ANAHEIM -- The Angels are not afraid of promoting their top prospects to the Majors, as we’ve seen several members of their young core reach the big leagues in a hurry like Zach Neto, Nolan Schanuel and now Christian Moore.
They’re also handing over the reins in center field to rookie Bryce Teodosio for now to help stabilize the defense and allow Jo Adell to be more comfortable in right field. So far, they’ve been rewarded, as Teodosio is off to a hot start and Adell has started to get it going again offensively.
The Angels have several prospects in the Minor Leagues who could see action this season, including another center fielder who has been on the rise despite being much younger than the competition. Here’s a look at a few prospects who could get to the big leagues this year:
CF Nelson Rada
Just 19, Rada was called up to Triple-A Salt Lake last weekend and has been off to a blistering start, hitting .391/.500/.565 with a homer, four stolen bases and six RBIs in his first six games. Rada, ranked as the club's No. 6 prospect by MLB Pipeline, was promoted after he hit .277/.380/.332 with a homer, 13 doubles, 34 stolen bases and 22 RBIs in 93 games at Double-A Rocket City. He’s currently nearly eight years younger than his average competition at Triple-A and it wouldn’t be a surprise if the Angels give him an audition late in the season. He’s considered a strong defender in center and a prototypical leadoff hitter with on-base skills but not much power.
RHP George Klassen
Klassen, ranked as the Angels’ No. 3 prospect, has had an up-and-down year at Double-A Rocket City and has recently been in a downturn after a solid stretch from mid-June to mid-July that earned him a spot on the All-Star Futures Game roster. He also has had to recover both mentally and physically after suffering a concussion on May 11, when he was hit in the head by a line drive while pitching. The 23-year-old has a 6.17 ERA with 88 strikeouts and 30 walks in 74 1/3 innings, but if he puts it together for a decent stretch, he could make his debut this year. But right-hander Victor Mederos has been pitching better at Triple-A Salt Lake and also remains ahead of Klassen on the depth chart.
LHP Sam Aldegheri
Aldegheri, 23, has already been in the Majors, posting a 4.85 ERA in three starts last year and allowing five earned runs in 4 1/3 innings over two long relief appearances this season. He struggled in his last outing in the Majors, allowing five runs in two innings against the Rangers on July 8, but has been on an impressive run since returning to Double-A Rocket City. The lefty has posted a 1.74 ERA with 28 strikeouts in 31 innings over his last five starts, including allowing one run over seven innings with six strikeouts in a win on Saturday. Aldegheri, ranked as the club’s No. 8 prospect, has posted a 3.91 ERA with 91 strikeouts and 50 walks in 103 2/3 innings at Rocket City and could get a chance to join the rotation soon, especially with Jack Kochanowicz struggling as the club's No. 5 starter.
INF Denzer Guzman
It’s more of a long shot, but like Rada, Guzman recently reached Triple-A Salt Lake and has been tearing it up, batting .393/.452/.714 with two homers, three doubles and eight RBIs in his first seven games. The 21-year-old also led Double-A Rocket City with a .749 OPS in 93 games before his promotion. Guzman, ranked as the club’s No. 11 prospect, is also considered a strong defender at shortstop and third base. But the Angels already have Neto entrenched at short and a logjam at third with Yoán Moncada, Luis Rengifo and Oswald Peraza on the roster.
RHP Chase Silseth
Silseth, 25, doesn’t qualify as a prospect anymore as he has a career 5.06 ERA in 89 innings in the Majors from 2022-24, but the righty is quietly working his way back to the big leagues in relief at Triple-A Salt Lake. After a stint in the Arizona Complex League, Silseth has turned in five straight scoreless outings with Salt Lake with eight strikeouts and no walks over five innings. He could find himself in the bullpen down the stretch, which could help his stock going into next year. He's had success in the Majors, including a 3.96 ERA in 52 1/3 innings in '23, so he could get another look this season.