ANAHEIM – Since being promoted to the second spot in the lineup on Aug. 3, Angels shortstop Zach Neto has reached a much higher level.

Neto has a .394 batting average through nine games since moving from the bottom third of the rankings to second place.

During that time, he had three doubles, one triple, and four home runs, and he also walked five times—an impressive record considering Neto only walked twice in 26 games in June.

“Since I was moved to the second hole, I feel like I’m seeing more at-bats and more pitches, which has helped me see and recognize the pitches early,” Neto said. “I think that’s a good reason why I’ve been so successful and just feel more comfortable there.”

Neto’s batting average was .264 before Monday’s series opener against the Toronto Blue Jays, but his OPS had risen to .794, the fifth-best of all major league shortstops.

Neto also has the fifth-best fielding percentage (.979) among MLB shortstops and has the second-most chances (485).

Not bad for a 23-year-old who is still in his first full season in the Major Leagues.

“I definitely see myself as one of the top five shortstops in this league,” Neto said. “I don’t really pay attention to numbers, I just like to go out there and let my actions speak for themselves, but it’s pretty cool to hear and see that. The recognition is finally coming.”

Neto is only the second player in team history to have at least 25 home runs and 25 stolen bases in his first 200 games, joining teammate Mike Trout, a three-time American League MVP.

Angels manager Ron Washington said Neto has become a No. 2 keeper.

“He does a great job,” Washington said. “He misses bad pitches, he takes pitches, he has good at-bats, he gets deep in counts, he walks, he stays in the big part of the field. Those are the things you need, and he does a good job.”

Neto said he hasn’t noticed pitchers changing their strategies since he moved up the ranks, but they did seem to be throwing more strikes.

“I’m up there and of course they want to get an early lead,” he said. “When I was down there in the lineup, the pitchers had already thrown 20 to 30 pitches and they felt more comfortable wasting a pitch or whatever. But since I’m up there early and especially since I’m always ready to strike out, I feel like it kind of helps me when they throw more strikes.”

MONIAK ASCENT

Angels outfielder Mickey Moniak has had three consecutive multi-hit games and could see a lot of playing time against the Blue Jays, who are expected to start three straight right-handed pitchers in the series.

Moniak has made 7 of 13 in his last three games and 11 of 25 this month.

“After the first month and a half, I feel like everything is slowly but surely looking up,” Moniak said. “I’m just trying to have good ABs and swing the ball well.”

On Sunday, he made a rare start against a left-hander against the Washington Nationals, going 1 for 2 against MacKenzie Gore before finishing 3 for 5 to help the Angels to a 6-4 victory that swept the three-game series.