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Angels’ Kyren Paris making his case for the majors

March 8, 2025

TEMPE, Ariz. — As Kyren Paris has come up with one clutch hit after another this spring, Ron Washington has gushed over the young infielder’s transformation.

“He’s a totally different guy than he was last spring,” the Angels manager said.

Paris, 23, was the Angels’ second-round pick out of high school in 2019, and he’s still struggling to find his footing in the majors. He’s hit .110 with a .378 OPS in 105 major-league plate appearances. Last year, he hit only .209 with a .646 OPS at Triple-A, in a hitter-friendly environment.

All of which is why Paris spent some of his winter working with Richard Schenck, a well-known hitting guru who counts Aaron Judge among his pupils.

“I like some of the stuff that he was talking about that I would see online,” Paris said. “I feel like a lot of it resonated with me, and a lot of the problems that I was having at the plate. I just wanted to clean up some things and make my swing more efficient, and he’s helped me with that.”

Paris now has a small leg kick, which is part of developing a more athletic swing that he thinks will make more contact.

“I feel like my strikeout rate will go down,” Paris said. “Just hit the ball hard more consistently, and ultimately that leads to more power.”

So far this spring, Paris is 6 for 15 with two doubles and a homer. That includes a go-ahead three-run double in the seventh inning Thursday, a game-tying homer in the ninth inning Feb. 27 and a game-tying single in the ninth Feb. 22.

“I feel like it’s huge,” Paris said of the late-game success. “Perry (Minasian) talked a lot about hitting with runners in scoring position and those late-game moments. And I feel like this is a perfect opportunity to practice those, so when it comes in the season, I’m ready.”

The caveat to all of that late-game success is that the ninth inning of a spring training game is very different than the ninth inning of a regular-season game. Paris is getting most of his at-bats against the minor-league pitchers who work the end of spring training games. Paris has started only twice this spring.

When Washington was asked Saturday if he’d like to start seeing more of Paris against the big-league pitchers who work the beginning of games, his answer was telling.

“At the beginning of the game is for the big boys,” Washington said. “He has to make his way to the big boys section.”

Washington’s response made it clear that the Angels don’t yet view Paris as a candidate for the Opening Day roster.

Even with shortstop Zach Neto starting the season on the injured list, the Angels have middle infielders Kevin Newman, Luis Rengifo, Tim Anderson, Scott Kingery and Christian Moore all seemingly ahead of Paris on the depth chart.

In the longer term, though, Paris is giving the Angels reason to believe he could be a useful player.

“Right now (his new swing) has been productive,” Washington said. “I like to see him carry it through a full season. He’s going to have his ups and downs, but that’s where adjustments come in. He’s in a different place. He’s in a better place mentally, and that’s all that matters, because he has the athletic ability.”

BACHMAN UPDATE

Right-hander Sam Bachman tried to throw again this week, but felt some discomfort and was shut down again.

Bachman said he’s not sure if he’s going to seek further evaluation of his injury, which he continues to describe only vaguely.

“There’s inflammation in my body,” he said. “Just trying to figure it out. It’s frustrating. We’re getting down to it. We have a good plan here. I think we’ll be in good shape here in a couple weeks.”

Bachman, 25, was the Angels’ first-round pick in their all-pitcher draft in 2021. His career so far has been marked by a series of injuries, most notably to his shoulder and back. He had shoulder surgery after the 2023 season.

CUTS

The Angels sent down 16 players Saturday morning, including some of the top prospects in the organization. None of the moves were surprising.

Right-handers Caden Dana and George Klassen and left-hander Sam Aldegheri – the top three pitching prospects in the system – were all sent down. Klassen was still scheduled to pitch in Saturday afternoon’s game against the Milwaukee Brewers.

The Angels also sent down outfielder Nelson Rada and third baseman Cole Fontenelle, two of the top position player prospects.

Right-handers Connor Brogdon, Michael Darrell-Hicks and José Fermin, left-handers Jack Dashwood, Victor Gonzalez and Samy Natera, infielders Niko Kavadas, Carter Kieboom and Denzer Guzman, outfielder Gustavo Campero and catcher Sebastian Rivero were also sent down.

NOTES

Rengifo was a late scratch from Saturday’s lineup because of hamstring tightness. It’s the second time in a week that Rengifo has been scratched because of the hamstring issue. …

Mike Trout said he’s going to play consecutive games Sunday, Monday and Tuesday. That includes a road game Tuesday against the Texas Rangers in Surprise, Ariz. Trout said he expects to play right field twice and DH once. …

Neto threw from shortstop to second base Saturday, the first time this spring that he’s thrown to a base. Neto, who is rehabbing from shoulder surgery, will start the season on the injured list, but he’s expected back sometime in April.

Orange County Register

News Details

Angels’ Kyren Paris making his case for the majors

BACHMAN UPDATE

CUTS

NOTES

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