Examining Halos' options at shortstop if Neto misses time

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ANAHEIM -- Given that he was the club’s best player in 2024, any amount of time that shortstop Zach Neto misses next season after undergoing right shoulder surgery last week will be tough to deal with for the Angels.

But general manager Perry Minasian has been proactive in improving the club’s middle-infield depth early this offseason to protect the team in case Neto misses time. The Angels addressed that by trading for former Top 100 prospect Scott Kingery from the Phillies and signing veteran infielder Kevin Newman to a one-year deal worth $2.5 million (with a $2.5 million option or $250,000 buyout for '26).

Minasian said it’s too early to say who would start at shortstop in Neto’s potential absence early in the year, but he believes Kingery and Newman give the Angels better options than in recent years. It’ll be a competition in Spring Training, and ultimately, manager Ron Washington is the one who makes the lineup every day.

“We'll see during Spring Training, and Wash will make that decision,” Minasian said. “But [Newman] has the ability to do that, obviously. He plays short, he can play second. And one of the things we've looked at was durability and finding some durable players that can play in the middle of the field. And he's been very durable throughout his career. So we'll see how all that plays out.”

Here’s a look at the club’s options at shortstop with Neto possibly being out for the early part of the season:

Kevin Newman
Newman, 31, is the latest addition to the club, having signed on Thursday. He’s coming off a nice year with the D-backs, slashing .278/.311/.375 with three homers, 17 doubles, eight stolen bases and 28 RBIs in 111 games. With his strong defense, he posted a respectable 2.2 bWAR as a utilityman, getting action at all four infield positions and an appearance in left field. He grades out as a premium defender at second base and is above average at shortstop. He’s the favorite to see the most time at shortstop if Neto is out.

Scott Kingery
Kingery, who was acquired for cash considerations from the Phillies, hasn’t played in the Majors since 2022 but had a strong year at Triple-A Lehigh Valley in '24, hitting 25 homers and stealing 25 bases in 125 games. The 30-year-old was MLB Pipeline’s No. 35 overall prospect heading into 2018 but has struggled offensively in parts of four seasons in the Majors, hitting .229 with 30 homers and 96 RBIs in 325 games. Kingery, though, could thrive with a change of scenery and can play shortstop, third, second and all three outfield spots.

Luis Rengifo
Rengifo had his best season of his career offensively in 2024, slashing .300/.347/.417 with six homers, 13 doubles, 24 stolen bases and 30 RBIs in 78 games. But the 27-year-old has struggled with injuries in recent years and saw his season end in early August after undergoing right wrist surgery. Minasian, though, said Rengifo is healthy and will head into Spring Training without any restrictions. Rengifo has played 97 games at shortstop in his career but profiles better at second or third base. If No. 2 prospect Christian Moore becomes the club's regular second baseman, Rengifo could see more action at third ahead of veteran Anthony Rendon.

Kyren Paris
Paris, 23, is coming off a tough season, batting .118 with a homer, two doubles and five RBIs in 21 games with the Angels. He wasn't much better in the Minors, batting .167 with four homers, 16 stolen bases and 26 RBIs in 60 games. The Angels are hoping for a bounceback year from Paris, who was a second-round Draft pick in 2019 and slashed .255/.393/.417 with 14 homers and 44 stolen bases in 113 games with Double-A Rocket City in '23. He’ll compete for a roster spot in Spring Training but is likely to open the season at Triple-A Salt Lake.