MADISON, Ala. (WHNT) – The Los Angeles Angels are calling up left-handed pitcher Mitch Farris, a standout this season with the Rocket City Trash Pandas.

Farris, acquired from the Atlanta Braves last December, becomes the 45th player in Trash Pandas history to reach the Majors and the ninth this year alone. He’s also just the second player in 2025 promoted directly from Rocket City without a stop at Triple-A.

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The 24-year-old leads the Southern League in strikeouts with 142 across 23 outings, ranking second among all Double-A pitchers. He sits just five strikeouts shy of the Trash Pandas’ single-season record, set by Caden Dana in 2024.

His best performance came on August 26 at Toyota Field, when he struck out 13 batters against Columbus which is the third-highest total in franchise history. Only Reid Detmers (16 in 2021) and Brett Kerry (14 in 2021) have struck out more in a single game for Rocket City.

Along with his strikeout dominance, Farris ranks among the league leaders in starts (22), innings pitched (116.0), and, of course, strikeouts.

Throughout 2025, Farris delivered several statement performances:

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Aug. 13 vs. Columbus – Complete game in a doubleheader, nine strikeouts, zero walks.

July 25 at Biloxi – Reached 100 strikeouts on the year, becoming just the seventh Trash Panda ever to do so.

July 20 vs. Columbus – First win of the season against his former organization.

May 30 vs. Biloxi – Seven innings of one-run ball with nine strikeouts in a tough 2–1 loss.

May 17 vs. Pensacola – 6.1 innings, eight strikeouts, just one run allowed.

Originally selected by Atlanta in the 14th round of the 2023 MLB Draft, Farris impressed across three levels in their system before being dealt to the Angels for right-hander Davis Daniel last winter. He posted a 3.08 ERA with 131 strikeouts over 108 innings in 2024.

Farris joins the list of Rocket City alumni making their mark in the big leagues this season. Just last month, Jeremiah Jackson debuted with the Baltimore Orioles, following the likes of Chad Stevens, Robinson Piña, Christian Moore, Alan Rangel, José Fermin, Edgar Quero, and Michael Darrell-Hicks — all of whom reached MLB in 2025.

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