Angels Acquire Mike Moustakas From Rockies For Pitching Prospect

Image credit: Mike Moustakas (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)

Hours after pummeling the Rockies, 25-1, the Angels took one of Colorado’s players, too.

The Angels acquired veteran infielder Mike Moustakas from the Rockies in exchange for righthanded pitching prospect Connor Van Scoyoc on Saturday night. The trade comes one day after the Angels acquired Eduardo Escobar from the Mets as the team seeks to shore up its infield with Anthony Rendon (wrist contusion), Zach Neto (oblique strain) and Gio Urshela (fractured pelvis) all on the injured list and Jared Walsh demoted to Triple-A Salt Lake.

Moustakas gives the Angels a veteran option who can play both infield corners, both of which are positions of need for the club. Van Scoyoc did not rank among the Angels Top 30 Prospects but was in the midst of a solid season at High-A Tri-City.

ROCKIES ACQUIRE

Connor Van Scoyoc, RHP
Age: 23

The Iowa state player of the year in 2018, Van Scoyoc was drafted in the 11th round by the Angels out of Jefferson (Cedar Rapids, Iowa) High and signed for an above-slot $397,500 bonus. He struggled in his first three seasons as a pro but blossomed at High-A Tri-City this year. He went 4-3, 2.76 with 56 strikeouts and 25 walks in 62 innings. Van Scoyoc is a big 6-foot-6, 243-pound righthander who has become a late bloomer as he’s grown into his massive frame. His fastball sits 90-94 mph with solid sinking action and his 78-79 mph slider with downward break is an average secondary offering. He has impressive command for his size and does a good job of keeping the ball on the ground. Van Scoyoc projects to be a solid mid-leverage reliever who induces ground balls, but he’s still improving and could become more. He’ll begin his Rockies career at High-A Spokane.

ANGELS ACQUIRE

Mike Moustakas, 1B/3B
Age: 34

Moustakas is long past his all-star prime, but he had a bounceback season for the Rockies this year after three poor seasons with the Reds. He hit .270/.360/.435 with seven doubles, four home runs and 17 RBIs in 47 games while primarily playing first base. Moustakas gives the Angels a true first base option, which has been a desperate area of need for the club. They started outfielder Hunter Renfroe at first base their last two games and have already had eight different players play the position this season. Moustakas can also play third base as needed and provide lefthanded power off the bench. He’s hit both righties (.262, .794 OPS) and lefties (.292, .805 OPS) this year and has been heating up with a .364/.462/.606 slash line in June. Almost all of Moustakas’ salary is being paid by the Reds—who released him in the offseason—so he comes to the Angels at minimal financial cost. He will be a free agent after the season.