Angels No. 1 prospect Bremner deals heat in Cactus League debut

GLENDALE, Ariz. -- Angels No. 1 prospect Tyler Bremner admitted he had some nerves before his professional debut in a Cactus League start against the White Sox in an eventual 8-4 win on Wednesday at Camelback Ranch.

Bremner, the No. 2 overall pick in last year’s Draft out of UC Santa Barbara and MLB Pipeline’s No. 81 overall prospect, walked the first two batters he faced in the sixth inning before recovering to throw a scoreless frame. The 21-year-old’s stuff was electric, as his fastball averaged 98 mph while he mixed in his plus-plus changeup as well as his developing slider and cutter. It was his first time throwing to catcher Omar Martinez, while Bremner also had to adjust to the pitch clock.

“My stuff felt really good, my body felt really good, my mentality was definitely there and obviously I was visualizing all day just attacking the zone and not walking the first two guys,” Bremner said with a smile. “If I were to give it a reason, it just felt a little fast when I first got out there when that pitch clock started going.”

He also faced a lineup full of MLB veterans and struck out Andrew Benintendi looking on a 2-2 changeup for his first out of the inning. He then nearly induced a double play on an 0-1 changeup to Chase Meidroth before getting out of the inning on a grounder to third on a 2-0 changeup to Colson Montgomery.

“I felt like my stuff was way too good to be trying to be fine with it,” Bremner said. “I feel like I could just throw my stuff in the zone and get out. So definitely a little frustrated with that, but happy that I was able to get out of it.”

Bremner, listed at 6-foot-2, 190 pounds, previously faced batters twice in live sessions this spring before getting into a game because the Angels had him working on his slider. He already has plenty of fastball velocity and an elite changeup but the slider had to be refined this spring. He said he only threw a handful of sliders but his initial plan was to throw more of them.

“I really wanted to go in there and throw 0-0 sliders for strikes,” Bremner said. “I didn't really get the chance to talk to my catcher about that. Also, the clock's fast man. You can’t really shake. So I was really just trusting what the catcher wanted and throwing those pitches with conviction.”

Bremner sported bright pink cleats to honor his mother, Jennifer, who passed away on June 11 after a five-year battle with breast cancer. Bremner was selected by the Angels just a month later and the memorial was held the week before the Draft, so this is his tribute to her.

“I haven’t heard anyone tell me I can’t wear them,” Bremner said. “I’ve only heard good things about them so I’m going to continue wearing them.”

Bremner will not make another Cactus League appearance this spring -- the Angels reassigned him to Minor League camp Wednesday night. But he is slated to pitch against Guardians prospects in the third annual Spring Breakout on March 19 at Tempe Diablo Stadium.

Manager Kurt Suzuki has been impressed by the way Bremner has carried himself and believes big things are on the horizon. With how aggressive the Angels are with their prospects, it wouldn’t be a surprise to see Bremner in the Majors at some point this year.

“He's been as advertised,” Suzuki said. “Just the way he goes about his work. Watching him throw lives, throw bullpens. He really knows what he wants to do with his pitches. And that's impressive. Coming from a big-time college you expect that, but at the same time for a younger guy that has the feel that he does, it’s neat to see at his age.”

Right-hander Alek Manoah, who gave up four runs in four innings and is competing for the final spot in the rotation, has also helped serve as a mentor to Bremner. He gave him advice after his last live session and said Bremner has been receptive to tips from veterans.

“He's amazing,” Manoah said. “I think he's a great kid. Got to spend some good time with him. Obviously, he has the stuff. It’s just about the mentality and things like that and making sure he’s comfortable.”