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3 best Angels prospects who will compete for a 2024 Opening Day roster spot
Don't be surprised to see the Angels continue to aggressively promote prospects
The Los Angeles Angels are a team that does not have a strong farm, but they're still known to push whatever good prospects they have very hard in an attempt to get them to the majors as quickly as possible.
For some, this works really well. Zach Neto has been the ultimate spark plug for this Angels team when he's on the field. Jose Soriano has looked like he'll have a spot in the Angels bullpen for years to come. Even a guy like Reid Detmers has shown a ton of promise even if he lacks consistency.
With that in mind, there're three prospects I believe have a legitimate shot at an Opening Day roster spot in 2024. One of them would be very rushed if he were to crack the squad.
1) LA Angels prospect Kyren Paris will compete for a 2024 Opening Day roster spot
The Angels had two players represent them at the Futures Game this season in Seattle. One of them was Edgar Quero, a prospect who was traded to the White Sox in the Lucas Giolito deal. The other one was Kyren Paris, a middle infielder who I believe will have a shot at a 2024 Opening Day roster spot.
At just 21 years old, Paris is slashing .244/.377/.413 with 13 home runs and 41 RBI in 97 games for AA Rocket City this season. He's tacked on 34 stolen bases in 39 attempts while also smacking 19 doubles.
While Paris has played primarily shortstop this season, he has appeared in 27 games at second base, starting 26 of them. Zach Neto is pencilled in as the shortstop, but the Angels can easily slide Paris in at second base while moving Brandon Drury over to first base.
Paris would come up with some question marks. The main one would be if he can actually make enough contact to succeed at the big league level. He's struck out 132 times in 361 at-bats, while sporting a low batting average.
The hit tool is definitely far from perfect, but his ability to hit for power with blazing speed makes him a very intriguing prospect. If he has a strong showing, I wouldn't put it past the Angels to bring him up either to start at second base or maybe even appear in a utility role.
2) LA Angels prospect Nolan Schanuel will compete for a 2024 Opening Day roster spot
Too soon? It might feel like it, but would you really put it past Perry Minasian to make a bold move like this one? Zach Neto was called up to make his MLB debut in April this season after appearing in just 44 minor league games. 37 of these came in AA Rocket City. This came after Neto was picked in the first round of the 2022 MLB Draft.
Nolan Schanuel appears to be on an eerily similar path. He was selected with the 11th overall pick in the 2023 MLB Draft and has already begun being fast-tracked. He appeared in three games in Rookie Ball before being moved up to Single-A Inland Empire. He recorded five hits in six at-bats there, before being moved up to AA Rocket City. All Schanuel has done since being promoted is hit.
Schanuel is slashing .348/.455/.500 with one home run and ten RBI in 12 games for AA Rocket City. He's drawn nine walks compared to just five strikeouts. It'd be nice if Schanuel provided more pop, but he's done virtually everything else at an elite level.
First base is wide open for the Angels following this season. Mike Moustakas, C.J. Cron, and Eduardo Escobar are all free agents. Jared Walsh is no longer on the 40-man roster. Drury can move over to first, but he can also stay at second with Schanuel at first.
He'd have even less experience than Neto in the minors if the Angels did carry Schanuel on the Opening Day roster, but if experience didn't matter with Neto, the Angels should trust that Schanuel will be fine. He was drafted for his bat which was touted as one of, if not the closest to MLB-ready in the draft. It'd be risky, but very fun.
3) LA Angels prospect Eric Torres will compete for a 2024 Opening Day roster spot
This one is definitely more unlikely than Paris or Schanuel beginning the 2024 season with the Angels, but I wouldn't rule it out completely.
Eric Torres has had an incredibly rough year, splitting time between AA Rocket City and AAA Salt Lake. He has an 8.71 ERA in 28 appearances and 31 innings pitched. He's struck out 52 batters which is great, but he's also walked 40 which is beyond awful.
For Torres to get any consideration at an Opening Day roster spot, he'll have to improve his command. He knows that, and the team knows that. While it does need improving, it doesn't have to be perfect for him to earn a call-up. We've seen the Angels promote relievers with great stuff and questionable command this season already.
Ben Joyce was walking 7.5 batters per nine in AA Rocket City before getting called up. Sam Bachman was walking 6.8 batters per nine in AA before getting called up. Jose Soriano was walking 6.2 batters per nine in AA before getting called up. These relievers all have electric stuff, and Torres has proven he has lights-out strikeout stuff.
I believe if Torres does a better job throwing strikes down the stretch and pitches well in Spring Training, he'll have a shot. Both Matt Moore and Aaron Loup are set to hit free agency this offseason, so the Angels will need a lefty or two. Chances are they'll sign at least one in free agency, but maybe a second lefty will come from the guys who are already here.
We've seen guys with questionable command like Soriano really impress at the MLB level. A guy like Kolton Ingram who has more command but worse stuff got lit up in his short stint. Maybe Torres is the next diamond in the rough.
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