Klassen provides glimpse of Halos' future in Spring Breakout

MESA, Ariz. -- Right-hander George Klassen made the most of his appearance in Spring Breakout against Cubs prospects on Saturday night at Sloan Park.

Klassen, ranked as the Angels¡¯ No. 3 prospect by MLB Pipeline, didn¡¯t start the game but threw a scoreless second inning with a strikeout in the Angels¡¯ 8-3 loss. The 23-year-old was impressive in his one inning of work, pitching around a one-out single and striking out Kevin Alc¨¢ntara before getting Jonathan Long to ground out to end the inning.

¡°It was awesome,¡± Klassen said. ¡°I did this last year with the Phillies, but didn't get a chance to throw in the game. But this one was awesome. You feel the energy. You¡¯ve got all your teammates here. You¡¯ve got everybody supporting you. It was a blast.¡±

Klassen experienced Major League camp for the first time this spring and was solid, allowing one run in three innings with three strikeouts and no walks before being reassigned to Minor League camp on March 8. Klassen is one of two top prospects acquired in the trade that sent Carlos Est¨¦vez to the Phillies at the Trade Deadline, joining No. 5 prospect Sam Aldegheri, who didn¡¯t pitch in the game. But Klassen was thrilled to get the opportunity to pitch in front of a big Spring Training crowd at night.

¡°I just had to kind of control my breathing,¡± Klassen said. ¡°You have nerves going into it. You¡¯ve got the crowd, you¡¯ve got the event, you¡¯ve got the thoughts going through your mind. But just taking it slow out there, not letting the game speed up on you. Let your defense work for you, and you get out of it.¡±

Klassen is coming off a breakout season in the Minors last year, posting a 3.10 ERA with 135 strikeouts and 46 walks in 93 innings across four levels, including Double-A. He learned to harness his plus-stuff and is likely to start the year with Double-A Rocket City. But he¡¯s considered close to reaching the Majors and could join the rotation at some point this season.

¡°I still think there's work to be done,¡± Klassen said. ¡°The grind doesn't stop. Just take it day by day. And keep improving myself the best I can.¡±

No. 2 prospect Caden Dana started the game but scuffled, allowing four runs on four hits and two walks while recording two outs. He pitched much better in last year¡¯s Spring Breakout against Dodgers prospects, throwing two scoreless innings.

Rada provides early spark
Center fielder Nelson Rada is known for his contact ability and base-stealing acumen and showed off both of those traits in the first inning. Rada, ranked as the club¡¯s No. 6 prospect, singled off right-hander Cade Horton, who is MLB Pipeline¡¯s No. 51 overall prospect. He then promptly stole second base and scored on a one-out single from Cole Fontenelle.

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Rada, 19, is coming off a full season at Double-A Rocket City, where he was nearly six years younger than the average competition. He hit .234/.331/.269 with 12 doubles, 31 RBIs and 35 stolen bases in 123 games. But he finished strong, hitting .394 in 12 games in September, and looks to be the club¡¯s potential leadoff hitter and center fielder of the future. He also had a strong showing in big league camp this year, hitting .333 with six RBIs and four walks in 11 games, impressing manager Ron Washington before he was reassigned to Minor League camp on March 8.

¡°He showed a lot of maturity,¡± Washington said. ¡°He had some huge at-bats against left handers in some huge situations. He handled it, but it just got to the point where he needs to be seeing pitches and playing and reacting to the game every single day, and that¡¯s why we sent him out.¡±

De Jesus goes deep
Outfielder Randy De Jesus, ranked as the Angels¡¯ No. 26 prospect, showed off his power by smacking a solo homer off right-hander Will Sanders in the fifth inning. De Jesus, 20, has a big frame at 6-foot-4 and 210 pounds, and had a solid year at Single-A Inland Empire last season, hitting .277/.352/.459 with 12 homers, 25 doubles and 60 RBIs in 100 games.

He¡¯s expected to move up to High-A Tri-City this season and is considered a solid defender with a strong arm in right field. But he¡¯ll have to continue to show off his pop in the Minor Leagues, as it¡¯s his best tool and calling card to reach the Majors.