LISTEN: Los Angeles Angels Made a Mistake Calling Up Zach Neto

Last week, the Los Angeles Angels brought up shortstop Zach Neto. He became the first player from the 2022 draft class to make his debut. Since being called up, he's 3-for-19. Our own Brady Farkas from 'The Payoff Pitch' podcast says the Angels calling him up was a mistake and wreaks of desperation to placate Shohei Ohtani and Mike Trout.

Last week, the Los Angeles Angels called up top infield prospect Zach Neto. In doing so, he became the first member of the 2022 draft class to make his major league debut.

Since debuting, he's 3-for-19 at the plate.

Our own Brady Farkas of 'The Payoff Pitch' podcast discussed on this week's episode why he thinks that the decision to bring up Neto was a mistake.

For starters, Neto only played 44 minor league games and acquired barely 200 minor league at-bats. Brady compares that minor league workload to other young players who have come up in recent years and says it's not even a comparison -- they had more seasoning.

Also, Neto played college baseball at Campbell but didn't even get 500 plate appearances, which when coupled with his minor league output, is still less than what other young players got in preparation for the majors.

You can listen to Brady's full comments on the situation here.

For more on Neto's skillset, this comes from his MLB.com prospect profile.

"Neto’s setup and mechanics at the plate, including a big leg kick and an uphill swing from the right side, might not be what coaches would teach young hitters, but he’s made it work as he relies on tremendous hand-eye coordination to make consistent hard contact. He doesn’t strike out a ton, while his bat speed and ability to loft the baseball point to solid power, especially to his pull side.

Just an average runner, Neto’s aggressiveness makes him an asset on the basepaths. His quick feet and hands, when combined with solid arm -- he was in the low 90s as a reliever at Campbell -- and instincts, give him a good chance to stick at shortstop, though he’s seen time all around the infield and could find a home as a second baseman who hits his way to the big leagues in a hurry."

The Angels finish out a series with the Yankees today at 4:05 p.m. ET.

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