Los Angeles Angels make first roster cuts of spring

In a step towards sorting out their organizational depth chart in 2020, the Los Angeles Angels made their first roster cuts of spring.

The Los Angeles Angels announced several roster transactions on Tuesday. Seven players were optioned or reassigned to the minor leagues.

The most significant players included in the announcement are prospects Jahmai Jones and Hector Yan. Both players are on the Angels’ 40-man roster so the team will exercise one of their three options this season. You can read more about minor league option considerations here.

Jahmai Jones (IF) was optioned to Salt Lake, which works out to be a promotion for the young infielder. He climbs the ladder from AA to AAA. Jones was ranked as the Angels’ eighth best prospect by MLB Pipeline’s 2020 rankings. Jones has great speed and will probably see the big league roster in 2021. The 22-year-old had a .234/.308/.324 slashline in AA last season. He was 5-20 with one home run this spring.

Hector Yan (LHP) was optioned to Inland Empire, which also works out to be a promotion from Class-A to Class-A Advanced. The 20-year-old is the 12th ranked prospect in the Angels’ system. Yan was one of four pitchers to combine for a 10-inning no-hitter for Burlington. In 20 starts last season, the left-hander went 4-5 with a 3.39 ERA.

Matt Ball (RHP), Adrian De Horta (RHP), and Luiz Gohara (LHP) will all return to AAA to start the season. Ball was a Rule 5 selection from Texas in 2017, but has yet to find his way to the big league roster in Anaheim. Adrian De Horta is eligible for the Rule 5 draft if he is not added to the 40-man roster this season. Luiz Gohara has a chance to see time in the majors in 2020, depending on how far down the pitching depths the Halos need to reach. Of course, Gohara would need to be added to the 40-man roster.

Franklin Torres and Harrison Wenson were also reassigned to the minors on Tuesday and will take on the catching duties for Class-A Advanced, Inland Empire.

Make sure you keep checking back for updated Angels news, analysis, and commentary!