The Los Angeles Angels made the bold move to select the contract of rookie Nolan Schanuel from Double-A prior to their game with the Tampa Bay Rays on Friday, making him the first 2023 draftee to reach the big leagues.
The first baseman out of Florida Atlantic joined the organization in late July, posting a 1.003 on-base plus slugging in 73 at-bats, and showing elite zone awareness. His .510 on-base percentage made up a bulk of his numbers, and the Angels front office believed he was worthy of a shot.
Schanuel’s play with the Rocket City Trash Pandas was solid, and he continued the Angels tradition of having the first player in the previous year’s draft to reach the majors. The rookie explained how his family and friends reacted to the news of the promotion, via Jeff Fletcher of the O.C. Register:
“I called my mom, woke her up, and she was like ‘Alright, stop messing with me,’” the Angels’ 2023 first-round draft pick said moments after getting his first look at the field at Angel Stadium on Friday. “My friends too. They were like ‘C’mon dude, you just got drafted six weeks ago.’ It took a little convincing.”
The 21-year-old was penciled into the leadoff spot in front of Shohei Ohtani in his first career game. Schanuel played his first Minor League contest on July 21 in Double-A, and the immediate impact he had down there was enough to earn the call-up:
“He’s playing really well,” General Manager Perry Minasian said. “He’s been very productive since he’s been drafted. In Double-A. Against good competition. Hit righties. Hit lefties. Hit velocity. One, we feel like he can handle it. Two, the experience will be great for him, similar to what we’ve done with some of our other young players.”
Chase Silseth was drafted in 2021, he made his debut before any draftee from that group, Zach Neto followed him up with the same honor in 2022. Schanuel’s time with the team this season isn’t for any predetermined amount of time, and with the downward spiral in their recent play, they might just be wanting a spark for some late-season fun.
Knowing what they have in the left-handed bat he has is good, and although it was an entirely premature move, Schanuel showed his at-bat quality. On Friday against the Rays he slapped his first career hit, adding a walk, while scoring two runs.
Angels rookie Jordyn Adams benefits from call-up
Jordyn Adams slots in as the Angels No. 16 prospect in the organization, a speedy, rangy outfielder who uses his legs to impact a game. They decided to select his contract in early August, having him join the team for some added outfield depth.
Unfortunately, in his eight games of big league action, Adams went hitless in nine at-bats, striking out five times. But a measurement for rookies isn’t always about overwhelming on-field production, a sentiment Adams echoed when discussing his time in the big leagues.
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