Los Angeles Angels

Angels select Virginia C Matt Thaiss with 16th pick in MLB Draft

Published Jun. 9, 2016 8:55 p.m. ET

foxsports

With their highest draft pick since 2014, the Angels selected University of Viriginia catcher Matt Thaiss with the 16th overall pick in the 2016 MLB Draft. The Angels have selected a catcher in the first round in consecutive seasons for the first time in team history.

A plus power-hitter, Thaiss hit 10 home runs in each of his last two seasons with the Cavaliers. Last season, the catcher was a semifinalist for the Dick Howser Trophy, college baseball's player of the year award, and backstopped Virigina to a College World Series title over Vanderbilt.

On Friday, the Angeles took Brandon Marsh, an outfielder from Buford High School in Georgia, in the second round (60th overall pick), shortstop Nolan Williams (3rd round, 96th overall) and Connor Justus, a shortstop from Georgia Tech (5th, 156).

With the 16th pick in the 2016 #MLBDraft, the #Angels select C Matt Thaiss from the University of Virginia. pic.twitter.com/Oxx9QqNZAh
— Angels (@Angels) June 10, 2016

It's an honor to be drafted by the @Angels, can't thank my family, @UVABaseball, and teammates enough for getting me here
— Matt Thaiss (@Matt_Thaiss) June 10, 2016