DURHAM, NC – The Coastal Plain League (CPL) is excited to share that yet another of its alumni has reached the highest stage of Major League Baseball (MLB). Former Wilmington pitcher Garrett McDaniels made his debut with the Los Angeles Angels Monday.

With the score knotted up 3-3 after seven against St. Louis, Los Angeles turned to its bullpen and gave the nod to McDaniels. Entering in the bottom of the eighth inning, the 6-2, 180-pound lefty pitched an inning of scoreless, 2-hit baseball. The Angels went on to win 5-4 in 10 innings.

Originally drafted in the 30th round by the Miami Marlins in 2018, McDaniels opted instead to go to school at Coastal Carolina before taking the 2020 season off. In 2021, he joined Mount Olive’s program and appeared three times before undergoing Tommy John surgery. He was later signed but the Los Angeles Dodgers as an undrafted free agent in May of 2022. Most recently, in December, he was selected by the Angels in the Rule 5 Draft.

In 2023, he spent time between Rookie ball and Single-A Rancho Cucamonga, going a combined 0-1 with a 2.50 ERA in 18 innings of work. He struck out 23 against eight walks in that timeframe. A year later, McDaniels started with the Quakes and was promoted to Advanced-A Great Lakes before finishing the season with Double-A Tulsa. Overall, he sported a 5-5 record and 3.19 ERA. Across 73 1/3 innings, he walked just 29 while striking out 84. He had a WHIP of 1.268 and a K/9 of 10.3.

While in Wilmington during the summer of 2019, McDaniels made five starts, going 1-3 with a 3.13 ERA for the Sharks. He threw 23 complete innings, giving up 14 runs — eight earned — on 27 hits, while walking nine and striking out 32. His 32 punch outs was the third-best on the Sharks that season.

With his debut, McDaniels is the CPL’s 197th alum to reach the Majors, and the third of the 2025 season. He is also the 16th former Wilmington Sharks player to do so.

About Coastal Plain League:
The Coastal Plain League is the nation’s premier and most innovative summer collegiate baseball league. The CPL is currently comprised of 15 franchises playing in Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina and Virginia. To date, the CPL has had over 1,800 alumni drafted, and 197 alums make their Major League debut. Most notable alumni include Justin Verlander, Ryan Zimmerman, Mark Reynolds, Kevin Youkilis, Chris Taylor, Alec Bohm, Jake Cave, Chas McCormick and NFL Super Bowl champion Russell Wilson. For more information on the Coastal Plain League, please visit the league website at www.coastalplain.com, and be sure to follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and TikTok @CPLBaseball.

About Capitol Broadcasting Company:
Capitol Broadcasting Company, Inc. is a diversified communications company which owns and/or operates WRAL-TV, WRAZ-TV, WRAL-FM, WRAL-HD2, WNGT-CD, WCMC-FM, WCMC-HD1, WDNC-AM, WCMC-HD2, WCMC-HD3, WCLY-AM, WCMC-HD4, Microspace, WRAL Digital and Wolfpack Sports Properties (a joint venture with Learfield) in Raleigh, NC; WILM-TV, WILT-LD and Sunrise Broadcasting in Wilmington, NC; The Durham Bulls Baseball Club, Bull City Hospitality and Coastal Plain League in Durham, NC; The Holly Springs Salamanders in Holly Springs, NC; Greenville Yard Gnomes in Greenville, NC, the American Underground startup hub in Durham, NC; and real estate interests including the American Tobacco Historic District in Durham, NC, and Rocky Mount Mills in Rocky Mount, NC.