Samuel Natera Jr...On X: @samynatera7...2026 marks second consecutive year in Angels Major League Spring Training camp as a non-roster invitee...Pitched in 2024 Arizona Fall League for Mesa...Went 1-0 with a 0.75 ERA (12.0 IP - 1 ER) and 17 strikeouts...Named a 2024 Arizona Fall League Fall Star...Attended New Mexico State from 2020-22...Went 4-4 with a 6.69 ERA (79.1 IP - 59 ER) and 115 strikeouts in 26 appearances (17 starts) across three collegiate seasons...Majored in business...Graduated from Lydia Patterson Institute College Prep School (El Paso, Texas) in 2019...Named Lydia Patterson Institute Athlete of the Year for performance in both baseball and basketball...Son of Samuel Natera and Ana Barragen…Has two older sisters, Samantha and Pamela...Originally signed by Angels scout Jayson Durocher.
2025
Pitched majority of season with Double-A Rocket City, posting a 2.64 ERA (47.2 IP - 14 ER) across 41 appearances...Led Trash Pandas relievers with 68 strikeouts and eight saves on the season...In eight April appearances, went 2-0 with two saves and a 0.96 ERA (9.1 IP - one ER) and registered 20 strikeouts (19.3 SO/9)...During an 18-game stretch from June 28-Sept. 4, pitched to a 1.31 ERA (20.2 IP - three ER) with 30 strikeouts...Promoted to Triple-A Salt Lake on Aug. 26 and made eight relief appearances for the Bees to finish the year...Did not allow an earned run in six of eight outings and posted a 3.86 ERA (9.1 IP - four ER) with 17 strikeouts across 9.1 innings...Registered multiple strikeouts in seven of eight games...Held opponents to a combined .177 (35-for-198) batting average, including a .160 (13-for-81) average vs. left-handers.
2024
Spent season with High-A Tri-City...Opened the campaign on the injured list and made season debut on Aug. 16... Made five appearances (two starts) and posted a 0.60 ERA (15 IP - 1 ER) with 24 strikeouts...Set season highs in innings pitched (5 IP) and strikeouts (seven) in final outing on Sept. 5, a scoreless start against Hillsboro...Appeared in five games (three starts) for Mesa Solar Sox of the Arizona Fall League...Went 1-0 with a 0.75 ERA (12 IP - 1 ER) and 17 strikeouts...Named a 2024 Arizona Fall League Fall Star.