The Angels have put their top prospect on the fast track to the majors.
Los Angeles is calling up 22-year-old shortstop Zach Neto from AA Rocket City, the team announced Saturday morning. The move makes Neto the first member of the 2022 MLB draft class to reach The Show.
Neto has played just 44 minor league games since being taken 13th overall by the Angels out of Campbell last year. Between AA Rocket City and Advanced A Tri-City, Neto has slashed .322/.408/.529 with eight home runs and 37 RBIs.
Ahead of the 2023 season, Baseball Prospectus and Baseball America ranked Neto the No. 47 and No. 53 prospect in all of baseball, respectively.
NETO NATION RISE 🫡
— Los Angeles Angels (@Angels) April 15, 2023
The Angels have selected the contract of INF Zach Neto. pic.twitter.com/NrXUi0qcwY
According to ESPN's Jeff Passan, Neto is "expected to take over at shortstop full-time." So far this season, Los Angeles has split the position between Gio Urshela, David Fletcher and Luis Rengifo.
The Angels are currently 7-6, a game behind the first-place Rangers in the AL West.