The Angels announced they’re planning to promote pitching prospect Chase Silseth to start tomorrow night’s game against the A’s. The team will need to make a 40-man roster move before the contest to officially accommodate his selection.
It’s a remarkably quick ascent for Silseth, who was still pitching at the University of Arizona less than a year ago. Anaheim selected him in the 11th round of last year’s draft, going overslot with a $485K bonus to lure him away from Tucson. Silseth started 18 games for the Wildcats but posted just a 5.55 ERA in a hitter-friendly environment, battling control inconsistency along the way. Nevertheless, his power arsenal — a mid-90s fastball, pair of promising breaking balls and split-changeup — made him the #145 prospect in the draft class, according to Baseball America.
Over the offseason, BA named Silseth the #12 minor leaguer in the Angels’ system. The outlet suggested his long-term home might be in the bullpen, as did FanGraphs’ Brendan Gawlowski and Eric Longenhagen in naming him the organization’s #28 prospect. The Angels quickly pushed him to Double-A Rocket City as a starter, though, and he’s impressed over five outings. The 21-year-old (22 next week) has a 1.73 ERA with a massive 37.4% strikeout rate in 26 innings. He’s only walked 7.1% of batters faced, and the front office clearly feels he’s capable of holding his own against big league hitters immediately.
Whether the forthcoming MLB stint will prove more lasting than a spot start is to be determined, but Silseth has quickly put himself on the map as a near-term depth option for the Halos. He’ll also earn the distinction of being the first player from his draft class to reach the majors after an excellent beginning to his pro career.
DarkSide830
feels a little early with his track record, no?
cookmeister 2
just 1 start, need a guy because of a double header Saturday.
He’s pitched great this year in AA. Don’t think it’s a big deal, will probably just be 1 start
Johnny Bravo
This could be a showcase for the Oakland A’s to take a look at this prospect
kellin
Came here to basically say this. Don’t the Angels have better options?
MrAngelFan
I agree with cook. I think it is just a one game thing. I understand not wanting to use an option on other players, but why not just use Barria if it is just for 1 game?
cookmeister 2
Barria isn’t stretched out as a starter
kellin
What about Bachman? I looked him up, and I don’t see he’s on the IL or anything..
MrAngelFan
i know, but I can see Barria gong 3 or 4 innings. If i were to guess Silseth 3 to 5 innings in his debut. I don’t see a huge gain.
cookmeister 2
@kellin
Did you look up his stats as you were looking him up or no? He’s made one start and pitched 3 innings
M.C.Homer
Bachman had back issues that delayed his debut this year.
carllafong
Bachman was out with a back issue, but he’s back— but he’s only had one start, although he was very good. He’s not stretched out.
Canosucks
I agree the Angels already threw a game yesterday with a pathetic lineup resting 4 guys at the same time and Rengifo batting second!!
Why throw away another game and break the momentum and start a losing streak?
User 2079935927
Cano- They didnt throw the game. They tied it and went into extra innings.. Trout was the only one that was rested,
Omarj
it could be a showcase for trade consideration
BaseballRebel
Trade pitching for…. pitching? Because that’s what we need. And Silseth looks dominant so far.
hossmandu
BaseballRebel – Yes. Teams trade pitching prospects for MLB proven pitchers all the time. Usually as part of a package of prospects.
Halo11Fan
I think the Angels need a second baseman and a 4th outfielder more than they need pitching, with the caveat every team need pitching. Detmers is our 5th starter.
carllafong
They need 6 starters, and it’s a long season. One of the starters will go down at some point. The Angels want Montas, and no matter what Silseth’s potential is Montas is a top starter now and would provide quality and great depth immediately. The Angels have plenty of second basemen with Regnifo, Wade, Duffy (he’s out on covid and will be back shortly), and Fletcher will be back in two months. If they could land Bogaerts– very possible, their deep lineup would become even deeper and scarier. A big hitting shortstop or top starter, or elite reliever is what they need. Catcher is always a position of need with their two top catchers on the DL.
Halo11Fan
Since the Angels knowingly never bring in PED users I highly doubt they want Montas.
carllafong
Then they’re the only ones. I’m not aware of steroid use– was this in the past? Minors?
Tim Stewart
They don’t need a 4th OF and have him take a roster spot. The 2B/SS only if he is a starter, which I think you agree. I think they are going to send down Aaron Whitefield and or they may be using a roster spot from the 2 catchers with Covid . Not sure but the Catchers they called up might not be the the one to replace the covid player or they may have someone going on the covid list.
Halo11Fan
There are other teams. Montas was dealt a suspension while coming off a career year in Oakland.
Halo11Fan
If the Angels are going to keep resting outfielders they do need a 4th outfielder. Cut Mayfield. What’s he doing on a major league roster? Talk about redundant.
bkbkbkbk
Trust Perry, he’s been crushing.
For Love of the Game
It would make more sense if they called him up as a Covid replacement where they wouldn’t have to add him to the 40-man roster. They might wish they had that spot back in the offseason.
Halo11Fan
Exactly. Who do the Angels have to drop to make room for him?
DarkSide830
see, this is what I’m talking about. if you’re adding a dude to take one start, but you’re not gonna just dump the dude after, then you’re taking a 40 spot just to get a spot start in. that’s not good 40 management.
jbigz12
You’re also starting Silseth’s option years.
Had no idea who this guy was until today but they had years before he needed to be on the 40 man. This is an Aj Preller type move.
urnuts
Is Fletcher on the 60 day IR, if not that is the move for a spot.
Halo11Fan
Since 11th round picks typically don’t make the major leagues, exactly what time frame should he be on.
If he gets the win today, he will already be better than 95% of the players picked in the 11th round. Heck, all he needs to do is keep the Angels in the game to accomplish that.
Johnny Bravo
Silseth
The kid pitch great a lot of doubters today the kid proved you guys wrong Kid is a stud
You Can Put It In The Books
For some reason, I immediately imagined Mike Tyson struggling to pronounce this guy’s last name.
kellin
Not just his last name, adding his first too.
the kutch
Didn’t Tyson just fade into Bolivian??
MrAngelFan
lets hope Mike isnt announcing this one.
dirkg
LOFL
Michael Chaney
Chathe Thiltheth
prov356
Interesting. Good test against a crappy A’s team.
Halo11Fan
That’s a good point as well. Will they move Fletcher to the 60 day IL? If not, Who will they drop
cookmeister 2
my guess would be Fletch to the 60 for sure
prov356
I think 60 day IL for Fletch. Makes sense.
Johnnymarty95
Not a good idea to rush up a prospect to the big leagues. Angels should just let him finish the minor league season this year even if he only makes 1 start against the A’s. This guy still has a chance of being developed into a nice starting pitcher.
cookmeister 2
you said it yourself, it’s probably 1 start, what’s the harm?
dirkg
I get the point you’re making, but I think the spot start is the key here. Unlike Jose Suarez prematurely brought up last season and painfully used out of desperation, spot starts allow the pitcher to get a taste of the Show and then get sent down for more development. The opposition has very little time to review video and perform a game plan.
cookmeister 2
do you mean the year before? Suarez was pretty solid last year.
Johnny Bravo
Suarez Can’t put hitters away with two strikes and nibbles too much needs to be more aggressive challenge hitters you gotta bust fastball inside sometime like I said he can’t put headers with two strikes away
johndietz
First Diaz, now Silseth!?!? Brett Kerry HAS to be next!!! The Trash Pandas have some pretty interesting starting pitching down there!
elcaballo
In Hi- A ball too. The all pitcher draft is yielding early returns.
HalosHeavenJJ
Kid has great stuff and has been dealing lately. Too soon? Probably so.
We’ll see what happens.
orange2001
Still think Jaime Barria should be getting a shot to start. He has shown glimpses of becoming a formidable #4 or #5 pitcher.
4thefences
Wish him all the best! Hometown of Farmington NM home of the Connie Mack World Series. Everyone back home is proud. Imagine your 1st day of work sitting with Trout and Ohtani.
NativeAmerican
Hope he dominates for at least 5 innings.
Halo11Fan
He’s an 11th round pick. Most 11th round picks don’t make the major leagues.
Just for the heck of it, I went back 10 years to 2012. Only two selections made the major leagues and only one had a positive WAR (around 7). If this guy is even OK, it says lot about the type of system Perry might build.
Again, if this pans out…this might be the most impressive move Perry has made.
jbigz12
Round is pretty irrelevant. It’s all a slot value game.
Silseth’s bonus is equivalent to a 4th rounder. That’s a hell of a find regardless to have a guy performing like that in AA as a 21 year old.
Halo11Fan
The 11th round for a college kid is not irrelevant.
jbigz12
Signing bonus is what matters in baseball—not round chosen in. There’s 7th rounders who get 10k and 20th rounders who get 50x that.
This is a fantastic outcome for a 4th rounder & a home run of a pick regardless but baseball isn’t a sport where picks and rounds are equal.
Halo11Fan
Partly right. The round and the bonus is always relevant. Just like OBP and batting average are relevant.
Edison
Patrick Sandoval was drafted by Houston astros in the 11th round and also went over slot. FYI
MrAngelFan
Jared Walsh was a 39th round pick. I would take him over most 32nd round picks.
Halo11Fan
Interesting about Sandoval. But there is a huge difference trying to entice a player to not go to college and drafting a college player.
Sandoval got a million dollar bonus. Chase got a half millions, so for these players, you seem to be right. The round is less relevant than I thought.
Angelic Visitations
Silseth is the real deal. If he wasn’t, they wouldn’t need to be this aggressive. Plenty of AAA options to make spot start. The way they’re figuring it, Silseth is a major league ready starting pitcher right now. And judging by the arsenal he has, and the results in AA, I’d say they’re right.
I think the Angels struck gold here.
Poster formerly known as . . .
Say Silseth three times real fast.
DGHalos714
Go get em kid! Even if it is a spot start it is a good sign that our Halos have depth and with all the pitching they’ve signed and in the minors now this is a real step in the right direction. Thanks Perry and go Halos!
Angels & NL West
Canning is starting to build up his pitch count. He will be available for spot starts in the 2nd half, if needed. Bachman may be in position to help out after the All Star break, as well. Suarez will probably get a second look and Bush may get a shot. All young, but better options than in years past.
MrAngelFan
The report I read earlier this week said Canning felt more pain than expected after throwing 2 innings of a simulated game.
Angels & NL West
Dang. I found an update on Canning, but it didn’t specify what was hurting. Is it still his back or something else?
MrAngelFan
It did not specify. He is rehabbing from lower back issues, so it would be my guess,, but not 100% certain. The article did say minor set back, so it may not be anything major.
Fregosi
Silseth looking like the real deal after 4.. Looks like Perry knows something. Unlike some guys who think 11th Rounders don’t make it to the Majors. LOL!
Fregosi
Congratulations Chase!
Angels & NL West
I missed the whole game, but saw the box score. Was Silseth as dominant as his line appears? Can anyone provide some specifics regarding velo, location, pitch type etc? Sorry I missed what appears to be a magnificent debut.
ringomoney
kid looked excellent. fastball 94-96, located well, good looking breaking pitches although its tough to judge cause this athletics team is really bad top to bottom. That twins rookie winder looked like a world beater against them as well.
dirkg
He looked solid against a pretty thin As lineup (which is the point). Went 6 with a low to mid 90s fastball and filthy split/change that just dropped out of the zone. Great defense behind him with Loup, Tepera, and Iggy closing it out. A solid 2022 scripted Halo victory on a night when Shohei and Trout didn’t have to do much for the win.
MrAngelFan
His fastball was around 96mph. He touched 98 a couple of times. He had a nice changeup about 8-10 mph below his fastball. He has a splitter. The bottom doesn’t drop out like an Ohtani splitter, but I have no idea what Ohtani’s splitter looked at age 21, so I am not exactly comparing apples to apples.
He wasn’t against the best competition in the As. The defense behind him played great. Wade has a couple of nice plays. Walsh and Rendon also chipped in a couple of nice plays. Marsh gunned out a guy out trying to advance to 3rd on a fly out. He got hit hard a couple of times, but every time it seemed to be directly at a well positioned player. I don’t recall anything being hit hard to the outfield. He definitely appears to have a great future. At age 21, I was impressed.
Angels & NL West
Thanks, guys for the help. Sorry I missed another Halo victory and Silseth’s debut, but it sounds like he’ll get a second start real soon. Thanks again.
MrAngelFan
Not only that, you missed Velazquez wearing the cowboy hat.
prov356
Welp, nicely done by Silseth. I’m sure he motivated a few guys in Salt Lake to work a little harder. That’s always good.
prov356
Game 1 of a double header with the A’s. Down to 1 out leading 3-1 and Iglesias allows 2 runners before he gives up a walk off dinger to a guy batting .125…ouch.