Los Angeles Angels
2023:MLB debut
Neto returned to Rocket City to open the 2023 season. [18] He hit .444 with 3 home runs and 10 RBIs in 7 games at Double-A. [19]
On April 15,2023,Neto was selected to the 40-man roster and promoted to the major leagues for the first time,making him the first member of the 2022 MLB draft class to debut. [19] A day later,Neto picked up his first hit,a single into left field,in which he also eventually scored on. [20] Neto was hit by a pitch seven times in his first 15 major league games,an MLB modern era record. [a] [22] On May 9,he hit his first major league home run,a solo shot off Houston Astros pitcher Framber Valdez. [23] On June 12,he had his first career multi-home run game in a 9-4 win over the Seattle Mariners. [24]
On June 14,Neto was sidelined after describing the feeling of a cramp during pregame warmups. The next day,he was placed on the injured list with an oblique strain. [25] On August,he was named MLBPAA Angels Heart and Hustle Award for the first time. [26] On August 4,he was placed on the 10-day injured list with low back inflammation,and was activated on September 10. [27]
2024:1st 20-20 season
Neto started 2024 with the Angels. On August 7,he hit his first career grand slam and collected 6 RBIs in an 8-2 win over the New York Yankees at doubleheader game 2,becoming the first visiting shortstop to have a 6 RBI game at Yankee Stadium. [28]
On August 30,he hit 20th home run of the season against the Detroit Tigers,tying him for the Angels' single-season home run record by a shortstop with Jim Fregosi. [29] Also,simultaneously he achieved 20 home runs and 20 stolen bases,joining Mike Trout as the only Angels with 20-20 seasons before age 24,becoming the first infielder in franchise history to record a 20-20 season. [29] [30]
Neto played in 155 games for the Angels that year,slashing .249/.318/.443 with 23 home runs,77 RBI,and 30 stolen bases. On November 8,2024,it was announced that Neto had undergone shoulder surgery to repair an injury he had suffered in the final week of the season. [31]
2025:2nd 20-20 season
Neto missed the opening of 2025 season due to a right shoulder surgery. On April,he began a rehab assignment with Triple-A before returning the Majors. [32]
Neto made his return to the Angels on April 18,delivering an RBI double in his first at-bat. [33] On June 2,The Angels launched three home runs including Neto's lead off shot in the 1st inning against the Boston Red sox,marking the first time a visiting club hit three home runs in the 1st innings at Fenway Park. [34] On July 25,he hit his first career walk-off hit in the bottom of the 10th inning in a 3-2 win over the Mariners. [35] On August,he was named MLBPAA Angels Heart and Hustle Award for the second time. [36] On August 13,in the game against the Los Angeles Dodgers at Angels Stadium,he turned Shohei Ohtani's liner into 8th triple play in club history. [37]
On August 15,Neto hit his 20th home run of the season against the Athletics,achieving 20 home runs and 20 stolen bases in second straight season. He became the 4th player in Angels history with multiple 20/20 seasons,following Mike Trout,Shohei Ohtani and Don Baylor. Also,he became the 6th shortstop in AL history to record multiple 20/20 seasons,following Alan Trammell,Alex Rodriguez,Derek Jeter,Francisco Lindor and Bobby Witt Jr.. [38] On August 18,he was named AL Player of the Week award for the first time,batting .320 with 4 home runs,8 RBIs and 1.254 OPS. [39]
On September 16,Neto was placed on the 10-day injured list due to a hit by pitch on his left hand on August 20,ending the season. he slashed .257/.319/.474 with 26 home runs,29 doubles,26 stolen bases and 62 RBIs in 128 games,leading the Angels in Wins Above Replacement for a second straight year with 5.0 WAR according to baseball-reference.com. [40]
