The Angels confirmed which players will head to 2025 Spring Training as non-roster invitees on February 4. Aside from one notable, expected name, the list includes several of Los Angeles’ top prospects. Pitcher Chris Cortez and infielder Christian Moore are on the list.
Arguably the biggest name on the list is Christian Moore, the Angels’ first-round pick in 2024. Moore had a loud 2024 campaign, as the Brooklyn, New York native hit 34 home runs for the Tennessee Volunteers last season. Then, he added six more to his ledger in the Minors, finishing in Double-A.
Moore projects as a power-hitting infielder who could very well be in Anaheim in 2025. Should he do so, he would join Zach Neto and Nolan Schanuel as fast-rising first-round picks to make their MLB debut less than one full year after draft day.
The Angels will also bring several other players drafted last July, in Chris Cortez and Ryan Johnson. Cortez was picked 45th-overall in the 2024 MLB Draft, while Johnson was taken 74th.
Cortez, from Texas A&M, wasn’t exactly a craftsman with the Aggies. The right-hander walked a lot of batters (34 over 64.2 IP) but also struck out a ton. Cortez posted 102 strikeouts for the NCAA runner-ups last season.
Johnson, like Cortez, was one of the college pitchers available last year.
The Dallas Baptist product struck out 151 over 106 frames, with a 2.21 ERA with the Patriots. The right-hander boasts a power fastball that can sit in the upper-90s but has a very unique delivery. Johnson’s delivery is very fast-paced, almost like he’s throwing out of the stretch (he’s not, as he does have a faster setup with runners on) without much of a load.
Aside from those names, other notable prospects headed to big league camp include former Wake Forest reliever Camden Minacci, Cole Fontenelle, and hard-thrower George Klassen. Klassen was acquired in the Carlos Estevez trade from July 2024, along with Sam Aldegheri.
Additionally, the Angels invited prospects Jose Fermin, Austin Gordon, Juan Flores, Nelson Rada, Michael Darrell-Hicks, Dario Laverde, Bryce Teodosio, Samy Natera Jr., David Mershon, and Denzer Guzman.
There will also be some former Major Leaguers headed to Angels camp as non-roster invites. Tim Anderson, the former batting champion who agreed to sign a Minor League deal last month, is one such name. He’s not the only former White Sox infielder on the list, as Yolmer Sanchez will join him.
Former Athletic Angel Felipe is on this list, as is former Nationals first-round pick Carter Kieboom. Ex-Dodger reliever Victor Gonzalez and former Rockies starter Dakota Hudson round out the list.
The Pirates also confirmed their list of non-roster invitees on February 4. Several former first-round picks will be in Pittsburgh’s group.