:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/51992357/usa_today_9181709.0.jpeg)
When the Houston Astros drafted Nolan Fontana with a second round pick in 2012, he was full of promise. Now the shine has gone.
Fontana has been claimed off waviers by Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim this week.
The #Angels have claimed INF Nolan Fontana off waivers from the Houston Astros.
— Angels PR (@LAAngelsPR) November 22, 2016
C Juan Graterol has been designated for assignment.
Fontana, 25, was drafted out of the University of Florida -- general manager Jeff Luhnow's third ever draft pick with the Astros.
Fontana projected a defense-first utility infielder but he recently struggled to excell with the bat at higher levels. He batted .203 (80x395) with 22 extra-base hits, 31 RBIs, and five stolen bases in 2016. He struggled in Triple-A, batting .195 (80x359).
He also had the issue of being blocked at the major league level. The Astros arguably have the longest term plan of any major league up the middle with Carlos Correa and Jose Altuve. On top of that the role of utility infielder was filled by Marwin Gonzalez, who shown an abilty to play oufield and first base on top of the middle infield.