ANAHEIM, Calif. — Sam Bachman was promoted by the Los Angeles Angels on Friday, making him the first top-10 pick from the 2021 amateur draft to reach the majors.
Bachman, the ninth overall selection by the Angels out of Miami University in Ohio, is primarily a starter but will move out of the bullpen for manager Phil Nevin’s club. Los Angeles rode a four-game winning streak into the first of the weekend series against the Miami Marlins.
The 23-year-old right-hander was pitching for Double-A Rocket City and Alabama got the call at 1 a.m. Thursday that he was being promoted to the majors.
Bachchan said, “I called everyone and everyone answered. A lot of people didn’t sleep that night, including me.” “It was great. Still so surreal.”
Bachman joins pitcher Chase Silseth and shortstop Zack Neto on the Halos’ roster, who came up from Double-A to the majors.
Silseth was the first player from the 2021 draft to reach the majors last May, and Neto became the first player from the 2022 draft to receive the call on April 15.
When Bachman makes his debut, he will unseat Cincinnati infielder Matt McLain as the highest pick to play in the majors through 2021.
McClain – the 17th overall pick – is the only player to debut in the first two rounds.
Bachman was 3–2 with a 5.81 ERA in six starts in Rocket City. The results for players coming out of the Southern League, however, were skewed due to the use of a better grip baseball during the first half of the season. Bachman struck out 29 but also issued 20 walks.
Like Sylseth, Bachchan is known mostly as a power pitcher, with a fastball in the upper 90s (mph). Both were starters in the minors, but Nevin is expecting Bachman’s transition to the bullpen to be short-term as well as Silseth’s.
Bachmann said, “I’ve talked to a lot of people here already about this kind of routine and how to change it. I think it’s definitely going to be a smooth process.” “And talking to Chase as well as him getting into this kind of role will help me follow him and see what he does.”
To make room for Bachman, the Angels designated right-hander Reyes Moranta for assignment.