How will LA Angels Cam Bedrosian fare as team’s closer?

LA Angels Cam Bedrosian closer had exactly two games in the role in 2016 before getting a blood clot in his right arm that put him out for the rest of the season.  Before the injury Bedrosian had been lights out having a break out year.

Going into Spring Training the LA Angels had three potential closers on their roster with Huston Street and Andrew Bailey being the other two besides Bedrosian. The Spring did not start well for Bedrosian as he missed the first two weeks of games due to a strained groin.

However since he has come back Bedrosian has been nothing short of spectacular. He has pitched nine innings allowing only four hits, walking two, and not giving up a run.  In addition, Bedrosian has 11 strikeouts with a WHIP of 0.67.  The best thing though is he is holding opponents to a .129 batting average.

More from Halo Hangout

• New York Post columnist has LA Angels bringing veteran starter back to LA
• Dodgers make wild mistake signing failed LA Angels starter
• Why LA Angels’ Qualifying Offer to Raisel Iglesias could become historical
• Both Gold Glove finalists for LA Angels getting snubbed is a complete joke
• Marcus Stroman definitely appears to be interested in the LA Angels

With Huston Street suffering a right lat strain  at about the same time Bedrosian came back, which has not allowed him to pitch in three weeks, Bedrosian had a chance to earn the closer job at least for the start of the season. Bedrosian has outpitched Bailey in these past three weeks and although nothing has been made official, it seems likely that Bedrosian will assume the role at least until Street is ready to go.

Bailey could have grabbed the role as well, but early Spring control issues (six walks in his first four outings) derailed him, along with an ERA close to nine and a WHIP over two.  Since his poor start Bailey has righted his ship pretty well not giving up a run in his last four outings lowering his ERA to 4.70.

More importantly he has only walked one batter during that span.

Bailey pitched in nine games striking out 10 batters in 7.2 innings.  His most impressive stat is an opponent batting average almost as good as Bedrosian’s at .185.  Bailey will most likely assume the 8th inning set-up role for the Angels to start the season.

Want your voice heard? Join the Halo Hangout team!

Write for us!

If both Bedrosian and Bailey can continue to pitch well the back end of the Angels will be solid.  If Bedrosian falters Bailey will be there to have his back.  The question will be is what will happen when Street is ready to pitch.  Will Bedrosian keep the closer spot?

Next: Garrett Richards slowly returning to form

The answer may be in Bedrosian’s first month’s performance, as Street will probably not be ready to go until at least mid-April if not the end of the month. For now Bedrosian will have a chance to follow in his father, Steve Bedrosian‘s footsteps of being a major league closer.