Around the Halo: Are the Angels in trouble?

With spring training, we don’t really look at wins and losses; however, we look at overall play. Who’s really struggled to get going so far?

Rice: Well this is a pretty easy question Shoemaker by far has been the biggest disappointment. Cam Bedrosian has not done well either, but he is not as important in the grand scheme of things. Richards has also been a little disappointing, but I know he is working on a couple of pitches. On the Hitting side Johnny Giavotella and Cliff Pennington have not looked good at the plate and neither has Geovany Soto. I’m sure they will get it together as the Spring goes on.

Lea: Weaver has yet to show any signs of being an ace for the Angels. He’s finally healthy this season; however, his fastball can’t travel past 85 mph. After the game versus the Dodgers yesterday he looked defeated and rejected. To me, its a bad sign going into the regular season. The Angels need Weaver to produce, especially if he’s going to try to play 20 games this season. He has to play better.

Avise: Shoemaker. I hate to say it because I really like the guy but there is a reason he was un-drafted and didn’t make it to the big leagues until he was 27. 2014 is starting to look more and more like a fluke year. The home run ball is plaguing him again, like it did last season.

Ludwig: It has to be Shoemaker. In his last start against the Reds, he allowed six earned runs in three innings and was again unable to keep the ball in the yard, giving up three home runs. His ERA this spring is over 14. Even with another spot in the rotation opening up because CJ Wilson is likely to start the season on the DL, he appears to be on the outside looking in right now. There is still plenty of time for him to turn things around and win the spot, but Nick Tropeano has pitched well and Shoemaker might be bound for the bullpen.

Cardone: Richards has struggled through each of his two appearances. in his four and two thirds innings, Richards has allowed five earned runs, a 1.71 WHIP, and a .316 batting average. Obviously less than than five innings pitched is a microscopic sample size, but a lot is riding on Richards’ ability to limit runs in 2016.

Quesada: Offensively? Johnny Giavotella. On the mound? Shoemaker. Both have been tough to watch so far especially because both figured to be competitive in starting roles at their respective positions. Johnny G’s three hits in 18 at-bats is hard to swallow. Defensively, he’s been solid so I guess there’s that. Shoemaker has been even worse. The former Rookie of the Year runner-up has given up four home runs and eight earned runs in five innings pitched. Ouch. His poor outings paired with Santiago’s successes all but guarantee Shoemaker has the least likely chance of being the team’s No. 5 guy in the rotation come April.

Next: Has anyone rebooted the Machine?