The Angels announced that they have claimed outfielder Steven Duggar off waivers from the Rangers. In order to create a space for him on the 40-man roster, they have designated Dillon Thomas for assignment.
Duggar, 28, was a sixth-round draft pick of the Giants in 2015 who came over to the Rangers in June in exchange for Willie Calhoun. Last year was his best and lengthiest showing in the big leagues, as he got into 107 games for the Giants, hitting .257/.330/.437 for a wRC+ of 107. Unfortunately, he hasn’t been able to build on that here in 2022, missing over two months due to an oblique strain and not really getting into a groove when healthy. Between San Fran and Texas, he’s hit .189/.241/.245, wRC+ of 39, striking out in 48.3% of his plate appearances on the year.
Despite those poor results this season, the Angels will give him a shot and see if he can recapture anything resembling his 2021 form. The need for an outfielder arose last night, when Mickey Moniak was attempting a bunt and the ball hit his finger. After the game, interim manager Phil Nevin told reporters that the news was not good, per Sam Blum of The Athletic. Today, the club has announced that Moniak has a fractured left middle finger, relays Rhett Bollinger of MLB.com. The timeline of his injury is still not known, but it was enough that the club was motivated to go out and grab Duggar. Moniak himself tells Bollinger that it’s unclear if he’s out for the season, which suggests he won’t be returning soon.
As for Thomas, this is the third time he’s gone gently into DFA limbo in recent months. He signed a minor league deal with the Angels in the offseason, getting selected to the roster in June. After just a few days with the Angels, he was designated for assignment and was claimed by the Astros. After just over a week in Houston’s system, he was designated again, returning to the Angels on another waiver claim and today getting DFA’d for a third time. He’s only played eight MLB games and made 14 plate appearances amid all those transactions. He’s fared well in 73 Triple-A games, however, split between the Angels’ and Astros’ orgs. His line on the year is .294/.389/.500, wRC+ of 123.
Good to see that Dillon Thomas is not going gentle into that good night.
No Dillon Thomas jokes, please. Today is reserved for Ian Anderson.
Dillon Thomas could never successfully adapt to playing in night games.
He would always “Rage, Rage against the dying of the light”.
These 25th and 26th men type players like Duggar change teams FAR too quickly. I thought he was still with the Giants. Just can’t keep up with all of it.
Rangers gave him a chance and he can’t hit. He didn’t look great in the OF either.
Moniak can’t catch a break.
Got a big break signing his draft bonus lol
He also can’t get a break on fly balls.
If Monica has a broken finger and is out for the year, it’s good news. He can’t hit or field.
Will you just put Adell in LF for two months and see if he’s playable in 2023. Just to see if he’s playable.
And stop adding worthless outfielders who can’t play.
What a clown show the coaching staff has put on with the outfielders this year. I’m with you. We aren’t going anywhere, just give Adell the rest of the season to see if he can improve, which I think he is doing. And the decision to trade Marsh was horrible. That’s gonna come back to bite us.
I hate the Marsh deal.
The Marsh deal was for a highly rated Catcher O’Hoppe. It’ll take 2-5 years to see how that trade pans out.
Personally I would’ve preferred Adell was traded for O’Hoppe.
Getting Moniak for Thor could be a steal (long term), possibly better than the draft pick lost by signing Thor.
At this point we have nothing to lose giving LF to Adell for the rest of the season. It will be his chance to succeed or fail.
Last chance?? Or do we have to go through let another season of MLB-AAA-MLB-AAA-MLB-AAA before we’ve seen enough of Adell?
I know, I hate that. Dude has never spent an entire season at any level of the minors. It’s hurting his development and it’s hurting the team.
Moniak…Former 2016 overall #1 pick… 47 games played in MLB with PHI and he’s done? (Says @Halo11)
AND…
we’ve seen Adell play 3x as much and STILL need more time to figure out if he’s playable??
Considering Moniak showed a lot more potential in 5 games with the Angels vs 47 in Philly, I’d say he’s earned a bit longer leash before anyone declares he “can’t hit or field” and not playable at this level.
Maybe all Moniak needed was a fresh start, new voices, clearer role or clearer path to play everyday, closer to home etc. that changed his mindset and approach or re-ignited his love of the game again.
I agree. Most people will write someone off if they don’t play well for a certain organization. Moniak wasn’t happy in Philly. A return to his SoCal roots may do him some good. I was hoping he would play out the rest of the season, but that is not going to happen now.. His SO rate is a concern. He may not turn out any better than Marsh or Adell if he can’t identify pitches.