The Los Angeles Angels Nolan Fontana is turning heads.

The Los Angeles Angels roster is starting to take shape for the 2017 season.  Just like last season there are a few surprises that could make the team.  Shortstop Nolan Fontana has been one of a few players filling-in for  Andrelton Simmons.

If you remember Los Angeles Angels shortstop Simmons has been playing for the Netherlands in the World Baseball Classic.  He is now back with the Angels, but one player who has made a lasting impression is Nolan Fontana.

Fontana was drafted by the Houston Astros with the 61st pick in the second round of the 2012 amateur draft. Fontana in five years of minor league ball has been in Triple-A for two of  those years, but he has yet to crack the major league roster, but he is hoping that will change this season.

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So far Fontana has done pretty well batting .278 with one home run and eight RBI’s. He has also done very well defensively only committing two errors all Spring.  For his career has a .972  fielding percentage and has played over 300 games at shortstop and 100 games at second base.  He also has limited time at third base (29 games) as well.

Fontana could be a very good option for a utility middle infielder.  The only other person is veteran Cliff Pennington who is in the last year of a two-year contract with the Angels.   Beating Pennington out for a roster spot might be a tall order for Fontana when Pennington is batting .414 with no homers and four RBI’s so far this Spring.

If nothing less Fontana has shown he can play in the big leagues and may get a chance to catch on with another team, or have a chance to be called up if there is any injuries to Angels current players.

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What makes Fontana even more interesting to me is his lineage.  Fontana is the grandson of former major league pitcher Lew Burdette who pitched for 17 years in the majors for seven different teams including the Angels in the 1966 and 1967 season. Burdette compiling a 203-144 record with a 3.66 ERA.

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With the recent injury to Luis Valbuena (right hamstring) that will put him on the shelf for four to six weeks, it might open a roster spot that Fontana can slide in and grab.  Only time will tell.  Good Luck Nolan we are glad your here.