Angels' George Klassen: Assigned to minor-league camp
Rotowire
The Angels assigned Klassen to minor-league camp Friday.
Klassen's strong start to spring training put him in contention to make the Angels' big-league rotation, but it looks like the 24-year-old will open 2026 in the minors. One of the Halos' top prospects, Klassen posted a 3.86 ERA, 1.20 WHIP and 10:5 K:BB across 11.2 innings this spring.
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Angels' George Klassen: Could be candidate for rotation
Rotowire
Klassen has had a strong spring training so far and may be looked at as an option for the Angels' Opening Day rotation, Rhett Bollinger of MLB.com implies.
Alek Manoah remains the favorite for the team's fifth-starter role, but he's had two straight rough spring starts, surrendering nine runs with a 7:7 K:BB over 6.1 innings. That could open the door for the Angels to consider other options, and Jack Kochanowicz -- who's pitched well so far -- may be the lead candidate for the rotation should Manoah not get the role. However, Bollinger points that Klassen has excelled this spring, as the young hurler has given up just two runs while registering a 9:3 K:BB over eight innings spanning three appearances. Klassen isn't on the 40-man roster and has just one Triple-A outing under his belt, so he's probably still a longshot to open the season in the majors. He's one of the Angels' top prospects, however, and the organization certainly hasn't been shy in recent years about rapidly advancing prospects through the minors and up to the majors.
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Angels' George Klassen: Rolling for Trash Pandas
Rotowire
Klassen has a 1.17 ERA, 1.26 WHIP and 32:11 K:BB in 23 innings over his last four starts for Double-A Rocket City.
Klassen has some of the best pure stuff in the minors, and it's on brand for him to have a higher WHIP than ERA over this dominant stretch. He's cut his walk rate from 17.3 percent in seven starts at Double-A to close 2024 to 10 percent in 24 starts this year while logging a career-high 102.2 innings. His command still comes and goes, and he has six starts this year in which he has given up five or more earned runs, although he also has six starts with eight or more strikeouts. Klassen's below-average control may push him to the bullpen eventually, but the Angels figure to give him every opportunity to develop as a starting pitcher over the next couple years.
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Angels' George Klassen: Returns from minor-league IL
Rotowire
Klassen (concussion) was activated from Double-A Rocket City's 7-day injured list Sunday.
Klassen suffered a concussion when he was hit in the head by a line drive during his May 11 start. The 23-year-old was briefly hospitalized but has since been cleared to return, and he'll rejoin the rotation Sunday. Klassen owns a 4.97 ERA and 1.34 WHIP in 29 innings through his first seven starts with Rocket City.
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Angels' George Klassen: On minor-league concussion IL
Rotowire
Klassen was placed on the minor-league concussion IL on May 14 after being hit in the head by a line drive during a game May 11, per MLB.com.
Klassen was initially hospitalized due to the incident, but he's since left the hospital and is said to be improving after being diagnosed with a concussion. It's not yet clear when the 23-year-old will be ready to pitch in games again.
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Phillies' George Klassen: Moves up to High-A
Rotowire
The Phillies promoted Klassen from Single-A Clearwater to High-A Jersey Shore on Monday, Jonathan Mayo of MLB.com reports.
Klassen will be joined in Jersey Shore by one of the Phillies' top position prospects in shortstop Aidan Miller, who is also getting a promotion from Clearwater. A 22-year-old right-hander, Klassen had performed as one of the top pitchers in the Florida State League over the first two-plus months of the season, turning in a 0.71 ERA, 0.87 WHIP and 57:12 K:BB across 38 innings.
