On Sunday, the Los Angeles Angels made two roster moves that may not affect the MLB team at the moment, but could have an impact in Triple-A and for the future. The first of these moves is acquiring right-handed pitcher Nash Walters from the Milwaukee Brewers.
Players not on their team’s 40-man rosters are allowed to be traded after the deadline has passed, hence why this trade comes over a month after the MLB deadline on Aug. 2. Walters has spent a majority of the 2022 season with the Brewers’ Double-A affiliate, the Biloxi Shuckers.
As a set-up man and closer, Walters has tossed 47.0 innings for Double-A Biloxi, posting an ERA of 4.60, a WHIP of 1.255, and an impressive 12.6 strikeouts per nine innings. In total, he struck out 66 batters in his 47 innings of work.
Immediately upon acquiring him, the Angels optioned him to Triple-A Salt Lake, technically receiving a promotion in the process. Walters pitched just 1.1 innings for the Brewers Triple-A affiliate, recording four scoreless outs and allowing just one hit.
The Angels bullpen has been relatively strong in 2022 compared to past seasons, but it lacks depth organizationally. Landing a solid reliever option that could be ready for the Majors quickly bolsters that depth, as Walters is just 25 years old.
The other roster move involved Jose Rojas, who was designated for assignment and claimed by the San Francisco Giants in the corresponding move. Rojas was one of the feel-good stories of 2021, making his big league debut with the Angels after growing up a Halos fan and spending years in the Minor Leagues.
However, Rojas struggled mightily to adjust to MLB pitching, and in 2022, he posted a slash line of just .125/.140/.161 in 22 games with the Angels. He was incredible in Triple-A this season, with a slash line of .275/.350/.571 in 62 games.
The Giants are also a team that disappointed in 2022 after having high expectations. Given their offensive issues throughout the season, taking a chance on a player like Rojas makes some sense. They’ll hope to develop his elite Triple-A bat into a solid MLB bat.
Tucker Davidon shows flashes against Astros
Angels interim manager Phil Nevin likely would have preferred that starter Tucker Davidson not give up seven runs against the Houston Astros. However, he was happy with the way their recently acquired starter battled after allowing five earned runs in the second inning.
Davidson threw four scoreless frames and retired 14 of 15 after the difficult inning, and even made it all the way to the seventh.