AngelsWin.com

Angel Oracle · February 18

TEMPE, Ariz. — Carlos Estévez went into the winter with a very specific plan for improving on what went wrong last season.

Although Estévez made the All-Star team and finished with 31 saves in his first season as the Angels closer, the taste that was left in his mouth was the rough finish.

Estévez had a 1.88 ERA and he had converted all 23 of his save opportunities through July, but he blew four save chances and had an 8.38 ERA over the final two months. He said last September that he thought he was fatigued because the physical demands of pitching the ninth proved to be more than he was accustomed to in pitching earlier in the game.

So this winter, Estévez changed his workout routine.

“I started a little bit earlier and I started doing more interval exercises, explosive with less rest, just to get used to the intensity of the ninth inning,” he said. “At the beginning, I was beat up. But I got used to it and I feel really good about it. Hopefully it’s going to pay off. It will pay off. That’s the way I see it.”

Estévez, 31, didn’t expect that he’d need to do anything differently after pitching six seasons in the majors. In fact, he’d figured it might be easier getting out of the high altitude of Colorado, where he’d been for his entire career up until last year.

“People think that once you’re a big leaguer, you’ve got everything figured out, but you’ve still got to make adjustments,” Estévez said. “That’s why you’re in the big leagues, because you can make adjustments the fastest. That’s what I believe.”

Estévez said now that his “arm feels in better shape” than it normally would at this time of year. He cautioned, however, that the results may not show up in Arizona.

“I’m a really bad starter in spring training,” said Estévez, who gave up nine runs and issued 10 walks in 7-2/3 innings last spring.

Angels manager Ron Washington said they currently have Estévez penciled in as their closer. This year, however, they have at least one viable alternative if Estévez gets in a slump. Robert Stephenson, who signed a three-year, $33-million deal last month, was arguably the best reliever in baseball over the second half of last season. He finished with a 3.10 ERA in 52-1/3 innings, with the Pittsburgh Pirates and Tampa Bay Rays.

CAUGHT ON VIDEO

Eyebrows were raised when right-hander Trevor Bauer released a video on YouTube that was filmed at the Angels complex in Tempe. The video is a mostly comical clip with Bauer pitching against some of his friends.

One of the hitters in the video, however, was Angels infielder Michael Stefanic.

Stefanic said on Sunday that he works out at the same facility as Bauer, and he took the opportunity to get some live at-bats against him. Stefanic said he “was told it was cleared” for Bauer to use the Angels complex, but he didn’t know who cleared it.

It’s unclear how Bauer ended up getting permission to use the field, but Angels management did not invite him.

For what it’s worth, Stefanic said that Bauer looked good.

“He’s nasty,” Stefanic said. “He’s always been nasty. I don’t think there’s any doubt about the pitcher that he is.”

Bauer, the 2020 Cy Young winner, remains unsigned, after pitching last year in Japan. Bauer was suspended from major league baseball because of allegations of sexual assault, but he was never found guilty in a criminal court. Bauer was originally suspended for 324 games, but an arbitrator reduced the suspension to 194 and cleared him to pitch again.

A SECOND CHANCE

Right-hander Hunter Strickland lasted only nine games with the Angels in 2021. He gave up nine runs in 6-1/3 innings and was designated for assignment.

“I wasn’t really surprised,” said Strickland, who rejoined the Angels on a minor league deal on Saturday. “You saw the numbers. A small sample size for sure, but at the end of the day the best plays and we’ve got a job to do. I have a lot of respect for Perry (Minasian) and the organization. I get it. It’s a business. I’m gonna make it a little better this time.”

Strickland, 35, has not pitched in the majors since 2022. He was in Triple-A with the Cincinnati Reds when he was released in May last year.

“Honestly, I thought I was done,” Strickland said. “I made peace with it. Just enjoying a summer at home, the first one since high school. Enjoying it with my family.”

Strickland decided he didn’t want to give up on his career, so he worked out over the winter and threw a showcase, which the Angels attended. Strickland is now competing with veterans like Drew Pomeranz, Adam Kolarek, who are also on minor league deals, along with young pitchers like Andrew Wantz and Jimmy Herget, for the final spots in the Angels bullpen.

“Obviously it’s a healthy competition, which is a good thing,” Strickland said. “It says a lot about what Perry and the organization is trying to do here. Ultimately, we’re trying to win here, to bring a championship to Anaheim. Trying to pursue all options and have some depth, which I think is always important.”

Manager Ron Washington said the pitchers who are competing won’t have the luxury of using spring training simply to work on things.

“Nolan Ryan can just ‘work on his stuff,’” Washington said. “I don’t think we have Nolan Ryan in here. They’re going to have to work on their stuff and be competitive at the same time.”

SUAREZ UPDATE

Left-hander José Suarez said he lost some weight over the winter, although he wasn’t sure how much.

“I’m not keeping score,” Suarez said through an interpreter Friday, his first day in camp after being delayed by a personal issue. “As soon as I start losing weight, my whole body starts to hurt.”

That aside, the Angels believe conditioning was one of the issues that hindered Suarez last year, when he failed to build on his encouraging performances from 2021 and 2022. Suarez had an 8.29 ERA in 33 2/3 innings, missing most of the season with a shoulder injury.

Now he said he feels good. In addition to the weight loss, he worked on his control this winter. He pitched 19 innings in winter ball in Venezuela, posting a 1.89 ERA.

Suarez, 26, comes into camp in contention for a job in the rotation, although he’s currently outside of the top five spots. He also could be used out of the bullpen, perhaps in the long relief role that Jaime Barria filled last year. Suarez is out of options, and will likely be claimed if the Angels try to get him through waivers.

“That’s always important to me (to be a starter),” Suarez said. “I came up as a starter, not a reliever. If (the bullpen) is an option for me, I’m OK with it, because I still have to do my work. I’ll do whatever I have to do, no matter what position I’m in.”

NOTES

The Angels have agreed with veteran infielder Ehire Adrianza on a minor-league deal with an invite to big-league camp. Adrianza appeared in just five big-league games with the Atlanta Braves last season. He’s spent parts of 11 seasons in the majors, known mostly for his defense. …

Kyren Paris said his thumb has not been an issue since undergoing surgery last fall. He said he was back to 100% by November. Paris was hurt placing a tag in September. Ron Washington said the Angels are focused on Paris playing the infield, although he could play the outfield if necessary.

View the full article

OhtaniSan · February 15

By @CartiHalos, AngelsWin.com Columnist

With pitchers and catchers having reported, I like to think of the 2024 season as officially underway. While the angels won't play a game for another 9 days, the wheels of baseball are finally churning and as such, I'd like to give my predictions for the Angels and their players. While I'm not the most optimistic person in the world for this specific season, I think it's another season of Angels baseball and I'll never be too mad at getting to watch my Halos.

Starting with team predictions...

Record: 75-87, 4th in AL West

As much as I wanted to put us as a sneaky 80-85 win team, it's not realistic for a team that only won 73 games last year and lost the MVP. While there's plenty of reason's to assume we'll be better than last year - primarily the ridiculously bad injury luck in 2023, the return of Trout/Rendon, and the further development of the young core of O'Hoppe/Schanuel/Neto/Moniak. Add on top of all of that Ron Washington taking the helm and I could see us propelled into the 80 win area. However, I think that an already faltering rotation that lost it's ace and an offense that would have to make a big jump to be elite makes it hard to project us in that range.

Miguel Sano Cracks the Opening Day Roster: For a while I thought we'd pick up Urshela or another infielder that could cover first if Schanuel has some growing pains. While still possible, I think we end up rolling with what we have and the slugger has an impressive spring, leading to a Opening Day Roster spot and *maybe* even an opening day start at DH.

We Enter 2025 MUCH more confident: While this isn't exactly a hot take, this prediction is mostly that we have multiple major breakouts (you'll see who I think does in the next section), and the moves we made this offseason are supplemented well by moves next offseason that make our roster far more complete and make the Angels a competitive team next year.

Now onto individual player predictions, with a few stipulations

- I'm gonna be *mostly* optimistic, it's more fun that way.

- I'm predicting for the 26 players on the Opening Day Roster, projected by me.

- There's a good chance that a team that performed to my predictions would win more than 75 games, but I'm trying to predict each player, optimistically, in a vacuum.

- No Injuries. Don't want to speak anything into existence.

Catchers:

C Logan O'Hoppe - .245 AVG, 31 HR, 74 RBI, 122 wRC+, 2.4 fWar

O'Hoppe puts his name out there in a big way with a 30 homer season and improves defensively, but his plate discipline and framing are still areas for improvement.

C Matt Thaiss - .220 AVG, 7 HR, 24 RBI, 93 wRC+, 0.1 fWAR

Thaiss gets less time to shine than hid did last year, but performs about the same in limited opportunity.

Infielders:

1B Nolan Schanuel - .278 AVG, 16 HR, 55 RBI, 130 wRC+, 2.1 fWAR

Schanuel's elite eye shines and his power comes through as he proves why he got called up so quickly.

1B Miguel Sano - .208 AVG, 5 HR, 13 RBI, 101 wRC+, 0.0 fWAR

Sano shows off his pop in limited time, but is ultimately a non factor.

1B/2B/3B Brandon Drury - .258 AVG, 25 HR, 89 RBI, 110 wRC+, 2.4 fWAR

Drury builds on his impressive 2022 and 2023 and maybe even gets moved to a contender at the deadline.

SS Zach Neto - .250 AVG, 20 HR, 58 RBI, 105 wRC+ 2.7 fWAR

Neto makes a big jump from last year, and poises himself for a monster age-24 breakout 2025.

3B Anthony Rendon - .252 AVG, 17 HR, 74 RBI, 115 wRC+, 2.9 fWAR

This may come as a shock, but truthfully the last time Rendon was healthy and not absolutely outstanding was 2015. Assuming he isn't missing time, he could still very well put in some work for us.

2B/SS/3B Luis Rengifo - .243 AVG, 16 HR, 55 RBI, 98 wRC+, 1.4 fWAR

Rengifo's struggles against righties catches up to him, but he still provides value defensively through his versatility.

Outfielders:

LF Taylor Ward - .271 AVG, 19 HR, 68 RBI, 120 wRC+, 3.0 fWAR

I'm predicting a huge return to form for Ward, after an outstanding 2022 and a 2023 that was solid before being cut short by an Alek Manoah fastball, I think he bounces back big in an offense that needs him to badly.

CF Mike Trout - .268 AVG, 38 HR, 103 RBI, 157 wRC+, 5.5 fWAR

Mike Trout reminds everyone who he is and why he's the superstar in Anaheim with a monster season, aided partially by the DH position being opened up for him to rest and avoid injury.

RF Mickey Moniak - .262 AVG, 18 HR, 59 RBI, 106 wRC+ 1.3 fWAR

Mickey comes down to earth compared to his electric 2023 first half, but superb defense and good hard hit stats make for another solid season.

OF Aaron Hicks - .270 AVG, 6 HR, 30 RBI, 103 wRC+, 0.3 fWAR

Hicks offensive stats are boosted because he'll get a lot of chances against lefties, but he still doesn't get enough opportunity to make a major impact.

OF Jo Adell - .225 AVG, 12 HR, 34 RBI, 94 wRC+, 0.2 fWAR

Adell gets some big hits, but his plate discipline struggles and inconsistency still bleed through.

Starting Pitchers:

LHP Reid Detmers - 167 IP, 116 ERA+, 181 K, 3.78 FIP, 3.5 fWAR

Detmers shines in a 5 man rotation, cuts back on mistake pitches en route to a career year.

RHP Griffin Canning - 145.2 IP, 103 ERA+, 166 K, 4.24 FIP, 2.0 fWAR

Canning nearly replicates his 2023 but at a higher volume.

LHP Patrick Sandoval - 135 IP, 108 ERA+, 141 K, 3.92 FIP, 2.7 fWAR

Sandy struggles a bit with his emotions on the mound, but a nice return to the solid #2/3 form we've seen in years past.

LHP Tyler Anderson - 111 IP, 96 ERA+, 124 K, 4.60 FIP, 1.3 fWAR

Anderson's struggles continue, but he still comes close to a league average season.

RHP Chase Silseth - 155 IP, 127 ERA+, 166 K, 3.75 FIP, 4.4 fWAR

Silseth is my top Angels breakout this year, proving he has real ability to not only be a starter, but a great one at that.

Bullpen:

Carlos Estevez - 4.20 ERA, 3.90 FIP, 26 Saves.

Robert Stephenson - 2.13 ERA, 1.93 FIP, 10 Saves.

Matt Moore - 2.99 ERA, 2.88 FIP, 2 Saves

Jose Soriano - 3.23 ERA, 3.46 FIP

Luis Garcia - 4.66 ERA, 4.74 FIP

Adam Cimber - 3.63 ERA, 3.80 FIP

Jose Cisnero - 4.44 ERA, 4.23 FIP

Jose Suarez - 3.79 ERA, 4.21 FIP

The bullpen gets a review as a whole, should be the most improved position group, with the new additions pulling their weight and the returners (for the most part) improving. Could see Estevez, Moore, Garcia, Cimber, and Suarez all getting looks from contenders at the deadline.

To be completely honest, while this is probably the least optimistic I've been at the start of a season in a while, I like this teams core and I can't wait to watch the new additions get to work. Can't wait for another season of Angels baseball! Go Halos!

February 15

TEMPE, Ariz. — Reid Detmers is hoping to smooth out the rollercoaster that the first years of his career have been.

The Angels’ 24-year-old lefty has started 53 games over the last two seasons, at times looking like one of the Angels best pitchers and at other times looking like one of the worst.

“Consistency is a huge part of this game, which is what I’ve been lacking over the last few years,” Detmers said on Thursday. “I would fall into a rut and not know how to get out of it.”

Detmers said he worked over the winter at refining his mechanics, and he finally has an idea of what he needs to do to fix his delivery when it goes awry.

“I learned a lot about my mechanics,” he said. “When I get off track, I know how to get back on track.”

So far there’s been plenty of both for Detmers, who was the Angels’ first-round pick in 2020 and made his debut with a five-game cameo in 2021.

Detmers pitched a no-hitter on May 10, 2022, and he posted a 2.63 ERA over a five-start stretch. After that he was so bad for a month that he was dispatched to Triple-A for one game. He tweaked his slider and returned to the majors, pitching to a 3.04 ERA over his final 13 starts.

That finish was so encouraging that many predicted Detmers for a breakout season in 2023, particularly because his offseason work had upped his velocity. Detmers said last spring his goal was to win 20 games.

He won four, with a 4.48 ERA.

Detmers now believes that his slider was actually too hard, touching the low 90s instead of the mid 80s. He had a 5.27 ERA when he made some more changes to his slider, allowing him to finish with a 2.41 ERA over his final seven starts.

During the strong finish, Detmers was actually throwing two sliders, a harder one and a softer one. Although at the time he said he enjoyed the flexibility of having two pitches, he now admits that wasn’t really the plan.

“It wasn’t meant to be two sliders,” he said. “The slider just did not feel good coming out of the hand. I didn’t know what it was going to do.”

Now, Detmers said he’s just got one slider, and it’s somewhere in between the hard and soft ones he was throwing at the end of last season. He also said he’s been encouraged by the improvement of his changeup, to go along with his fastball and curve.

How all of that shakes out remains to be seen.

Detmers clearly has the talent to be a frontline starter, but so far he hasn’t strung together enough consistency to do it. He is optimistic but said he’s not making any predictions about the numbers.

“I’m not going to put any standard on my performance,” he said. “I’ll leave it up to the gallery. I think I can be as good as anybody. It’s all about confidence, and I don’t lack any confidence.”

BACHMAN UPDATE

Right-hander Sam Bachman, who had arthroscopic shoulder surgery last fall, said he won’t be ready for Opening Day.

Bachman said he has “hit all my milestones” in recovery from the surgery, but nonetheless the Angels are going to take it slow.

“Based on where we’re at right now, we’re just keeping it a week at a time and being smart,” Bachman said. “I don’t think it would be smart, or logical to be ready for the first month this season and you know, have a hiccup along the way.”

The Angels’ first-round pick in 2021, Bachman reached the majors as a reliever last season. He had a 3.18 ERA in 17 innings before suffering a shoulder injury that cost him the last three months.

Bachman is currently penciled in to be minor league rotation depth. He said he appreciates a return to starting, after working in relief last season.

“That’s been my dream,” he said. “That’s what I’m designed to do. I’m super excited to do that again.”

NOTES

The Angels are working on a minor-league deal with left-hander Drew Pomeranz, who last pitched in the majors in 2021. Pomeranz has been dealing with elbow issues for most of the past two seasons, throwing just 10 1/3 innings in the minors. Pomeranz has been throwing bullpen sessions. Pomeranz, 35, who will be invited to big league camp, posted a 1.75 ERA with the Padres in 2021, when he had flexor tendon surgery. …

The Angels will again air almost all of their spring training games on television, either on Bally Sports West or another network when there is a conflict. On days the Angels play split-squad games, they will air the home game. Radio play-by-play announcer Terry Smith will handle simulcasts on television and radio for most games, with Wayne Randazzo, Patrick O’Neal and Trent Rush also doing some play by play in the spring. The cast of analysts will include Mark Gubicza, Bobby Valentine, Tim Salmon and Denny Hocking. Erica Weston and Rush will also contribute reports during the broadcasts. …

The Angels have hired Bob Alejo as the strength and conditioning coach. Alejo spent 12 years in a similar role with the Oakland A’s, during Washington’s tenure in Oakland. Since then, he had been working with Olympic athletes and in college sports, including at Cal State Northridge and UC Santa Barbara. Alejo already has a fan in Sandoval: “I think we’re gonna be one of the most conditioned teams in baseball, for sure.” …

Right-hander Sam Bachman is also going to be on the starter depth chart, even though he pitched in relief in the majors last season. Bachman missed the end of last season with a shoulder issue, and he had an arthroscopic cleanup procedure in the fall. …

Right-hander José Cisnero, who is from the Dominican Republic, will be at least a week late because of a visa issue, according to the Angels.

View the full article

February 12

TEMPE, Ariz. — After years of disappointment with the failure to meet high expectations that came from having two generational players on their roster, the Angels no longer have that “burden.”

Two-way megastar Shohei Ohtani is gone, having left for the Dodgers, and the Angels did nothing to replace him, either in the starting rotation or in the lineup. Center fielder Mike Trout is coming off his third straight injury-interrupted season.

It’s safe to say that no one who doesn’t draw a salary from the Angels has any high expectations for this team heading into Wednesday’s first workout of spring training.

Baseball Prospectus projects the Angels for 74 victories, with a 2.6% chance to make the playoffs. The major Las Vegas sports books set their over-under at 71.5. The fewest games they’ve won in any full season this century is 72, in 2019.

The Angels are a comfortable pick for fourth place in the American League West, well behind the defending world champion Texas Rangers, the Houston Astros and the Seattle Mariners, and ahead of the rebuilding Oakland A’s.

The Angels haven’t had a winning season since 2015, and they haven’t made the playoffs since 2014. The latter is tied with the Detroit Tigers for the longest active drought in the majors.

Cynical fans would say the Angels willingly put themselves into this position by doing little this winter besides retooling the bullpen.

General Manager Perry Minasian, who is in the final year of his four-year contract, made only one noteworthy trade, and it was a financial transaction. They unloaded $14 million worth of unnecessary 2024 salary – to infielder David Fletcher and catcher Max Stassi – for $7 million to first baseman Evan White, who was removed from the 40-man roster.

Minasian signed major league free agents to deals totaling $52.3 million, including just $30.3 million worth of 2024 obligations.

According to FanGraphs, the Angels are opening the season with a payroll, for purposes of the luxury tax, at around $188 million, which is down from the $233 million they spent in 2023.

The lack of significant additions following the loss of Ohtani from a team that was 73-89 last season adds up to low expectations.

Minasian, however, seems to be banking on the idea that the Angels can move forward by virtue of the players they already had being better. They’ll be working under the leadership of new manager Ron Washington, who is known for his ability to teach and instill optimism.

“I think there’s some excitement, internally, when you talk to the players,” Minasian said in December. “They know that we’re talented. I know we won 73 games. I get it. You look at the record books, it’s going to say 73. It’s not going to change. I don’t believe this is a 73-win team from a talent standpoint. I think there’s more talent.”

The idea isn’t merely blind faith.

The Angels’ pitching staff is filled with players who were better, in some cases significantly better, as recently as 2022.

As they came to camp last year, starting pitchers Patrick Sandoval (2.91 ERA in 2022), Reid Detmers (3.77) and Tyler Anderson (2.57) were all coming off above-average seasons. All three declined in 2023.

Among the newcomers to the bullpen, Luis Garcia (3.39 in 2022), Adam Cimber (2.80) and José Cisnero (1.08) all had consecutive productive seasons before slipping last year.

The biggest bullpen addition was right-hander Robert Stephenson, who signed a three-year, $33 million deal. He was one of baseball’s best relievers in 2023 after he altered his repertoire following a June trade to the Tampa Bay Rays.

What the Rays did with Stephenson is a blueprint for the Angels, who hope that the right guidance can help the pitchers get more out of their talent than they did in 2023. That’s why the Angels revamped their pitching support system over the winter.

“When you end the season, you go through a full review and reflect and you look at things you see where you are in different areas and our pitching program was something we wanted to change,” Minasian said early in the winter.

At that point he was speaking about the minor league pitching changes, but the staffing since then demonstrated that the remake includes the majors.

They hired a new pitching coach (Barry Enright) and a new bullpen coach (Steve Karsay).

“They believe in the little things so they’re going to help our young pitching staff with the little things that they have to bring to the ballpark every single day,” Washington said of Enright and Karsay. “And it’ll lead to the big things. That’s the thing that interests me the most about them, their energy and their wisdom and their attention to taking care of detail. You have to take care of detail in the game of baseball.”

The Angels brought back well-regarded former bullpen coach Dom Chiti to work in the minor leagues. They will also have several newcomers working on the analytical side, helping the pitchers with game-planning.

Offensively, the Angels have essentially the same roster as last year, minus Ohtani. Perhaps having the DH spot open to be shared by multiple players will allow more rest opportunities to keep their best hitters in the lineup more often.

Obviously, Trout and third baseman Anthony Rendon are the focal points. Each missed at least half of the season last year. If they don’t play more this year, the Angels will have little hope of surprising the experts by contending.

Even beyond those two, though, the Angels were ravaged by injuries throughout the lineup. They played significant stretches without outfielder Taylor Ward, catcher Logan O’Hoppe, shortstop Zach Neto and second baseman Brandon Drury.

The Angels are not only banking on those players being on the field more, but they would also like to see young players like outfielders Mickey Moniak and Jo Adell, first baseman Nolan Schanuel, O’Hoppe and Neto take steps forward in their performance.

To that end, Washington might prove to be the most significant addition of the winter.

Washington is revered throughout baseball for the way he works with players, young and old, teaching them and holding them accountable. Former Texas Rangers general manager Jon Daniels recalled earlier this winter that he hired Washington to lead a team that “wasn’t very good” in 2006. But Washington “passed on the belief to the players that we can compete with anybody.”

Washington helped turn the Rangers from an AL West doormat into a two-time pennant winner, in the process knocking the Angels from their perch atop the division.

Now, he’s set his sights on reversing that.

“Let’s not talk about the last five or six years when the Los Angeles Angels were struggling,” Washington said. “Let’s talk past that, when they were the team that everybody was trying to run down. That’s what I want to think about. Because we do have the personnel to go out and compete every night. We just have to learn how to sustain. We just have to learn how to be consistent, which is the game of baseball. And when we learn how to be consistent and we start sustaining, we will be past those years when they weren’t doing well.”

View the full article

February 12

Here are some of the key questions the Angels hope to answer during spring training:

What does Arte Moreno have to say?

The Angels owner traditionally spoke to reporters on a wide range of topics near the beginning of spring training each year. Moreno abandoned that practice in 2021 and 2022, but he again answered questions in 2023.

Now, there are a handful of pressing issues that fans would like to see him address, starting with whether he has plans to revisit the sale of the team after taking it off the market a year ago.

Moreno can also speak to the way the Angels handled the Shohei Ohtani talks over the winter, and what he intends to do to help the team win now that Ohtani is gone.

How are Mike Trout and Anthony Rendon doing?

Rendon has missed at least half of the season for three years in a row, and Trout has missed significant time in each of those years too.

How they look and feel in spring training won’t be entirely revealing – after all, most players show up in “the best shape of their lives” – but there could be something to make of what they did over the winter and what they say about their efforts to prevent further injuries.

How will the outfield shake out?

Nothing is certain other than Trout being the center fielder, and even that has some questions because of his injuries. He hasn’t played more than 125 games in the outfield since 2016.

Otherwise, the Angels have Taylor Ward, Mickey Moniak, Aaron Hicks and Jo Adell all vying for playing time. Certainly, the playing time and roles will evolve throughout the season, but the performances of all of those players in spring training will establish their roles out of the gate.

Moniak and Adell are both out of options, which could complicate things.

If more than three of those players are hitting well enough to be in the lineup at the same time, the Angels do have the DH spot to use for one of them.

Will Ward return to form?

Ward deserves a question of his own, within the previous one, because of what he endured last year.

Ward fractured bones in his face in a frightening incident last July, when he was hit in the face by a pitch. Ward left the field with a blood-soaked towel on his face, and he never returned to action.

General Manager Perry Minasian said in December that Ward has done well and they are planning on him being the same player he was before the injury, but it will be worth watching to see how he responds to live pitching in spring training.

Are the young players ready for increased roles?

Catcher Logan O’Hoppe and shortstop Zach Neto both made impressive debuts as rookies in 2023, both on and off the field, demonstrating skill and leadership.

However, it’s a lot to ask players with so little experience to take on such prominent roles. Both players still have holes in their game that they will need to tighten.

First baseman Nolan Schanuel and right-hander Chase Silseth also could work into prominent roles despite limited major-league experience.

View the full article

February 12

As the Angels head toward their first workout of spring training on Wednesday, here’s a reminder of the roster changes that have taken place over the winter:

WHO’S IN?

RHP Robert Stephenson, signed as a free agent from Tampa Bay

LHP Matt Moore, signed as a free agent from Miami

RHP Luis Garcia, signed as a free agent from the Padres

RHP Adam Cimber, signed as a free agent from Toronto

RHP José Cisnero, signed as a free agent from Detroit

RHP Zach Plesac, signed as a free agent from Cleveland

OF Aaron Hicks, signed as a free agent from Baltimore

RHP Guillermo Zuniga, acquired in a trade with St. Louis

WHO’S OUT?

DH Shohei Ohtani, signed as a free agent with Dodgers

IF David Fletcher, traded to Atlanta

C Max Stassi, traded to Atlanta and then traded to Chicago White Sox

IF Gio Urshela, unsigned free agent

IF C.J. Cron, unsigned free agent

OF Randal Grichuk, unsigned free agent

IF Mike Moustakas, unsigned free agent

IF Eduardo Escobar, unsigned free agent

RHP Jaime Barria, non-tendered, signed with Cleveland

1B Jared Walsh, non-tendered, signed with Texas

OF Brett Phillips, signed a minor league deal with the White Sox

1B/OF Trey Cabbage, traded to Houston

LHP Kolton Ingram, claimed on waivers by Detroit

NON-ROSTER INVITEES

C Juan Flores

C Caleb Hamilton

C Zach Humphreys

C Francisco Mejia

C Alberto Rios

C Chad Wallach

3B/OF Hunter Dozier

IF/OF Cole Fontenelle

IF Charles Leblanc

IF Richie Martin

3B/1B Miguel Sanó

1B Evan White

OF Willie Calhoun

OF Jake Marisnick

OF Jason Martin

OF Nelson Rada

RHP Caden Dana

RHP Carson Fulmer

RHP Joel Hurtado

RHP Travis MacGregor

RHP José Marte

RHP Cam Minacci

RHP Alan Rangel

RHP Hayden Seig

RHP Walbert Urena

LHP Nick Jones

LHP Adam Kolarek

View the full article

February 12

Tuesday: Pitchers and catchers report

Wednesday: First workout

Feb. 18: Full squad reports

Feb. 19: First full-squad workout

Feb. 24: First Cactus League game vs. Dodgers at Tempe Diablo Stadium, 12:10 p.m. PT

March 5: Dodgers vs. Angels, at Glendale, Ariz., 5:05 p.m.

March 24: Freeway Series (exhibition), Dodgers vs. Angels at Dodger Stadium, 4:10 p.m.

March 25: Freeway Series (exhibition), Dodgers vs. Angels at Dodger Stadium, 6:10 p.m.

March 26: Freeway Series (exhibition), Dodgers vs. Angels at Angel Stadium, 6 p.m.

March 28: Opening Day, Angels at Baltimore Orioles, 12:05 p.m.

April 5: Home opener, Angels vs. Boston Red Sox, 6:38 p.m.

View the full article

February 8

Sponsored Article

The history of the Los Angeles Angels is punctuated by moments of brilliance that have defined the team's journey in Major League Baseball. Each landmark achievement, from game-winning home runs to perfect games, contributes to the team's narrative, offering fans a repository of memories that underscore the team's impact on the sport.

Nolan Ryan's No-Hitters (1972-1979)

During his tenure with the Angels, Nolan Ryan etched his name into the annals of baseball history by throwing four no-hitters, a feat that underscores his dominance on the mound. Each performance showcased Ryan's exceptional pitching skills, contributing to his legendary status in the sport. These no-hitters remain a towering achievement within the team's lore, reflecting the extraordinary capabilities of one of baseball's greatest pitchers.

2002 World Series Championship

The year 2002 stands out as a pinnacle of achievement for the Angels, culminating in the capture of their first and only World Series title. The victory was a testament to the team's resilience, skill, and determination. The "Rally Monkey" emerged as a symbol of this triumph, embodying the spirit and enthusiasm that propelled the Angels to victory. This championship moment is cherished by the team and its supporters, representing a high point in the franchise's history.

Honoring Nick Adenhart (2009)

In 2009, the Angels demonstrated profound unity and respect by honoring Nick Adenhart, a promising pitcher whose life was tragically cut short. The team's decision to wear his number throughout the season was a powerful gesture of commemoration and solidarity, illustrating the deep bonds within the baseball community and the respect for Adenhart's talent and potential.

Mike Trout's MVP Awards

hi-res-c50123ca76358e8bdcd2c48834de16bf_crop_north.jpg.6b1f296ea27139ed7d6bfb9244bc5f22 (1).jpg

Mike Trout has solidified his position as a franchise icon through his exceptional play, earning multiple MVP awards. His achievements highlight his unparalleled talent and contribution to the game, making him one of the most impactful players of his generation. Trout's accolades reflect his significance to the Angels and his influential role in the broader context of baseball.

Vladimir Guerrero's MVP Season (2004)

In 2004, Vladimir Guerrero's remarkable performance earned him the MVP award, spotlighting his contribution to the Angels' success. Guerrero's talent and dedication were instrumental in his standout season, further establishing his legacy in Major League Baseball and within the Angels' storied history.

Albert Pujols' 500th & 600th Home Runs (2014), (2017)

Albert Pujols' achievement of reaching the 500 home run milestone in 2014 is a testament to his enduring excellence and power as a hitter. This milestone not only cemented Pujols' legacy in MLB but also underscored his significant impact during his time with the Angels.

Jered Weaver's No-Hitter (2012)

Jered Weaver's no-hitter against the Minnesota Twins in 2012 is a highlight of the pitcher's career and a standout moment for the Angels. This performance exemplifies the high level of pitching talent that has been a part of the team's history, showcasing Weaver's skill and precision on the mound.

The All-Star Game at Angel Stadium (2010)

Hosting the MLB All-Star Game in 2010 brought national attention to Angel Stadium and the city of Anaheim. This event was a celebration of the sport, featuring top talent from across Major League Baseball and highlighting the Angels' role as a key player in the baseball community.

Shohei Ohtani's Historic Season

Shohei Ohtani's historic performance as both a pitcher and hitter has introduced a new era of versatility to the game, bringing heightened excitement and recognition to the Angels. Ohtani's unique abilities have not only made history but have also redefined what is possible in baseball, underscoring his significant impact on the team and the sport.

Fan Engagement

For fans looking to engage further with baseball, beyond the moments on the field, exploring sports betting can add to the involvement. Those interested can always check for reviews of the best sports betting sites, offering insights and information to enhance the baseball experience.

Conclusion

This journey through the Los Angeles Angels' most memorable moments reflects the profound impact these achievements have had on the franchise's history. Each milestone, from legendary performances to heartfelt tributes, underscores the legacy and enduring spirit of the Angels, celebrating the players and moments that have defined their journey through baseball history.

For more, check out AngelsWin.com's full feature Top-50 Greatest Moments in Angels Baseball feature on our blog.

View the full article

Taylor · February 7

lcpsp9-b78726346z.120101130122347000gptrvg1r.2.webp

By Ellen Bell, AngelsWin.com Staff Writer -

No series on the Women of Angels Baseball would be complete without Jackie Autry—arguably the most influential female in franchise history. During her time with the Angels, she witnessed the team’s transformation from a small baseball business into a corporate sports franchise. She also had a front row seat to watch a group of home-grown, unknown players develop into World Series Champions.

During the All Star Game in New York, Jackie Autry continued her role as honorary American League President and introduced the AL Team Manager, Jim Leyland. Once again, she was at the heart of one of baseball’s biggest events of the season.

None of this was ever her intention.

In fact, the former Security Pacific Bank Vice President was actually more of a football fan when she met Angels owner, Gene Autry. But when you marry a man you adopt his family, and Gene Autry’s family was always the Angels.

“We were all like a big family back then,” she said. “From the front office to the bat boys. We had get-togethers and picnics. It would be hard to do that today.”

The Angels meant more to Gene Autry than just another business. Autry, who had no children of his own, saw the players as sons.

“He loved the Angels,” Jackie Autry said. “but if you told Gene you loved another team that was OK too, as long as you were a baseball fan. He thought that baseball was a family game and he wanted it to stay that way forever,”

The game was already changing when Jackie and Gene Autry married on July 19th, 1981. The Angels and the Dodgers were the only family owned teams at the time. Salaries began to rise and expenses increased. In baseball, the old way of doing business began to make no business sense at all.

In 1982, after a successful season and a trip to the playoffs, Jackie Autry looked at the financial statement and was surprised to see that team barely made a profit.

“Clubs were losing money back then,” she said. “even when salaries were lower.”

Jackie Autry started working with the Angels in 1983, using her prior business experience in marketing and budgeting. In her former career at Security Pacific, Autry worked her way up from a switchboard operator to become the 13th female Vice President in company history. She brought this same focused work ethic with her to the Angels Front Office. She soon learned that a professional sports franchise doesn’t run with the fiscal discipline of a bank.

“I would try to start with a two million dollar bottom line and work backwards,” she said. “But with free agents on the market and a team in the hunt for the playoffs, that two million went pretty quickly.”

Jackie Autry tried to hold a responsible bottom line, looking at the team as a businesswoman, not only as a baseball fan. Near the end of her husband’s life, she worked hard to preserve the team that he dearly loved.

She became active in Major League Baseball and is the only woman to ever serve on the Major League Baseball Executive Council, Oversight Committee, and as a member of the Board of Directors.

“In Major League Baseball, I always voted for the good of the game,” Autry said. “I looked at the Big Picture, even when if it didn’t directly benefit The Angels.”

It was this “big picture thinking” that finally convinced Jackie Autry that a change in ownership was inevitable. Years of losses and mounting debt led her to negotiate a sale to the Walt Disney Company. Disney purchased controlling rights in 1996. Even though Jackie Autry sold the team, she never lost faith in the Angels.

“I told Michael Eisner to stand pat and stick with the young players,” she said. “They’ll win you a World Series. In 2002, all players came from our farm system except for three. These were home-grown kids who won a World Championship.”

Her critics may have disagreed with her decisions to avoid high-contract players, but Autry believed that the best course was to develop franchise players from within the organization.

“It’s not about pinching pennies, it’s about building a foundation,” she said. “You cannot buy a World Championship Club.”

These days, the business of baseball is very different from the time when Gene Autry owned the team, and she admits that the multi-million dollar player contracts and blockbuster media deals have been game changers.

“If Gene Autry were alive today, he’d have a heart attack,” she said.

There are some things that are still familiar to Jackie Autry. She never misses watching a game, either from her box at Angels Stadium or from her home in the Coachella Valley. Now, freed from her financial responsibilities with the team, she can follow the Angels like her husband always did, as a devoted fan.

What would Gene Autry think of today’s Angels?

“Oh he would have loved to watch the young guys play, like Mike Trout and Mark Trumbo,” she said.

“He would have loved their hustle.”

Now in semi-retirement, Jackie handles investment portfolios, continues to attend Angels baseball games and enjoys traveling. She has a home in Palm Springs, California and also in Studio City, California.

View the full article

February 5

Angels pitchers and catchers are scheduled to report to spring training on Feb. 13. As we count down the days until camp begins, we are going through the various position groups to give a breakdown of where the roster stands. Today, the bullpen. Previously: starting rotation, outfielders, infielders, catchers.

2023 RECAP

The Angels have spent significant money on their bullpen in recent years – giving out multiyear deals to free agents Carlos Estévez, Ryan Tepera and Aaron Loup – and re-signing Raisel Iglesias to a four-year deal. It hasn’t worked very well and 2023 was another disappointing year for the bullpen, which ranked 26th in the majors with a 4.88 ERA. Tepera was released and Loup struggled for most of a second straight season. Estévez was very good for two-thirds of his first season as a closer, making the All-Star team, but he finished with two bad months. Matt Moore, who signed a one-year deal at the start of camp last year, was consistently good, although he missed two months with an injury and was then waived in a cost-cutting move for the final month. Perhaps the best signs for the bullpen in 2023 were the performances of José Soriano and Ben Joyce. The two rookies showed elite stuff in limited innings, although there is clearly room for improvement going forward.

HOW IT LOOKS RIGHT NOW

No part of the team has undergone more of a facelift than the bullpen. Estévez returns, but he’ll have some competition to hold down the closer job all year. The Angels signed right-hander Robert Stephenson to a three-year, $33 million deal after he dominated in the second half last season with the Tampa Bay Rays. Stephenson had a 2.35 ERA with 60 strikeouts in 38⅓ innings with the Tampa Bay Rays. The Angels brought back Moore on a $9 million deal. The Angels also signed free right-hander Luis Garcia, a flame-throwing veteran who had a 3.62 ERA over his last three seasons. Estévez, Garcia, Soriano and Joyce all throw fastballs in the upper 90s. The Angels also signed sidearming right-hander Adam Cimber, who has a 3.15 ERA over the last three years. His 2023 season was spoiled by three outings right before he went on the injured list for the final three months. Right-hander Jose Cisnero, who signed a one-year deal over the weekend, has a career 3.99 ERA, even though he had a 5.31 mark last season. The Angels also added left-hander Adam Kolarek, who has held lefties to a .184 batting average in parts of seven major league seasons. Right-hander Zach Plesac, who has mostly been a starter in his career, also could find himself in the bullpen.

THE NEXT LAYER

All the newcomers have pushed several pitchers who had worked significant innings down the list, perhaps to Triple-A. Right-handers Andrew Wantz and Jimmy Herget can be optioned this season, so don’t be surprised if they make repeated trips between the Angels and Salt Lake. If right-hander Sam Bachman doesn’t fit as a starter, in Triple-A or the majors, the Angels could use him in the major league bullpen. Right-hander Austin Warren and left-hander José Quijada both underwent Tommy John surgery last year and could be ready later in the season.

MOVE THEY COULD MAKE

The Angels really don’t have much room to add anyone else at this point, unless someone is willing to move a pitcher with options. Meanwhile, the Angels still have left-hander Jose Suarez, who is out of options and without much of a role in the rotation or bullpen. Although Suarez pitched poorly last season, he was hurt for most of the year. He was good in 2021 and 2022, and he’s still only 26, so it’s likely that another team would be willing to give him a shot. The Angels could see if they can trade Suarez for someone who gives them more depth elsewhere.

View the full article

February 4

ANAHEIM — Reliever José Cisnero on Saturday to a $1.75 million, one-year contract with the Angels.

A right-hander who turns 35 on April 11, Cisnero was 3-4 with two saves and a 5.31 ERA in 63 games for Detroit last season, striking out 70 and walking 25 in 59⅓ innings. He allowed a career-high 10 home runs, up from six in 2022.

Cisnero averaged 94.4 mph with his fastball, up from 93.4 mph in 2022 but down from 96.4 mph in 2019.

He is 13-17 with a 3.99 ERA in seven seasons with the Houston Astros (2013-14) and the Tigers (2019-23), striking out 275 and walking 130 in 259⅓ innings.

Cisnero had Tommy John surgery on May 28, 2014, then he pitched for Mexico’s Sultanes de Monterrey and the independent New Jersey Jackals in 2016.

A native of Bajos de Haina, Dominican Republic, Cisnero was originally signed by Houston as an international free agent in 2007.

Infielder Livan Soto was designated for assignment to open a roster spot. Soto made his major league debut in September 2022 and hit .400 (22 for 55) with one home run and nine RBIs in 18 games. He batted .222 (2 for 9) in four games with the Angels last May and June while hitting .237 with nine homers and 47 RBIs in 110 games at Triple-A Salt Lake and Double-A Rocket City.

View the full article

February 4

ANAHEIM — Reliever José Cisnero on Saturday to a $1.75 million, one-year contract with the Angels.

A right-hander who turns 35 on April 11, Cisnero was 3-4 with two saves and a 5.31 ERA in 63 games for Detroit last season, striking out 70 and walking 25 in 59⅓ innings. He allowed a career-high 10 home runs, up from six in 2022.

Cisnero averaged 94.4 mph with his fastball, up from 93.4 mph in 2022 but down from 96.4 mph in 2019.

He is 13-17 with a 3.99 ERA in seven seasons with the Houston Astros (2013-14) and the Tigers (2019-23), striking out 275 and walking 130 in 259⅓ innings.

Cisnero had Tommy John surgery on May 28, 2014, then he pitched for Mexico’s Sultanes de Monterrey and the independent New Jersey Jackals in 2016.

A native of Bajos de Haina, Dominican Republic, Cisnero was originally signed by Houston as an international free agent in 2007.

Infielder Livan Soto was designated for assignment to open a roster spot. Soto made his major league debut in September 2022 and hit .400 (22 for 55) with one home run and nine RBIs in 18 games. He batted .222 (2 for 9) in four games with the Angels last May and June while hitting .237 with nine homers and 47 RBIs in 110 games at Triple-A Salt Lake and Double-A Rocket City.

View the full article

HaloBronco · February 3

by Ryan Falla, AngelsWin.com Staff Reporter

There are few qualities better suited for the Major League grind than the ability to overcome adversity on a daily basis. We see this time and time again as Major Leaguers regularly fall into slumps and prospects slip into doubt as the game stays unpromised to those who do not work for it. 80 grade tools suddenly become meaningless if the athlete possessing such talent does not have the fortitude to apply himself against the pressures presented by the game. Angels pitching prospect Zach Joyce is no stranger to overcoming severe adversity as his journey through baseball has seen him overcome the heaviest challenge a person can face; the battle with themselves. Now fully standing on his own two feet, Joyce aims to ensure his journey through struggle is no more than an introduction as he writes the rest of his story with the Angels in 2024.

Joyce entered his college days with a very promising future as he and his identical twin brother (Angels big leaguer) Ben Joyce attended Walters State CC for two years before their Tennessee days. Zach's freshman year saw him make short work of hitters he managed an impressive 24 Ks over 15.2 innings of work, though he would not be able to follow up in his sophomore season after an injury in spring put him on the path of Tommy John surgery. Unfortunately the 2020 pandemic would see the cancelation of the baseball season for many athletes, and by effect the shut down of many public services across the globe, including rehab clinics. This loss of opportunity would force Joyce to undergo a non-specialized rehabilitation for his elbow that would ultimately have little effect on strengthening his return from Tommy John. To make matters worse, Joyce was committed to pitch at his dream school in less than a year’s time. With everything seemingly falling apart this impending dream opportunity had transformed into a debilitating source of anxiety.

“All the physical therapy places were closed down. Going through that whole process pretty much on my own didn’t go well. Then at Tennessee I started throwing and it didn't feel great. I would keep trying to throw through it. It took a toll on me mentally because my dream basically my whole life was to play at Tennessee. When I got there I felt like I didn't have it anymore. That took a pretty bad toll mentally, I ended up having some pretty bad panic attacks basically every day [...] I put too much pressure to come back too quickly knowing that I was going to Tennessee in six months.”

A multi-year hiatus from the game (2020-2022) due to physical and mental health struggles put Joyce in a position that would snuff out the aspirations in most people, yet a strong support system from family and the Tennessee baseball program would see him re-enter the game with extreme success. His return to baseball in 2023 saw Joyce reinvent himself as he fiddled with a brand new cutter, a pitch that elevated his successes at both Tennessee and with the Angels Low A 66ers. His first 10.1 innings back in the game at Tennessee saw him strike out 17 on just two walks. This is about as good as it gets for a pitcher coming off a stretch with no live action since 2019, and clearly the Angels saw the promise in his upside as they called his name in the 2023 draft.

“[Tennessee] wanted me to take my time coming back because they knew the whole story, they were supportive the entire time when I stepped away [...] Coming back was a slow process, working up to bullpens, working up to guys standing in the batters box. Once I got into a game I was so amped up and so ready for it that I didn't even think about it being four years since I faced a batter."

Zach Joyce comes into the Angels organization with the DNA of a high strikeout power reliever, but perhaps his most impressive stat last year was his incredible ability to limit the walks. Joyce walked hitters in just one of his eleven outings in Low A last year, all while managing at least one strikeout in seven of those eleven games. Joyce didn’t just keep hitters off the paths by limiting free passes, his ability to generate weak contact was prevalent through his debut season as hitters managed a sub. 400 SLG% through his appearances. Joyce’s repertoire screams back-end dominance as he regularly cuts through late game opposition with his aggressive power fastball/cutter combo. The Angels organization echoed this sentiment as Joyce spent eight of his eleven Low A outings pitching in the 7th inning or later. More impressive was his efficiency as he regularly managed three outs on 15 pitches or less with six of his outings coming as such. Furthermore, three of his Low A outings saw him manage an inning of work on 9 pitches or less. His pitchability and IQ are as high as it gets for someone with such limited recent exposure to the game, these two factors being key drivers in his successes next to his intense mental fortitude and extreme determination.

“In Low A [the cutter] was kind of the main pitch I threw, I threw it more than my fastball. The biggest thing for me this off season is having that cutter. It's a more of a harder slider, honestly it's more of a mental thing calling it a cutter so I think about throwing it harder. You have a pitch that comes out almost looking the same but the shape is a little different and the change in speed is a big thing too. That's the main thing I've been working on this offseason with both pitches so they don't look too alike or look too different coming out your hand.”

It is difficult to truly quantize an athlete’s intangibles when attempting to correlate short sample success across long-term development trajectories, but for Zach Joyce it is as simple as understanding the struggles of where he’s come from and realizing the challenges of baseball are slim compared to such. The biggest factor of success in baseball is often one’s ability to simplify the game, and with such experiences under ones belt it becomes easier to see the game as it truly is; a game. Perhaps this unique perspective is the biggest quality that has and will continue to take him over the top as a professional athlete.

“He who has conquered himself is a far greater hero than he who has defeated a thousand times a thousand men.”- Siddhartha Gautama (Buddha)

Zach Joyce is a man defined by overcoming challenge, and if to conquer yourself is to conquer the world (according to Buddha) for Zach Joyce to rise above himself is a testament to the qualities he brings to the daily grind. What else is there to baseball other than rising above yourself day in and day out, 162 games a year? Of course there is still a journey of professional development to be had with the Angels, and aside from any philosophical platitudes the truest factor in on-field success is the execution of quality on the field. Joyce has shown he has the quality of stuff and pitchability to fully express his aggressive approach on the mound, and though his stuff may fly under the radar his mental qualities register as an easy 80 across the board. In some baseball circles that quality is greater than any 80 grade pitch, especially in circles led by Angels manager Ron Washington.

“I got to go out to Arizona and do that [Angels] mini-camp. [Ron Washington] was out there. He talked to us multiple times as a group, it was awesome. He's a super impressive guy. It's incredible for the organization that he's there. You could tell how much he cared about all of us at camp, about the whole organization, and building that new culture. It was honestly kind of surreal at first. You grow up hearing about how good of a coach he is and seeing it in person was pretty incredible. The biggest thing he talked about, for me, was fear of failure. Growing up that was a real thing, especially with how competitive me and my brother were. He said multiple times baseball is a game of failure, the biggest thing is having your teammates around you to keep you up. But also using that experience to keep getting better. His big thing was talking about how hard you have to work to get where you want to be, that's the culture they want around the organization.”

2024 will likely see Zach Joyce start the season between Low A or High A, although knowing GM Perry Minasian's aggressiveness he will likely edge towards High A. His success last year clearly shows he is ready and more than capable for high levels of competition with his biggest need as of now simply being getting his arm stretched out over an entire season. However, considering all factors I wouldn’t be surprised to see him pitch his way into Double A considerations through the first half of the year. Joyce comes into the organization with an experience base far exceeding that of a 23 year old, yet his arm is as fresh as it gets coming out of college. Don’t let Zach Joyce’s limited on-field experience since 2019 fool you, you’re getting a guy who is ahead on the game in more ways than one. Perhaps moreso than many of his peers. This year will be a fundamental experience for Joyce, both as a pitcher and a person, as he grows further towards his destiny as a big league reliever alongside his brother Ben, just as they have been at every level since childhood. Although 2024 may be a year of growth for Zach at the development levels that within itself is a victory as he can now make claim to the future he’s earned as a Los Angeles Angel.

“Having a twin brother that's throwing 105, you hear about that quite often [...] He is one of the top three reasons that I'm even back playing baseball, he's pushed me a lot. I didn't even watch a single game of baseball for an entire year, and then when he started playing again I wanted to go watch and support him. That was the first game I went to. I always tell people I almost had to leave because I wanted to be down there so bad [...] We played on the same team growing up every year, basically the same position. In high school we would literally alternate closing games .The biggest thing for us right now is supporting each other in whatever role we're in."

View the full article

February 2

Angels pitchers and catchers are scheduled to report to spring training on Feb. 13. As we count down the days until camp begins, we are going through the various position groups to give a breakdown of where the roster stands. Today, the starting rotation. Previously: outfielders, infielders, catchers.

2023 RECAP

After an encouraging season in which the starters ranked sixth in the majors in ERA, they fell to 19th with a 4.47 ERA in 2023. Shohei Ohtani slipped to a 3.14 ERA and he made only 23 starts before going down with a torn UCL. Left-handers Patrick Sandoval (4.11 ERA), Reid Detmers (4.48) and Tyler Anderson (5.43), who had been an All-Star with the Dodgers in 2022, all were worse. The Angels made a deal at the deadline to add right-hander Lucas Giolito to the mix, and he posted a 6.89 ERA in six starts before he was waived in a cost-cutting move. Perhaps the most encouraging development was right-hander Griffin Canning pitching to a 4.32 ERA in 22 starts after missing a year and a half with a back injury. Right-hander Chase Silseth also showed promise in the summer, just before missing a month with a concussion.

HOW IT LOOKS RIGHT NOW

Ohtani is gone, but otherwise it looks exactly the same. Sandoval, Detmers, Canning and Anderson would seem to be locks for the rotation, with Silseth holding the inside track for the No. 5 spot. Right-hander Zach Plesac, who was signed as a free agent, will compete for a spot in the rotation, although he could pitch out of the bullpen too. The optimistic point of view is that Sandoval, Detmers and Anderson were all above-average major-league starters as recently as 2022, and Canning and Plesac were in 2020. The Angels are hoping that they might get more out of those pitchers with a new pitching infrastructure, starting with new pitching coach Barry Enright and new bullpen coach Steve Karsay. The Angels have also changed the personnel doing much of the analytical game-planning.

THE NEXT LAYER

Left-hander Kenny Rosenberg had a 3.82 ERA in 33 innings last season, including three starts. Right-hander Sam Bachman begins spring training on the rotation depth chart, but the Angels might still opt to use him in relief too. Right-hander Davis Daniel had a 2.19 ERA in 12⅓ innings in the majors last season, and then he had a 1.89 ERA in the Arizona Fall League. Left-hander José Suarez, who had been a capable starter in 2021 and 2022 before an injury-marred poor season in 2023, also could still get another chance to start, although the bullpen seems more likely for him. Suarez is still just 26.

MOVE THEY COULD MAKE

There are a surprising number of quality starting pitching options still available, led by left-hander Blake Snell and right-hander Jordan Montgomery. Either of those pitchers would cost more than $20 million per year. If the Angels want to go after a lesser pitcher, they could make a run at someone like right-hander Mike Clevinger or right-hander Michael Lorenzen.

View the full article

January 31

In This Space, we have often referred to Southern California as the most diverse (and occasionally most fickle) sports market on this continent.

We have two of most every team in every major team sport. We have two major conference college programs operating cheek-to-jowl with major league franchises. We get cameo appearances from almost all of the itinerant sports circuits, starting with this Sunday’s NASCAR Clash in the Coliseum (although it would be nice if the tennis tours would again land in the nation’s second-largest market in the summertime, rather than merely touching down in Indian Wells in March).

Also, dare I point out, we will have our third Olympic Games four years from now. Before that, if FIFA and Stan Kroenke could mend fences, SoFi Stadium would be hosting World Cup matches in two years (and maybe some of the expanded Club World Cup next summer).

And I don’t even have to mention the cornucopia of prime-time athletes that this region continues to pump out annually. You name the sport and we’re represented.

So let’s go big. SoCal is not only the preeminent sports community in North America, but I’ll make the case that it’s unmatched on this planet. The phrase “Sports Capital of the World” sounds way too boosterish, but doesn’t it fit?

What other city on earth has the multitude of sports attractions – i.e., competition for attention – that we do? For example, in most countries, the sport we know as soccer is considered King Football. Here, it has to fight for market share and for attention with four other major professional sports. And there are good reasons Major League Soccer avoids the fall-winter-spring scheduling cycle observed by the rest of the world, the most important being the NFL behemoth, i.e. our very own King Football.

Meanwhile, what other metropolitan area on this continent can match the sports chops of this sprawling community made up of L.A., Orange, Riverside, San Bernardino and Ventura counties?

New York? Sorry, not much of a college football profile. Boston? Only one of everything (and they haven’t had a duck boat parade in a couple of forevers). Chicago: Solo NBA and NHL teams. The Bay Area? Close, but they have only one soccer team, they’ve lost the Raiders and are about to lose the A’s, regrettably.

Oh, and here’s the kicker and a spoiler alert: The leader (again) in our annual rankings of SoCal’s teams might as well be considered Japan’s team, too.

As has been the case since we began these lists in 2005 at The Press-Enterprise, the ranking is determined by multiple factors – a mixture of winning, historic importance in the market, interest level and, not insignificantly, the passion of a team’s followers.

The beauty is that, with rare and obvious exceptions, the teams in this market understand what it takes to be competitive not only in their own leagues but in the fight for fans’ attention. In other words, those in charge understand that if you’re a big market team, you’d better act like one.

(And you might notice that there are a couple of additions to the list this year. If you capture the fancy of the greater SoCal public, you deserve to be here.)

So, as SoCal’s newest coach likes to say, who has it better than us?

The list, with the 2023 ranking in parentheses:

1. Dodgers (1): Seen in a local store: A blue T-shirt with “OHTANI” in the style of the “HOLLYWOOD” sign. That says it all, doesn’t it? No team, anywhere, acts the part of a big market franchise so well. That fan bases elsewhere are grumbling “not fair?” All the better.

2. Lakers (2): Yes, they’re struggling to get a foothold this season. That only reminds us of the expectations of their followers, for whom Laker Exceptionalism isn’t just a slogan but a way of life. (And, at times like this, maybe a curse.)

3. Rams (8): What was that again about paying the price in order to win a Super Bowl? As long as they can keep Matthew Stafford healthy, their immediate future seems bright.

4. Clippers (7): It’s hard to have championship expectations when, you know, stuff repeatedly happens. But why shouldn’t this well-run, well-coached, talented team make a deep playoff run … and, perhaps, even have a chance to hang a banner in its new arena? (So, if you’re a Lakers fan and you’re confronted with a Clippers-Celtics final, who do you root for?)

5. Angel City (12): ACFC, along with the San Diego Wave, showed the people who run the National Women’s Soccer League that avoiding Southern California all those years was a grave mistake. The L.A. team’s average home attendance in its two seasons: 19,105 in 2022, 19,756 in 2023. Any surprise that the league is about to expand to the Bay Area in 2024?

6. (tie) UCLA women’s basketball and USC women’s basketball (not ranked in 2023): It’s a perfect storm, with the surge in interest in women’s sports and particularly women’s college basketball dovetailing with two championship-caliber teams. The line wrapped around Pauley Pavilion waiting to get in before the teams’ first meeting on Dec. 30 was an eloquent statement all by itself.

8. USC football (3): The high hopes built in 2022 came crashing down in 2023, as a team of mercenaries played like it down the stretch. But the Trojan fan base has regained its passion and expectations and, yes, a little bit of swagger after a dreary decade.

9. Chargers (6): Could this fan base ever use some swagger? They might get their wish, if Jim Harbaugh does what the multitudes expect.

10. LAFC (4): They might not have been able to defend their MLS Cup title, but this is a well-run team with a passionate fan base that is going to be a factor for a while.

11. UCLA men’s basketball (5): The young Bruins might indeed have a run in them down the stretch, and it’s pretty well established that Mick Cronin won’t let this program wither. But it’s been almost three decades since the last banner, and this is another fan base that has trouble settling.

12. Kings (10): A year ago – heck, six weeks ago – they seemed to be building toward a shot at another Stanley Cup, a decade after their last one. But the recent whopper of a slump has called into question not only players’ effort and coaching but the way General Manager Rob Blake built this roster. The most devoted fans in this market deserve better.

13. Angels (9): Arte Moreno and the rest of his organization should feel fortunate that so many fans still care about this team. There’s little reason to expect improvement unless new Manager Ron Washington is indeed a miracle worker.

14. USC men’s basketball (11): A promising season has turned sour, and is there any real evidence that the USC faithful notice or care? They average 6,228 at home, and their best home crowds were a 10,300 sellout against UCLA and 9,806 against Long Beach State – and how many of those were there early to await JuJu Watkins and the USC women in the nightcap?

15. UCLA football (14): Yes, they were 8-5, and yes, they beat Boise State in the Gronk Bowl at SoFi Stadium, but the Chip Kelly era remains distinguished by a lack of fan passion.

16. Galaxy (13): They were once MLS’ flagship franchise. Now they’re an afterthought in their own town and starting over.

17. Ducks (16): Rebuilds are difficult, especially two or three seasons in. The Ducks are now six seasons removed from their last playoff berth and finally seem to be moving forward, slowly.

18. Sparks (15): And here, a rebuild is just beginning. This is another former flagship franchise trying to find its way again, and at least they’ll have a No.2 draft pick to work with.

jalexander@scng.com

View the full article

January 29

ANAHEIM — The Angels and outfielder Aaron Hicks have agreed to a one-year, $740,000 contract.

The Angels announced the deal with the former Long Beach Wilson High standout on Monday.

Hicks’ salary is the major league minimum and will be offset against the $9.5 million he was guaranteed by the New York Yankees, who released him from a $70 million, seven-year contract that also assured a $9.5 million salary in 2025 plus a $1 million buyout of a 2026 club option.

Hicks, 34, was released by the Yankees after slashing just .188/.263/.261 through the first two months of the 2023 season but he improved to .275/.381/.425 in 65 games for the Baltimore Orioles. He batted .253 with eight homers and 36 RBIs for the season. Hicks’ best stretch came from 2017 to 2020, when he had an .819 OPS while hitting 60 home runs in 338 games.

Hicks joins an outfield group that includes three-time American League MVP Mike Trout, Taylor Ward and Mickey Moniak plus Jo Adell. Trout and Ward missed significant parts of last season due to injuries.

The switch-hitter has played mostly center field throughout his career, but he also has plenty of experience at both corner outfield spots. His addition could allow the Angels to use one of their other outfielders to acquire a starting pitcher or an impact hitter via trade, but he also serves as depth behind the potential for injuries and the development of Adell.

“With the injuries we’ve had in the outfield in the last few years, you want guys that can do a lot of things, and Aaron is one of those guys,” Angels general manager Perry Minasian said.

Hicks’ presence does not mean Trout is moving out of center field.

“Mike’s our center fielder,” Minasian said on a video conference call with reporters. “We’ve learned this over the last couple of years, at least since I’ve been here – you need players that can play multiple positions. You don’t know what’s gonna happen. He’s somebody that’s played center. He played center last year for Baltimore in certain instances, obviously a very good team that made the playoffs. He can play right, he can play left, he can really throw, so he’s somebody that can help us in a lot of different ways.”

Hicks grew up in San Pedro and Long Beach before the Minnesota Twins selected him 14th overall in the 2008 draft.

View the full article

January 29

Angels pitchers and catchers are scheduled to report to spring training on Feb. 13. As we count down the days until camp begins, we are going through the various position groups to give a breakdown of where the roster stands. Today, the infielders. Previously: Outfielders, catchers.

2023 RECAP

The Angels built their roster with enough extra players to get them through some injuries, but it wasn’t enough for what they endured. Third baseman Anthony Rendon, first baseman Jared Walsh, second baseman Brandon Drury, utility infielder Gio Urshela and shortstop Zach Neto (who began the season at Triple-A) all spent more than a month on the injured list. David Fletcher spent most of the season at Triple-A. The Angels were so thin that they had to make midseason deals for veterans Mike Moustakas and C.J. Cron. Amid all of that, Drury had the best season, slugging 26 home runs with an .803 OPS in 523 plate appearances. Luis Rengifo started slowly but sizzled through the summer, ending up with 16 homers and a .783 OPS in 445 plate appearances. Neto, who was just drafted nine months before his debut in April, finished with a .685 OPS, but he played spectacular defense. At the end of the season, the Angels got a look at first baseman Nolan Schanuel, who they had just drafted in July. He reached base safely in all 29 of his games on his way to a .402 on-base percentage.

HOW IT LOOKS RIGHT NOW

The Angels moved on from Fletcher when he was traded in December and allowed Urshela, Moustakas and Cron to go as a free agents, while making no significant additions in the infield. Heading into spring training, the most likely alignment is Schanuel at first, Drury at second, Neto at shortstop and Rendon at third. Of course, the Angels need to prepare for the possibility of Rendon being injured again. He has missed most of the last three seasons with injuries, but the Angels are clearly a better team when he’s in the lineup. They need to get more in 2024 out of a player in the fifth year of a seven-year, $245 million deal. They still have Rengifo, who could either play third or play second, moving Drury to third. It’s possible that those five players could deliver enough production out of the four spots, but there are questions about everyone. Rendon’s injury history is the biggest issue, but they also haven’t seen enough of Neto or Schanuel to know what to expect. Drury is 31. Rengifo hasn’t yet shown consistent production for a whole season.

THE NEXT LAYER

The Angels picked up first baseman Evan White in the trade that sent Fletcher to the Braves. White is an elite defensive player, but he’s never hit during his injury-marred seasons in the majors. The Angels signed third baseman/outfielder Hunter Dozier to a minor league deal. Kyren Paris, who was drafted as a shortstop, reached the big leagues in 2023 (going 4 for 40). The Angels have been bouncing him around to different positions, so he could settle in at second base or even play some outfield. Michael Stefanic made significant strides defensively and offensively last year, giving the Angels an option at second or third.

MOVE THEY COULD MAKE

Moustakas is 35 and demonstrated last season that his performance suffered when he was pressed into everyday playing time. However, the Angels loved his clubhouse presence. If he were willing to come back on a discounted deal with the understanding that he would play sparingly, he could be a useful piece. They could also sign Justin Turner, 39, who was much more productive than Moustakas last season even though he’s older. Both players are Southern California natives who play multiple infield positions and could provide some leadership. The Angels also could use a true shortstop to play if Neto goes down for an extended period of time. Tim Anderson, Nick Ahmed and Brandon Crawford are all still available as free agents, although it might be tough to convince any of them to accept a Plan B.

View the full article

Vegas Halo Fan · January 26

Angels pitchers and catchers are scheduled to report to spring training on Feb. 13. As we count down the days until camp begins, we are going through the various position groups to give a breakdown of where the roster stands. Today, we look at the catchers. Previously: outfielders.

2023 RECAP

Max Stassi’s hip injury – and subsequent time away to tend to his prematurely born son – set the stage for Logan O’Hoppe to begin the season as the starter, even though he’d played just five major league games previously. He established himself as a favorite of the pitchers and he showed some pop with his bat, but he hurt his shoulder two weeks into the season, requiring surgery that knocked him out until late August. He still hit 14 home runs in just 199 plate appearances, with a .796 OPS. While O’Hoppe was out, Matt Thaiss and Chad Wallach split the duties. They held their own offensively, although both slumped late in the season. It all added up to a .706 OPS from the catchers, which was 15th in MLB. The relative lack of major league experience behind the plate might have had a negative impact on the pitchers, though.

HOW IT LOOKS RIGHT NOW

The Angels cleared the way to go with the same cast as last season when Stassi was traded in December. O’Hoppe certainly looks like he should be a productive starting catcher, based on what he did in his rookie season. If he takes the expected steps forward offensively, defensively and in leadership, he could emerge as one of baseball’s best young catchers. Thaiss, who is out of options, is in line to be O’Hoppe’s backup.

THE NEXT LAYER

In addition to re-signing Wallach to a minor league deal, the Angels signed Francisco Mejia to a minor league deal in December. Mejia was once one of the top catching prospects in baseball, but lately, he’s settled into a career as a competent backup. Mejia produced a .682 OPS over the past three years with the Tampa Bay Rays.

MOVE THEY COULD MAKE

If the Angels want a veteran to help guide O’Hoppe, they could go after a free agent like Yasmani Grandal, Mike Zunino, Curt Casali or Cam Gallagher. Grandal is known as one of baseball’s best framers.

View the full article

January 23

Robert Stephenson said he doesn’t consider the new pitch that turned around his season to be a new pitch at all.

The Angels freshly-signed reliever did acknowledge it was different, though.

“I still call it a slider,” Stephenson said of the pitch sometimes identified as a cutter. “It’s the exact same grip I use with my slider before. I just released a little bit different now so might move a little differently, but it’s still the same grip.”

Whatever you call the tweak the Tampa Bay Rays made with Stephenson after they acquired him last June, it seems to be largely responsible for the three-year, $33-million deal that became official on Tuesday.

Stephenson, 30, had a 5.14 ERA in two months with the Pittsburgh Pirates and a 4.90 ERA in parts of seven previous big league seasons, before the Rays suggested the change to his slider.

After that, Stephenson had a 2.35 ERA with 60 strikeouts in 38-1/3 innings.

“He had a new toy, with the change of speed on his slider, and he was one of the best, if not the best, relievers in baseball over the last 40 innings,” Angels general manager Perry Minasian said.

That’s why the Angels were willing to make a relatively large investment for a setup man. The Angels also hedged their bet by including in the contract a $2.5 million club option that can be exercised if Stephenson spends 130 consecutive days on the injured list with an elbow issue. It is basically insurance that allows the Angels to get back any season that Stephenson might miss because of Tommy John surgery. There is no buyout.

“I expect myself to be healthy every year,” Stephenson said, “but if something happens to my elbow where I end up getting hurt and missing time for it, it feels fair that on the backside I’d get a little bit more time with the Angels than originally planned.”

Stephenson also expressed confidence that his performance in his breakout season is sustainable. He said, besides the new way he started throwing his slider, he also had a new approach with the Rays.

“Just being more aggressive and trying to put guys in a hole quicker,” Stephenson said.

The Angels bullpen needed plenty of help after finishing 25th in the majors with a 4.88 ERA last year. Closer Carlos Estévez was solid in the ninth inning for about two-thirds of the season, but the Angels had issues all season setting him up.

The Angels had a 5.28 ERA in the sixth, seventh and eighth innings last season. They were outscored by 113 runs in those innings.

“For us to win more games and especially compete, we have to be better in the middle innings,” Minasian said.

Stephenson would seem to go into camp as the Angels’ eighth-inning reliever, with Estévez handling the ninth. The Angels also have newly signed right-handers Luis Garcia and Adam Cimber, along with returning pitchers José Soriano, Ben Joyce, Andrew Wantz and Jimmy Herget.

The highest lefty on the depth chart is probably Adam Kolarek, who is not even on the 40-man roster.

“Do we have to (add a lefty)? Not necessarily,” Minasian said. “But it would be nice obviously to mix in a lefty or two, if we can.”

Minasian said the Angels are still open to additions in all areas.

“Definitely not done from an offseason standpoint,” he said. “It’s got to be the right fit. It’s got to make sense. But I do believe there’s still players out there that can help us improve and, and make us a more competitive club.”

NOTE

The Angels reportedly agreed to a minor league deal with infielder Miguel Sanó. Sanó, 30, has a career .808 OPS in parts of eight big league seasons with the Minnesota Twins, but he did not play in 2023.

View the full article

Angel Oracle · January 23

by Ryan Falla

The Angels have found themselves well short on veritable game changers as the last decade has seen them skid through season after season with disappointing results. While most look for answers at the Major League level with free agency and the trade market the most sustainable path towards extended success, aside from ownership, rests within the talent depth at the minor league level. Prospect talent may not be the most immediate answer to Major League woes, but for an organization like the Angels it is the most necessary. There is more opportunity for long term organizational success found within the Angels prospect depth than in what we've seen in many years with the organizations recent Top 10 Prospect rankings. One of their more exciting prospects on that Top 10 list is the naturally advanced right handed hitting OF/IN Alberto Rios. His 2023 season with Stanford saw the young star breakout with a performance that resulted in Pac 12 Player of the Year recognitions as he played his way into draft considerations with just one full season of play-time. His 1.191 OPS across the 242 AB season saw Rios slug 18 HRs and 24 doubles with 73 RBIs while aptly balancing his BB/K rate with 38 BB’s to 42 K’s. The impressive nature of his K/BB rate is further magnified when considering his lack of live experience up to his junior season. Rios set many records during his time with Stanford despite having just one full season of play, including the schools single game RBI record with an 11 RBI, 3 HR game (3/5/23) as well as a full season doubles total (24) that ranked as the third highest in school history. There is a stark maturity in the disciplined power hitter despite entering his breakout junior season with seven collective pinch hit AB's across his freshman and sophomore seasons combined. Where most would resign themselves to the bench, Rios found it necessary to force himself into the conversation, and just one season later Rios is now firmly entrenched as the Angels #4 ranked prospect heading into the 2024 season.

“I was around a lot of really good baseball players at Stanford. I was able to stay with them on a daily basis and pick their brain. I got to see two seasons of superstars and see what works for them. How they carry themselves whether things were going good or bad. I was doing the daily work with them, in the cages and doing machine work with them. If I could do it here [behind the scenes] and match up with them it should be no different in a game as long as I'm out there competing and trying to win.”

One of Rios’ more underrated offensive qualities is his threat on the base paths, a quality which he displayed in spades at Stanford. Despite being seen as a hit over speed athlete he came around to score 69 times for the school while also stealing five bases. He logged a run in 46 of his 63 games played, a stat which immediately translated to his time in Low A as he scored runs in more than half of his games played while also stealing seven bags in half the AB’s he had with Stanford. It’s easy to look past his sneaky baserunning skills when the bat speaks as loudly as it does, but as is Rios is an elite threat to get himself on the board through any means necessary. For someone as talented with the bat as Rios is, to present yourself as a threat to break a game open on the base paths is a quality that will elevate his game to an elite level at the big leagues. Especially for a team like the Angels who have struggled with implementing impactful baserunning at the Major League level.

“As you go up you see faster speeds, the game tends to speed up. The game gets a little better. How slow can you slow your game down to match that edge? You're playing the same game you played since you were eight years old, you just learn to slow the game down. As you go into the higher levels of baseball you need to get simpler. How can I slow things down and get simple, get back to what baseball is about?”

Rios elite production is no accident; his advanced approach sees him employ a compact swing that limits his strikeout total, and when paired with an above average sense of discipline you often see Rios force pitchers into throwing his pitch. This all comes to a head in the batters box for Rios as his ability to tap into his raw power sees him barrel up favorable pitches on a regular basis. You have to wonder what a full season of professional development will do considering these elite qualities were developed over just 301 ABs across the last three years. Further considering Rios developed his qualities by observing and emulating the routines of the stars around him (a game changing quality for a prospect aiming for Major League success) a full season of absorbing the experience at the professional level will likely catapult the star to a break out sometime in 2024.

“I practice for every situation that could happen. Once the season starts you don't really know how it's gonna work out or what's gonna happen. Seeing what guys did beforehand helped me, but actually being in there was a different story. Experiencing it myself was a very humbling and an awesome opportunity. How can I bring my skills and my personality to the game? And I think that's what it was, seeing how my personality would mix into playing the game.”

The Angels are looking to find a defensive home for Rios heading into 2024, though his experience covering multiple positions should allay concerns as to whether or not he will find a defensive footing. Although Rios spent his time as a left-fielder last season the Angels will employ him as a catcher this season, a position he had previous experience with during his time at Stanford. His 2023 season may have seen him break out as a left-fielder, but his college career started by transitioning to a catcher role as an infielder out of high school. Rios spent his freshman and sophomore seasons as the bullpen catcher for Stanford and will use that experience as a springboard to launch his 2024 season.

"Being an infielder and then transitioning to catcher freshman year of college was definitely a transition. But as time went on I got to pick the brain of some guys at Stanford and some guys here [Low A] and see what works for them. Luckily I've been able to get behind the dish at school and over here with the Angels. My hands have always worked pretty well as a catcher. My footwork from being an infielder helps. The durability of getting your body right to play each and every day is key. How can I prepare my body the right way going into a season so I can sustain a long season? That's something I've never had to think about until now.””

The final stretch of his 2023 season ended with Rios heating up over a six game hitting streak as the young star continued his run scoring pace with four runs in those final six games. Rios would also see an extended hit streak earlier in August which saw him pick up 7 RBI’s with 2 HR’s and 4 runs scored in his first full month with the Low A 66ers. While most of his Low A season was a learning experience in finding acclimation to a professional environment there were enough flashes of his elite upside to offer confidence, and enthusiasm, in the coming developmental track for Rios. Just as he forced his bat into the conversation with Stanford it is very feasible he will do the same with the Angels sooner rather than later. His natural hitting tools are the definition of advanced beyond his years, and with legitimate development there is a real chance to tap into his elite abilities at the Major League level. There are some who believe he will have a quick rise to the Majors once his bat becomes fully accustomed to the professional speed of the game, and though it is still too early to read the tea leaves for an MLB debut date he has a legitimate chance to break in as early as 2025. All in all, what the Angels have to look forward to in Alberto Rios is an immediate game changer on the field who can use the experience of those around him to make himself better, two qualities the Angels have had in short supply this last decade. Patience will be rewarded with Rios in Anaheim, as it was in Stanford.

“This game is very fragile, very similar to life. I had the opportunity to be on the field and live within those white lines. I felt appreciative and grateful, I had a huge sense of gratitude to be out there playing this beautiful game. You only have such a short amount of time to do it in your life. Being out there was an unbelievable experience, it made me appreciate what the game is and what it's done for me so far in my life.”

View the full article

January 22

Angels pitchers and catchers are scheduled to report to spring training on Feb. 13. As we count down the days until camp begins, we are going through the various position groups to give a breakdown of where the roster stands. Today, the outfield.

2023 RECAP

Center fielder Mike Trout missed half the season with a fractured hamate bone, marking the third time in the last three years that the three-time American League MVP has missed significant time with an injury. He was just starting to heat up at the plate before he got hurt, after getting off to the worst start of his career. He finished the season with a .263 batting average, 18 home runs and an .858 OPS in 82 games. Left fielder Taylor Ward also got off to a slow start, started to find himself around midseason, but then he suffered a season-ending injury when he fractured bones in his face after he was hit by a pitch. Right fielder Hunter Renfroe actually started very well, but then he slumped for months. Eventually, the Angels let him go on waivers as a cost-cutting measure once they were out of the playoff race. The injuries cleared room for Mickey Moniak to get an extended opportunity, and he delivered. Moniak produced an .802 OPS in 323 plate appearances after posting a .486 mark in his first 167 plate appearances.

HOW IT LOOKS RIGHT NOW

The Angels didn’t make any significant additions to the outfield mix, so they’ll be counting heavily on Trout, Ward and Moniak to be productive and healthy. Trout, 32, is still young enough to produce an MVP-caliber season, if he can stay on the field. His offensive decline last year, even before he was hurt, raises the question of whether it was just a bad couple of months that would have been erased with a full season or the start of age catching up to him. Ward and Moniak have both produced at an elite level for stretches of two or three months, but neither has done it for a full season. Jo Adell, who is out of options this season, has dominated at Triple-A, but he has never produced in the majors. He figures to open the season in the rotation for regular playing time, and it will be up to him to show if he can finally deliver on his promise.

THE NEXT LAYER

The Angels signed veteran major leaguers Willie Calhoun, Jake Marisnick and Hunter Dozier to minor league deals, providing some depth. Jordyn Adams, the Angels’ first-round draft pick in 2018, has exceptional speed, defense and power potential, but he showed during his brief opportunity in the majors last year that he still has some rough edges. Trey Cabbage, who also plays first base, has plus power.

MOVE THEY COULD MAKE

Cody Bellinger, arguably the top offensive player outside of Shohei Ohtani on the free agent market, is still available. Bellinger would fit nicely as a left-handed bat in the middle of the Angels’ order, and he would be easy to slide into center field when Trout is at DH or if he is injured. At some point, Trout is going to move to a corner, so getting Bellinger on a multi-year deal could help the Angels prepare for that.

View the full article

Profiles

Forums

Blogs

Events

Gallery

Store

Posts posted by AngelsWin.com

CAUGHT ON VIDEO

A SECOND CHANCE

SUAREZ UPDATE

NOTES

BACHMAN UPDATE

NOTES

What does Arte Moreno have to say?

How are Mike Trout and Anthony Rendon doing?

How will the outfield shake out?

Will Ward return to form?

Are the young players ready for increased roles?

WHO’S IN?

WHO’S OUT?

NON-ROSTER INVITEES

2023 RECAP

HOW IT LOOKS RIGHT NOW

THE NEXT LAYER

MOVE THEY COULD MAKE

2023 RECAP

HOW IT LOOKS RIGHT NOW

THE NEXT LAYER

MOVE THEY COULD MAKE

2023 RECAP

HOW IT LOOKS RIGHT NOW

THE NEXT LAYER

MOVE THEY COULD MAKE

2023 RECAP

HOW IT LOOKS RIGHT NOW

THE NEXT LAYER

MOVE THEY COULD MAKE

NOTE

2023 RECAP

HOW IT LOOKS RIGHT NOW

THE NEXT LAYER

MOVE THEY COULD MAKE