Andrew Heaney called up, will start today's game

Today the Club recalled LHP Andrew Heaney from Triple-A Salt Lake. Heaney will start today's contest against the Astros.

— Angels (@Angels) June 24, 2015

Andrew Heaney, the lefty who was acquired from the Dodgers in the Howie Kendrick trade, will make his first start for the Angels today. He's been one of the top prospects for the Angels since coming into the organization, and to many this move was not a matter of "if", but "when". Today is "When". Here's our own Rghan on Heaney from earlier this season:

The Halos' new top prospect had an interesting season, defined primarily by pronounced splits. Major league righties mashed .309/.364/.580 against him, but more on that in a moment. Heaney mowed down lefties, including major leaguers, fanning 29% while walking only 5% with a straightforward down-and-away fastball/slider approach. When same-handers did manage contact, they pounded the ball into the ground at a 63% rate. Even when they got the bat head out in front to pull, it was all they could do to roll over to the right side of the infield 87% of the time. That's dominance.

We also highlighted the pitcher back in December, when the whole trade went down:

Andrew Heaney was drafted by the Tampa Bay Rays in the 24th round of the 2009 draft. He did not sign. The Rays GM was Andrew Friedman. He was taken with the ninth pick of the first round in the 2012 draft by theMarlins out of Oklahoma State. Earlier Wednesday Andrew Friedman, now president of baseball operations for the Dodgers, oversaw a trade of Heaney and prospects to the Dodgers.

But just like in 2009, Friedman did not have him for long. What did he give up?

In three seasons in the minor leagues, Heaney put up a 2.77 ERA with a 1.14 WHIP and a 9.1 K/9 and an equally impressive 3.85 K/BB.

He made the majors two years after being drafted. The Angels have him for his age 24 thru 29 seasons.

He had a cup of coffee with the Marlins in 2015 and did not put up great numbers but the Marlins were aggressive in promoting him at a young age, and the scouting reports on him rave, rave and rave. He has developed a changeup and is one of the smarter pitchers in the game, learning as he goes along, say numerous reports.

This move will push Garrett Richards back to a Saturday start, then they'll probably trot out three LHPs(Santiago, Wilson, Heaney), and who knows? Maybe if he can show his stuff, he'll stick, freeing up another starter as a trade chip.

All of a sudden, i'm excited for today's game.