LA Angels: Top 3 Pitching Prospects 2025

Caden Dana, RHP

The 6’4″ right-hander that reminds me of Noah Syndergaard was drafted in the 11th round by the Angels in 2022. He made his professional debut as a 19-year-old in 2023, quickly making a name for himself in the minors. Last season, he excelled in Double-A Rocket City, where he dominated the Southern League with an impressive 147 strikeouts over 135.2 innings. He achieved an impressive 0.94 WHIP.

His success at the minor league level culminated in a highly anticipated MLB debut, where he became the youngest Angels starting pitcher since 1973. In his debut, he showcased his talent by pitching six solid innings, allowing two runs and striking out four batters. However, he struggled in his next two starts, giving up 10 runs over just 4.1 innings.

Dana features a four-pitch arsenal, with his fastball sitting in the mid-90s. Last season, he added a slider to his repertoire, which has proven to be effective with good depth, making it a reliable swing-and-miss weapon. His curveball and changeup are still developing and require further refinement. What impressed me most during his MLB debut was how quickly he regained his composure after delivering a poor pitch. At only 20 years old, it’s reasonable to expect development in his off-speed pitches, which should make him a solid mid-rotation option.

A strong performance in Spring Training could earn him a spot in the Angels’ rotation, so he is definitely a player to watch this spring.

Samuel Aldegheri, LHP

Italian-born southpaw Aldegheri experienced a remarkable breakout season in 2024, showcasing his talent with a commendable 3.23 ERA in the minor leagues. His impressive performance caught the attention of the Los Angeles Angels, leading to his trade to the team. After only four starts with the Double-A Rocket City, he received the call-up many dream of, making his Major League debut and making history as the first pitcher born and raised in Italy to reach the big leagues.

In his brief stint in the majors, Aldegheri made three starts, during which he recorded a 4.85 ERA over 13 innings. However, he struggled with his control, reflected in a concerning walk rate of 6.92.

Aldegheri’s pitching arsenal consists of four distinct offerings. He features a fastball that sits in the low 90s, but it has a deceptive quality; the pitch appears quicker than what it is as it carries in the strike zone, often leaving hitters feeling rushed. His secondary pitches are solid but average at this point, necessitating further refinement. Among them, his slider, thrown in the low 80s, stands out as his most effective secondary weapon. Additionally, he utilizes both a curveball and a changeup to round out his repertoire.

As Aldegheri heads into Spring Training, he has an outside chance of securing a spot in the Angels’ starting rotation. This talented southpaw could prove to be a valuable asset to the team, depending on how he develops and adapts to the challenges of the big leagues. I see him as a No. 4 or 5 starter.

George Klassen, RHP

Klassen, who stands 6-foot-2 and has a lean physique, faced injury challenges throughout his college career. He made his professional debut in 2024, where he immediately caught attention by achieving a combined ERA of 1.97 and a remarkable strikeout rate of 37.9% in Class A ball. Subsequently, the Phillies traded him to the Angels at the 2024 trade deadline.

Klassen possesses electric stuff that makes him an intriguing prospect. His fastball is highly regarded, consistently sitting in the upper 90s and even reaching triple digits on occasion. Additionally, he has a good slider and a power curveball, and he has recently incorporated a promising cutter into his repertoire. He rarely throws a changeup. He needs to improve his command.

He will be exciting to watch during Spring Training, and it seems he could benefit from another season in the minors to refine his skills. Ultimately, he projects as a mid-rotation starter, and at the very least, he could develop into a reliable late-inning relief pitcher.