ANAHEIM -- It started with top pitching prospect George Klassen making his big league debut on short notice and ended with a walk-off sacrifice fly from Nolan Schanuel to give the Angels an 8-7 win and a series victory over the Mariners in 11 innings.
With fellow right-hander Ryan Johnson scratched due to illness, Klassen was called up to make his Major League debut in a start against the Mariners on Sunday afternoon at Angel Stadium. Klassen, ranked as the club’s No. 4 prospect by MLB Pipeline, had an impressive showing during Spring Training and in his first start with Triple-A Salt Lake to earn the nod. He didn’t factor into the decision, but the Angels were able to pull out the victory with the help of the bullpen and several key hits.
“I think we saw maturity,” manager Kurt Suzuki said. “In the sense of when things kind of got rolling a little bit in spring, he made adjustments quickly. In the past, things probably would have snowballed a little bit on him. He's always had the stuff, but he was a lot more consistent in the zone and attacking.”
Klassen, 24, was acquired by the Angels in the trade that sent Carlos Estevez to the Phillies at the 2024 Trade Deadline. He posted a 5.22 ERA with 134 strikeouts and 47 walks in 108 2/3 innings across Double-A and Triple-A last year while dealing with the effects of being hit in the head by a line drive in his start on May 11. But he returned to action on June 1 and was the club’s selection to participate in last year’s All-Star Futures Game.
On Sunday, that maturity was put to the test immediately. Klassen's first career strikeout came in a high-leverage spot, fanning Julio Rodríguez with a runner on third to end a scoring threat in the first. However, the Mariners’ patient approach forced him into a 41-pitch second inning. Despite yielding a two-run single to Leo Rivas, Klassen avoided a total collapse by striking out Luke Raley and inducing a lineout to limit the damage.
Klassen’s debut ended after 2 2/3 innings when a bunt single and a wild pitch put a runner in scoring position in the third.
“I know he only went two innings, but he gave us a chance to win,” Suzuki said. “Everybody’s going to be nervous ... it's your first Major League start and you're playing against a good team. For him to battle through that and keep us in the game was tremendous.”
Klassen finished his afternoon having allowed two runs on two hits, while striking out four and walking five.
“I found out last night, pretty late ... calling my mom, calling my dad a hundred times,” Klassen said. “I got my sister on the phone, too, got her a flight, and they somehow made it here. They've been in my corner my entire life, so seeing them there and watching me, it means the world to me.”
This season, he made one start at Triple-A Salt Lake, allowing one run over 4 2/3 innings with five strikeouts and no walks. It was his turn in the rotation at Triple-A on Sunday, which made it an easier decision to bring him up to start. But he had to be added to the 40-man roster, so the Angels designated lefty reliever Joey Lucchesi for assignment.
Klassen certainly has plus stuff with a fastball that averages 97-98 mph, to go along with a slider that can average 92 mph and a 86-87 mph power curve. He’s also been working on a changeup that averages 88-89 mph. That high-end velocity provided the foundation for a debut that Klassen won't soon forget.
“Super excited. It was a blast,” Klassen said. “Obviously some stuff happened, but overall it was a great experience. There’s things I’m learning ... that I can bring to the next start and just keep on moving forward.”
The Angels’ win required every bit of that "team effort" Suzuki preached in the spring. After Mike Trout left the game with a contusion -- X-rays were fortunately negative -- the Angels manufactured the winning run in the 11th. With Adam Frazier starting at second, an intentional walk to Zach Neto and a perfect sacrifice bunt by Oswald Peraza set the table for Schanuel.
The first baseman lifted a fly ball to left fielder Randy Arozarena, deep enough for Frazier to tag and slide home safely, sealing the series win.
"What a team effort," Suzuki said. "We focused on the little things in Spring Training. And it's not going to be perfect, but if we just keep focusing, we stay the course. More times than not, I feel good about our chances.”