LA Angels Week Three Power Rankings

2.) Keynan Middleton (2)

The LA Angels have officially found their closing pitcher. Keynan Middleton has shown the flashes Halo fans once saw in Troy Percival and “K-Rod” himself Francisco Rodriguez. After flashing early in the season, Middleton earned the closer role quickly. It is not every day a 24-year old reliever assumes the closer role for a major league baseball team, but Keynan Middleton did just that.

This week showed off his flexibility as a relief pitcher. He made three appearances, all which ended in a victory for the Angels and a save for the young stud. In his first relief appearance, he came in with one out in the eighth and finished the game after a career-high 37 pitches. He entered the game with a 5-1 lead, and finished it with a 7-2 win. He did give up a run in the ninth, but also struck out three batters.

His next two appearances were fairly regular, but definitely high-intensity performances. After his second save in a 5-4 victory, Middleton lifted the Angels to 12-3, which was their best start since 1979. His third save of the week and fourth of the year was in unusual circumstances. In the middle of snow flurries, Middleton unleashed 11 pitches, nine for strikes, and closed out the road trip strong for the Halos (Sunday’s game was cancelled due to weather).