MLB Rumors: Angels call up top prospect, Giants-Mariners make a trade

On Thursday, the Los Angeles Angels called up one of their top prospects while the San Francisco Giants and Seattle Mariners made a trade.

The Los Angeles Angels are calling up right-hander Sam Bachman, one of their top pitching prospects, according to sources familiar with the situation.

Bachman, 23, was selected with the No. 9 overall pick in the 2021 MLB Draft. He has not pitched above Double-A, posting a 4.48 ERA in three minor-league seasons, and ranking as the Angels’ No. 6 prospect on MLB Pipeline. His 5.81 ERA this season was largely inflated due to a one-inning and six-run outing on April 22 and has allowed three or fewer runs in four of his five other starts.

The Angels plan to use Bachman in the bullpen, where he provides upper 90s velocity, something the team lacks in the late innings, according to sources. It’s unclear what the corresponding roster move is, but there are strong indications that it will not involve struggling reliever Aaron Loup. The more likely scenario is that it could involve reliever Reyes Moronta, who has minor-league options available, or another reliever.

MLB Rumors: Giants, Mariners make a trade

The San Francisco Giants are acquiring catcher Jacob Nottingham from the Seattle Mariners, sources tell me and Jeff Young of FanSided. The deal will send future considerations to Seattle, sources said.

Throughout the season, the Giants have been searching for catching depth. They signed Gary Sanchez to a minor-league deal. They called up top catching prospect Patrick Bailey after Joey Bart struggled and was placed on the Injured List.

Nottingham, 28, originally started his career with the Houston Astros, but was traded to the Milwaukee Brewers in 2016. He has since been traded numerous times, including to the Mariners, Baltimore Orioles, back to the Seattle Mariners and now the Giants. There are members of the Giants front office who overlapped with Nottingham in Milwaukee, so there is familiarity.