Zach Neto DVOA, Advanced Stats, & Fantasy Rankings

Los Angeles Angels shortstop Zach Neto (shoulder) will not be ready for Opening Day in late March, according to manager Ron Washington. It doesn't come as much of a surprise, but Washington said he hopes to get Neto back at some point in the first month of the 2025 season. Neto had surgery on his right shoulder last November but started his throwing progression last week. The 24-year-old will be right on schedule to make his season debut at some point in April if he's able to get into Cactus League games near the end of spring training. With Neto set to open the year on the injured list, Luis Rengifo, Tim Anderson, Kevin Newman and Scott Kingery are all competing for playing time at the 6 for the Halos. Rengifo should be an everyday player regardless, as he can also fill in at third and second base. Although Neto isn't a household name at shortstop in fantasy, he did hit 23 homers and steal 30 bases in 2024.

Los Angeles Angels shortstop Zach Neto (shoulder) has started his throwing progression after having surgery on his right shoulder last November, according to manager Ron Washington. General manager Perry Minasian previously said that Neto wasn't expected to start throwing until later on in spring training, so it appears he's currently ahead of schedule. However, there remains no firm timetable for when the 24-year-old will be cleared to play in games, so he's still very much a candidate to open the 2025 regular season on the injured list. Despite Neto's recovery from shoulder surgery likely seeping into the regular season, he's worth a late-round pick in fantasy drafts after breaking out in 2024 in his first full big-league season to the tune of a .249/.318/.443 slash line, 23 home runs, 77 RBI, 30 steals and 70 runs scored. He ranks as RotoBaller's No. 25 fantasy shortstop.

Los Angeles Angels manager Ron Washington said on Friday that he expects outfielder Mike Trout, designated hitter Jorge Soler and outfielder Taylor Ward being his top three hitters in some order during the 2025 regular season. It's also possible that one of the trio will bat in the cleanup spot. Shortstop Zach Neto (shoulder), meanwhile, is expected to hit fifth or sixth in the batting order. Neto had right-shoulder surgery last year and is expected to start the season on the injured list, but barring a setback, his absence shouldn't extend too long into April. The 24-year-old hit second late last season with Mike Trout (knee) out, but Trout is returning from injury and Soler will now occupy a spot near the top of the lineup, which will push Neto down. Neto loses a little fantasy appeal because of his injury, but he's still not a bad middle-infield target in the later rounds after he had a 20-30 campaign in his first full MLB season in 2024.