among Huntington Beach residents and youth baseball programs.
Scouting director Tim McIlvaine told reporters the Angels plan to "run him out as a hitter to start with, and then we will see where that takes us," adding the club has discussed the possibility of Grindlinger pitching later in his development. The team took Grindlinger — an outfielder and left-handed pitcher at Huntington Beach High — with the first high school player they’ve selected with a top draft pick since 2018.
Grindlinger, who reclassified to speed his development and turned 17 in April, said he is prepared for whatever role the organization assigns. He told reporters, "I've worked my entire life as a two-way, and I'm ready to go compete and do what's best for the organization."
What this means locally
For Huntington Beach, the pick is a hometown moment: a local high school athlete taken in the first round by a nearby major league club. Residents can expect increased attention on Huntington Beach High's baseball program and on youth leagues that helped develop Grindlinger.
- Local recognition: Grindlinger was named Orange County Register High School Player of the Year.
- Development path: The Angels plan to start him as an outfielder in the farm system, with a possible future as a pitcher under consideration.
- Community impact: Huntington Beach youth players and coaches may see heightened interest from scouts and media following a homegrown first-rounder.
At the plate for Huntington Beach High, Grindlinger hit .376 with two home runs and a reported 1.000 OPS. On the mound, his high school numbers included a 6-0 record and a 0.85 ERA. McIlvaine noted Grindlinger has primarily played left field in high school but said the club would like to see him in center field at some point.
"He does both really well. We are going to run him out as a hitter to start with, and then we will see where that takes us," — Tim McIlvaine, Angels scouting director
Grindlinger's combination of contact ability and growing power was a major attraction for the Angels. McIlvaine emphasized the player's elite contact skills and the organization’s belief that continued growth could make him a strong hitter at the professional level.
Background and next steps
Grindlinger had committed to the University of Tennessee but indicated a preference to sign with the Angels. The organization’s immediate plan is to integrate him into its farm system as an outfielder; any decision to use him as a pitcher would come later, according to the Angels' scouting staff.
| Stat | High School Total |
|---|---|
| Batting average | .376 |
| Home runs | 2 |
| OPS | 1.000 |
| Pitching record | 6-0 |
| ERA | 0.85 |
Residents interested in following Grindlinger's professional debut will watch for announcements from the Angels about his first assignment in the minor leagues. For Huntington Beach High and local baseball programs, the selection underscores the potential for local players to reach the highest levels of the sport.
