Los Angeles Angels: 10 Encouraging Takeaways from First Quarter of 2012 Season

The roller coaster ride through the first quarter of the season was not always pleasant, but it showed the Los Angeles Angels’ faithful that the Halos have all of the tools necessary to be among the few teams that have a legitimate shot to play through October.

Here are ten key takeaways from the early portion of the 2012 MLB season for the team that calls Angel Stadium of Anaheim home.

1. The Starting Pitching Is Finding Its Stride

The pitching staff led by ace Jered Weaver got off to a rough start in 2012, and though Weaver was sensational all year long, the rest of the staff struggled and was inconsistent at best. High-priced free agent C.J. Wilson (5 years, $77.5 million) was mediocre after being looked upon to bolster the staff.

But the pitching has improved by leaps and bounds of late. Through 56 games, Angels' starters are second in the AL in both ERA and WHIP (3.47, 1.20). Their consistency is one of the primary reasons the Angels find themselves within striking distance of the division lead.

2. Albert Pujols Is Back (Finally)

Nothing had fans in southern California more worried than watching their team's most valuable asset look like an overwhelmed rookie for the first month of the season. Albert Pujols suffered through the worst slump of his professional career after signing a substantial $240 million contract. 

But the answers as to why the slump happened in such a severe fashion may never be known. Was it nerves and pressure from the high expectations? A rift with his former hitting coach? American League pitching?  Just another anomaly in the crazy game of baseball?

No matter what the reason, Angels fans don’t want to go through anything like this again, and neither does the future Hall-of-Famer.

3. ‘The Streak’ May Have Saved the Season

The eight-game winning streak in late May couldn’t have come at a better time for the Angels. They were struggling to produce runs and the pitching staff was under-performing with few exceptions.

Then, everything clicked and the team began to grow in front of fans’ eyes. The pitching became what it was supposed to be and the quiet bats livened up to produce a series of wins that allowed the team to climb out of the cellar. Should they have any long-term success this season, it will be easy to point to the streak as the catalyst that started it all.

4. Mike Scioscia Is One of the Best Managers in Baseball

One of the most important jobs of a big-league manager is to keep the team focused and not let emotions get the best of the players when things go wrong. Mike Scioscia is a two-time AL Manager of the Year, and it’s not hard to see why.

Throughout the team’s struggles at the start of the season, he never panicked or let the team buy into any rhetoric that it wasn't good enough to compete for the division. His calm demeanor and ability to stay the course have lifted the team right back into contention.

5. Mike Trout Is a Legitimate Star

This sensational 20-year-old possesses every tool necessary to be an incredible player for years to come. His energy, spectacular defense, and timely hitting are what kept the Angels alive in their darkest times.  

What’s more is that he’s beginning to garner national recognition for his outstanding play. Though it’s too early to say he’s a lock to win Rookie of the Year, he’s definitely in the running. It’s worth tuning in to an Angels game just to see what this excitable kid will do next.

6. Mark Trumbo Is a Hometown Hero

When Pujols was suffering from a power outage at the plate, it was Mark Trumbo who picked up the slugger and the rest of his team by providing the lineup’s clout in times of desperation. His timely hitting helped propel the team toward respectability in the American League and have him in serious consideration for his first All-Star Game appearance.

The southern California native who attended high school just minutes away from Angel Stadium deserves every bit of the recognition he’s getting. He should also be lauded for this incredible play against the Texas Rangers.

7. The Angels Can Compete with the Most Elite Teams

It’s not often that a team experiences a playoff atmosphere in late May and early June, but that’s exactly what happened in two critical series wins against the New York Yankees and Texas Rangers.

The Angels won when they needed to send a message that they weren’t just a team that could stomp on the weaker teams only to fold when the big boys came to town. They demonstrated to all of Major League Baseball that they have what it takes to be among those left standing at season's end.

8. They Pick Each Other Up

When Weaver was forced to leave in the first inning due to injury early in a key game vs. the Yankees, the bullpen came in and held strong. Trumbo was on fire when Pujols struggled, and when Torii Hunter needed to take a leave of absence from the team due to family issues, the team rallied and was able to pull off several big wins via total team efforts.

There isn't a selfish player in the clubhouse in Anaheim, and that bodes well for the team's ability to win despite adverse circumstances, especially late in the year.

9. A Coaching Change Was Necessary

It’s difficult to say whether or not the May 15, 2012 firing of hitting coach Mickey Hatcher was the primary reason for the resurgence of the team’s offense. It can’t be ignored, however, that the bats started to liven up once he was out of the picture. The team looks confident at the plate from top to bottom, and coaching has to have played at least some role in that development.

10. The 2012 Halos Have Heart

There is an element of specialness to the 2012 Los Angeles Angels that allowed them to turn the season around. Fans have to be excited about what’s in store for this team that doesn’t have any glaring weaknesses.

They’ve battled through adversity and so far have met every challenge. With Weaver on the DL and more challenges all but certain to come, the team will have to bottle up its positive attitude and remain confident for the remainder of the year.

Follow Michael C. Jones on Twitter @MikeJonesTweets for more Angels insight.