The Los Angeles Angels announced that they have backed former Los Angeles Dodgers first baseman Ryan Noda off waivers from the Oakland Athletics.

Noda, 28, was selected as a Rule 5 pick from the Dodgers organization in 2022 and spent the entire 2023 season with the Athletics. Initially, this choice seemed like a smart move, as Noda quickly established himself as a reliable base threat.

During his time with the A’s, he posted a .229/.364/.406 slash line, demonstrating his ability to get on base by walking in an impressive 15.6 percent of his plate appearances. However, he struggled with shots, posting a 34.3 percent rate. Despite this, Noda showed his power by hitting 16 home runs in his rookie season, highlighting his potential as a contributor to the Angels lineup.

In 2024, Noda struggled to match his previous production in limited opportunity, accumulating just 111 plate appearances. He ended up with a disappointing .137/.255/.211 slash line, though he maintained a solid 12.6% walk rate. Unfortunately, he also struck out in a third of his plate appearances, which contributed to his struggles at the plate.

However, his performance in Triple-A was a different story, reflecting more of his success in 2023. Noda hit .224/.391/.486, showing his power with 22 home runs and a impressive walking rate of 19.9%. That production at the minor league level suggests he still has the potential to be a valuable player should he find his footing in the majors.

Noda exemplifies the true three-hit skill set, with an emphasis on walks and strikeouts. While he possesses above-average power, it is not considered elite, and his speed is below average, placing him in the 41st percentile according to Statcast statistics.

Defensively, Noda is viewed as a reliable first baseman, with Statcast and Defensive Runs Saved ratings supporting that assessment. While he has experienced playing in the corners of the outfield, his limited mobility is better suited to his primary position at first base, where he can maximize his defensive capabilities.

As Noda heads into the 2025 season, he still has minor league options available, allowing the Angels to avoid including him on the opening roster. He provides valuable depth behind Nolan Schanuel, another first baseman who shares an emphasis on getting on base but contrasts sharply with Noda in terms of skill.