Here's the Angels' Spring Breakout roster
Rhett Bollinger
@RhettBollingerProspects Nelson Rada and Caden Dana both offered glimpses of their potential this spring in their first taste of Major League Spring Training.
Their talent will be on full display when the Angels host the Dodgers in the Spring Breakout game featuring top prospects from both clubs on March 16. It’s part of a doubleheader that begins with the big league club facing Cubs at Tempe Diablo Stadium. The nine-inning game featuring prospects is expected to start at approximately 4:10 p.m. PT.
Rada, the club’s No. 2 prospect in the 2024 MLB Pipeline rankings, and Dana, No. 3, highlight the 26-man roster for the Angels. The roster includes 12 pitchers, three catchers, seven infielders and four outfielders. Of that group, 20 of those 26 players are ranked among the club’s Top 30 prospects.
Dana has been impressive this spring, throwing four scoreless innings, including two against the White Sox on Sunday. The 20-year-old right-hander, with his 6-foot-4 frame and long blond hair, resembles former Angels pitcher Noah Syndergaard. Dana said he’s excited for Spring Breakout, especially against the rival Dodgers.
“I think it’s great,” Dana said. “I think it’s a chance to get your name out there. And we’re playing the Dodgers. So beat the Dodgers.”
Rada, 18, is considered the franchise’s center fielder and leadoff hitter of the future. He played well against older competition this spring before he was reassigned to Minor League camp on Sunday. Rada went 2-for-6 with two RBIs, two walks and three stolen bases in four games.
The Venezuela native also posted a .395 on-base percentage and stole 55 bases in 115 games with Single-A Inland Empire last year despite being four years younger than his average competition. Rada impressed manager Ron Washington, who has encouraged him to steal even more this year.
“We just want him to play his game,” Washington said. “He puts the ball in play, and we want him to be more aggressive on the basepaths. But he’s just 18 years old, so he’s in his head. We just told him to trust his speed. And we got an interpreter and told him, ‘If you steal and you get thrown out, get up, brush yourself off -- and when you get back out there, do it again.’ He’s got carte blanche.”
Other players ranked among the club's Top 10 prospects who are participating in the event include infielder Kyren Paris (No. 4), right-hander Barrett Kent (No. 6), infielder Denzer Guzman (No. 7), catcher Dario Laverde (No. 8) and right-hander Jack Kochanowicz (No. 10). Paris and Kochanowicz are both on the Angels’ 40-man roster and in Major League camp.
First baseman Nolan Schanuel, who is the club’s No. 1 prospect, and hard-throwing reliever Ben Joyce, who is ranked No. 5, are not playing. Schanuel and Joyce are both on the 40-man roster and had the ability to opt-out. Schanuel is the club’s starting first baseman; Joyce is competing for a bullpen spot.
What is Spring Breakout? MLB Spring Breakout is a four-day event showcasing baseball’s future: the current stars of Minor League Baseball. The inaugural edition will be held from March 14-17 at Grapefruit and Cactus league stadiums during Spring Training. A series of 16 exhibition games will be played between teams comprised of each MLB organization’s top prospects, creating a new touchpoint on the baseball calendar that celebrates our sport’s budding talent.
Here's the Angels' Spring Breakout roster with MLB Pipeline's rankings:
PITCHERS
Caden Dana, RHP, No. 3
Barrett Kent, RHP, No. 6
Jack Kochanowicz, RHP, No. 10
Walbert Urena, RHP, No. 13
Camden Minacci, RHP, No. 19
Jorge Marcheco, RHP, No. 20
Joel Hurtado, RHP, No. 21
Kelvin Caceres, RHP, No. 28
Francis Texido, LHP, No. 30
Jack Dashwood, LHP, NR
Nick Jones, LHP, NR
Bryce Osmond, RHP, NR
Hayden Seig, RHP, NR