The Angels selected Redlands East Valley High School pitcher Tyler Chatwood with their first pick in this year’s draft.
The Angels forfeited their first-round pick as compensation for signing outfielder Torii Hunter as a free agent.
Chatwood, 18, was the 74th pick overall after going 9-1 with a 1.05 ERA in 11 starts for East Valley High School. He started the CIF championship game at Dodger Stadium (and lost) and also hit .521 (49 for 94) as a senior, playing center field and shortstop when he wasn’t pitching.
But Angels director of scouting Eddie Bane told Chatwood to put his bat away now.
“He showed up at our workout (for draft prospects at Angel Stadium on Sunday) with every intention to hit and take groundballs at shortstop,” Bane said. “After he took his swings in the cage, I told him, ‘You’re done hitting for the rest of your life.’
“At 92-97 (mph, Chatwood’s fastball) – we’re going to stick him on the mound.”
Chatwood accepted a scholarship offer from UCLA but said he expects to sign with the Angels within a few days and is “not at all” expecting to attend UCLA.
“I went into the draft thinking if I’m picked in the top three rounds, I’m going to go (pro),” Chatwood said. “It’s an amazing feeling being picked by the Angels.”
The Angels’ other picks on the first day of the draft were Florida junior-college right-hander Ryan Chaffee (third round), Georgia high school outfielder Zachary Cone (third-round compensation pick), Alabama junior college left-hander Jeff Broshers (fourth round) and Louisiana high school outfielder Khiry Cooper (fifth round).