Kyren Paris Opened Eyes At The Alt Site

Kyren Paris was one of the youngest players in the 2019 draft, just 17 when the Angels picked him in the second round out of Freedom High in Oakley, Calif., and signed him away from a California commitment for $1.4 million.

The 6-foot, 180-pound shortstop was the youngest player at the Angels’ alternate training site last summer, when he spent a month and a half competing with much older players, some with big league experience and many with extensive Triple-A and Double-A time.

“He’s so mature for his age, it’s a joke,” Angels minor league field coordinator Chad Tracy said. “That’s why he was invited to the alternate site. This is a classy kid. The thing that stands out most is when he gets on a field, playing shortstop, he’s not afraid to be vocal, to be a good leader.”

Paris looked overmatched at the plate for the first two weeks at the alternate site, but his at-bats grew more competitive the longer he played, and he opened some eyes when he drove a home run off lefthander Patrick Sandoval over the 395-foot center field wall at Blair Field in Long Beach.

“We told him to open his eyes and ears, close your mouth, and you’ll have an opportunity to be on the field with guys who have played in the big leagues or will be soon,” Tracy said. “Just learn.”

Paris played second base and third base at the alternate site, but with his above-average speed and arm, soft hands and infield actions, he should be able to stick at shortstop.

Paris has a sound righthanded swing and a line-drive approach that allows him to drive the ball with authority to the opposite field. He has quick hands, good timing and possesses a natural feel to hit. He has slightly-above-average speed.

As Paris has matured physically he has shown a noticeable improvement in power and could develop into a 15-homer threat.

Paris will likely open 2021 in the AZL but he could be in Low-A by midseason.

“As he matures and gets stronger,” Tracy said, “I could see him moving quickly.”