When the Los Angeles Angels selected Tyler Bremner with the No. 2 overall pick in the 2025 MLB Draft, it turned heads across the baseball world - and not necessarily for the reasons you’d expect from a top-two selection. On pure talent, Bremner wasn’t widely projected to go that high, especially with several high-upside arms still on the board. But the Angels made their move, and it looks like they were targeting more than just raw ability.
Bremner signed for roughly $2.5 million under slot value, which gives a pretty clear signal: the Angels were looking for a fast-moving, cost-effective arm who could potentially reach the big leagues ahead of schedule. It’s a strategy we’ve seen from this organization before - betting on quick returns rather than long-term development projects. But with Bremner, the upside-versus-risk equation is a bit more complicated.
What the Angels Are Getting: A Power Arm With Intriguing Tools
There’s no denying the foundation is there. Bremner brings a legitimate power fastball and a changeup that already flashes plus potential.
That combo alone gives him a starter’s profile, and it’s the kind of one-two punch that can be tough on hitters if he locates consistently. His fastball has life, and the changeup has enough separation and movement to miss bats.
But the toolbox isn’t quite complete yet - and that’s where the questions begin.
The Slider Needs Work
Right now, Bremner’s slider is the pitch that lags behind. It sits in the mid-to-upper 80s, but he struggles to command it consistently, especially in the zone.
That makes it tough to use as an out pitch or even to keep hitters honest when they’re sitting on the fastball or changeup. Without a reliable breaking ball, big-league hitters will adjust quickly.
Now, it’s not unusual for young pitchers to refine their breaking stuff once they get into a pro system. With the right coaching, Bremner could sharpen the slider into a viable third pitch.
But here’s the catch - the Angels haven’t exactly built a reputation for developing pitchers into their full potential. That doesn’t mean it can’t happen, but it does add another layer of uncertainty to his trajectory.
Health Concerns Loom Large
Perhaps the biggest concern right now isn’t pitch development - it’s durability. The Angels shut Bremner down during instructional league after he experienced elbow soreness, and while he’s expected to be a full go for spring training, it’s a red flag that can’t be ignored.
This isn’t a one-off issue, either. Bremner had bouts of arm trouble during his college career, and that kind of track record always raises eyebrows for a pitcher being fast-tracked.
The Angels are clearly hoping the shutdown was precautionary, but elbow issues - even minor ones - tend to linger or resurface, especially for young arms being asked to ramp up quickly. If they’re going to get value out of this pick, they’ll need to manage his workload carefully and hope the medicals hold up.
High Pick, High Stakes
Look, it’s easy to criticize the pick or, on the flip side, to ignore the concerns and focus only on the potential. But the truth lies somewhere in between. Bremner isn’t a finished product, and the Angels are betting on their ability to polish the rough edges - and to keep him healthy long enough to make that development matter.
There’s talent here. Bremner has the tools to be a mid-rotation starter if things break right - maybe more if the slider clicks and the arm holds up.
But for now, there’s work to be done. And for the Angels, who used the No. 2 overall pick on a player many saw as a reach, the pressure is on to prove they saw something others missed.
The next chapter starts this spring. If Bremner stays on the mound and makes strides with that breaking ball, the narrative could shift quickly. But until then, the questions will linger - and the Angels will have to hope their gamble pays off.