LA Angels Call Up Top Prospect; Demote 6-Year Mainstay To Minors

After five years as a starter in the Los Angeles Angels' infield, 28-year-old David Fletcher is headed to the minors, as the team has decided to hand the shortstop job to its top prospect who's been absolutely tearing up the minors, 22-year-old Zach Neto.

The Los Angeles Angels are calling up shortstop Zach Neto, their first-round pick from the 2022 draft. Neto, 22, will be the first '22 pick to debut -- after only 44 minor league games in which he hit .322/.408/.529. He's expected to take over at shortstop full-time.
— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) April 15, 2023

It only took Neto 44 minor league games to convince the Angels that he was ready for The Show. He was the Halos' first-round pick (13th overall) less than a year ago in the 2022 MLB June Draft.

I chatted with a pro scout earlier in the week who worked with amateur side and had this to say about Zach Neto: "I know we seriously considered taking him (in the top five). Our analytics model had him off the charts. He looks like he'll be the best player from that class."
— Taylor Blake Ward (@TaylorBlakeWard) April 15, 2023

One pro scout said his team considered taking Neto in the top five, and that their analytics had him "off the charts."

Neto started in A-Ball last summer, but after just seven games, a homer, a stolen base and four RBIs, he was promoted to Double-A. There, between 30 games last year and seven more this month, he's dominated to the tune of a .342 average and a .968 OPS. In the seven games this year, he's absolutely crushing it, with three bombs, 10 RBIs, three stolen bases, a .444 average and 1.374 OPS.

He made his MLB debut batting 8th for the Angels Saturday afternoon.

As for Fletcher, the sixth-year veteran was off to a dreadful start this season, with just two singles in 16 at-bats. He's never been a big producer in the majors, with a career .681 OPS (86 OPS+), and only 14 home runs total.

Apart from a 13-game rehab assignment after an injury last season, Fletcher hasn't spent any time in the minors since 2018.

Photo: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports