Top prospect Moore among Angels' non-roster invitees
ANAHEIM -- The Angels announced their list of non-roster invitees to Major League Spring Training on Tuesday, and it included top prospects such as Christian Moore, George Klassen and Nelson Rada, as well as veterans Tim Anderson and J.D. Davis.
Overall, the Angels are inviting 26 non-roster players to Spring Training, with pitchers and catchers reporting on Feb. 11. The list includes 10 right-handers, two left-handers, four catchers, eight infielders and two outfielders.
Moore, ranked the No. 68 overall prospect by MLB Pipeline, is the headliner, and heˇŻll compete for a starting spot at second base despite being drafted just last year with the No. 8 overall selection. Fellow top prospect Caden Dana (No. 78 overall) is already on the 40-man roster after making his MLB debut last year, so the right-hander will be in camp.
Klassen, acquired in the deal that sent Carlos Est¨¦vez to the Phillies at the Trade Deadline, is another notable prospect who will be in big league camp for the first time. ItˇŻll be the second time for Rada, who projects to be a leadoff hitter and center fielder of the future.
Other notable prospects who got the invite include right-handers Ryan Johnson and Chris Cortez, who were both drafted last year. Both will be stretched out to start and will get their first taste of big league camp. Catching prospects Juan Flores, Dario Laverde and Alberto Rios will also be in camp to gain invaluable experience.
Anderson and Davis join a group of veterans who signed Minor League deals with the Angels this offseason. Anderson is competing for a spot in the middle infield, with shortstop Zach Neto expected to miss the start of the season after undergoing shoulder surgery in early November, while Davis is competing for a corner-infield spot.
Other players with MLB experience invited to camp include lefty Victor Gonz¨˘lez; right-handers Dakota Hudson, Connor Brogdon and Angel Felipe; catcher Sebasti¨˘n Rivero; infielders Yolmer S¨˘nchez and Carter Kieboom; and outfielder Bryce Teodosio.