The Los Angeles Angels continue to rotate arms on the Major League roster in hopes to find not only stability but talent on their big league pitching staff.
They called up journeyman reliever Reyes Moronta to supplement their bullpen this week, a move that should provide manager Phil Nevin with an upside piece who can eat innings. Former top Angels’ farmhand Chase Silseth has been with the team since being called up on April 26, and has been utilized in a number of ways.
Unfortunately, Nevin’s depth in the bullpen has begun to show its faulty spots, and in an attempt to fix the cracks before they get too big. Prior to their weekend series with the Miami Marlins, they’re calling up Sam Bachman, another highly touted arm from their Minor League system, according to Robert Murray of FanSided:
The Los Angeles Angels are calling up right-hander Sam Bachman, one of their top pitching prospects, according to sources familiar with the situation. Bachman was the No. 9 overall pick in the 2021 draft.
— Robert Murray (@ByRobertMurray) May 25, 2023
In six starts at Double-A with the Rocket City Trash Pandas, Bachman is 3-2 with a 5.81 ERA with 29 strikeouts in 26.1 innings pitched. The plan for the right-hander is to use him out of the bullpen, capitalizing on his high-powered arsenal, which features an upper 90s four-seam fastball.
At Double-A this season, he’s posted a 9.9 K/9, while allowing just three homers, with his largest blemish coming in the form of free passes (20).
Nevin will take note of Bachman’s ability to go multiple innings, and depending on the feel for the game and how the rookie is performing, the skipper will likely keep an eye on his usage early on.
Angels prospect Chris Rodriguez shutdown following setback
The Angels were hoping to get back this year was Chris Rodriguez, who impressed during a brief stint in 2021 before shoulder inflammation cost him the final two months of the season.
The right-hander went 2-1 with a 3.64 ERA, 3.14 FIP and 1.45 WHIP in 29.2 innings of work (15 games, two starts), while flashing three plus pitches at times.
Rodriguez underwent shoulder capsule surgery the following offseason and was supposed to return to the mound in 2022, but suffered a setback and did not pitch at all.
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