Predicting LA Angels 2018 rotation

With the 2017 MLB season officially in the books for the LA Angels, let’s preview their 2018 starting rotation.

The LA Angels’ 2017 season was a roller coaster to say the least. At one point in the season, they were six games over the .500 mark with a shoddy starting rotation trending up. But, they eventually came back down to earth and settled with a 80-82 record, diminishing their playoff hopes with only a few games left on the season.

However, with 2018 comes excitement. Especially for the Angels’ rotation that will seem to provide some depth next year looking on.

While some players like Garrett Richards, Tyler Skaggs and Matt Shoemaker will be obvious pieces in the Angels’ rotation next year, it’s the back-end of the rotation that Angels fans should be excited for.

Parker Bridwell, J.C. Ramirez and Alex Meyer all proved last season that they can be capable starters given their injuries. Since the Angels’ rotation will consist of five starters, Spring training next season will be heated.

Without further delay, let’s preview the Los Angeles Angels’ 2018 starting rotation.

 Garrett Richards

Garrett Richards will be the ace and the lead man for the Angels come 2018.

The Riverside native has had his last two seasons plagued with injuries. First, a tear in his elbow that sidelined him for most of the 2016 season. He would later heal that injury with a stem-cell injection and opted to not do surgery. Then, he suffered another setback during his 2017 campaign with a irritated nerve in his biceps, just three days into the 2017 season. In those two injury plagued seasons, Richards only pitched a combined 61 innings.

There are a few questions that must be asked given his situation. Can Richards stay healthy? If so…can he pitch a full season? Something he has not done since 2015 when he pitched 207 innings for the Halos, posting a 3.65 ERA.

There is no question that if Richards has the talent. It’s the question that if he can stay healthy and return to his 2015 form. We did get a basis of where Richards is at when he pitched quite well towards the end of last season. In only 27 innings pitched last season, he posted a 2.28 ERA with a WHIP of 0.904. Those are all-star type numbers for Richards which brings hope that he can return to form and can be the ace that the Angels surely lack.

Furthermore, Richards will look to comeback to the 2018 season fresh off injuries, with a chance to show that he can survive a whole season.

Matt Shoemaker

Unlike Richards, Matt Shoemaker has been a key piece and consistent starter for the Angels ever since his rookie campaign in 2014 when he went 16-4 with a 3.04 posted ERA.

Sadly, not everything is fine and dandy with Shoemaker. He suffered arguably his worst season as an Angel last season and only pitched 77.2 innings because of a forearm injury that required surgery.

Besides his injury that kept him out for 12-14 weeks, he showed inconsistency in his starts and posted a 4.52 ERA and a 1.300 WHIP, all below his career averages.

But, if we remove his 2017 season entirely, Shoemaker played in at least 25 games for the Angels between 2014-2016. Showing his ability to be available for the Angels.

If Shoemaker can return from his forearm injury and pitch like he did in his rookie season or even in 2016 when he had a 3.88 ERA, the Angels will have a definite one-two punch that they can feel confident about.

Tyler Skaggs

Tyler Skaggs is in the cellar for me. At 26 years-old, Skaggs has pitched over 100 innings in a season just once in his career. His best season was in 2014 when he pitched 113 innings and posted a 4.30 ERA with a WHIP of 1.212.

Like Richards, Skaggs career has also been plagued with injuries. Towards the end of the 2014 season, Skaggs suffered an elbow injury and opted for Tommy John surgery, missing the rest of the 2014 season and all of 2015. But, Skaggs then developed shoulder trouble when he was almost returning from his elbow surgery, missing more time.

Like a common theme in Skaggs career, he then missed more time in 2017 when he suffered an oblique strain, putting himself on the shelf for 12 weeks.

When healthy, Skaggs is a career 4.59 ERA pitcher with a 1.346 WHIP, pretty average numbers. His 2017 campaign was filled with inconsistency. Hopefully the former first round draft pick (2009) can live up to expectations on where he was drafted.

Skaggs has a lot to prove this upcoming season. Can he also stay healthy? Can we trust him to bounce back after having an inconsistent 2017 season? A few questions fans should definitely be aware of.

Andrew Heaney

Andrew Heaney was just plain bad last year. Coming off a serious injury, Heaney pitched in only 21.2 innings last season, posting an atrocious 7.06 ERA. I’ll give him the benefit of the doubt however, because the potential is there with him.

Having been drafted in the first round of the 2012 MLB draft by the Miami Marlins, ninth overall, Heaney performed spectacularly in his first season with the Angels in 2015. In 105.2 innings pitched, he posted a 3.49 ERA with a 1.202 WHIP, solid numbers for a mid-rotational piece.

But, like Skaggs and Richards, he too also suffered a major injury to his elbow and underwent Tommy John surgery on July 1, 2016. Incredibly enough, Heaney bounced back from his injury quickly and actually pitched in his next season, an injury that would usually sit pitchers for an entire season.

But, it was a rough welcoming for Heaney. He pitched poorly when given the opportunity and suffered a minor injury that would have him miss three games. Maybe it’s a timing thing for him.

There is so much potential with Heaney given his high draft pick and successful 2015 season. If he bounces back from injury and has another 2014 season, the Angels have another solid pitching option to like.

J.C. Ramirez

J.C. Ramirez is an awesome story for the Angels. A reliever converted to starter, Ramirez always hoped to become a starting pitcher. The Angels finally gave him a shot and he delivered. In 147.1 innings pitched, he posted a 4.15 ERA with a 1.344 WHIP. Decent numbers for a first year starter and a surprise to many.

However, then the injury bug infected another victim. Like a reoccurring theme for the Angels, Ramirez suffered a torn ligament in his elbow and opted for stem-cell therapy instead of Tommy John surgery. Something that the Angels will be monitoring over the off-season.

He’s off of my starting five rotation because of his injury. It is very unpredictable what time he’ll be back since the stem-cell therapy can and cannot work, depending on the person.

Alex Meyer

Hip hip hooray for injuries! Alex Meyer suffered a torn shoulder labrum and is expected to miss 12 months, making it really unlikely he pitches in the 2018 season.

It’s such a shame for Meyer because he was beginning to get into a flow for the first time in his career. In 2017, Meyer pitched 67.1 innings and posted a 3.74 ERA. He also averaged 10 strikeouts per nine innings  and is known for having a cannon of an arm. Tough luck.

Nick Tropeano

Nick Tropeano is a wildcard. Tropeano, like pretty much everyone else on the Angels’ rotation, suffered an elbow injury that required Tommy John surgery, sidelining him for all of 2017.

When given the opportunity, Tropeano is a career 3.81 ERA pitcher and does have talent.  But, Tropeano is still very raw and has only pitched 127.2 innings in his career. He pitched 68.1 innings in 2016 which was a career high for him.

It’s skeptical to think Tropeano can be an everyday starter for the Angels because he has never pitched over 100 innings in a season. But, if I were to choose a dark horse to make the starting rotation, it would be Tropeano.

Jaime Barria

Barria might be the most exciting pitching prospect for the Angels. He has propelled himself through the minors and was currently pitching for double-A affiliate, Mobile Baybears, at only 21 years old . This could see himself starting the 2018 season at the Triple AAA level and, baring an injury, could be a spot starter for the Angels if need be.