The Angels announced this afternoon that they had activated right-hander Ben Joyce from the 60-day injured list and shortstop Zach Neto from the 10-day injured list. In corresponding moves, first baseman Trey Cabbage and left-hander Kolton Ingram were optioned to Triple-A Salt Lake. Anaheim’s 40-man roster stands at 39 after activating Joyce.
The club’s first- and third-round picks in the 2022 draft, Neto and Joyce were the first members of the 2022 draft class to reach the majors, with both doing so by the end of May this season. Each player has held his own at the highest level despite being fast-tracked to the big leagues, with Neto posting a 97 wRC+ in 252 trips to the plate alongside solid defense at shortstop, while Joyce has shown a fastball that sits at over 101 mph while posting a 4.50 ERA that’s 9% better than league average by ERA+.
While the respective debuts of each youngster have been impressive considering their lack of development time in the minor leagues, the 2023 seasons have been marred by injuries for both players. Joyce managed just four innings of work in five appearances before going on the injured list with ulnar neuritis in early June and missing the next three months. Neto, on the other hand, spent a month on the shelf earlier in the season due to an oblique strain before returning after the All Star break for a two-week stretch during which he batted an abysmal .180/.226/.340. He ultimately was placed back on the injured list in early August with lower back inflammation.
With three weeks left in the regular season, both rookies will be afforded the opportunity to finish their first big league campaign on a high note. Neto figures to take over as the club’s everyday shortstop, pushing Kyren Paris to the bench. Joyce, meanwhile, could get some looks in high-leverage situations down the stretch with key leverage relievers Matt Moore and Reynaldo Lopez having been claimed off waivers by the Guardians at the end of August. That’s left the Anaheim bullpen with few clear high-leverage options beyond closer Carlos Estevez.
As for the players making room for the rookie duo, Cabbage is a left-handed power bat who first joined the big league club back in July, replacing Anthony Rendon as a member of the club’s infield mix. Cabbage has experience at first base, third base, and all three outfield spots, but ultimately struggled with the bat in 56 trips to the plate with the Angels, slashing just .208/.232/.321 with a massive 46.4% strikeout rate. Cabbage, 26, will need to cut down on the strikeouts significantly if he’s going to contribute in the majors as anything more than an injury replacement.
Ingram, meanwhile, posted phenomenal numbers in the minor leagues this season for the organization, including a 3.49 ERA in 28 1/3 Triple-A innings made all the more impressive thanks to the heightened offensive environment of the Pacific Coast League. Unfortunately for the 26-year-old southpaw, his first taste of big league action back in June did not go as he surely hoped it would, as he was lit up for three runs in his major league debut while recording only one out. In all, Ingram owns a brutal 10.38 ERA in 4 1/3 innings of work at the big league level, though as a southpaw with success in the upper minors, he still figures to be an intriguing potential bullpen piece for the Angels headed into 2024.
Two important pieces next year. Two of many questions that need to be answered in the affirmative.
To little, to late…
Too.
We know. I don’t think anyone was thinking their return was going to get the team to the playoffs this year.
Anyone here watch that Yankees Brewers game?
From beginning to end, it was quite a ride today! It was nice to see Higashioka get his first career walk off hit for the win!
Would someone explain to me this whole philosophy of having to play the last few weeks of a meaningless season to be ready for next year? It seems the main focus of the Angels is not to gut it out during the regular season but to play the last week or 2 of a season to “prove” something (like Rendon last year). It doesn’t prove anything It’s irrelevant if next year you don’t improve. They’ve been doing this the last few years and it’s annoying. Shut it down already and get healthy and try next year. And why am I seeing Schanuel dancing around with his shoulders in the dugout on TV? I thought he was out with “sore shoulder blades” they looked pretty loose from his moves. For a bunch of players that say it’s their dream to play in the big leagues a lot of them sure call in sick easily with zero consequences. In fact the Angels seem to reward it!
Young kids need to show if they can stick.
“Would someone explain to me this whole philosophy of having to play the last few weeks of a meaningless season to be ready for next year?”
Neto might draw a few more viewers and sell a few more tickets. And that’s all that matters! Cha ching!
Maybe since you don’t enjoy baseball you should try another sport.
How about cricket?
Ping pong
Ping pong for dummies
It’s the same reason you were required to go to school even though you were failing your classes. At the end they graduated you even though it was a losing proposition.
Obviously there is a myriad of reasons as to why you would activate or call up players.
IMO…the biggest reason, is no matter what you do, nothing replaces playing in a real game.
Another is you are paying these guys to play baseball, they are under contract to play.
In regards to Schanuel. There is a big difference between “dancing in the dug out vs. throwing the ball, diving head first into a base, or swinging a bat. I would imagine a kid like Schanuel would rather be in the game, proving he can play next year and beyond. In addition to all that, he is interacting with his team mates. Whick is a big positive as well.
SkipJutz
If you’re asking for an explanation, you wouldn’t understand anyways
Can some explain why loup is still on the team? Might as well bring up someone that has been in the minors for ten years. I believe he’s a free agent after this year
“Meanwhile” should ONLY start the sentence. It should NOT come in the middle. Don’t break up subject and verb if it isn’t absolutely necessary. How do you mess this up twice in one article? Fire Deeds.
““Meanwhile” should ONLY start the sentence. It should NOT come in the middle. Don’t break up subject and verb if it isn’t absolutely necessary. How do you mess this up twice in one article? Fire Deeds.”
This comment reminds me of every bitter English teacher I’ve ever had.
Apparently, you weren’t paying enough attention, because you should have had apostrophes around “meanwhile” in your comment.
“Apparently, you weren’t paying enough attention, because you should have had apostrophes around “meanwhile” in your comment.”
I didn’t do it intentionally. But, I’m glad I did it. 🙂
And you did it again. Plus added an unnecessary comma after “but.”