MADISON — When Mitch Farris was a last-minute scratch before Sunday’s game, it was one of two things – good news or bad news,
For the lefty, though, it was the best news.
He was going to the Show.
Farris became the 45th Rocket City player to reach the Major Leagues and the ninth this season when the Los Angeles Angels picked up his contract Monday.
He is also the second player this year promoted directly from Rocket City and the 14th in franchise history to make that jump.
Farris has been one of the most dominant pitchers in the Southern League this year. He currently leads the league and ranks second in all of Double-A with 142 strikeouts across 23 outings in 2025. That total places him second in Trash Pandas single-season history, just five shy of franchise record-holder Caden Dana’s 147 in 2024.
The highlight of Farris’ season came last Tuesday against Columbus, when he struck out 13 batters, the third-highest total in team history, trailing only Reid Detmers’ 16 in 2021 and Brett Kerry’s 14 later that same season. He also ranks among the Southern League leaders in starts (T-6th, 22), innings pitched (T-4th, 116.0), and strikeouts (1st, 142).
Over the course of the season, Farris has delivered several standout performances. On Aug. 13 in Columbus, he threw a complete game in the opener of a doubleheader, striking out nine and walking none across six innings while allowing just two runs on five hits.
On July 25 at Biloxi, he became the seventh pitcher in Trash Pandas history to record 100 strikeouts in a season, fanning six over six strong innings. Five days earlier, on July 20 against his former organization, he earned his first win of the year by tossing five innings of two-run, three-hit baseball against Columbus, with five strikeouts.
A month earlier at Montgomery, he allowed just one run in 5.2 innings before being struck in the kneecap by a comebacker, cutting his outing short. On May 30 against Biloxi, he delivered seven dominant innings with nine strikeouts and only one run allowed, though the Trash Pandas ultimately fell 2–1. He also shined on May 17 against Pensacola, when he pitched 6.1 innings and struck out eight while giving up just one run.
Acquired by the Angels from Atlanta in exchange for RHP Davis Daniel last Christmas, Farris originally entered professional baseball as a 14th-round pick by the Braves in the 2023 draft. He pitched across three levels in Atlanta’s system last season, compiling a 3.08 ERA with 131 strikeouts and 43 walks over 108 innings.
Alums making debuts this season
- Jeremiah Jackson became the 44th Rocket City Trash Pandas alumnus to reach the Major Leagues on Aug. 1, with the Baltimore Orioles.
- Chad Stevens – July 3
- Robinson Piña – June 20
- Christian Moore – June 13
- Alan Rangel -June 6
- José Fermin – April 26
- Edgar Quero – April 16
- Michael Darrell-Hicks – April 11
Rocket City is on the road for the final time this season, beginning a six-game series in Knoxville tonight against the Smokies. RHP Walbert Urena (4-8, 4.90) gets the ball opposite RHP Tommy Romero (2-0, 2.86).
Fans can watch on WAAY-TV “MORE” 31.6, Bally Sports Live, MiLB.tv, or listen on Talk Radio WZZN 97.7 HD-2.
The Trash Pandas’ final homestand of the season is next week against the Chattanooga Lookouts.
Tickets are available starting at $8 for general admission and $16 for field-level seats. They can be purchased online at tptix.com Fans can also purchase tickets in person during regular business hours at the Wicks Family Foundation Box Office or by calling 256-325-1403, option 1.
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