On May 10, Reid Detmers became only the second pitcher in club history to throw a no-hitter, and behind the plate Chad Wallach was making his Los Angeles Angels debut.
After losing both Max Stassi and Kurt Suzuki to the injured list in early May, the Angels got their regular duo back when Suzuki and Stassi were both activated at the end of the month.
The Angels chose to option Wallach to Triple-A on Monday on the heels of Suzuki’s activation.
Wallach had been the primary backstop for manager Joe Maddon in the absence of both Stassi and Suzuki, and although he was optioned, he left quite the impression on the Angels’ staff, via Sam Blum of The Athletic:
“Day-to-day on all these positions, catcher too,” general manager Perry Minasian said when asked if Wallach could stay after their other catchers get healthy. “… He’s played great. I think it’s what we expected. He’s somebody that we really liked.”
The Angels pitching staff posted a collective 3.04 ERA since Wallach’s call-up, the 3rd best in MLB:
“He’s played really well,” manager Joe Maddon said. “I’m here to tell you that’s a big-league catcher. That is not a Triple-A guy.”
Suzuki will probably serve as the backup once Stassi returns, and because of his poor performance in 2022, might mean Wallach could find himself back with the Angels if the club moves on from Suzuki.
During his brief time in Anaheim, Wallach appreciated the opportunity to show what he could do:
“It’s awesome, it’s always great being in the big leagues,” Wallach said. “It’s everybody’s dream, and getting to be put on a roster and put on a team for however long it is, it’s always great.”
Wallach isn’t known for being an offensive player, as represented by his lifetime .565 on-base plus slugging, but in terms of stepping into a brand new pitching staff and keeping them on the right path, he’s done his job and it is acknowledged by the Angels front-office.
Tim & Chad Wallach become fifth father & son duo in Angels history
When Wallach made his Angels debut, joined his dad Tim Wallach as players to don a Halos uniform in their career, which made them the fifth father and son duo in Angels history. Tim Wallach played 57 games for the Angels in 1996.
The Wallach’s joined Ruben and Ruben Amaro Jr., Chris and C.J. Cron, Jerry and Jeff DaVanon, and Bob and Darren Oliver as the father and son duos in the organization’s history.
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