Will nice guy Cam Bedrosian finish on top for LA Angels?

LA Angels reliever Cam Bedrosian has more than paid his dues in the both the minor leagues & majors in his four seasons in Anaheim. Bedrosian has assumed almost every role in the Angels bullpen during that time, but will he get the one he wants most.

Cam Bedrosian has been toiling with the Angels since being drafted in the first round of the 2010 Amateur Draft and his career goal is to be just like his father Steve “Bedrock” Bedrosian, a major league closer. Bedrosian thought he had reached that goal finally toward the end of 2016 as he was thrust into the closer’s role due to injuries to Huston Street and the departure of Joe Smith via a trade. Bedrosian got the final three outs of an August 2, 2016 vs. Oakland to earn his first career save.

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The very next night Bedrosian blew the save against the A’s, but finished the inning and the Angel bats got him a run to pick-up the win. However, Bedrosian season ended right there as doctors found a blood clot in his arm and had to undergo season-ending surgery. Bedrosian credits his father and his relationship with God that helped him get through this difficult time.

“My dad his been through all this with me and has shared a lot of wisdom with me. He told me to keep pushing through no matter what,” said Bedrosian said in an interview early last season. “My faith in God has given me a strong foundation. There is always ups and downs in life, but God is always there. He will not take you anywhere that he cannot lead you out of.”

Bedrosian did comeback stronger than ever and had a great start to the 2017 season as the Angels closer pitching 6.2 innings without giving up a run and he struck out nine batters while picking up three saves. However, just as Bedrosian was getting comfortable in the closer role, the injury bug struck him again as he suffered a strain in his right groin. Two months later Bedrosian returned in June as a set-up man for Bud Norris and pitched three more scoreless innings, but then the bottom fell out.

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In Bedrosian’s next 11.2 innings he gave up 11 runs posting an 8.49 ERA. Bedrosian did bounce back in August posting a 2.08 ERA in August picking up three saves in four opportunities pitching 13 innings and striking out 16 batters. However, in September Bedrosian posted a 6.97 ERA for the month ballooning his ERA to 4.43 which is how he ended the season. Bedrosian ended up with a 6-5 record and a 1.30 WHIP striking out 53 batters in 44 innings and converting six of 11 save opportunities.

The question now becomes will the Angels give Bedrosian another shot in the role he seems destined to fill as the team’s closer. Bedrosian definitely has the tools to be a major league closer with a mid-to-high 90’s fastball and a wicked slider, but has he seen his window of opportunity close? That will be a question only manager Mike Scioscia and pitching coach Charles Nagy can answer.

I have interviewed Bedrosian twice over the past couple of seasons and he is such a quality person always treating me and everyone else he meets with the utmost respect. Bedrosian is one of those guys you can’t help but root for to succeed.

Through it all Bedrosian has kept a great attitude about his ever-changing role with the Angels. “I’m there man. I’m down in the bullpen, they can call down if they want me to throw an inning whether it’s the 8th or 9th or whatever, I’ll be ready to go out and help the team.”

Next: Is Jim Johnson the Angels next closer?

No matter what happens to Bedrosian this season he is a winner in my book and he disproves the old adage “Nice Guys Finish Last”. Through hard work and perseverance Cam Bedrosian is finishing first in the game of life.

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