First-round selection Neto off to Double-A
ANAHEIM » The next stop for two of the Angels’ top draft picks will take them nearly back to where the last stop ended.
Five days after the Angels signed Zach Neto, their firstround draft pick out of Campbell University, they assigned him to Double-A Rocket City to begin his professional career. He’ll be joined there by first baseman Sonny DiChiara, the Angels’ fifth-round pick out of Auburn.
The Rocket City Trash Pandas play in Madison, Alabama, on the opposite side of the Appalachian Range from Buies Creek, North Carolina.
Neto officially put pen to paper on his $3.5 million contract on Sunday at Angel Stadium. The switch-hitting shortstop batted .405 with a .501 on-base percentage in his three NCAA seasons.
DiChiara, a right-handed hitter, batted .383 with a .549 onbase percentage and .777 slugging percentage in his lone season at Auburn (located 200 miles south of Madison).
Six other draftees were assigned to the Angels’ Arizona Complex League affiliate. Twoway player Dylan Phillips (eighth round), outfielder Joe Stewart (ninth), outfielder Tucker Flint (13th), outfielder Casey Dana (16th), outfielder Luke Franzoni (19th), and catcher Brendan Tinsman (20th). his left hand.
Fletcher has a .293 batting average and .353 on-base percentage against left-handed pitchers in his career.
“I like the way he swung the bat (Thursday) night,” interim manager Phil Nevin said. “He brings some electricity here. Trying to find the right mix, with a lefty on the mound, it made more sense to kind of balance out the lineup.”
Fletcher was the Angels’ primary leadoff hitter last season, but he has been limited to 16 games this season because of injuries to his adductor muscles. He was batting .171 (7 for 41) with a .227 on-base percentage through Thursday.
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Pitcher Sam Bachman, the consensus top prospect in the Angels’ organization, threw 2 1/3 innings for Rocket City in his second start since returning from the injured list. Bachman’s fastball reportedly sat 93 mph during the 49-pitch outing. He allowed one run, walked three batters and struck out four. Bachman missed nearly two months dealing with back and biceps injuries. … Infielder Matt Duffy, who was transferred to the 60day injured list on Thursday to make room for Fletcher on the 40-man roster, is currently in Tempe, Arizona, rehabbing in preparation for a minor league rehab assignment. … Righthander Jimmy Herget (shoulder) made a scoreless relief appearance with Rocket City. He retired all six batters he faced, striking out one. … Jonathan Villar, who was designated for assignment on Sunday to make room for outfielder Magneuris Sierra, cleared waivers and elected free agency.