The Angels did not enter the season expecting Walbert Ureña to immediately become a major contributor. At just 22 years old with limited upper-minors experience, the expectation was more developmental than impactful.

But the organization clearly believes in the long-term upside.

Ureña signed with the Angels out of the Dominican Republic in 2021 and steadily worked his way through the system before earning a spot on the 40-man roster after the 2025 season. The right-hander climbed from High-A to Triple-A last year, posting a combined 4.34 ERA across 141 innings while generating a strong ground-ball profile with a fastball that can reach triple digits.

At 6-foot and 210 pounds, Ureña does not have the traditional frame of a power starter, but his pitch mix is what continues to make him intriguing.

— Trout Zone (@Trout_Zone) May 2, 2026

Ureña’s profile starts with velocity, but his approach is more layered than a typical power pitcher.…