Angels Adjust 40-Man Roster: Designate Adams and Wagaman, Add Lugo and Dashwood

The Los Angeles Angels made significant changes to their 40-man roster on Tuesday, designating outfielder Jordyn Adams and infielder Eric Wagaman for assignment. This move clears space for infielder Matthew Lugo and left-handed pitcher Jack Dashwood, protecting them from the upcoming Rule 5 Draft.

Jordyn Adams, 25, was the 17th overall pick in the 2018 draft and was highly regarded for his speed and power potential. However, his progress at the plate has been limited, with a .252/.333/.377 batting line over six minor league seasons. This year, he hit .261/.333/.386 in 549 Triple-A plate appearances, a performance considered below average in the Pacific Coast League. Adams has struggled in the majors, hitting .176 with a nearly 36% strikeout rate in 28 games over the last two seasons.

Eric Wagaman had a strong season in the upper minors after being selected from the Yankees organization in the minor league Rule 5 draft. He posted a .274/.339/.469 batting line between Double-A and Triple-A, which earned him a brief stint in the majors. As a 27-year-old rookie, Wagaman managed to hit two home runs with a .250/.270/.403 slash line in 18 games, but his lack of prospect status made it difficult for him to retain his roster spot.

Matthew Lugo, 23, is a former second-round pick of the Red Sox. After being overlooked in last year’s Rule 5 Draft, Lugo had a breakout season in the minors, hitting .287/.376/.578 with 17 home runs in 79 games across Double-A and Triple-A. Acquired in the deadline trade for veteran reliever Luis García, Lugo is now part of the Angels' future plans. With his impressive performance, Lugo could make his MLB debut as soon as next year.

Jack Dashwood, who recently turned 27, was a 12th-round pick out of UC Santa Barbara in 2019. Despite spending much of this season on the minor league injured list, Dashwood showcased his potential with a 15:1 strikeout-to-walk ratio in 10 Double-A innings and 17 strikeouts in 10 innings during the Arizona Fall League. The Angels were concerned that another team might leapfrog him to the majors, so they secured his roster spot. He is expected to start next year in the Triple-A bullpen.

​These roster adjustments highlight the Angels' strategy to develop and protect their emerging talents while navigating the complexities of maintaining a competitive and balanced team. Fans can look forward to seeing how Lugo and Dashwood contribute to the Angels' future success.