He has experienced a rocky journey through the major leagues. Over the span of five years, he’s suited up for six different MLB teams, with his longest stint coming with the Twins from 2018 to 2019—just over a full season.
In 63 2/3 innings at the major league level, he has posted a 4.24 ERA, 63 strikeouts, 31 walks, a 1.398 WHIP, and an ERA+ of 104. His last MLB appearance came in 2023 with the Tigers, where he struggled, allowing an 8.31 ERA in 8 2/3 innings.
Despite his recent absence from the majors, He has drawn renewed interest thanks to his strong showing in the Mexican League. Pitching for the Tecolotes de los Dos Laredos, he threw 7 2/3 scoreless innings, racking up six strikeouts and issuing just one walk. He even took on some closing duties, earning three saves.
Though the sample size is limited, his success is noteworthy given the Mexican League’s hitter-friendly nature. His performance there was enough to earn a minor league deal with the Angels—a move that could turn out to be a hidden gem in the 2025 MLB season.
Why Andrew Vasquez is a steal for the Los Angeles Angels
It’s no shock that the Angels find themselves at the bottom of the AL West. With a 14-20 record, they trail the division-leading Mariners by six and a half games and sit four and a half games behind the Athletics for the last wild-card spot. Even though it’s early May, it already feels like time is running out for the Halos.
One of the main culprits behind their rough start has been the bullpen. The Angels’ relievers have a combined ERA of 6.95—second-worst in the majors—and are tied with the Nationals for the worst WHIP at 1.720. They’ve also surrendered 24 home runs, the most of any bullpen in MLB.
The standout reliever so far has been Ryan Zeferjahn, who has posted a 4.22 ERA in 10 2/3 innings with 20 strikeouts, three walks, a 1.031 WHIP, and a 102 ERA+.
While those numbers are decent, they’re not what you’d want from your top bullpen arm—he’s simply been the best of a struggling group, many of whom have ERAs north of five, with a few even hitting 11.
Enter Andrew Vasquez. Based on what he’s shown in the Mexican League, he could be a much-needed boost to this bullpen. While he’ll likely need a short stint in the minors to reacclimate to MLB-level competition, the Angels may not have to wait long before he’s contributing.
Vasquez also holds trade value. Quality relievers are always in demand at the deadline, and while he won’t bring back a massive return, he could net the Angels a promising young prospect—exactly the kind of asset a rebuilding team needs.
For a franchise trying to lay the groundwork for future success, taking low-risk, high-reward chances like signing Vasquez is exactly the right approach for May.
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