The Angels announced Friday that outfielder Ryan Aguilar has been designated for assignment, and right-hander Touki Toussaint has been optioned to Triple-A Salt Lake. That pair of roster spots will go to righty Michael Lorenzen and outfielder Mickey Moniak, each of whom has been reinstated from the injured list.
Aguilar, 27, made his big league debut this year after six years in the minors. He appeared in just seven games with the Halos, hitting .136/.231/.182 in a tiny sample of 26 trips to the plate. He had a much better showing with the Halos’ Double-A affiliate, where he turned in a .280/.427/.517 with 15 homers, 13 doubles, three triples, 11 steals and a ridiculous 19% walk rate in 348 plate appearances. Strikeouts have been an issue in the minors, however, and Aguilar fanned in 14 of his 26 Major League plate appearances as well (53.8%).
A 31st-round draft pick by the Brewers back in 2016, Aguilar was in Milwaukee’s system until last August, when he was released on the heels of a dismal showing in their own Double-A affiliate. He’s still never played a game at the Triple-A level. The Angels will place Aguilar on either outright waivers or release waivers within the week, now that he’s been dropped from the 40-man roster. He’s never been outrighted and doesn’t have three years of Major League service time, so if Aguilar clears waivers, he’ll remain with the Angels organization (sans the 40-man roster spot).
Lorenzen, who carries a 4.94 ERA in 71 innings this season (13 starts), has been out since July 1 due to a shoulder strain. He inked a one-year, $7MM deal with the Angels over the winter and will again be a free agent this coming offseason. Moniak, acquired in the deadline trade that sent Noah Syndergaard to Philadelphia, went 4-for-14 with a pair of homers in his first 15 plate appearances with the Angels, but he suffered a broken finger on a bunt attempt during just his fifth game with his new team. He missed just over a month of action.
Dumpster fire x 10
I’m excited to watch Moniak the rest of the year. Small sample but he played well in his limited time with the Angels so far. He also was having a great spring derailed by an injury, so hopefully he can turn a corner and be a productive player
When you’re excited to see Moniak for the rest of the year .. y’know been a tuff year again in Anaheim
Agree with both of you.
I’m happy to see him play out the last few weeks. The fact I’m happy definitely shows what type of year it is.
Yep, tough year indeed. Anyone watching the games right now can see the potential is there. There are a lot worse nucleus’ to build around than Shohei and Trout. Granted, this next year either sees Shohei traded or the new owner go all in. I have gone back and forth, but seeing them currently play makes me want the latter.
He’s terrible. Not much else to say.
Moniak never got a fair shake in Philly…..He was always one of the younger players at all of his minor league stops….Then Girardi, whether warranted or not, notoriously keeps younger players, well he doesn’t….
I think both Marsh and Moniak will do well in their new homes.:
There is currently zero pressure for Moniak, hence my Free Mickey Campaign…
Marsh has been told – CF (and batting 8th or 9th) is yours for the foreseeable future..
Philly haters aside, Moniak still profiles as an above average defender in CF/RF and potential division 1 starter. I shall be keeping an eye on his success….
Marsh is still struggling. Striking out in half of his AB’s
Me too about MM. good call Cookie
Congrats Ryan Aguilar for achieving your dream.
Ryan played more like Christina
Aguilar = Aguilera??
If only he could belt one out on occasion like Christina
I’m curious how someone like Aguilar gets into the major leagues. It doesn’t look like he lit up either college or lower level minor league pitching.
Playing for an organization with an almost barren farm system and a Major League team wracked by injuries will create just the right amount of desperation for opportunity
An almost barren farm system? Tell me you know nothing about the Angels MiLB without telling me.
28th ranked farm system tells you all you need to know.
Angels have the 30th ranked minor league system in baseball.
Braves and Padres are worse
He was originally signed by the Brewers, which still doesn’t answer my question, granted i worded it awkwardly. I should have said professional baseball..
1. Angels MLB 26 man roster is less than 26 man deep with above replacement level players, heck even 20 above replacement level would be a HUGE difference.
2. The glaring weakness mentioned above makes the farm system look that much worse.
3. Hopefully the next owner adds some $$ payroll and either demands more of the FO or finds a FO that can fill out a proper 26 man roster.
If Moniak can show anything (anything at all) in these last few weeks of the season maybe the Angels will do the right thing and move Trout to a corner OF spot
Again, tell me you know nothing about the Angels without telling me. This spring Madden said that the Angels were thinking of doing just that until Trout objected.
Who writes the checks, the front office or Trout?
The Angels and Trout both need to realize the he is neither getting any younger and or is his back getting better.
There is literally nothing to know about the Angels that we don’t already see and comment about
Trout has been hitting like a complete maniac since he got back from the IL. He isn’t someone I would bet against.
Trout moving to a corner OF is still a year or 2 away. Probably 2024/25 at earliest.
The Angels having someone that can play better CF than Trout is a year or 2 away. There is not a single FA on the market that would be good enough to push Trout to a corner.
Lorenzen signed here for a shot at starting and to be closer to his family. He’s gotten both. I wouldn’t be opposed to another deal for him if he’s open to moving back to the bullpen.
Im kinda hoping he re-signs… I mean, he wasn’t absolutely terrible in his short time.. I mean, he’s better than Mayers…
Why send Touki down? Don’t you want to see what you have in him? As well as Thaiss and Adell! Play these guys. Resign Lorenzen for the hometown injury discount.
They sent him down because they need the roster spot and he can be sent down. He will get his shot.