Mike Trout is warming up with the weather, Hank Conger and C.J. Wilson are proving to be a good battery and, are Angels fans to blame for this season? After eight Joe Blanton starts in which the Angels had failed to come out on top, they finally put one up in the win column yesterday. Blanton was still terrible, but the team won.
May 18, 2013; Anaheim, CA, USA; Los Angeles Angels left fielder Mike Trout (27) before hitting in the seventh inning against the Chicago White Sox at Angel Stadium of Anaheim. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports
As the Weather Gets Warmer, Trout Heating Up
So far this month, Trout is hitting .328/.432/.705, good for an OPS of 1.137. Last season, it wasn’t until June and July where Mike Trout made it known that he was here for good. Now that everyone is aware of his power capabilities, could June be that month again? Only this time, with a crazy power outburst to go along with hitting everything in sight?
Money Quote: Mike Scioscia on Trout moving back to left field
"“If you take a center fielder and ask him to catch, there’s some validity to that point,” Scioscia said. “Take a center fielder and ask to pitch, there’s some validity. But, ask a center fielder to play left field, I think that holds no water as to a guy’s comfort level of what he might be able to do at the plate.”"
So that is why Scioscia wont let Mark Trumbo pitch.
Conger and Wilson Proving to be a Good Battery
This is good because it guarantees a day off for Chris Iannetta, who has had injury issues in the past. This is good because it gets Hank Conger off of the bench every once-in-awhile. This is moot because C.J. Wilson still can’t help but have one meltdown inning every game.
Money Quote: Conger on chemistry
"“I think the biggest thing is not just when he starts, or when he throws, but off the field when we are in the clubhouse of just talking — even if it’s just talking about regular life or his mindset,”"
Sounds like a Billy Chapel and Gus Sinski kind of relationship. That’s cute.
Angels Claim Chris Nelson off of Waivers
Scott Cousins got DFA’d to make room for Chris Nelson. The Angels are down an outfielder with Peter Bourjos on the DL. They are not down any infielders however. So they have added depth where they don’t really need it, and have effectively made J.B Shuck the only outfield option until Bourjos comes back. Ugh.
New Year, Same Old Dodgers and Angels
Simers gets this started by making fun of his wife’s appearance. Hopefully, she finds out.
Angels Fans to Blame For Team’s Failures?
No. Just, no.
Money Quote:
"Maybe former Angels general managers Tony Reagins and Bill Stoneman were on to something. Build within the organization and draft talent along with being fiscally responsible with payroll."
Yeah, because Tony Reagins never traded off prospects for big time deadline moves. Or freak out and trade for, oh, I don’t know, Vernon Wells and Scott Kazmir. And, a GM is not being fiscally responsible when he is dumb enough to guarantee money to Fernando Rodney and Brian Fuentes.