Wednesday, April 09

While the Major League season is in full swing after opening weekend, the Minor League season has also begun in the Triple-A level, with the other affiliates beginning play on Friday. 

The Angels have several prospects considered close to reaching the Majors, including No. 1 prospect Christian Moore, who will open his season with Double-A Rocket City, where he dominated last year. Here’s a look at the club’s Top 10 prospects, where they are likely to open the season and when they could be expected to crack the big league roster: 

2B Christian Moore (No. 1 prospect per MLB Pipeline), Double-A Rocket City 

Moore, the No. 8 selection in last year’s Draft, was in big league camp this year and competed for a roster spot, but he ultimately will open the year in the Minors. He showed some flashes this spring, but he hit .217 with a triple and a double in 53 plate appearances. But if the 22-year-old gets hot in Double-A and continues to improve defensively, he could be called up early in the season. 

RHP Caden Dana (No. 2), Triple-A Salt Lake 

Like Moore, Dana showed some glimpses of his potential in spring, including three scoreless innings in a start against Cubs regulars, but had a 15.88 ERA in 5 2/3 innings. The Angels, though, want to challenge the 21-year-old and are having him start the year in the high altitude with Triple-A Salt Lake instead of repeating Double-A, which he dominated last year. If he pitches like he did last season, he could force his way into the rotation this year. 

RHP George Klassen (No. 3), Double-A Rocket City 

Klassen impressed in the spring with his big fastball and improved control and will head to Double-A where he finished last season. Like Dana, the 23-year-old could join the rotation at some point this year if he can build on his breakout year last season. 

SS Joswa Lugo (No. 4), possibly Single-A Rancho Cucamonga 

Lugo is just 18 years old, but the 6-foot-3 shortstop drew rave reviews during his brief taste of Spring Training action and could develop into a premier infielder with plus power. He’s still more raw than the Angels' other prospects and will be playing in the Minors domestically for the first time after his stellar stint in the Dominican Summer League in 2024 that saw him hit .301/.370/.466 in 53 games. The Angels haven’t announced what level he’ll be at just yet. 

LHP Sam Aldegheri (No. 5), Double-A Rocket City 

Aldegheri, 23, made his Major League debut last year like Dana and is also aiming to crack the rotation at some point again this year. The lefty is returning to the rotation in Double-A, as he didn’t pitch much in spring, throwing just one inning in Cactus League play because he was building up his arm strength. 

CF Nelson Rada (No. 6), Double-A Rocket City 

Rada had a great spring, looking physically stronger, hitting .333 in 21 at-bats and stealing five bases. The 19-year-old was the youngest player in Double-A last year, but he finished strong. There’s a chance he could be a late season callup. 

RHP Ryan Johnson (No. 7), MLB 

Johnson, 22, was the biggest surprise in spring, making the club despite never pitching in the Minors after being drafted in the second round last year. He made his MLB debut on Opening Day, allowing five runs over 1 2/3 innings. 

RHP Chris Cortez (No. 8), possibly Double-A Rocket City 

Cortez, a second-round pick in last year’s Draft, was in big league camp for the first time but allowed four runs in 1 2/3 innings. He didn’t pitch in the Minors after being drafted out of Texas A&M, and given how aggressive the Angels are, he could start his career with Double-A Rocket City. 

SS Denzer Guzman (No. 9), Double-A Rocket City 

Guzman, 21, has developed into a premium defender, but this will be a big season for him to see if he can improve offensively. He went 1-for-11 with a triple in Spring Training and hit .206/.297/.304 in 83 games in Double-A last year, so he’ll have to hit more to get to the Majors. 

RHP Barrett Kent (No. 10), possibly High-A Tri-City 

Kent, 20, is coming off his first full professional season, posting a 6.21 ERA with 125 strikeouts and 61 walks in 113 innings with Single-A Rancho Cucamonga. He’s expected to move up a level this year and wasn’t in big league spring camp, as he’s still considered a few years away from reaching the Majors. 

Who did Mike Trout tie for the most Opening Day starts in Angels history with 13? 

A. Garret Anderson

B. Tim Salmon

C. Jim Fregosi

D. Howie Kendrick

After starting the year with two road trips against the White Sox and Cardinals, the Angels return to Anaheim for their home opener on Friday against the Guardians at 6:38 p.m PT. There are still tickets available for the first home game of the season before the Angels head out on another road trip through Tampa, Houston and Texas. 

There’s also a promotional item for the home opener, as the Angels are giving away a wall calendar, and the club will host its annual Home Opener Event at the Home Plate Gate with a red carpet featuring player appearances and interviews from 12:30 to 4 p.m. 

Infielder Tim Anderson was well received by White Sox fans on Opening Day on Thursday, receiving a standing ovation from the crowd before his first at-bat. Anderson, who played with the White Sox from 2016-23 and was an All-Star in 2021 and ’22, was thankful for the reception. 

“It was pretty cool,” Anderson said. “Just really showed they paid attention to when I was here and the appreciation was definitely super emotional. I didn’t show it, but I was super emotional that day. This is where it all started. This is kind of like home.” 

A. Anderson, who also made 13 Opening Day starts with the club.

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