Links

LA Angels Tuesday News Crash: Fill the Void

May 20, 2025

Rhett Bollinger explores who might step up to fill the void left by Ben Joyce’s surgery.

The Rangers just signed Seong-Jun Kim, a two way player who is still in high school in Korea. He will graduate in January 2026. The Rangers also claimed Michael Helman off waivers and designated Jonathan Ornelas for assignment.

Left-hander Tyler Matzek cleared waivers and elected free agency. The Braves just released both Garrett Cooper and Jordan Weems. They activated Spencer Strider. The Cubs designated Nicky Lopez for assignment. The Royals did the same to Luke Maile.

The Mets released outfielder Billy McKinney. Pirates right-hander Jared Jones will likely undergo Tommy John surgery.

The Diamondbacks released Garrett Hampson. He’ll be a free agent after he clears waivers. The Padres released Oscar Gonzalez. If he gets through waivers he will pursue an opportunity in NPB.

Photo credit: Rex Fregosi

69 Comments

Newest

Oldest Most Voted

Inline Feedbacks

View all comments

Legend

Twebur

1 month ago

Paris in CF…Lugo getting a night off after last night

Angels go for 5 in a row. Hendricks vs A’s

https://x.com/JeffFletcherOCR/status/1924948929906672056

Legend

Pineapple12

1 month ago

Reply to Twebur

SS Neto
1B Schanuel
3B Moncada
LF Ward
DH O’Hoppe
C D’Arnaud
RF Adell
2B Rengifo
CF Paris

Legend

FungoAle

1 month ago

Reply to Twebur

Here I was propping up Lugo yesterday and indicating that he appears to have a good plan in the batters box…

Super Member

Angelz4ever

1 month ago

Bachman activated and staying @ AAA.

Legend

FungoAle

1 month ago

Reply to Angelz4ever

No need to rush him, keep him there until he demonstrates consistency, low WHIP

Super Member

BannedInLA

1 month ago

Reply to FungoAle

He also needs to demonstrate that his arm & shoulder won’t shatter into a million pieces after 10 innings. That would help.

Legend

Pineapple12

1 month ago

CMo talk is pretty relevant today..

“I’m hearing Angels top prospect Christian Moore has been promoted to Triple-A Salt Lake”

https://x.com/TaylorBlakeWard/status/1924915469011787860?t=lsBgwnrAafYpa48xCuXSBg&s=19

Putting him in SLC is seems like an effort to boost his confidence more than anything, but what do I know lol. LFG CMoooooo

Super Member

tanana40

1 month ago

Reply to Pineapple12

Yes, hitting dingers at high altitude. PCL pitching is probably not as good as AA pitching as well?

Trusted Member

cookmeister

1 month ago

Reply to Pineapple12

combination of that and the AA team just being really really bad right now (probably not helping his headspace)

Member

milehigh

1 month ago

Reply to cookmeister

Sounds like a good argument to not promote him to the big club. Kinda really bad, too.

Editor

Super Member

Turk's Teeth

1 month ago

Reply to cookmeister

But Salt Lake isn’t much better. They’re sitting 8 games under .500.

Much stronger coaching staff under Schatzley imo with the Pandas.

Legend

FungoAle

1 month ago

Reply to Turk's Teeth

Neto made the jump from there, right? Did not get a Bee sting.

Editor

Super Member

Turk's Teeth

1 month ago

Reply to Pineapple12

Bizarre. Since their strongest coaching staff is at AA, as are the most neutral parks, and the best pitching prospects. (For example, the Pandas are going up against Chase Burns this afternoon.)

Really don’t see how this helps his development.

Maybe they just want to bump Placencia up to AA and keep him at 2b.

Trusted Member

cookmeister

1 month ago

Reply to Turk's Teeth

Not saying this is the reason, or whether it’s right or wrong but:

the Pandas are not good. Besides Rada and the pitching prospects, there’s not much there. No protection in the lineup, nothing really going for it whatsoever.

This is like a change of scenery trade without the trade. Is the ballpark a factor, sure. But sometimes a shooter just needs to get to the foul like to see a ball go in the basket to see a shot go in to get going.

Could be just a vote of confidence thing. Let’s get you up to AAA, let you mash, get your confidence back and see what happens

Legend

FungoAle

1 month ago

Reply to Turk's Teeth

I’m not sure how any Angel fanatic can feel good about the player movements made by this regime. A lot of head scratchers.

Legend

Cowboy26

1 month ago

Reply to Pineapple12

I feel the same way…..

https://x.com/Jared_Tims/status/1924924994653716674

Super Member

Angelz4ever

1 month ago

The Professor needs to educate the Scatamento StrAs tonight.

Legend

Twebur

1 month ago

Kid Schanuel…..

The Angels have won 4 in a row. Ward’s team-leading 13th homer was the difference, and Soriano and 3 relievers got the job done.
Also, Schanuel explains how the Angels hitting coaches have sparked his recent streak.

https://x.com/JeffFletcherOCR/status/1924703936361238723

Super Member

Angelz4ever

1 month ago

Reply to Twebur

They certainly have been worth watching as of late.

Last edited 1 month ago by Angelz4ever

Super Member

TrojanBoiler

1 month ago

Reply to Twebur

Unpossible. Wash paid him off to say this. Fire Wash, fire Perry, Arte is evil.

Super Member

Roy Hobbs

1 month ago

Reply to Twebur

If this is true it makes me very happy.They have more work to do with others.

Legend

Senator_John_Blutarsky

1 month ago

We’re not supposed to be winning, but we are winning.

Even if this streak turns out to be nothing more than “trAdition”, this is still great fun.

Legend

Twebur

1 month ago

Reply to Senator_John_Blutarsky

In seasons future, we will regale with delight the stories of the “Doyer Sweep of 2025” with food and drink!

Editor

Legend

Jeff Joiner

1 month ago

Stephenson actually on the mound.

https://x.com/AngelsMiLB/status/1923981860151099824

Super Member

Angelz4ever

1 month ago

Reply to Jeff Joiner

Nice to see our layaway reliever.

Legend

Twebur

1 month ago

Reply to Jeff Joiner

Also, moving Robert Stephenson’s rehab up to AAA. He pitched twice at low A.

https://x.com/JeffFletcherOCR/status/1924932873431503217

Legend

Twebur

1 month ago

Chase Silseth MIA in AAA SL, last start May 3, hasn’t pitched since? 5 starts in April. Still on the active roster. Should CTPG do a welfare/wellness check on him? Angels won’t. Was an arm with a hint of hopeium in it. Who has Dr. Nick’s office number?

Super Member

tanana40

1 month ago

Reply to Twebur

I have been searching but cannot find anything online. He is still listed as active on the Bees’ roster. Mystery.

Legend

MarineLayer

1 month ago

So, a little winning streak, including three incredible wins against the hated Doyers raises hopes.

Not to be turning down the setting on the hopium cannister, but Arturo is still the owner, Minasian is still the GM, and other than Neto and maybe O’Hoppe, the substandard roster is still that roster. No manager could succeed given this hand to play, although I’m still not a fan of the hitting coaches, and the defense and continuing mental mistakes don’t speak well of everyone involved. The losses will soon continue to pile up and the organizational dysfunction will continue until this changes.

However, until that happens, I too enjoy winning a few exciting games here and there.

Go Angels!

Super Member

Angelz4ever

1 month ago

Reply to MarineLayer

We can enjoy the ride until the end, you know like Thelma & Louise.

Legend

MarineLayer

1 month ago

Reply to Angelz4ever

Absolutely Enjoy.

Trusted Member

cookmeister

1 month ago

Reply to MarineLayer

That’s the spirit

Legend

MarineLayer

1 month ago

Reply to cookmeister

Do you think I’m wrong?

Super Member

BannedInLA

1 month ago

A bit surprised that Quesadilla wasn’t mentioned in the article re: replacements for Joyce. I suspect he’ll be called up soon. Very soon.

Christian Moore seems so far away from the “bigs”, I don’t even consider him when thinking about the roster.

Trusted Member

grichmanpoorman

1 month ago

Reply to BannedInLA

The weirdest thing is the MIA power… he’s improved slightly in May (+.250 avg) but is hitting like Rada.

Trusted Member

cookmeister

1 month ago

Reply to BannedInLA

problem with that is you have to then DFA someone to make room for a guy you DFA’d just months earlier for his performance… and it could just backfire again.

Legend

Twebur

1 month ago

Reply to cookmeister

I’m sure Trout will end up on the 60-day IL, and we could somehow survive without Connor Brogdon and a few others….but yeah, DFA roulette.

Trusted Member

cookmeister

1 month ago

Reply to Twebur

fair point

Legend

Pineapple12

1 month ago

5/19 Top Prospect Performance: Hayden Alvarez (18 years old).
Alvarez is 6’3 OF, who signed for $685k out of the DR during the 2024 international signing period.

2/5
1 HR
1 double
2 runs scored
4 RBIs
1 SB

Season #s in Arizona Rookie Ball:
39 PA
.313 / .436 / .500
1 HR
1 double
5 RBIs
3 SB (75% success rate)
18% BB rate
20.5% K rate

Last edited 1 month ago by Pineapple12

Editor

Legend

Jeff Joiner

1 month ago

Reply to Pineapple12

Nice.

Super Member

Angelz4ever

1 month ago

Reply to Pineapple12

I’m stuck on him being named Hayden and from the DR. I can’t get past that. 😀

Super Member

YOUknowulovetheIE

1 month ago

Reply to Angelz4ever

His parents were star wars fans

Trusted Member

grichmanpoorman

1 month ago

Reply to Angelz4ever

DR folk often have formal-sounding, vaguely patrician Anglo names, but usually misspelled eg “Davidxon.”

Editor

Legend

Jeff Joiner

1 month ago

Reply to grichmanpoorman

Jefry Marte was a personal favorite of mine.

Super Member

RexFregosi

1 month ago

Reply to Jeff Joiner

how does it get any better than Vladimir?

Super Member

Angelz4ever

1 month ago

Reply to RexFregosi

Teoscar, Edwar, Winston, Huascar, Narciso

Super Member

TrojanBoiler

1 month ago

Reply to grichmanpoorman

Walbert Urena has got to be Dominican then. I get hung up on that name every time I read it lol

Last edited 1 month ago by TrojanBoiler

Legend

GrandpaBaseball

1 month ago

We did our part, The Doyers have accomplished a first since 2018! A FOUR GAME LOSING STREAK!! Say thank-you to the Angels from the National League West.

Legend

GrandpaBaseball

1 month ago

Reply to GrandpaBaseball

Oh yeah, from the Mets too.

Super Member

Angelz4ever

1 month ago

Reply to GrandpaBaseball

I wouldn’t be surprised if Wash got a fruit basket from the Padres yesterday morning.

Super Member

Angelz4ever

1 month ago

I don’t know WTH is going on right now, but I am enjoying the ride.

Go Halos!!

Last edited 1 month ago by Angelz4ever

Legend

Twebur

1 month ago

Reply to Angelz4ever

Angels right now.
https://x.com/ClownWorld_/status/1924626361232326666

Super Member

Angelz4ever

1 month ago

Reply to Twebur

I knew my second job would be discovered here.

(The usher wandering aimlessly in the mezzanine)

Legend

GrandpaBaseball

1 month ago

I am sitting this AM with fingers crossed and saying a prayer that Lugo learned from yesterday’s game and returns to hot streak. Paris is a good and versatile fielder; Lugo is a very good fielder in CF getting a good jump am just maybe he does see better in Major League stadiums.

BTW, the HR Schanny hit was a HR in the Bigs in every park. I know we will all agree that he has improved.

Ward is just an enigma that is HR or bust this season, but his trade value is still looking darn good.

Four, fore, four, for, no matter how you spell 4, wins are fun to watch and makes one do dumb stuff like think the team is a .500 playing group, but “We won’t be fooled again” about keeping a player because we like him, other than Neto and O’Hoppe, no one is a keeper if it helps us improve. YUTs, baby, Yuts.

Legend

GrandpaBaseball

1 month ago

The Angels bring up the College drafted players before they are ready and to add to a dilemma, they do not really coach them properly while down on the farm. The big-league field is like a slaughterhouse as it is sink or swim. Schanny is either waking up (I hope) or he is on a hot spree and will come back to earth and hit .250 or worse. Riding a hot streak is certainly more fun to witness.

Legend

GrandpaBaseball

1 month ago

Ronald Acuna looks in a mirror and sees Mike Trout, “no, oh no, say it ain’t true”, but it is true.

Legend

Pineapple12

1 month ago

Zach Neto
.283 / .333 / .545
144 OPS+

Nolan Schanuel
.277 / .365 / .406
119 OPS+
11.4% BB rate vs. 13.4% K rate 🤯

Logan O’Hoppe
.259 / .293 / .482
115 OPS+

Nolan is pretty good. Weird.

Legend

angelslogic

1 month ago

Reply to Pineapple12

Paris and Adell lay awake at night yearning for Nolan’s K-rate.

Legend

Pineapple12

1 month ago

Reply to Pineapple12

Nolan Schanuel’s last 14 games:

60 PA
.373 / .467 / .510
4 doubles
1 HR
9 walks
6 strikeouts

Editor

Legend

Jeff Joiner

1 month ago

Reply to Pineapple12

Nolan is definitely taking a step forward. It is great seeing this core.

Legend

Pineapple12

1 month ago

Reply to Jeff Joiner

Impatiently waiting for CMo to join the party. Sensing he won’t be ready until 2027

Super Member

tanana40

1 month ago

Reply to Pineapple12

Moore is now hitting .234 in AA. He hit .215 in April and is hitting .255 in May. So at least going in a positive direction. https://www.milb.com/player/christian-moore-695681?stats=gamelogs-r-hitting-mlb&year=2025

Legend

Pineapple12

1 month ago

Reply to tanana40

Season #s:
125 PA
1 HR
4 doubles
2 triples
32% K rate
17% BB rate

He’s been doing better over last 3 weeks. 32% K rate with nonexistent power is not gonna play in the majors.

This is just his age-22 season, so no rush. CMo clearly wasn’t in the same echelon of readiness that Neto and Schanuel were when drafted.

Last edited 1 month ago by Pineapple12

Legend

FungoAle

1 month ago

Reply to tanana40

That is a quantified breakout in any organization, let’s go C-Mo!

Super Member

smithy610

1 month ago

Reply to Jeff Joiner

Nolan will most likely never be the prototypical power 1B, but if he can keep the offense moving by hitting cheap singles and/or drawing walks at #2, I’ll take that over someone who is always swinging for the fences. And if he hits the occasional double or HR, then that’s a good bonus.