Fast start, slow finish. What’s next for LA Angels unique reliever Greg Mahle

LA Angels Greg Mahle burst on the scene in Spring Training coming ever so close to earning an Opening Day roster spot.  However, a week later Mahle got the call and had a great April, but unfortunately all good things must come to an end.

Greg Mahle a lefty reliever for the LA Angels has a unique style with three different arm slots that he may use in the same at bat against a confused hitter.  In 2016 during Spring Training Mahle pitched 12.1 innings giving up only two runs with a 1.46 ERA. So when Cam Bedrosian struggled early, Mahle got the call up to the Angels on April 13th he hit the ground running.

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Mahle’s major league debut against Oakland was a perfect inning with one strike out.  In his first 12 appearances he threw 9.2 innings with a 1.86 ERA threw May 7th, but then things started to unravel. Over his next 8.2 innings Mahle gave up nine runs raising his ERA to 5.40 including his last appearance giving up four runs (two earned) in 0.2 innings which ultimately the last straw leading to Mahle’s demotion.

After Mahle was sent down to Triple-A Salt Lake City things continue to go in a downward spiral for the Westminster High and UCSB graduate. Mahle pitched 32.2 innings giving up 48 hits and 28 runs with a1-1 record and 7.71 ERA.  Mahle struck out only 24 batters with 12 walks and a 1.84 WHIP. This was a far cry from his first two seasons in the minors with the Angels when Mahle pitched 95.1 innings with a 3.01 ERA,116 strikeouts and only 29 walks.

So what happened to Mahle this year is anyone’s guess.  What the bigger question is what does the future hold for this unique reliever?  Most likely Mahle will get an invite to the Angels Spring Training in 2017.  His performance there will determine a lot for his future as an Angel, or even in baseball for that matter.

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No one really took the left-handed reliever job during this season. Neither Jose Alvarez, Cody Ege, or Brett Oberholtzer did much to give manager Mike Scisocia the confidence to hand the left-handed specialist role to any of them.  So that competition could be wide open in the Spring.

Alvarez had a decent 3.45 ERA, but his 1.50 WHIP and .298 opponents batting average against him tells the real story. Ege was about the same with a 3.80 ERA in 11.2 innings pitched with a 1.80 WHIP and a .348 opponents batting average against him. Finally Obelholtzer had a 8.55 ERA with a 1.80 WHIP and .318 opponents batting average.

So what all this says is Mahle still has the opportunity for redemption, but that will be up to him.  In speaking to Mahle early in the season he said. “My goal is just to go out and face major league hitters and show that I can challenge them and prove that I belong,” Mahle said. “Whatever happens after that I’m ok with.  I just want to give it my best shot and we will see what happens.”

Next: Who will have a breakout year for Angels in 2017

Hopefully we will see Mahle make a great comeback next season.