MADISON — One man’s loss is another man’s gain.
The old adage rings especially true right now for the Rocket City Trash Pandas and their MLB affiliate team, the Los Angeles Angels.
Today, the Angels called up two star pitchers from their Double-A affiliate – right-hander Caden Dana and left-hander Samuel Aldegheri.
Aldegheri will start Friday for the Angels and Dana will make his Major League debut Sunday.
In a Minor League Baseball-leading 23 starts this season, Dana posted a 9-7 record and a 2.52 ERA with the Trash Pandas. The righty also struck out 147 batters in 135.2 innings of work. He leads the Southern League in strikeouts, innings pitched, batting average against, and WHIP.
Dana set Trash Pandas single-season records in strikeouts, innings pitched, and ERA while tying the records for wins and starts.
At 20 years old, he would be the youngest Angels pitcher since Francisco Rodriguez in 2002 and youngest starting pitcher since Frank Tanana in 1973.
Aldegheri was assigned directly to Rocket City after the Angels acquired him and Logan O’Hoppe in a trade with the Phillies. During his time with the Trash Pandas, he made four starts and finished with an 0-2 record and a 5.19 ERA, while striking out 25 batters in 17.1 innings.
When he takes the mound Friday, he will be the first pitcher born and raised in Italy to play in the MLB.
