Angels News: Insider Sheds Light on Decision to Call Up Nolan Schanuel So Quickly

Just over 60 days ago, the Angels announced that they selected a first baseman out of Florida Atlantic University as its first-round pick. 

Fast forward two months later, that pick has already made his MLB debut. While it seems out of the ordinary for the Halos to call up Nolan Schanuel after only 21 minor league games, there may be a long-term reason for it. 

According to The Athletic's Sam Blum and Keith Law, the decision to call up Schanuel so soon could have to do with the team's offseason plans. 

"The Angels are basically out of the playoff picture, and this is a chance to get a good look at Schanuel as they decide whether or not to make him their first baseman for 2024. They drafted him out of a need at that position, not something many teams do with their first-round picks. We’ll see how smart a decision this all is shortly. He was playing in Conference USA two months ago. Now, the major leagues." (Via The Athletic)

The Angels made a move to get CJ Cron over the deadline, but there's a low probability he re-signs from the team. Jared Walsh was supposed to be the first baseman of the future, but he was designated for assignment. 

If the Angels want to look internally for a first baseman, Schanuel is all they have. 

Luckily for the Halos, Schanuel is looking like he can hold his own in the majors. He has started off 3-12 at the plate and has yet to make an error in the field.

While it is a small sample size, the Angels may be doing the right thing to see its first-round pick in the majors now.