Angels Standout Rookie Zach Neto Granted Day Off Due to Foot Soreness

He was becoming a bit of an Iron Man there.

Zach Neto has been a player on the Los Angeles Angels that I would place in my book 'tough as nails.' After just over 40 games in the minor leagues, he was asked to play shortstop on a team with some heavy expectations this year and has done nothing but answer to the pressure.

He is the type of player that shows that when one performs in the developmental leagues, they should be called up and trusted. Neto was selected with the number 13 pick in the 2022 draft and has already carved himself out a role while also getting the training wheels off early. 

The difference between MLB and other professional sports leagues is that it's normalized to carve out years in the minors and that's okay. But guys like Neto need to be given their opportunities and I'm beyond happy to see him making huge defensive plays while also logging three homers on the year already.

Let's not forget just how many times he's been hit by a pitch already too.

Zach Neto just got hit by a pitch for the 11th time in his first 45 games...

He's on pace to break the record for all time hit by pitch record by the time he turns 30... If he can still walk by then pic.twitter.com/kjGkBsIfWb

— Baseball Doesn't Exist (@BaseballDoesnt) June 3, 2023

And those hits he's been taking are starting to add up and his most recent one against the Houston Astros sent him to the X-Ray room. Luckily, no serious damage was done but he was granted Saturday off by Phil Nevin.

"The Angels also lost shortstop Zach Neto, who was removed from the game with left foot soreness a few innings after he was hit by a pitch. Neto underwent X-rays, which were negative, but he will be off on Saturday."

(Via OC Register)

Neto is not scared of any pitch and he's even said that it's an easy way to get on base before but maybe this most recent experience will leave a bad taste in his mouth and and he'll consider trying to move in the future.