BOSTON -- The Red Sox made a minor trade to add some first base depth Thursday, obtaining outfielder/first baseman Ryan Noda from the Angels for cash, then optioning him to Triple-A Worcester. What might Noda provide? We asked a National League scout that has seen him throughout his career.
"Big swing-and-miss guy vs. good pitching, with power vs right-handers with average stuff. Allergic to off-speed, changeups and elevated fastballs on the top of the zone and out of the zone," the scout said. "Will draw walks which pad his on-base percentage. Must match up vs righties and middle to back-end (bullpen) guys.
"Actually OK filling outfield & first base both. Arm is below average but good hands and reaction at first base. Near average baserunner and improved at first base. Overall, had some success in the past. Taking aim at the wall (Green Monster) could help him. Good guy on the club, works hard at it. Strikeout rates haunt him, plus left-handed pitchers."
Noda is simply a depth piece who should play different positions in Worcester after making 13 starts in right field, eight at first base, four in left field, and four in center field for Salt Lake (the Angels' Triple-A affiliate) to start the year. Currently, the Red Sox have Nick Sogard and Abraham Toro splitting time at first base with Romy Gonzalez (quad) on the injured list. Kristian Campbell has begun taking reps at the position, which might lead to Marcelo Mayer being called up to play second base. So far, there are no indications that the Red Sox think Rafael Devers will change his mind and start learning first.
Noda hit .148 with four homers, eight RBIs, 53 strikeouts, 31 walks and a .633 OPS in 154 plate appearances to start the year for Salt Lake. The 29-year-old posted a 2.2-bWAR season in Oakland in 2023 as a Rule 5 rookie, hitting .229 with 16 homers, 54 RBIs and a .770 OPS in 128 games for the A's. He posted a 15.6% walk rate that season.
Noda was designated for assignment by the Angels on Monday. He has not played in the majors this season.