LA Angels Recall 2017 Standout Parker Bridwell

The LA Angels have finally recalled Parker Bridwell, a right-handed pitcher who was a bright spot in 2017 but has barely been mentioned this year. Now, he has another chance at showing he’s the real deal.

The LA Angels gave Parker Bridwell a shot earlier this season. In his lone appearance in 2018, Bridwell did not even last to the third inning. He gave up six runs, three home runs, and had zero strikeouts against the Oakland Athletics.

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Then, he disappeared.

He was sent back down to Triple-A, and nobody had mentioned him since. He’s only made six starts this year, and allowed 27 runs over 28 innings. Bridwell battled elbow discomfort for much of the year, but after throwing four simulated games in Arizona, he is back with the big league club, and ready to regain momentum.

“I can’t do anything but go out and do what I know how to do, fill up the strike zone,” he said. “I feel like I don’t have anything to lose. That’s the way I go about it every day. It’s worked out for me in the past. I’ll see how it goes again.” (per @JeffFletcherOCR).

Bridwell was never a huge strikeout pitcher, evidenced by his 5.4 strikeouts-per-nine innings in 2017. He relied heavily on his defense, and it worked well for him. However, giving batters something to hit can backfire pretty quickly, as the A’s showed him in his previous start.

It is not clear if Bridwell will be used as a starter or out of the bullpen.  He pitched out of the bullpen for Baltimore prior to his trade in 2016, and allowed five runs in two appearances.

Whichever way the Angels use Bridwell, he will be pitching with a chip on his shoulder. What he does over the final few weeks of the season will give the Angels a good idea of whether or not his 2017 season was a flash in the pan, or something they can expect more of from Bridwell in the future.x