Angels to Promote Former First-Round Draft Pick: Report

The Angels' bullpen is about to get an important reinforcement.

Right-hander Sam Bachman, who showed promise in his first major league go-around in 2023, is being promoted from Triple-A Salt Lake according to Jared Tims of Talkin' Halos on Twitter/X.

The #Angels are calling up Sam Bachman

He’s been lights out since joining AAA Salt Lake sporting a 0.79 ERA in 11.1 IP
— Jared Tims (@Jared_Tims) June 12, 2025

Bachman, whom the Angels drafted ninth overall in 2021, missed signifcant time with thoracic outlet syndrome. He began the season on the 15-day injured list and was optioned to Triple-A Salt Lake once he was activated from the IL.

With Salt Lake, Bachman was 0-1 with a 0.79 ERA in 13 games. He had 14 strikeouts, 10 walks, and 11 hits allowed in 13.1 innings.

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The Angels have an off-day Thursday, and do not need to make any roster moves official until the start of Friday's game in Baltimore against the Orioles.

Angels relievers have the second-worst ERA (5.54) in the American League this season, but have shown progress recently. In June, Angels relievers have a 2.52 ERA across 39.1 innings.

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Enter Bachman, who went 1-2 with a 3.18 ERA in 11 relief appearances in 2023. It's unclear what role he will assume, but the Angels have been lacking a high-leverage right-handed pitcher ever since Ben Joyce was diagnosed with a season-ending shoulder injury.

That's created a gap in the bullpen pecking order that the Angels have struggled to fill at times. Right-hander Ryan Zeferjahn has made 29 appearances, left-hander Brock Burke has made 30, and converted starter Reid Detmers has made 26. No reliever other than Jansen has made more than 14 appearances for the Angels this season.

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Zeferjahn has a 5.68 ERA in eight appearances when pitching on no days of rest, however, suggesting the 27-year-old with 12 games of big league experience coming into this season is in danger of overuse.

Besides giving a jolt to the bullpen, Bachman gets a chance to re-establish his own value to the organization. Still just 25, Bachman hasn't appeared in the majors since his 11-game cameo with the Angels in 2023. He went 1-2 with a 3.18 ERA and one save.

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A starter in college, Bachman regularly threw a fastaball in the upper 90-mph range as a reliever to earn his first big league promotion. Tims noted that Bachman's fastball touched 99 mph in his most recent outing for Salt Lake, a two-inning appearance Wednesday in Las Vegas.

Sam Bachman hit 99 MPH last night in his 2 inning outing last night for AAA Salt Lake. He also struck out 3 allowing 0 runs on 1 hit #Angels
— Jared Tims (@Jared_Tims) June 12, 2025

In another recent bullpen move, the Angels selected the contract of right-hander Shaun Anderson on Monday, swapping spots with right-hander José Fermin.

For more Angels news, head over to Angels on SI.