Neto's elite play inches him towards top-tier shortstop status, challenging even Trout's dominance on the Angels' roster.
Right now, there isn't too much to be excited about with the Los Angeles Angels.
The farm system has a low ranking, and the offseason frenzy hasn't landed the Angels with an exciting player. Instead, it is a bunch of gambles, and the Angels are hoping one or two of them pan out in the long run.
However, one exciting piece is former 2022 MLB Draft first-round pick Zach Neto.
Neto was already pegged as the best homegrown talent for the Angels this offseason, and his 2025 campaign has everybody buzzing about his potential.
Joel Reuter of Bleacher Report ranked all of the shortstops ahead of the 2026 season, and Neto landed at No. 11.
Here is the top-11 shortstop, from Reuter's rankings:
- Bobby Witt Jr., Kansas City Royals
- Francisco Lindor, New York Mets
- Trea Turner, Philadelphia Phillies
- Gunnar Henderson, Baltimore Orioles
- Corey Seager, Texas Rangers
- Mookie Betts, Los Angeles Dodgers
- Geraldo Perdomo, Arizona Diamondbacks
- Jeremy Pena, Houston Astros
- Elly De La Cruz, Cincinnati Reds
- Willy Adames, San Francisco Giants
- Zach Neto
Neto has posted two straight 5.1 WAR seasons, and he is right on the cusp of being considered one of the best shortstops in baseball.
There is a valid argument to be made that he is now the most valuable all-around player on the Angels roster, even over slugger Mike Trout.
In January, MLB Network had Neto as the 10th-best shortstop, so he has been commonly linked in that area this offseason.
Neto missed some time at the start of the 2025 season due to offseason surgery, but he still posted impressive numbers offensively.
Neto hit .257 with 26 home runs and 62 RBIs in 128 games.
In 2024, he played in 155 games, hitting 23 home runs for 77 RBIs, so he had more home runs this past season in far fewer games, which is a big improvement for the young shortstop.
Although there are plenty of questions regarding the Angels' roster looking ahead to this season, Neto should immediately be slotted in as the leadoff man every day, unless first-year manager Kurt Suzuki has other plans.
The Angels' shortstop made his MLB debut in the 2023 season. That year, he appeared in 84 games, hitting just nine home runs with 34 RBIs in 289 at-bats, but he saw a lot more usage these past two seasons.
Neto just turned 25 years old in January, so he is young, and at least gives the fanbase some excitement with plenty of question marks everywhere else.
For now, he is right on the cusp of being a top shortstop in the league, but there is a path for him to be named an All-Star this season.