Trash Pandas right-handed pitcher Dana called up to big leagues

MADISON, Ala. (WHNT) — After almost an entire season with the Rocket City Trash Pandas, right-handed pitcher Caden Dana has been called up by the Los Angeles Angels.

The Trash Pandas said the 20-year-old will make his major league debut on Sunday for the Halos in Anaheim against the Seattle Mariners. This will make him the 33rd Trash Pandas player to debut, following the debut of left-handed pitcher Samuel Aldegheri on Friday.

Aldegheri was assigned directly to Rocket City and made four starts after he was traded over to the Angels by the Philidelphia Phillies on July 27 alongside George Klassen for right-handed pitcher Carlos Estévez.

Dana will also become the fifth Trash Pandas player to debut this season.

Dana had a 9-7 record in 23 starts and 135.2 innings this season for the Rocket City, with a 2.52 ERA and 147 strikeouts.

He leads all of the minor leagues in starts with 14 and leads the Southern League in strikeouts, innings pitched, batting average against and WHIP. Dana also holds the Trash Pandas single-season record in strikeouts, innings pitched and ERA, and tied the single-season record for wins and starts.

He was drafted out of Don Bosco Preparatory High School in Ramsey, New Jersey by the Angels in the 11th round of the 2022 MLB Draft. He played in rookie ball, A, and A+ before starting the 2024 season with the Trash Pandas.

At 20, Dana would be the youngest person to pitch for the Angels since Francisco Rodriguez in 2002 and youngest starting pitcher since Frank Tanana in 1973.

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