ANAHEIM -- After trying to develop pitching for years, the Angels are finally starting to see the fruits of their labor in the Minor Leagues this season.
Several top prospects are pitching well early, and of their Top 30 Prospects, 17 are pitchers. It bodes well for the future if the Angels can hit on several pitching prospects, as it’s been an issue for the organization over the past decade.
With that in mind, here’s a look at Angels pitching prospects off to strong starts this year at each of the four Minor League levels:
Triple-A Salt Lake: RHP Caden Dana
Dana, the club’s No. 2 prospect per MLB Pipeline, is off to a dominant showing in his first season in Triple-A at just 21 years old. Dana has a 3.03 ERA with 38 strikeouts and 10 walks in 32 2/3 innings -- even more impressive given that he’s pitched at altitude in the hitter-friendly Pacific Coast League. As a point of reference, Salt Lake’s collective ERA is 6.01 this year.
Dana got his first taste of the Majors late last season and pitched three innings in long relief with the Angels this year. If he keeps it up, he could find himself in the club’s rotation this season. It’s been encouraging to see him continue to put up strong numbers despite not having an overpowering fastball and being nearly 6 1/2 years younger than his average competition at Triple-A.
Double-A Rocket City: RHP George Klassen
Klassen, the club’s No. 3 prospect, has a big arm with a fastball that sits in the high 90s, and he's been able to harness his control again this season after a breakout year in 2024. Klassen, acquired in the deal that sent Carlos Estévez to the Phillies ahead of last year’s Trade Deadline, has recorded a 3.86 ERA with 34 strikeouts and six walks in 25 2/3 innings. The 23-year-old retired the first 13 batters he faced in his last start on Sunday and struck out five over five strong innings.
Like Dana, he’s also a candidate to join the rotation this season, but he’s yet to reach the big leagues. Right-hander Joel Hurtado, the club’s No. 19 prospect, also deserves honorable mention, as his fastball has touched 104 mph and he has a 2.03 ERA with 17 strikeouts and eight walks in 26 2/3 innings.
High-A Tri-City: RHP Jorge Marcheco
Marcheco, 22, isn’t ranked among the club’s Top 30 prospects because he doesn’t have elite stuff, but he had a strong year in 2023 before scuffling a bit last year with a 5.07 ERA in 81 2/3 innings at High-A Tri-City. But he’s repeating the level this year with more success, as he's posted a 2.08 ERA with 28 strikeouts and five walks in 26 innings.
The Cuba native is still a year younger than his average competition, so it’s not like he’s an older prospect dominating younger competition. He’s still considered a few years away from impacting the big league roster.
Single-A Inland Empire: RHP Yeferson Vargas
Vargas was one of four players acquired from the Red Sox for Luis García at last year’s Trade Deadline, along with reliever Ryan Zeferjahn, first baseman Niko Kavadas and outfielder Matthew Lugo. Vargas, 20, has recorded a 3.95 ERA with 21 strikeouts and 12 walks in 27 1/3 innings. The Dominican Republic native is being stretched out as a starter and is roughly two years younger than his average competition.
Zeferjahn is already part of the club’s bullpen, Kavadas was in the Majors just last week and Lugo is considered close to reaching the big leagues, so it’s look like a strong trade for the Angels given the early returns. But like Marcheco, Vargas is not considered close to reaching the Majors and still has plenty to prove.