Nelson Rada, the youngest player in Triple-A baseball, is making noise in Salt Lake

SOUTH JORDAN — At just 20 years old, Nelson Rada already looks like a player built for the big stage. The Salt Lake Bees' centerfielder, and the youngest player in all of Triple-A, has wasted no time turning heads with his blend of blazing speed, highlight-reel defense, and steady bat.

Whether it's slapping line drives into the gaps, swiping bases with ease, or patrolling the outfield with graceful efficiency, Rada has quickly become one of the most exciting players to watch in Salt Lake.

It's been a year of change for the Bees — a new ballpark, new branding, and a wave of new players. Among them, Rada has stood out since his call-up from Double-A Rocket City on August 2. A day later, he made his Bees debut, marking a major milestone as the youngest player at the Triple-A level at just 19 years old.

Since then, Rada has flourished, batting .326 with nine extra-base hits, 30 runs, and 16 RBI. He's also showcased his game-changing speed, ranking second in the Pacific Coast League in stolen bases with 19 since his debut.

Rada's ability to affect the game in multiple ways is why MLB.com ranks him as the Los Angeles Angels' No. 8 prospect. He signed with the organization at just 16, fulfilling a lifelong dream.

"It was a dream come true," Rada said while speaking through teammate Yolmer Sanchez as his interpreter. "It is something that I've been doing since I was a young kid, and I spent that moment with my family. It was a great moment for us."

Born in Valencia, Venezuela, in 2005, Rada picked up the game when he was just 3 years old. His favorite player to watch growing up was Ken Griffey Jr., admiring the Hall of Famer's smooth swing and effortless defense. Those lessons are evident today whenever Rada takes the field.

He began his pro career in the Dominican Summer League at 16, before moving to High-A Inland Empire, where his patience stood out with 73 walks in 115 games in 2023. In a full season with Double-A Rocket City in 2024, Rada showed steady improvement at the plate, hitting .277 with 13 doubles, a home run, and 34 stolen bases.

That consistency has translated seamlessly to Triple-A. For Rada, the key has been sticking with what's worked for him all along.

"I feel great, everything here is beautiful, the ballpark is amazing," Rada said. "I feel really comfortable here."

Although he has enjoyed playing in Salt Lake, one thing Rada misses about playing baseball in Venezuela is playing in front of his family.

"It's always good to play and see your parents in the stands and supporting you," Rada said. "That's something I really enjoy."

Rada is still young and has plenty of development ahead before reaching his full potential, but his teammates are already seeing big-league traits in the Bees' centerfielder.

"He's got all the tools," Yolmer Sanchez said. "His plate discipline is great for his young age. Now his defense, I think he can be a Gold Glove (winner), because his defense is really good. He just turned 20. He's gonna get better. He's gonna get stronger, faster. I see him as a leader for a big league ballclub playing in centerfield. Like I said, he has the potential to win a Gold Glove."

It is high praise coming from a teammate like Sanchez, who won a Gold Glove himself while playing second base for the Chicago White Sox.

This offseason, Rada plans to stay focused on his development, building strength while keeping his daily routine intact. Offensively, he's zeroing in on refining his swing, aiming to add even more consistency to his already impressive skill set.

For now, Rada is fully aware that his Major League debut won't come overnight. But his combination of speed, discipline, and defensive instincts make him a player worth watching. Salt Lake fans should expect to see plenty more flashes of his talent next season, as the youngest player in Triple-A continues to grow into one of the Angels' most exciting prospects.

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