Meet the hottest hitter in baseball right now, Kyren Paris

Credit: Matt Dirksen/Getty Images

The Los Angeles Angels are off to their best start since 2018, despite their franchise player Mike Trout only batting .179. Yes, that is not a typo! Trout has struggled since returning from injury in 2024, but the offense has still managed to produce an 8-4 record. Rookie utility player Kyren Paris has become an early-season breakout star for his club to start 2025. Paris, who never made an appearance on the MLB’s top 100 prospects list, is making a huge impact on the Angels. Let’s take a look into how he is doing that.

In 2025, the Oakley, California native was invited to Angels spring training after slashing .118/.224/.216 and hitting one home run across 51 at-bats in 2024. Even though Paris was a spring training invitee, he was battling for a roster spot, competing with Angels top prospect Christian Moore to be the Angels’ future second baseman.  

Paris came up in the Angels known for his versatility and athleticism, but nobody could have predicted the offensive explosion he would have in spring training. Paris would slash .400/.449/.667 with two home runs across 45 at-bats. Paris had the best spring performance for the Angels and earned himself an opening day roster spot.

While Paris is listed as primarily a second baseman, he has played shortstop and center field throughout his professional career. His versatility brings value to the Angels defensively, but his bat has made him a consistent starter this season. 

Paris is currently slashing .393/.485/1.000 in eleven games this season. Paris found himself on a historical list through his first ten games of the season. Paris had a 1.653 OPS entering the Angels’ Thursday afternoon matchup against the Tampa Bay Rays. The is the second highest OPS through the first ten games of the season for a player 23 or younger in MLB history. Paris is sandwiched between two hall of fame members, Jimmie Foxx, who is first with 1.731 OPS, and Babe Ruth, who is third with a 1.574 OPS. Paris is also the first player since Larry Walker in 1997 to hit at least five home runs and steal at least four bases through the first ten games of the season. 

Paris has brought some excitement to an Angels club who currently has the longest active playoff drought, with their last appearance being in 2014. While it is still early in the season, it seems like the Angels have found a gem in Paris. The Angels head to Houston for their fourth game of a nine game road trip. Keep an eye on Paris as he continues to establish himself in the big leagues.

Thank you for reading!

Elias Meredith (@EAM_55)