The Angels have re-signed three players to minor league deals, according to Sam Blum of The Athletic. Outfielders Aaron Whitefield and Ryan Aguilar and lefty Kolton Ingram will return to the organization next year. All three have been invited to MLB Spring Training.
Aguilar, 28, made his MLB debut this year, getting a seven-game cup of coffee with the Angels wherein he hit .136/.231/.182. In 93 Triple-A games this season, he fared much better. He hit .271/.415/.491 for a wRC+ of 144 and also added 11 steals. He was designated for assignment and outrighted in September.
Whitefield, 26, appeared in three games for the 2020 Twins and five games for the Angels this year. Those eight games make up the entirety of his MLB experience to this point. He spent most of this year in Double-A, getting into 79 games and hitting .262/.343/.432, wRC+ of 104. He managed to swipe 29 bags in that time, despite only playing about a half season’s worth of games. He was outrighted off the club’s roster in May.
The Angels have an uncertain outfield mix at the moment, with Mike Trout and Taylor Ward set to take up center and right field again, respectively. Left field is more open, as Jo Adell has yet to cement himself as a viable big leaguer. He was given brief tastes of the majors in 2020 and 2021 but a larger tryout this year. In 88 games, he hit just .224/.264/.373 for a wRC+ of 77 while striking out in 37.5% of his plate appearances. Given that he’s still a work in progress, it makes sense for the Halos to add some outfield depth to their system.
As for Ingram, who turns 26 in a week, he has no major league experience, having topped out at Double-A so far. He threw 60 2/3 innings at that level this year over 50 appearances, registering a 2.67 ERA with a 47% ground ball rate, 30.8% strikeout rate and 7.2% walk rate. He’ll stick around as left-handed bullpen depth and try to continue building off a strong season in the minors.
Tbh who thought Dillion Thomas was gonna be in here?
Moniak is definitely in the outfield mix.. Whitefield and Aguilar are just AAA fodder, nothing more.
Ingram has the makings of a fine sleeper prospect.
I think you are right darkside. At Rocket City he was light years better than Bauchman. He misses bats and throws strikes. He’s ok at keeping the ball in the park.
The Angels can’t rely on Adell, and they really can’t rely on Moniak.
For depth, the Angels need a RH batter who can spell Walsh at first base against LH pitchers, who can also be a full time player at first or LF if needed. All that player needs to be is a league average player.
After adding that player, If Rengifo is used as a backup, not a planned starter, that may be all the depth the team needs. Add a mid level starter, a couple more BP arms and with health, the team should be alright.
I don’t have confidence in Minasian, but except for praying for health, that’s all he really has to do.
Or get Christian Vasquez who can catch some days, play first against lefties, and pinch hit.
My early hopes for what won’t happen.
Perfect guy to help out Walsh at 1B could be Taylor Ward.
Hey good for the Angels atleast they are already at work trying to find gems.
Adell shouldn’t be considered at all in 2023. He can’t hit MLB pitching and his defense still stinks. We need more than depth, we need a LF starter first then depth not named Adell.
By the end of the year his defense was at least adequate and much better than Moniak’s. As far as hitting, he might not ever hit but he’s a much better hitter than Moniak.
I agree with that. But still, we need to aim higher.
Which is why I want an adequate RH bat who can play first and LF. The Angels cannot rely on Adell. Anything Adell provides is a bonus.
As Uncle Junior would say: Adell never had the makings of a Varsity Athlete…
Just to add with Adell. From June on his outs above average was +1. I’m not sure how anyone didn’t notice he became a much better outfielder as the season progressed.
By the way, he was minus 4 at the end of May.
I noticed by watching him. He made some great catches. He seems fine coming in on a ball but if he has to go on a ball, that’s where he usually runs into trouble.
The best thing I can say about him is he played an adequate LF over the last half of the season.
He may be unplayable offensively, but I don’t think he’s unplayable defensively anymore. He was, but not anymore.
I think Rengifo is unplayable defensively. .
Sitting in the stands his first step or two was much more confident and he was moving in the proper direction.
Odd to say about a guy at the big league level, but it was night and day versus opening night.
He definitely got better.
Adell is a good athlete. Unfortunately, it takes time to develope and for some longer than others. He has clearly been moved up to the show before being ready but at least you can see the effort and the slow evolution of him development. If he sticks it out he will be a late bloomer but for now everyone will have to settle for flashes of his talent though he is probably best served developing in the minors where he isn’t so exposed.