The Los Angeles Angels called upon several rookies this season to contribute to the Major League roster, with the latest member being first baseman Nolan Schanuel.
Being the first draftee from the 2023 MLB Draft to reach the big leagues, Schanuel joined Zach Neto and Chase Silseth as the first of their class to receive the promotion. The left-handed corner infielder logged less than 100 plate appearances in Minor League baseball, posting a. 370/.510/.493 slash across each stop.
Schanuel has appeared in 16 games for the Angels, using his elite bat-to-ball tools to put up a .427 on-base percentage in 60 at-bats. The 21-year-old made Angels history on Thursday, setting a club record after he reached base safely in his first 16 games to start his career.
Nolan Schanuel has reached base safely in each of the first 16 games of his career, which is a new #Angels record.
Darin Erstad held the previous record after beginning his career reaching base safely in his first 15 career games in 1996.
— Angels PR (@LAAngelsPR) September 8, 2023
He surpasses Angels great Darin Erstad, who held the previous record, which he set back in the 1996 season. Erstad spent 14 years in MLB, 11 of which came with the Angels.
Schanuel getting a solid chunk of playing time this early in to his big league career can do nothing but expand his tools as he figures to be a piece to their plans long term.
Nolan Schanuel earned praise from Angels manager Phil Nevin
While Schanuel may not have Major League pop in his bat, his elite plate discipline and barrel control make him a valuable piece. It wasn’t until his ninth MLB hit that he recorded his first extra-base hit.
Angels manager Phil Nevin is getting a first-hand look at all of Schanuel’s early contact success. And he’s sufficiently impressed with everything he’s seen, which stems from work he did at Florida Atlantic University, when he saw his batting average increase from .343 his freshman year to .447 by his third and final college campaign.
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