Major League Baseball rosters will expand to 28 on September 1. The Angels will take advantage of that immediately, as Los Angeles will call up right-hander Caden Dana to make his MLB debut. Dana came up to Anaheim just two years after he was drafted out of high school and after a strong campaign in Double-A.
A Look at Dana
Angels pitching prospect Caden Dana is a product of the New Jersey prep scene, the same state that’s produced Jack Leiter, Anthony Volpe, and Chase Petty in recent years. Dana starred at Don Bosco Prep, more known for its football program. The 2022 11th-round pick netted a signing bonus of almost $1.5MM to spurn Kentucky, a move that’s worked well for Los Angeles (AL).
Dana struck out 89 over 68.1 IP in 2023 between Low-A and High-A before a dominant 2024 at Double-A. With Rocket City, Dana struck out 147 batters over 135.2 IP with the Trash Pandas, and opposing hitters batted just .184 off the right-hander. Dana was first in the Southern League in strikeouts with that total, 25 more than Jairo Iriate, who will also receive his first MLB action after a promotion by the White Sox.
The 20-year-old Dana is quite polished for a pitcher his age. Dana possesses a low-to-mid-90s fastball with good carry from a visual standpoint, a sharp mid-70s curveball with deep movement, as well as a harder slider that sits in the mid-80s. Those three pitches alone are good enough for the Majors but he also does have a changeup in his arsenal.
What was also impressive based upon watching the video on him was his mechanics; his delivery is simple and Dana does a good job of repeating it and releasing the baseball at the same point.
Caden Dana will make his MLB debut for the Angels when rosters expand on September 1. He’ll be the second Angels prospect to debut over three days. Samuel Aldegheri, acquired in the Carlos Estevez, debuted on August 30 against the Mariners. Aldegheri gave up two earned runs over five innings and struck out three.
Dana will skip Triple-A Salt Lake.
Analysis
The Angels promote arguably their best prospect — 2024 first-round pick Christian Moore has a legitimate case to be the best in their system, as well — for what is an early audition for 2025. Dana dominated at Double-A this season and Los Angeles isn’t shy to have top prospects skip Triple-A before heading to the Majors. Nolan Schanuel bypassed Salt Lake last season, while Ben Joyce did the same last May.
Dana is polished and he’s a strong candidate for the Angels rotation come 2025. Right now, Los Angeles’ 2025 rotation includes 2024 AL All-Star Tyler Anderson, and not much certainty past that. Patrick Sandoval had elbow surgery earlier this summer and likely won’t pitch at all next season. Griffin Canning (5.19 ERA, 106 K over 144 IP) is a possible non-tender candidate. Jose Soriano, assuming he’s healthy, would likely slot in there.
Thus, a major opportunity is upon Dana.
Fantasy Outlook
Dana showcased power stuff with Rocket City and hitters didn’t do well against him. He profiles as a power pitcher, good for strikeout potential. However, don’t expect many win opportunities, given the Angels are amidst a rebuild. He’s a name to watch in AL-only leagues for the rest of 2025.