OC Register: Angels’ top prospects invited to summer camp, with newly signed draft pick Reid Detmers on the way

[AngelsWin.com]

The Angels are getting ready for their first summer camp, with some of their top prospects and all of their top big leaguers ready to report.

Outfielders Jo Adell, Brandon Marsh, Jordyn Adams and pitcher Chris Rodriguez were all among the 15 non-roster players the Angels included on their 55-man roster for their upcoming camp. Freshly signed draftee Reid Detmers is expected to get one of the five vacant spots as soon as MLB approves his contract.

The list included everyone on the Angels’ 40-man roster. None had indicated that he was planning to opt out for health reasons as baseball returns amid the coronavirus pandemic.

Players who have underlying health conditions, or those who live with people at high risk for complications from the coronavirus, are eligible to opt out of playing this season. Mike Trout’s wife is due to have a baby in August, so he could opt out, although he wouldn’t necessarily get paid if he did.

For now, though, GM Billy Eppler said no one has let the Angels know of any opt-out plans leading into camp.

The first group of players will report on Wednesday, with the first workout occurring within a few days after that at Angel Stadium.

Sunday was the date for teams to submit to MLB a list of up to 60 players who could be used in major league games this season. The list can still be changed, but any player who comes off the list needs to be traded or released.

Teams will have 30-man active rosters once the season begins on July 23 or 24. Two weeks later that will go down to 28, and two weeks after that down to 26.

The players who aren’t on the active roster will work out at Long Beach State’s Blair Field. Some players will also work out there during summer camp, allowing for smaller group workouts to reduce the chances of COVID-19 infection.

For Detmers, the camp will offer him a chance to get to work out with major leaguers less than a month after the Angels drafted him with the 10th overall pick.

Detmers, who signed for a $4.67 million bonus on Sunday, was considered one of the most polished pitchers available in the draft, which explains why the Angels would want to make him available to pitch in the majors as soon as this year.

Adell and Marsh, the top two prospects in the organization, will get a chance to renew their quest for the big leagues after spring training was cut short because of the coronavirus.

Adell, 21, had shown flashes of his talent in the first couple weeks of spring training games, but Manager Joe Maddon said he still had some areas in which he needed to improve.

Marsh, 22, hurt his elbow in the first game of the spring, but he was ready to play again when camp was shut down.

Adams, 20, had not even been invited to big league games, although he played in several spring training games. Adams could prove to be valuable as a pinch-runner, at least, in 2020.

Rodriguez, 21, has been one of the Angels’ top pitching prospects even though back trouble has limited him to just 24 games in his first four professional seasons.

The Angels also brought back the non-roster invitees with big league experience who had been competing for jobs in spring training: relievers Jacob Barnes, Taylor Cole, Parker Markel, Hoby Milner, Neil Ramirez and Jose Rodriguez.

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[Angel Oracle]

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