LA Angels Monday News Crash: Madrigal

The Angels signed Nick Madrigal to a minor league deal with an invitation to spring training.

The Cubs got Alex Bregman on a five year deal.

The Reds signed right-hander Pierce Johnson. They also signed Garrett Hampson, Josh Staumont, and Brandon Leibrandt to minor league deals.

The Cardinals signed Bruce Zimmermann to a minor league deal. Eloy Jiminez is back with the Blue Jays on a minor league deal. Noah Davis got his minor league deal with the Pirates. Jesus Tinoco returns to the Marlins on a minor league deal.

Photo credit: Rex Fregosi

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HalosFanForLife
Super Member
9 hours ago

Here is one of the stories where a lot of baseball insider guys fell in love with Madrigal. There are other things he’s known for – but this story is epic if you never heard it.

https://www.oregonlive.com/beavers/2017/06/nick_madrigal_takes_bunting_to.html

2002heaven
Super Member
10 hours ago

Never heard of Nick Madrigal either.

HalosFanForLife
Super Member
10 hours ago
Reply to  2002heaven

He moved quickly through the White Sox org out of Oregon State. Looked like a real player out of the gate. Became known as “Nicky Two Strikes” because he is hard to strike out. My son, also a Nick, actually had this shirt.

Screenshot-2026-01-12-at-1.34.57 PM
Last edited 10 hours ago by HalosFanForLife
HalosFanForLife
Super Member
13 hours ago

Hey Arte, it’s Mike. About my no trade clause…

FungoAle
Legend
13 hours ago

Move him across town. Have Arte buy down some of the money owed if necessary. A real super-flawed AM/PM roster this year. It’s time to give Mike his postseason and championship opportunity.

Fansince1971
Legend
12 hours ago
Reply to  FungoAle

Why would the Dodgers want Trout?!

FungoAle
Legend
7 hours ago
Reply to  Fansince1971

LF replace Teoscar, rejuvenate him, set him free.

HalosFanForLife
Super Member
14 hours ago

Just when I wanted to change my profile name to HalosFanForLifeNow – they go and sign Madrigal. I know he doesn’t move the needle at all. I’m just a fan of his style of play.

Biggiswrth
Trusted Member
14 hours ago

Perry’s way of thinking is to slowly raise the floor and never bring in anyone who makes the ceiling higher. HIs draft picks need to start shining this year.

Last edited 14 hours ago by Biggiswrth
Fansince1971
Legend
14 hours ago
Reply to  Biggiswrth

“HIs draft picks need to start shining this year.”

Or else his head will be on a spike. Fairly certain this is his last chance.

Last edited 14 hours ago by Fansince1971
GrandpaBaseball
Legend
12 hours ago
Reply to  Fansince1971

Agree with you, Minasian does not have anything to hang his hat on except he has put up with Arturo for a long time. His drafting in his tenure in Anaheim has been very weak, but he has very little help in the scouting department. His free agent signing is certainly weak at best, and his scrap pile picks are average overall. Neto has been his best draft pick and 2026 should be Neto’s break out season. Minasian is unable to build a deeper team because of his poor drafting. Certainly not anyone person is to blame for Trouty being constantly injured and with a Superstar version of Trout the overall results of teaming with Shohei would have been much different in the team’s W-L record.

But still there is the issue of ownership just under the radar and the management Arturo provides.

HalosFanForLife
Super Member
12 hours ago

Here’s where they are! (AI Pulled) If we went through them all – it’s very ugly folks. You can’t polish a turd.

Angels 2021 Draft Class and Highest Level Reached

1 (9)Sam Bachman-MLB
Pitched in the majors as a reliever in 2023; has since dealt with injuries.

2 (45)Ky Bush- MLB
Traded to the White Sox in 2023, made his MLB debut with Chicago in 2024.

3 (80)Landon Marceaux-AA
Traded to the Mets in 2023; spent time in Double-A.

4 (110)Luke Murphy- AAA
Reached Triple-A in 2025.

5 (141)Brett Kerry-AAA
Reached Triple-A in 2025.

6 (171)Jake Smith-AA
Reached Double-A.

7 (201)Ryan Costeiu-AA
Reached Double-A; has been rehabbing from Tommy John surgery.

8 (231)Nick Jones-AAA
Reached Triple-A in 2025.

9 (261)Braden Olthoff-AA
Topped out at Double-A and retired in 2023.

10 (291)Andrew Peters-High-A
Topped out at High-A and was released by the Angels in Spring 2024.

11 (321)Chase Silseth- MLB
The first player from the entire 2021 draft class to reach MLB, debuting in 2022.

12 (351)Mason Albright-AAA
Traded to the Rockies in 2023; reached Triple-A.

13 (381)Mo Hanley-Single-A
Has only thrown limited innings due to injuries.

14 (411)Eric Torres-AAA
Reached Triple-A in 2025.

15 (441)Glenn Albanese Jr.-AA
Reached Double-A.

16 (471)Brandon Dufault-AA
Reached Double-A.

17 (501)Mason Erla-AA
Reached Double-A.

18 (531)Nick Mondak-High-A
Reached High-A.

19 (561)Nathan Burns-AA
Topped out at Double-A and was released by the Angels in Spring 2024.

20 (591)Marcelo PerezN/A
Did not sign with the Angels; returned to college.

Senator_John_Blutarsky
Legend
12 hours ago

The stank is oppressive.

comment image

Pineapple12
Legend
10 hours ago

Sunk cost is what this draft is. Would be nice to see Bachman and Silseth stay healthy and pitch a full year out of the MLB pen this year

HalosFanForLife
Super Member
10 hours ago
Reply to  Pineapple12

I’m afraid the later drafts aren’t going to fare much better. Other than Neto – it’s been stark.

Fansince1971
Legend
14 hours ago

Another lottery ticket in Madigral. He is the kind of player who will agree to sign with the Angels – desperate for a job.

Last edited 14 hours ago by Fansince1971
HalosFanForLife
Super Member
14 hours ago
Reply to  Fansince1971

I sure would rather have him at 3B – than a resigning of Rengifo. He’s just too painful to watch.

Fansince1971
Legend
13 hours ago

Was never a Rengifo fan so I can agree. That said, Madigral has never produced more than 1 WAR in a season and has 4 total HR for his career. Hardly a prototypical third baseman 😂

Biggiswrth
Trusted Member
13 hours ago
Reply to  Fansince1971

https://www.fangraphs.com/roster-resource/depth-charts/angels

Really interesting how Fangraphs has our depth chart right now.

HalosFanForLife
Super Member
13 hours ago
Reply to  Biggiswrth

Meckler as our starting CF. Whoa. Hey Rockies – hold our beer.

Last edited 13 hours ago by HalosFanForLife
Fansince1971
Legend
12 hours ago
Reply to  Biggiswrth

Looks like a 60-65 win team to me.

Roy Hobbs
Super Member
3 hours ago
Reply to  Biggiswrth

Like it our not it is most likely that Soler is the DH, Trout is in LF, Rada is in CF, and Adell is in RF. I have no idea who will be playing 2B or 3B as we don’t really have a Major League starting caliber player at either position.

Fansince1971
Legend
12 hours ago
Reply to  Fansince1971

Oh and he is 5’ 7”

HalosFanForLife
Super Member
9 hours ago
Reply to  Fansince1971

Then he can post up Altuve.

Senator_John_Blutarsky
Legend
12 hours ago
Reply to  Fansince1971

All AM/PM did with Madigral was sign another team’s Rengifo.

Roy Hobbs
Super Member
3 hours ago
Reply to  Fansince1971

Even though they are not attractive solutions, we would be a lot better off than where we are now if we just brought back Rengifo to play 2B and Moncada to play 3B.

milehigh
Trusted Member
2 hours ago
Reply to  Roy Hobbs

As much as I would like improved defense as Jeff says, both of these guys have better bats than anyone else available on the roster for those positions. Unless someone really comes alive in ST.

gitchogritchoffmypettis
Legend

When did Madrigal learn 3B?

HalosFanForLife
Super Member
10 hours ago

He played off and on – two seasons there for Cubs – was plus DRS at 3B, I believe. Might play 2b too. We shall see. I know he does nothing for metrics – but I just like him. Totally emotional with me. He looked capable in his first two years – maybe he finds it. But yes – I think we are stockpiling a lot of 9 slot hitters.

Last edited 10 hours ago by HalosFanForLife
gitchogritchoffmypettis
Legend

Well that’s cool. I thought he was just stuck at 2B.

Roy Hobbs
Super Member
3 hours ago

Please don’t take this the wrong way as it is not meant to be critical but I love your statement “I know he does nothing for metrics – but I just like him.”. Sounds like something Perry would say and we are assembling a whole team of guys like that. Somehow we’re still ranked above three other teams in MLB. We’re looking at a top 4 draft pick next year.

Marcotor
Trusted Member
8 hours ago

Grit. Stubble. The tools to be AngelLegend.

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