Packy Naughton to Debut in the Show
From TJO Sports in the Boston Park League to the Anaheim Angels in the MLB, Packy Naughton is ready to make his major league debut in 2021. Packy first pitched for TJO Sports in 2015, getting into 1 game and allowing just 1 hit in 3 innings with 7 Ks. From there, his college and pro career took over.
Naughton spent three years pitching in a variety of roles at Virginia Tech, and he pitched well in the Cape Cod League in 2016. This led to him getting taken in the ninth round of the 2017 Draft by the Cincinnati Reds. The southpaw pitched his way to Double-A in his second full season with Cincinnati and was at the Reds’ alternate training site when he was traded to the Angels in 2020.
In 2019, Naughton was named the Reds’ Minor League pitcher of the year. He did it with a fastball in the low-90s, an above-average changeup, and a usable slider. His stuff plays up because of the deception in his delivery, with a tilted front side helping his ability to hide the ball behind him.
In 2020, COVID canceled the Minor League Baseball season and Packy returned to the Park League. In 4 games pitched, he did not allow a single earned run.
When MiBL returned in 2021 season, he pitched 1 game in Double-A ball before making the move to the Triple-A Salt Lake Bees. So far in 11 games, he has gone 2-2, and in 51.2 innings has chalked up 49 K’s with a 5.23 ERA.
Packy is expected to make his Major League debut this week for the Angels versus the Texas Rangers, perhaps as early as tonight, where he could relieve starter Shohei Ohtani. Good luck, Packy!