The Los Angeles Angels have once again found themselves near the bottom of the American League West standings. Sitting at 25-30, the team lacks momentum and is searching for consistency. After an impressive eight-game winning streak from May 16 to May 23, the Angels followed with five straight losses and a concerning offensive slump.
One of the more glaring issues during this downturn has been the performance of 23-year-old MLBbro infielder Kyren Paris. After an encouraging start to the season — including a surprising early home run surge — Paris has hit a wall. In May, he batted just .151, striking out 28 times in 58 plate appearances. That lack of contact and offensive production ultimately led the Angels to option him to Triple-A earlier this week.
Ron Washington Says Kyren Paris Demotion Isn’t Performance Based: Needs Development
Angels manager Ron Washington, a fellow MLBbro and longtime advocate for player development, explained the decision in terms of both team needs and Paris’s long-term growth.
“He needs to play. He’s young. He just needs to go get at-bats,” Washington told reporters. “He needs to learn how to make the adjustments you have to make. But I was very impressed with the way he handled himself when things weren’t going the way he wanted. He came to the ballpark, he showed tremendous work ethic. He was a great teammate, but at 23 years old, he needs to be getting at-bats every day.”
Washington’s words highlight a key part of Paris’s journey — the developmental growing pains many young players experience during their early years in the majors. This is Paris’s third partial season at the big-league level, and while his tools are undeniable, the challenge now lies in turning raw potential into consistent performance. The Angels see this demotion not as a setback, but as an opportunity for the infielder to hone his approach, refine his swing, and return more prepared to face major league pitching.
Adding to the roster shift, the Angels recently acquired veteran infielder Chris Taylor, a two-time World Series champion known for his defensive versatility and leadership. The move offers the team immediate depth and experience while giving Paris space to grow in a lower-pressure environment.
Kyren Paris’ Return To Minors Is Temporary: Mashed Out Through Season’s First 10 Games
While a return to the minors is rarely easy for a young player, the Angels remain confident in Paris’ future. The MLBbro’s early flashes of power, athleticism, and poise show there’s plenty of upside. The key now is giving him consistent playing time, something that was no longer feasible at the big-league level amidst the team’s offensive struggles.
As the Angels fight to climb out of the AL West basement, they’re also focused on the bigger picture. For Kyren Paris, this latest chapter is part of the long development arc — one the organization hopes will ultimately lead to a more complete, confident big leaguer.
Expect to see this MLBbro back in the bigs soon.
