Zach Neto is Making History For the Halos!

By Elias Meredith 8/18/25 Sportznation

Photo by: Brandon Sloter/Getty Images

The Angels are winners of four of their last six after their 11-5 win in the series finale Sunday afternoon against the Athletics. Angels shortstop Zach Neto went 1-for-5 and popped his 21st home run to add to an Angels six-run tenth inning. Neto has been a sense of stability for a Halos lineup that has been inconsistent as an offense throughout the season.

Many people forget that Neto was drafted just three years ago. The Miami native was drafted 13th overall to the Angels in the 2022 MLB Draft after hitting .407 and drilling 15 home runs in his junior season at Campbell University. 

Neto would take the momentum into pro ball. He did not spend much time in the minors, only playing 61 games. Neto slashed .314/.407/.559 in his minor career and was called up, making his debut on April 15, 2023. Neto’s rookie year was a great year for him to get exposed to the big leagues for the first time, and the exposure would pay dividends heading into 2024.

In 2024, Neto was the Angels opening day shortstop at the ripe age of 22, becoming the youngest Angels shortstop to be named an opening day starter in franchise history. While people of Neto's age are preparing for graduation, Neto was starting for a major league ball club. 

By the end of the season, Neto had established himself as the Angels future shortstop. Neto slashed .249/.327/.481 and popped 23 long balls and swiped 30 bags in his first full season at the big league level. He joined his teammate Mike Trout as the only Angels in franchise history to have a 20/20 season before turning 23.

This season we still have a month left of regular season baseball, and Neto reached the feat again. On Saturday, Neto became the sixth shortstop in American League history to have multiple 20/20 seasons. What makes it more impressive is that Neto missed nearly three weeks in the beginning of the season recovering from his right shoulder surgery that he had in November. 

The Angels sit seven games back from the wild card. It a steep hill to climb, but crazier things have happened in this game. If Neto continues to produce, he will put the Angels in a great position to make their first playoff appearance since 2013.

Thank you for reading!

Elias Meredith (@EAM_55)