Zach Neto, who debuted in the majors as the first player from the 2022 draft class, faced injury challenges in his rookie season. However, he rebounded in 2024 with impressive offensive metrics, including a 141 wRC+ and a 5.8 WAR projection, marking him as a top shortstop. Despite mixed reviews on his defensive skills, his offensive capabilities have considerably increased, especially in home runs and batting metrics, following a successful shoulder surgery. The Angels promoted Neto quickly, avoiding any service time manipulation allegations.
Neto's breakout 2024 season saw him post a 141 wRC+ in 152 plate appearances, ranking him 32nd in the Majors and fifth among shortstops.
Despite a rocky start in 2023 and a minor shoulder surgery, Neto's performance in 2024 has him on pace for 5.8 WAR per 150 games, placing him among the elite.
Statcast indicates Neto's offensive stats improved significantly from 23 homers and 30 steals, with a drastic jump in expected slugging this season.
The debate around Neto's defensive abilities is nuanced, as Outs Above Average suggests subpar range, yet DRS paints a more favorable view, indicating moderate worth.
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