ANAHEIM -- The Angels are famously aggressive with their prospects and recently moved top prospect Christian Moore up to Triple-A Salt Lake on May 20. And Moore, ranked as the club’s No. 1 prospect and MLB’s No. 60 prospect by MLB Pipeline, has been off to an impressive start in his first taste of Triple-A. Moore, the No. 8 overall pick in last year’s Draft out of the University of Tennessee, has a .419/.513/.548 slash line with a homer, a double, three stolen bases and 10 RBIs through his first eight games. “As far as work goes, he's been outstanding from that point of view,” general manager Perry Minasian said. “So taking a look at it and talking to our staff, we felt like it was the right time to move him, and he's gotten off to a good start in Triple-A. As far as what's in the future, we're taking it day by day. So hopefully he continues to play well. He's very talented, somebody we obviously hold in high regard. But Triple-A is a big challenge, tough league, but he’s started off well, and we’ll continue to track him and see where it goes.” |
Moore, 22, could be the latest Angels prospect to reach the Majors in a hurry. Right-hander Caden Dana, ranked as the club’s No. 2 prospect and MLB’s No. 65 prospect, joined the roster for a second time this season last Saturday. The 21-year-old pitched in long relief, allowing three runs over three innings, and was optioned back to Triple-A Salt Lake where he’s scheduled to rejoin their rotation this weekend. With that in mind, here’s a look at a few other Angels prospects who could possibly make an impact this season and how they’re faring right now. |
RHP George Klassen, No. 3 prospect Klassen, 23, was struck in the head by a line drive on May 11 but the good news is he threw a live bullpen session on Tuesday and is slated to return to Double-A Rocket City’s rotation on Sunday. Klassen had posted a 4.97 ERA with 36 strikeouts in 29 innings before suffering the scary injury and could pitch his way into the rotation later this season. CF Nelson Rada, No. 6 prospect Despite being just 19 and roughly five years younger than his average competition, Rada has been impressive in his second go-around at Double-A, slashing .278/.405/.318 with six doubles, 23 stolen bases and 12 RBIs in 45 games. He hasn’t displayed much power, but he’s demonstrated an elite ability to get on base and plays a strong center field. The Angels are in need of a capable center fielder and there’s a chance he could get to the Majors for the first time this year. RHP Ryan Johnson, No. 7 prospect Johnson, 22, started the year in the club’s bullpen, posting a 7.36 ERA in 14 2/3 innings after he had never pitched in the Minors, but was sent to High-A Tri-City to get stretched out and work on getting lefties out. He's posted a 3.86 ERA in three starts at High-A, including allowing two runs over five innings on Sunday. |
RHP Chris Cortez, No. 9 prospect Like Johnson, Cortez was drafted just last year as a second rounder and is being stretched out as a starter after being a reliever at Texas A&M. The early returns have been promising, as he's registered a 3.18 ERA with 42 strikeouts in 45 1/3 innings at High-A Tri-City. The 22-year-old is more likely to debut next year, but this season can’t be ruled out. RHP Samy Natera Jr., No. 16 prospect Natera put himself on the radar with a strong showing in last year’s Arizona Fall League, and the reliever has kept it going with a 2.60 ERA with 27 strikeouts in 17 1/3 innings at Double-A Rocket City. The 25-year-old has become an option for the bullpen if he keeps it up. RHP Joel Hurtado, No. 19 prospect Hurtado’s velocity has been way up this year, touching 103 and 104 mph, and it’s come with impressive results at Double-A, as he's posted a 3.51 ERA with 31 strikeouts in 48 2/3 innings. He’s also cut his walk rate from 5.3 batters per nine innings to 3.3, but his strikeout rate has also gone down. The Angels will continue to see if the 24-year-old can stick as a starter, but he could be a tantalizing option in relief with his plus-plus fastball. |
MLB MORNING LINEUP PODCAST |
Superstar Mike Trout is slated to return on Friday in Cleveland, as fellow outfielder Matthew Lugo was optioned to Triple-A Salt Lake. Trout faced live Minor League pitching and ran the bases before Wednesday’s game against the Yankees, which was his final hurdle. He’s been out since April 30 with a bone bruise in his surgically repaired left knee. “He came out of it very well,” manager Ron Washington said Wednesday. “He had good at-bats against the live pitching. And he ran the bases where he ran, cut on the bases and stopped, but it wasn't intense. It was just getting on the field. But he looked good.” |
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Who was the youngest player to make an MLB debut in Angels history? A. Ed Kirkpatrick B. Mike Trout C. Willie Montañez D. Tom Egan |
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STEPHENSON JOINS BULLPEN, REINSTATED FROM 60-DAY IL |
The bullpen received a boost on Wednesday, when right-hander Robert Stephenson was activated from the 60-day injured list after he underwent Tommy John surgery last April. Stephenson, who signed a three-year deal worth $33 million before last season, made five rehab appearances in the Minors. He was dominant with Tampa Bay two years ago, when he had a 2.35 ERA with 60 strikeouts in 38 1/3 innings. He was dominant in his debut, striking out the first two batters in a 1-2-3 sixth inning. It was part of a roster shuffle for the Angels, who also selected the contract of utilityman Scott Kingery, optioned lefty Jake Eder and designated for assignment both infielder Tim Anderson and catcher Chuckie Robinson. |
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A. Kirkpatrick, as the Glendora, Calif. native made his debut at 17 years and 340 days old on Sept. 13, 1962. |
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