For the second time during the ongoing lockout, the Los Angeles Angels have agreed to terms on a Minor League contract with an eligible player. A player is eligible to sign a Minor League deal during a lockout so long as they were not on a 40-man roster or on the injured list at the end of the 2021 season.
Their first Minor League deal went to Dillon Thomas, a versatile outfielder with some MLB games under his belt. With their second signing, they’re looking for a little bit more of the same, as they’ve signed Ryan Aguilar to the same deal.
Aguilar is a local guy, a 26-year old from Yorba Linda, California. He played his high school baseball at Esperanza High School in Anaheim before heading to University of Arizona for college. He was selected by the Milwaukee Brewers in the 31st round of the 2016 amateur draft.
Like Thomas, Aguilar is a versatile defender capable of playing all three outfield positions. He has also played some first base during his five seasons in the Minor Leagues. Unlike Thomas, though, Aguilar has yet to make his MLB debut, as his bat has not translated the way he had hoped thus far.
His career OPS in five Minor League seasons is .678, and his 26.7% strikeout rate for his career is nothing to write home about.
While Thomas may have an outside shot to get to the Major League club in 2022, Aguilar appears more to be a depth piece for the organization, likely bouncing around between Double-A and Triple-A at best.
Nick Adenhart’s family approves of Noah Syndergaard wearing No. 34
Noah Syndergaard will be the first player since Nick Adenhart to don the No. 34 jersey for the Angels, a decision that was not easy for the new Halos pitcher. However, encouragement from Perry Minasian and the family of Adenhart convinced him that he was the exact person they wanted to carry the jersey number into the future.