Caden Lawrence Dana...Graduated from Don Bosco Prep (N.J.) High School, where he led Ironmen to first state title in 14 years, hitting a home run and recording a save in the championship game...2022 Gatorade New Jersey Baseball Player of the Year...Committed to play at University of Kentucky before signing with Angels...His older brother, Casey, was drafted by Angels five rounds after Caden in the 2022 Draft...Eldest brother Cullen was drafted by San Diego in the 2018 Draft and also played for the Dust Devils when they were Padres affiliates...Originally signed by Angels scout Drew Dominguez.
2024
Pitched majority of season with Double-A Rocket City, and was named Trash Pandas Pitcher of the Year...Compiled a 9-7 record with a 2.52 ERA (135.2 IP - 38 ER) and 147 strikeouts in 23 starts for Rocket City...Set Trash Pandas single season records in strikeouts, innings pitched and ERA while tying the records for wins and starts (23)...Led all of MiLB with 14 quality starts...Selected as a 2024 Southern League All-Star and represented the Trash Pandas and Angels at the All-Star Futures Game at Globe Life Field...Named Southern League Pitcher of the Month for August after posting a 3-0 record and 0.57 ERA (31.1 IP - 2 ER) with 32 strikeouts in five starts...Made Major League debut with Angels on Sept. 1 vs. Seattle at 20 years, 259 days old, becoming the youngest Angels pitcher since Francisco Rodriguez in 2002 and youngest starting pitcher since Frank Tanana in 1973...Became the youngest pitcher to win a game for the Angels since Tanana in 1973 and the youngest to win his MLB Debut in franchise history...Totaled three starts for Angels before being optioned back to Rocket City on Sept. 16.
2023
Opened season with Low-A Inland Empire, make three starts and posted a 1.20 ERA (15 IP - 2 ER) with 18 strikeouts before earning promotion... Assigned to High-A Tri-City on April 25 and finished out the campaign with the Dust Devils, posted a 2-4 record and 4.22 ERA (53.1 IP - 25 ER) with 71 strikeouts... Struck out 11 in June 13 start against Everett; first career professional game with double-digit strikeouts...Struck out eight-or-more hitters in five starts in 2023, and ended season with consecutive games with nine punchouts.... Posted a 0.96 ERA (18.2 IP - 2 ER) with 25 strikeouts in final three starts...Struck out at least seven hitters and pitched at least six innings in all three starts.