The Los Angeles Angels sent eight prospects to play for the Scottsdale Scorpions in the Arizona Fall League this year, including Davis Daniel, who made his MLB debut during the 2023 season.
Daniel went 1-1 with a 2.19 ERA, 5.04 FIP and 1.30 WHIP in 12.1 innings pitched across three relief appearances for the Angels after missing most of the season due to a right shoulder strain.
Daniel also made seven Minor League starts between the Angels’ Rookie-level affiliate, High-A Inland Empire and Triple-A Salt Lake, going 1-2 with a 2.15 ERA, 1.13 WHIP and 12.9 strikeouts per nine in 29.1 innings pitched.
In his first career AFL start, Daniel allowed just one hit over four scoreless innings and collected five strikeouts, per the MLB.com staff:
The arms stole the show for Scottsdale, and Daniel led the charge. The right-hander struck out five and allowed one hit over four scoreless innings in his first Fall League start. A right shoulder strain limited Daniel to seven Minor League starts, but he averaged 12.89 strikeouts per nine innings in seven starts. The 26-year-old made his big league debut and posted a 2.19 ERA in three relief outings.
The Angels selected Daniel in the seventh round of the 2019 MLB Draft and he went on to make his professional debut two years later. The 26-year-old was among 39 pitchers who appeared in a game for L.A. this season.
If Daniel has a good showing in the AFL and carries that momentum into Spring Training next season, he could potentially earn a spot on the Angels’ Opening Day roster.
Angels’ Shohei Ohtani named Hank Aaron Award finalist
Angels two-way superstar Shohei Ohtani is among nine finalists for the 2023 Hank Aaron Award in the American League. The honor is given to the best overall offensive player in each league annually.
Ohtani was a finalist for the award in 2021, but Toronto Blue Jays star first baseman Vladimir Guerrero Jr. took home the honors for the AL that season.
