LA Angels: Full Break Down of Non-Roster Spring Training Invites

The LA Angels and the rest of the MLB world are gearing up for Spring Training, and the Halos announced 21 non-roster invites for their upcoming Spring Training.

While some LA Angels players are already working out in Tempe, pitchers and catchers do not officially report until February 12th, while the rest of the team is not due until the 17th. However, the Angels made public today 21 players who will be joining the squad despite not being on the 40-man roster. This list includes six pitchers, five catchers, three infielders, six outfielders, and um, one more player.

That player would be Jared Walsh, who will get a chance to be a two-way player for the Angels this Spring. The 25-year old reached Triple-A last season, and both pitched and played first base while attending the University of Georgia. While he has yet to get a start in the minor leagues, Walsh has made ten appearances and has looked exceptional, producing a 2.08 ERA thus far in his pitching career.

As a hitter, Walsh owns a slash line of .294/.360/.496 in 362 career minor league games. The talent is definitely there for the right fielder/first baseman to make it as a regular hitter in the big leagues, but his pitching potential is too high to not attempt to develop Walsh as a two-way player in a league where it is becoming more commonplace after Shohei Ohtani’s dominant rookie season.

Throughout this article, we’ll look at each invite and analyze what they bring to the table in 2019. As a reminder, these are players not currently on the Angels’ 40-man roster, so prospects such as Luis Rengifo and Jose Suarez will not be apart of this list.

Pitchers:

Alex Meyer (RHP)

Alex Meyer is the pitcher here with the most MLB experience. In 2017, Meyer worked his way to a 3.74 ERA in 13 starts. While a shoulder injury has held him back ever since, with multiple setbacks along the way, Meyer is finally ready to step back on the mound. While the Angels already have a good amount of pitchers who can start games, most of them do not offer the upside Meyer does. He is a name to keep an eye on as camp progresses as someone with an outside shot of making the Opening Day roster, especially if the team keeps their six-man rotation philosophy.

Miguel Almonte (RHP)

Miguel Almonte is a depth piece going into Spring Training. He did see some work in 2018, but was not overly encouraging. Almonte made eight relief appearances for the Angels and allowed eight runs over seven innings of work.

However, those numbers are a tad misleading, as he allowed five of those runs in an appearance against Oakland where he failed to record an out. If you remove that, his ERA drops from 10.29 all the way down to a much more respectable 3.86. He will look to make the team out of Spring Training, but starting in Salt Lake is a much more probable outcome.

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Matt Ramsey (RHP)

Matt Ramsey has yet to make his MLB debut, but that day could be coming soon. The 29-year old has spent six seasons in the minor leagues, a handful of different organizations. However, his 2.69 career ERA in the minor leagues speaks for itself. He has made most of his appearances in relief, and could, or at least get a chance to, take on that long-relief role as the season goes on for the Angels.

Griffin Canning (RHP)

Griffin Canning is someone LA Angels fans should be getting excited. Coming out of UCLA, Canning had all the tools of a first rounder but injury concerns pushed him into the Angels’ lap in the second round.After an encouraging debut season in the minors in 2018, Canning is very likely to make his MLB debut at some point in 2019.

However, he is very unlikely to make the rotations straight out of Spring Training, no matter how dominant he is. Canning did struggle in Triple-A last year 5.49 ERA, so the club will likely want to see him back there to start the season. However, if July comes around and Canning has yet to make his MLB debut, it would be surprising.

Jeremy Rhoades (RHP) 

After being drafted in the fourth round in 2014 as a starting pitcher, Jeremy Rhoades struggled for the Angels. However, he made the switch to a full-time relief role and has flourished since. 2018 was his first truly dominant season, as he made 54 appearances across Triple-A and Double-A, and was exceptional with a 2.54 ERA.

Still only 25, Rhoades is another longshot to make the team out of Spring Training, but if he keeps performing this well in Salt Lake, it won’t be long until the Angels have no choice but to call him up.

Forrest Snow (RHP)

The Angels are not quite sure what they have in Forrest Snow. His minor league career average 4.27 ERA is a tad misleading, as he has been a very solid pitcher in the lower levels, but has struggled in Triple-A. Getting him a chance to work with big league coaches in Tempe this Spring could be just what Snow needs to climb over the hump in Triple-A, and he could end up being a solid depth option in 2019.

Infielders:

Matt Thaiss

A first round pick in 2016, Matt Thiass finally made a jump in 2018. the 23-year old’s power is finally coming to form, as he proved to be a consistent threat for doubles and home runs. While he is strictly a first baseman and designated hitter, Thaiss’ hitting may force the Angels’ hand by the end of the season, and if they fall out of contention, he could see a similar treatment to Ward anf Fletcher did down the stretch in 2018 and be the everyday guy at first.

Wilfredo Tovar

Wilfredo Tovar is not exactly a name to get excited about. In limited MLB experience he has not done anything of note, and has not played in the bigs since 2014. However, he has played very well in Triple-A the last few seasons, putting together his best season to date in 2018.

Jahmai Jones

Originally drafted as an outfielder in 2016, Jahmai Jones made a rather smooth transition to second base in 2018. He now ranks as a top second base prospect in all of the MLB, and seems to have a bright future ahead of him.

Jones was a multi-sport athlete coming out of high school, and that translates to the diamond where he possesses all five tools for the Angels. While he did slightly regress throughout the 2018 season, he tore it up in the Arizona Fall League, where he hit .321 while showing his threat as an extra-base hitter.

Jones could find his way to Anaheim this season if he bounces back in the minors. However, a 2020 debut is more likely for the future second baseman of the LA Angels.

Outfield:

Peter Bourjos

Any Angels fan will remember Peter Bourjos, the lightning fast outfielder who was Mike Trout‘s original running mate. Now, some years later, the two may be reunited as Peter Bourjos signed a minor league deal with the Angels this offseason. He has an outside shot of winning the fourth outfielder job out of Spring Training.

Brennon Lund

Brennon Lund fits the stereotypical mold of a Billy Eppler-type outfield prospect. Athletic and raw, Lund put together a solid season in 2018. He isn’t close to making the big leagues, as 2020 seems more realistic, but is a player who can learn a lot from big league coaches and make the jump to Triple-A sometime in 2019.

Brandon Marsh

While the Angels’ future outfield hopefully consists of Mike Trout, Jo Adell (see more below), and Jordyn Adams, Brandon Marsh is a fine insurance option if one of those three falls out of the equation. He is extremely athletic, and has made leaps every year he has been in the Angels’ system. Marsh is not close to making the big leagues, still a year or two away, but could make it into the upper levels of the minors this season, especially if he has a solid Spring Training.

Jarrett Parker

When he first debuted for the San Francisco Giants in 2015, Jarrett Parker made some noise in his first 21 games. However, since then, he has not been able to find much success in the MLB. Now, at 30-years old, Parker is fighting for his MLB life, and the Angels are giving him a chance to shine in Spring Training.

Cesar Puello

Another guy with minimal time in the MLB, Cesar Puello made some noise in Triple-A last year with a solid all-around game. His slugging isn’t overly impressive but he made contact at a good rate and walked a good amount. He could see some action this season in Anaheim should someone go to the disabled list for a short time.

Jo Adell

Alright LA Angels fans, this is what we’ve been waiting for. Jo Adell, the team’s first Top 10 pick since Joe Torresin 2000, will be apart of the team’s Spring Training for the first time. Adell has shot up prospect rankings everywhere, and could debut as soon as this summer, especially if Kole Calhoun struggles.

This Spring Training will be monumental for Adell. If he tears it up, he could end up in Anaheim soon and start the season in Triple-A. However, if he seems overpowered, he could find himself back down in Double-A, fighting his way up the minor league levels. Hopefully we get a couple of games featuring a Mike Trout/Jo Adell outfield, so Halo fans can see what their future will look like in Anaheim.

Spring Training is less that three weeks away, and fans are getting anxious. However, for these 21 non-roster invites, there is all the more reason to be nervous.