The Los Angeles Angels Rotation Is It’s Own Answer

Jaime Barria
3 starts, 2-1, 3.46 ERA, 1.23 WHIP

After a strong third start in which he held the Orioles hitless into the sixth inning, the best pitching prospect in the Angel system has, for the time being, established himself as the rotation’s sixth starter. As he did in his first start in Texas, Barria showed excellent mound presence, a strong command of his repertoire, and a good control of his pitches. His repertoire features three quality pitches (fastball, changeup, slider), and he’s around the plate enough that he can get plenty of weak contact.

However, once he began to wear in the sixth, he showed what happened to him in his second start, against the Giants. Barria can throw all three pitches for strikes, but he doesn’t have anything that will overpower hitters — his best pitch is his change-up. As that record-breaking 21-pitch at-bat against Brandon Belt showed, hitters can get to him if he loses just a bit of his sharpness.