BREAKING> Angels Sign Former Phillies Reliever Connor Brogdon to Minor League Deal
The Angels are quietly addressing their bullpen needs this offseason by focusing on veteran pitchers through minor league contracts. Their latest signing is right-handed reliever Connor Brogdon, according to Taylor Blake Ward of Baseball America. While not confirmed, Brogdon is expected to receive an invite to big league spring training. General Manager Perry Minasian has yet to finalize the major league bullpen roster but is clearly prioritizing depth, with these acquisitions likely to play a role during the 2025 season.
Brogdon joins a growing list of former Dodgers relievers signed this offseason, alongside left-handers Victor González and Garrett McDaniels. In a similar move earlier this winter, Minasian signed right-hander Dakota Hudson, formerly with the Cardinals and Rockies, to a minor league deal. Another notable trend in Minasian’s acquisitions is a preference for California natives, a list that includes Brogdon, as well as recent additions Travis d’Arnaud, Kevin Newman, and Kyle Hendricks.
Connor Brogdon might have lost a step, but is certainly worth a look
The Dodgers, always active in roster management, designated Connor Brogdon for assignment in April 2024 to clear a 40-man roster spot before the Rule-5 Draft. Given Brogdon’s limited availability due to plantar fasciitis—resulting in just 3 major league innings and 14 minor league innings split between the Phillies and Dodgers—he was deemed expendable. The Angels seized the opportunity, acquiring him at minimal cost.
Brogdon’s velocity has declined, with his once-mid-90s fastball now sitting in the lower-90s. His repertoire includes a low-80s changeup and a “cement-mixer” cutter. However, his four-seam fastball, which was once effective due to its velocity, now tends to morph into an inefficient two-seam shape. Notably, Brogdon threw more changeups than fastballs during his time with the Phillies in 2023. While he showed promise in Triple-A Oklahoma City in 2024, he will likely face tougher conditions in Triple-A Salt Lake after spring camp.
Despite his recent struggles, Brogdon is a worthwhile gamble for the Angels, given his history with the Phillies and Dodgers, two organizations known for developing quality talent. In his peak years (2021 and 2022), Brogdon was a reliable back-end reliever, posting sub-4 FIPs and sub-1.3 WHIPs. His acquisition mirrors the Dodgers’ approach of targeting reclamation projects, as they had traded Benony Robles to the Phillies for him in 2024.
Now with the Angels, Brogdon faces a chance to reinvent himself. His cutter may become a more prominent weapon as he adapts to his current skillset and works to regain effectiveness in the bullpen.
The slow-moving relief pitching market seems poised to heat up soon, and the Angels are likely to explore the free agent pool for major league-caliber arms. While it’s uncertain if they will secure high-impact relievers for their big league bullpen, they have built a solid foundation of backup options, including Connor Brogdon. These depth pieces will provide flexibility and support as the team navigates the inevitable challenges of the upcoming season.