Billy Eppler has added yet another under-the-radar starting arm, only this time it’s one with an out-of-this-world name: Brooks Pounders. Formerly with the Royals, Pounders was acquired in exchange for minor league arm Jared Ruxer.
#Angels have acquired RHP Brooks Pounders from Kansas City in exchange for RHP Jared Ruxer. LHP Cody Ege has been designated for assignment. pic.twitter.com/yOnBMgdZ7N
— Angels (@Angels) December 2, 2025
Pounders, who played high school ball in Temecula, is 26 years old and is coming off a pretty decent season at the AAA level (3.16 ERA). On the flipside, he had 13 games at MLB level and dropped an ERA that dipped OVER the 9.00 mark. Not what you want to see.
He’ll apparently be used as a starter in Spring, and that may be what they Angels are hoping to see out of him in his role with the org. Billy Eppler continues to stock pile some arms; some legit, some lotto tickets, all fitting the Eppler offseason, low-key plan for 2017.
Extremely excited to start a new chapter with the @Angels organization.
— Brooks Pounders (@BrooksPounders) December 2, 2025
Welcome to the team, Brooks. I like your name.