ANAHEIM -- It’s still incredibly early in the season but some trends are starting to develop for the Angels, who are off to a solid start despite playing a challenging schedule that has already featured series against postseason clubs from last year like the Cubs, Mariners, Reds, Yankees, Padres and now the Blue Jays. They have an 11-13 record heading into Tuesday's game against Toronto and it hasn’t been a fluke, with a positive run differential of +8 (117 runs scored and 109 runs allowed). “It's been great,” manager Kurt Suzuki said. “I think it's fun to play these good teams. The guys have been fighting, battling and competing every single night with energy. It's been really fun to watch.” Here’s a look at five trends for the Angels so far this season: |
The Angels are walking more and still have plenty of power Last year, the Angels hit the fourth-most homers in the Majors (226), but their walk percentage (8.1%) was just the 21st-best mark and they ranked 25th in runs scored (673). So far this season, they rank second in homers (34), but also have the third-best walk percentage (12%) and are tied for fifth in runs scored (117). Superstar Mike Trout’s resurgence has a lot to do with that, but Zach Neto has also been walking more than at any point in his career while Yoán Moncada and Nolan Schanuel also offer patience. Despite losing slugger Taylor Ward in the Grayson Rodriguez trade, others have stepped up in the power department like Jorge Soler, Neto and even Oswald Peraza. “We're walking a lot more and obviously still hitting the ball out of the ballpark,” Suzuki said. “But I think it just comes down to the quality of at-bats.” |
The rotation has been better than expected Led by right-hander José Soriano, who has been the best pitcher in baseball by going 5-0 with a 0.28 ERA through his first five starts, the rotation has been much improved even with right-handers Alek Manoah, Ryan Johnson and Rodriguez on the injured list. Jack Kochanowicz and Reid Detmers have both been solid and pitched well at Yankee Stadium last week, while No. 18 prospect Walbert Urena looked electric in his first career start on Sunday against the Padres and lefty Yusei Kikuchi pitched more like his All-Star version of himself after tweaking his arm angle on Saturday. They’ll need Kikuchi to continue to turn things around and Detmers and Kochanowicz to keep things up, but Soriano looks like an ace. “Good starting pitching keeps you in the game,” Suzuki said of their three-game series against the Padres. “We had a chance to win every game, and we held these guys to six runs in three games. That's a really good team over there.” |
The bullpen needs to improve Angels relievers have combined to post a 4.52 ERA that ranks as the 21st-best mark in the big leagues. One of their biggest issues is allowing too many walks. Their 13.4% walk rate is fifth highest in the Majors and it’s come back to haunt them several times, especially in Saturday’s 4-1 loss. Jordan Romano also had a great start to his season, beginning his Angels tenure with five scoreless outings and four saves, but will need to recover after blowing two saves at Yankee Stadium last week that prevented the club from completing a four-game sweep. The good news is the Angels have help on the way, with veteran Kirby Yates (left knee inflammation) currently on a rehab assignment and flamethrower Ben Joyce progressing to facing hitters for the first time since undergoing shoulder surgery last May. The Angels could be better with ABS challenges Angels hitters have been successful on 45 percent of their Automated Ball-Strike (ABS) challenges, which is tied for the third-worst mark in the Majors. They’ve also had 57 instances where a ball was ruled a strike by the umpire but the Angels didn’t challenge, which is tied with the Guardians for second most in the Majors. Only the Reds (60) have had more such pitches. “We’re trying to get as much info as we can,” Suzuki said. “Like what situations, what pitches, like high or low, in or out and what pitch types are getting the most calls as balls or strikes.” |
The defense has improved, but is still below average The Angels had the worst defense in baseball last year by a large margin according to Statcast’s Outs Above Average metric with -54 OAA (the Nationals were second worst at -33). This season, it’s still not great at -5, but it’s tied for 21st in the Majors with Seattle and Tampa Bay tied for the worst mark at -11. Moncada has struggled at third base, but otherwise defense hasn’t been as much of an issue. Catcher Logan O’Hoppe, however, still ranks as a well below-average framer and blocker behind the plate, though he has improved his caught-stealing numbers. |
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MLB MORNING LINEUP PODCAST |
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Rodriguez took a step in his recovery from right shoulder inflammation, facing hitters before Monday’s game against the Blue Jays. He threw roughly 30 pitches in two simulated innings and said he felt good and was pleased with his stuff. But he’ll still need to continue to build up his pitch count before he joins the rotation.
“It's a big step,” Rodriguez said. “Obviously, when you’re out for a long period of time not getting to see hitters, I mean, it's disappointing. But finally getting hitters back in the box and getting that adrenaline going, felt really nice.”
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Who had the first hit at Angel (then Anaheim) Stadium when it first opened on April 19, 1966? A) Rick Reichardt B) Jim Fregosi C) Bobby Knoop D) Buck Rogers |
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USC FOOTBALL PLAYERS VISIT AS ANGELS OFFER COLLEGE NIGHT PROMOTIONS
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The Angels welcomed several players from the USC Trojans football team on Sunday, with running back King Miller throwing out the ceremonial first pitch and being joined by teammates Tanook Hines, Waymond Jordan, Tobias Raymond and Nela Tupou. The Angels are hosting several college nights this year, including Cal Poly Pomona Night on Tuesday, Cal State Fullerton Night on July 18, UC Irvine Night on Aug. 15 and USC Night on Aug. 30. This year, it includes a cross-promotional jersey featuring the Angels and the college team. Ticket information can be found here. |
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B. Fregosi, who doubled in the first inning off White Sox lefty Tommy John. |
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