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By Jon Paul Hoornstra
Contributing Sports Writer
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Luke Ritter, a power-hitting infielder who spent the last six years in the New York Mets' minor league system, agreed to terms on a minor league contract with the Los Angeles Angels, according to multiple reports Monday.
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Ari Alexander of 7News Boston was first to report the agreement.
Ritter, 28, joined the Mets as a seventh-round pick out of Wichita State University in 2019. Over six seasons — including the last two at Triple-A — he slugged 97 home runs while slashing .234/.342/.421.
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Ritter saw time at all four infield positions, as well as left and right field, in the Mets organization.
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The Angels have a number of question marks on their major league infield, specifically at second and third base. With veteran third baseman Anthony Rendon's career in Anaheim effectively over, and top second base prospect Christian Moore still only 23 and coming off a somewhat underwhelming season at Triple-A, there's an opportunity for others to seize time at both positions.
Enter Ritter, who is coming off a somewhat underwhelming season of his own.
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After playing 134 games and slashing .257/.369/.480 in 2024, his first full season at Triple-A Syracuse, Ritter saw his statistics drop across the board in 2025. In 115 games last year, he slashed .225/.331/.366 and finished with 11 home runs and 40 RBIs for the Mets' top minor league affiliate.
If nothing else, Ritter will have a chance to pad those numbers with the Angels' top farm team, the Salt Lake Bees, who play in one of the more hitter-friendly ballparks in the Pacific Coast League.
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Ritter represented Team USA at the Premier12 international baseball tournament in 2024. He started all nine games for the U.S., primarily, playing first base, and went 6-for-32 (.188) with one home run and five runs scored.
If nothing else, Ritter's defensive versatility should help him find and keep a spot in the Angels' plans. He told MetsMinors.net in a 2023 interview that he takes pride in being able to play multiple positions.
"I definitely take pride in defense because if you don’t play defense, it’s hard to keep you in the lineup," Ritter said. "So you have to be able to play defense. I’ve been playing multiple positions, which gives me the most opportunity to be in the field. I don’t really care where I’m at on the field. I just want to be in the lineup every day, so wherever I’m at that day, I’ll try to work there in batting practice and get better at that position."
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