The Los Angeles Angels just signed outfielder Oscar Colas to a minor league contract. They’re hoping, yet again, to revive the careers of former top prospects who haven’t quite panned out.
Colas was once a highly regarded international signing by the Chicago White Sox. He just hasn’t found his footing in Major League Baseball, and now the Angels are taking a shot, looking for that hidden gem.
Oscar Colas: A Promising Journey with Roadblocks
Oscar Colas’ path to the Angels is honestly a mix of hype and headaches. The White Sox picked him up during the 2021-22 international signing period after he flashed big power in Cuba and Japan.
People noticed. He landed on top-100 prospect lists, and the buzz was real for a while.
Early Success in the Minors
In 2022, Colas tore up the minors. He slashed .314/.371/.524 with 23 homers across three levels.
- He mostly faced younger, less seasoned pitchers
- His walk rate lagged behind
- Strikeouts climbed as he moved up
Struggles in the Major Leagues
Colas debuted in MLB in 2023, but it was rough. Over 75 games and 263 plate appearances, he hit just .216/.257/.314, striking out 27.6% of the time and walking only 4.6%.
He chased a lot of bad pitches—13th-highest chase rate for hitters with at least 250 plate appearances that year. His contact rate? Pretty low, ranking 289th out of 328 hitters.
Continued Struggles and Release from the White Sox
He still showed flashes in Triple-A, but his numbers dipped in 2024. Colas put up a .246/.332/.400 line at Triple-A and barely played in the majors—just 38 plate appearances and a .273/.368/.273 line.
Things got worse in 2025. Across Double-A and Triple-A, he hit only .163/.245/.255 before the White Sox let him go.
The Angels’ Strategy and Farm System
The Angels keep rolling the dice on former top prospects who haven’t stuck. Their farm system, especially in the outfield, is thin.
Right now, only two of their top 20 prospects play outfield:
- Nelson Rada, who’s holding his own in Double-A but is just 19
- Matthew Lugo, up in the majors but struggling with strikeouts
Adding Colas gives them depth where they need it. It’s a low-risk move. If he finds his swing again, maybe he gives their outfield a jolt.
Analyzing the Angels’ Recent Moves
The Angels have made a habit of picking up former top prospects, hoping to catch lightning in a bottle. Recently, they’ve added:
- Carter Kieboom
- Willie Calhoun
- Keston Hiura
- Miguel Sano
- Carson Fulmer
They’re clearly willing to gamble on upside. Not every shot will pay off, but honestly, with so little risk, why not? The team needs depth and a little luck never hurts.
What the Future Holds for Oscar Colas
For Colas, getting back to the majors means real improvement. He has to tighten up his plate discipline and stop chasing so many pitches.
- He needs to make more contact
- Show off his power against tougher pitching
He’ll start with the Angels’ Double-A affiliate. If he puts up numbers there, maybe Triple-A is next, and—who knows—maybe another shot at the big leagues. The Angels’ outfield isn’t exactly loaded, so if Colas puts it together, there could be chances ahead.
Conclusion
The Los Angeles Angels just picked up Oscar Colas. It’s a low-risk move, and honestly, there’s some real upside here.
Colas hasn’t exactly lit things up lately. Still, his early flashes of power and potential are hard to ignore.
The Angels really need more outfield depth. Betting on a former top prospect like Colas? That feels like a smart gamble to me.
If you want to dig into the details about Colas’ signing and his story, check out the full article on MLB Trade Rumors.
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