TUCSON, Ariz.— Former Arizona Baseball infielder and a key member of the program’s 2016 College World Series run, Ryan Aguilar, made his Major League debut for the Los Angeles Angels on Friday afternoon.
In his debut, Aguilar became the 92nd Wildcat in MLB history. He is the fifth former Arizona player to make his MLB debut this season, after Hunt Silseth (Angels), JJ Matijevic (Astros), Cal Stevenson (Athletics) and Andrew Nardi (Marlins).
????????????-?????? Let’s hear from Ryan Aguilar on his first MLB promotion! Witness his debut in the starting lineup for the @Angels today! #BearDown X #GoHalos pic.twitter.com/C5QZmHPwSh
— Arizona Baseball (@Arizona Baseball) August 26, 2022
Aguilar got the start in the right field for the Angels on Friday afternoon and walked twice with two runs scored on his debut against Toronto.
Welcome to the show, Ryan! pic.twitter.com/BrDiTLqqf8
— Los Angeles Angels (@Angels) August 26, 2022
The next day, he landed his first career hit, a double.
Eric Aguilar on the microphone for his son’s first career hit!!!@Angels | #GoHalos | @EricaLWeston pic.twitter.com/42wudHzk6i
— Bally Sports West (@BallySportWest) August 27, 2022
Aguilar’s two-step performance on his debut was a historic effort for an Angels rookie and put him in league with another former Wildcat.
Ryan Aguilar is the second player of #Angels story of walking twice on his debut in the Major League, joining Jack Howell (May 20, 1985 against Detroit).
Both Aguilar and Howell are products of @ArizonaBaseball!!#BearDown
— Matt Birch (@MattBirch12) August 27, 2022
Over two seasons and 99 games in an Arizona uniform from 2015 to 2016, Aguilar posted a career batting average of .295 with 58 runs scored, 25 doubles, three triples, eight home runs and 58 RBIs. As a senior in 2016, he helped lead Arizona to its 17th College World Series appearance and led the team in slugging percentage, doubles, homers and RBI.
Aguilar was originally selected by the Milwaukee Brewers in the 31st round of the 2016 MLB Draft. After playing six seasons in the Brewers’ system, he signed with the Angels as a minor league free agent in December 2021 .