(Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)
Los Angeles Angels rookie infielder Zach Neto has been in the majors for a few weeks now.
After a brief, but impressive career in the minors, the Angels surprisingly gave him the call this year even though he is a 2022 draftee.
As expected, he has found pitchers in the majors to be much harder to hit and has a .244/.330/.333 line as of Wednesday afternoon.
However, he hit the first home run of his career on Tuesday night, against the Houston Astros no less.
In fact, he homered against a pitcher who had eight innings of one-run ball (the Neto homer) and 12 strikeouts on the evening: Framber Valdez.
A fan caught the ball and kept it, but the rookie was willing to make a trade.
The fan happily said yes, and everybody went home happy.
“Happening outside the Astros clubhouse: Angels rookie Zach Neto gave the fan who caught his first home run ball a signed bat and ball,” The Athletic’s Chandler Rome tweeted.
Happening outside the Astros clubhouse: Angels rookie Zach Neto gave the fan who caught his first home run ball a signed bat and ball. pic.twitter.com/CopRQOoxAp
— Chandler Rome (@Chandler_Rome) May 10, 2023
For first-year players, keeping milestone items, in this case the ball of his first home run, has a special meaning.
It’s probably the first of many to come, as Neto has an incredible hitting talent.
This year, he opened his Double-A campaign by hitting .444/.559/.815 with three home runs and three steals in seven games and 34 plate appearances.
He has struggled a bit at the MLB level, but it’s to be expected considering he jumped all the way from Double-A.
He is an incredibly gifted player, and the Angels hope he can get going at the plate soon.
The home run against Valdez is definitely a good start.
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