Making the Grade: Los Angeles Angels Report Cards for Month of April
The first month of the 2011 MLB season has now concluded, and the month of April certainly included some surprises from both teams and players, as well as some unexpected slow starts.
In the American League West, the Texas Rangers came out of the gates firing on all cylinders, and despite the loss of reigning AL MVP Josh Hamilton to a broken right humerus bone on a play that was anything but humorous, they are nonetheless still in first place, posting a 16-11 record during the month of April.
The Los Angeles Angels, despite an offense that is struggling to hit with runners in scoring position, got tremendous performances from their top two starting pitchers, Jered Weaver and Dan Haren, and a major improvement from the bullpen after a shaky first week of play. The Angels finished the month with a 15-12 record.
The Oakland Athletics got what what was expected from their vaunted young starting rotation as well, with Gio Gonzalez, Trevor Cahill and Brett Anderson all posting ERAs under 3.00 for the month. Brandon McCarthy also chipped in with a 3.57 ERA as the No. 5 starter. However, a lineup that boasts Conor Jackson, Josh Willingham and Kurt Suzuki in the middle of the batting order is not a lineup that is designed to punish opposing hitters. Thus, the A’s were 13-14 in the month of April.
Finally, the Seattle Mariners are pretty much right where they were expected to be—living in the cellar. The Mariners, largely on the strength of their recent six-game road winning streak, climbed up to 12-16 to end the month of April. Seattle’s bullpen had been a huge factor in the recent streak, posting 15 straight scoreless innings.
So now that one month is in the books, how did the individual performances for the Los Angeles Angels players grade out? We will take a look at each member of the pitching staff and the positional players and attempt to attach a grade to their April performance.
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1. Jered Weaver: A+
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There isn’t any other grade you could possibly give Angels starting pitcher Jered Weaver. Six wins, two complete games, a 0.99 ERA, only five earned runs allowed and 49 strikeouts in 45.2 innings is literally otherworldly.
Weaver should be a lock for American League Pitcher of the Month and is well on his way towards gaining very serious consideration for AL Cy Young award votes as well.
2.Dan Haren: A-
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You certainly can’t knock Haren’s performance in the month of April either. A 4-1 record, including three wins in one week with one win coming in relief, a 1.23 ERA and 38 strikeouts compared to just seven walks in 44 innings certainly made Haren’s month pretty stellar.
Even in Haren’s last effort, a seven-inning performance against the Oakland A’s, giving up just three hits and one unearned run, was pretty special. Unfortunately the Halos lost the game in extra innings, but with the combination of Weaver and Haren on the mound, the Angels certainly have a better than even chance that they will walk away victorious.
3.Ervin Santana: C-
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Santana did not start the 2011 season in the way that he had hoped. He started off well in his first three outings, with quality starts in each outing, but came away with one loss to show for it.
Santana then got shelled in Texas, giving up six runs on 10 hits in just four innings of work. Santana took another loss in the Red Sox’s four-game sweep of the Halos in Anaheim and finally got his first win of the month on Friday night at Tampa Bay.
Santana will need to show a bit more consistency to capably back up Weaver and Haren as the No. 3 starter for the Angels.
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4.Joel Pineiro: Incomplete
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I am only giving Pineiro an incomplete grade because he just made his first start of the season on April 30 against the Tampa Bay Rays, a game that the Halos let get away in the 10th inning.
Pineiro was brilliant in his first start of the season after rehabbing from right shoulder stiffness, giving up just one run off four hits in seven innings, striking out three and walking just one. The key will be how Pineiro bounces back in his next start with the early-season arm troubles and whether or not he can prove to be durable throughout the season.
5.Scott Kazmir: F
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Some may say that this is an unfair grade, considering that Kazmir, like Pineiro, only made one start before going on the DL.
However, Kazmir went through the entire spring training unscathed, yet he still posted a 6.65 ERA and looked positively awful in his first performance, never getting above 85 MPH with his fastball.
Kazmir, placed on the DL shortly after that performance, has been pitching in extended spring training, and there is apparently some concern with the command and velocity of his fastball. He will likely continue on his rehab assignment in extended spring training before the Angels decide what to do next.
6.Tyler Chatwood: B-
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Twenty-one-year-old Tyler Chatwood was called up by the Angels when Kazmir was placed on the disabled list and made his first start of the season against the Cleveland Indians on April 11.
Chatwood got into some trouble with the long ball against Indians, giving up homers to Asdrubal Cabrera and Matt LaPorta. However, he showed some moxie in working out of a tough jam in the fifth inning, stranding two runners in scoring position.
Chatwood got his first victory of his major-league career against the White Sox in his next start, throwing seven strong innings in blustery Chicago and giving up just one run on five hits. He followed that up with a six-inning effort against the Red Sox, allowing just two runs on six hits. However, Chatwood walked five during that outing, continually having to work from the stretch.
His last effort in April resulted in an 8-3 victory during which Chatwood went 5.1 innings, giving up three runs on five hits, but again walking five.
Once Chatwood is able to better harness his command, he will clearly be a key addition to the Angels’ starting staff.
7.Matt Palmer: C-
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Matt Palmer made three spot starts for the Angels, compiling a 1-1 record with a 5.74 ERA in those starts with both Joel Pineiro and Scott Kazmir on the DL. Palmer was optioned back to Triple-A Salt Lake following the activation of Pineiro from the DL, indicating that the Angels were more comfortable with Tyler Chatwood in the starting rotation.
Palmer will more than likely be bouncing back and forth from Triple-A and serves as insurance for both the starting rotation and in a long relief role.
8.Hisanori Takahashi: C
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Hisanori Takahashi, signed to a two-year, $8 million contract during the offseason, started off sluggishly for the Angels, allowing three hits and one run in his first appearance of the season against the Kansas City Royals on Opening Day.
Takahashi has righted the ship somewhat, collecting one win and three holds and ending the month of April with a 3.65 ERA and nine strikeouts in 12.1 innings. He will be looked upon as a key contributor in the late innings down the stretch for the Angels.
9.Rich Thompson: A-
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Middle/long reliever Rich Thompson has been a very pleasant surprise for the Angels thus far, posting a 2.70 ERA in 13.1 innings over eight appearances and holding opposing batters to a .216 batting average.
Going forward, Thompson can provide great value for the Angels if and when starters struggle and need a pickup out of the bullpen.
10.Fernando Rodney: C-
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After losing his closer's role to Jordan Walden, Rodney has actually settled in nicely in the bullpen. Over 12 appearances, Rodney has a 3.09 ERA, two saves and three holds.
Rodney had a tough outing on the last day of the month, throwing a wild pitch to allow Matt Joyce to score from third with the winning run in the Angels’ 2-1 loss to Tampa Bay.
However, if Rodney can pitch the way he did in his outings between April 8-26, when he pitched 8.1 scoreless innings, the back end of the Angels bullpen will be well served going forward.
11.Francisco Rodriguez: B-
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Rodriguez, back with the big club after spending a bit of time with Salt Lake, has posted a 3.38 ERA in seven appearances and has been largely effective, save for a rough outing in Texas on April 19.
Rodriguez, who was clearly surprised that he was sent down to Triple-A Salt Lake to start the season, should continue to hold down a spot in the bullpen if he continues shutting down opposing batters. He still has issues with command, however, issuing four walks in eight innings.
12.Jordan Walden: B+
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Walden, since taking over the closer's role from Fernando Rodney, has been terrific, with four saves, a 0.73 ERA and 12 strikeouts in 12.1 innings and holding opposing batters to a .140 batting average.
The 23-year-old reliever is clearly looked upon as the closer of the future for the Angels, and his promotion earlier this season was one of the moves that helped shore up the bullpen.
13.Scott Downs: B-
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Downs, who started the season on the disabled list after he broke his toe playing with his children, was back on the DL once again with a gastrointestinal virus just three days after being activated from his first stint.
However, Downs has pitched scoreless relief in his three appearances. Hopefully the two separate injuries are now behind him and he can give the Angels a great veteran presence as well as another solid left arm out of the bullpen.
14.Trevor Bell: Incomplete
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Trevor Bell was just called up from Triple-A Salt Lake on April 22 and has made only one appearance thus far, a two-inning stint against the Boston Red Sox during which he pitched two scoreless innings.
Bell is not a stranger to Angels fans, as he filled in on the starting rotation last season for the Angels when Joel Pineiro went on the disabled list for two months. Bell will most likely see action in long relief or on occasion as a spot starter throughout the season.
15.Mark Trumbo: C+
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Trumbo was named the starter at first base after a terrific spring training during which he hit .297 with six home runs and 20 runs batted in.
In 24 games in April, Trumbo hit .239 with four home runs and a team-leading 13 runs batted in. Trumbo broke out of a 1-for-22 slump on Friday night against the Tampa Bay Rays with two hits and four RBI. However, Trumbo still needs to work on plate discipline, as his 23 strikeouts against only two walks suggests.
It’s hard to say what Trumbo’s future will be once Kendrys Morales finally returns to full strength and is firmly ensconced at first base. Trumbo has taken fielding practice in right field and has played there for a few innings thus far, so the Angels clearly value his bat and want to work some flexibility into his repertoire.
16.Howie Kendrick: B+
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Second baseman Howie Kendrick has been one of the most consistent hitters for the Angels on the young season. Hitting .306 with six homers and 12 RBI, Kendrick has provided the bulk of power thus far, and although his strikeouts are a bit alarming at this point (24), his .936 OPS is the highest on the team.
Angels fans have been waiting for that big breakout season from Kendrick, and thus far, he has certainly not disappointed.
17.Erick Aybar: B-
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One of the issues that Angels manager Mike Scioscia talked about at the beginning was keeping shortstop Erick Aybar healthy. Of course, that didn’t happen, at least early in the season. Aybar was shelved with a strained ribcage muscle for over two weeks.
However, once he returned, Aybar has been the pesky hitter that Scioscia has wanted to see with a .353 batting average in 51 at-bats. The big question, of course, remains whether he can remain in the lineup injury-free.
18.Maicer Izturis: B-
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The same issue that manager Mike Scioscia was concerned about with Erick Aybar was also a concern for Maicer Izturis. While Izturis has not landed on the disabled list, he has been slowed by a strained hamstring, causing him to miss several games over the last week.
While in the leadoff position for the Angels, Izturis was hitting .314 with two homers and nine runs batted in, adding a nice option at the top of the lineup that had been missing since the departure of Chone Figgins.
19.Alberto Callaspo- B
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Third baseman Alberto Callaspo was thought to be a utility man on the Angels roster this season, but with the early injury to Erick Aybar and the recent hamstring issues of Maicer Izturis, Callaspo has been a regular fixture in the Angels offense, and he has been a pleasant surprise.
Callaspo hit .303 during the month of April with two homers and eight runs batted in and provided solid defense as well.
20.Alexi Amarista: Incomplete
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Second baseman Alexi Amarista was just called up to the Angels on April 27 to give manager Mike Scioscia another infield option with Maicer Izturis suffering from a strained hamstring.
Amarista had a big-time major-league debut that same day, doubling in two runs and hitting a sacrifice fly for three total RBI against the Oakland Athletics.
The 22-year-old Amarista adds another dimension to the current youth movement happening on the Angels, along with 21-year-old Tyler Chatwood, 23-year-old Hank Conger, 24-year-old Peter Bourjos, 23-year-old Jordan Walden and 25-year-old Mark Trumbo.
21.Hank Conger: A-
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Conger has been a surprise out of the gate for the Los Angeles Angels and has clearly gained favor in the eyes of manager Mike Scioscia with his improved defense.
Conger has hit .273 with two home runs and nine runs batted in and has thrown out four of 12 would-be base stealers. He has also gained praise from veteran pitchers Jered Weaver and Dan Haren for his handling of games behind the plate.
22.Jeff Mathis: D-
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The man who was handed the starting catcher’s position with the trade of Mike Napoli, Mathis has clearly spit the bit, hitting just .180 in the month of April.
While Mathis shines on the defensive end, he is clearly a liability at the plate, and while Scioscia appreciates great defense from his catchers, he would like them to hit somewhere above their weight as well.
23.Bobby Wilson: F
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Bobby Wilson has clearly been designated the odd man out in terms of the catcher’s position. Wilson has appeared in just five games, starting only two of them, and has just one hit in eight at-bats.
Wilson just might find himself on the trading block with the emergence of Hank Conger at that position.
24.Bobby Abreu: C
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Abreu started out like a house afire at the plate for the Angels in his new role as the full-time designated hitter. Through the first 10 games of the season, Abreu was hitting .378, and along with Maicer Izturis and Howie Kendrick, much of the damage on the offense came from the top third of the batting order.
However, Abreu has significantly cooled since then, and his average by the end of April had dropped to .258 with just one homer and eight runs batted in. Abreu has drawn 22 walks thus far, and his .405 on-base percentage leads the team.
25.Torii Hunter: C-
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Torii Hunter has been struggling at the cleanup position in the early part of the season for the Angels, hitting just .222 with four homers and 12 runs batted in. Like many of his teammates, Hunter is striking out at an alarming rate with 26 punchouts for the month of April.
Hunter will be expected to up his game in the coming months, as will several other Angels who have been struggling thus far.
26.Peter Bourjos: B+
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When Bourjos started out in spring training, he did so knowing he would be the regular center fielder for the Angels. After hitting .204 in 51 games last season, fans and experts alike were wary of whether or not Bourjos would be able to adapt his game to the major-league level.
Bourjos responded in the first month of the 2011 season with a .309 average, two home runs and nine runs batted in and continued to impress with his incredible speed in center field.
However, Bourjos leads the team with 28 strikeouts, and once major-league pitchers get a full read on him and his struggle with curveballs, he will need to quickly adjust.
Bourjos was also caught stealing four times in April, and he is working with coaches to read pitchers’ moves better and take a bit of a larger lead off the first-base bag.
27.Vernon Wells: F
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In a way, it pains me to have to give Wells a failing grade. After spending 12 seasons with only one team, the Toronto Blue Jays, Wells is now trying to find his way in a new uniform and a new environment, which is not an easy transition for any player to make.
However, be that as it may, Wells has been a huge disappointment at the plate, hitting just .174 with one home run and six runs batted in.
Wells continues to work with hitting coach Mickey Hatcher to find his stroke, and Scioscia was prompted to say that Wells was probably thinking too much at this point.
"We've definitely talked about backing off one day and just coming out here and playing a game; strap it on and go without batting practice,” Scioscia told Kevin Baxter of the Los Angeles Times. “Sometimes it just gives you a different perspective."
28.Team Overall Grade: B-
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Considering the overall performance of the offense and its inability to drive in runners in scoring position, a 15-12 start was definitely acceptable. The strong starting pitching, combined with an improved bullpen after an early season shakeup, was certainly the key for the Angels in the month of April.
However, they are clearly going to need those bats in the coming bats if they are going to compete with the Texas Rangers and possibly the Oakland A’s in the AL West.
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