The Los Angeles Angels opted to further expose their top Minor League talents to Major League Baseball when they selected the contract of infielder Kyren Paris prior to their series with the Oakland Athletics.
The Angels’ No. 6 prospect grew up in the Bay Area, and left Double-A to meet with the team at the Oakland Coliseum. Paris was penciled into the starting lineup for their Friday matchup with the A’s, playing shortstop in front of many family and friends.
In 113 games with the Rocket City Trash Pandas, Paris had posted an .810 on-base plus slugging with 14 home runs, 45 RBI, 79 runs scored and 44 stolen bases. His combination of speed and power makes him a unique option, and a solid fill-in for Zach Neto, who is down with another injury.
The 21-year-old reached base in his first plate appearance after he was plunked with an inside pitch from A’s lefty, JP Sears. Paris is the second-youngest player on this Angels roster, but doesn’t believe he has an inexperienced view, per Alex Espinoza of MLB.com:
“It’s a leap that they prepare us for,” Paris said. “We put in work every day down at Double-A, and they do a great job. They really prepare us, and that’s the ultimate goal — to get here and be ready. Some of my fellow teammates have done the same leap, so we’re kind of accustomed to it. … We built a good camaraderie playing together, so it’s special to have those guys around us.”
Paris needed just 127 games at Double-A before receiving the promotion to MLB. It’s unclear how long he’ll be with the big club, but this shot is an incredible opportunity for a talented player:
“It’s insane,” LeJon Paris said. “It’s definitely what dreams are made of. This is what he dreamt of growing up, being able to debut here at home and have your neighbors and friends and family come to see his debut — high school coaches, Little League coaches — it’s surreal. There’s no other way to put it.”
The former second round pick in the 2019 MLB Draft had finally made it, and with as much roster turnover as there seems to be with the Angels, Paris could stick if he plays up to a decent potential.
Fellow Angels rookie Nolan Schanuel sets club record
2023 first round pick Nolan Schanuel was called up to aid the big league roster in early August, and his play has showed solid early returns.
His fast track to MLB came to fruition because of a need for a quality bat, and because of his play in the minors. With his ninth inning single this past Wednesday, Schanuel made Angels history, becoming the first player in franchise history to reach base with a hit in his first 10 games in MLB.
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