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Who is John Curtiss and what can he do for LA Angels?

By David Rice

ANAHEIM, CA - AUGUST 28: Noe Ramirez #25 of the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim pitches during the first inning of a game against the Colorado Rockies at Angel Stadium on August 28, 2018 in Anaheim, California. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)
ANAHEIM, CA - AUGUST 28: Noe Ramirez #25 of the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim pitches during the first inning of a game against the Colorado Rockies at Angel Stadium on August 28, 2018 in Anaheim, California. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images) /
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The LA Angels added John Curtiss in a trade with the Minnesota Twins and many people wondered why the Angels acquired him while letting Blake Parker go to the Twins.

So why did the LA Angels add John Curtiss to their roster?  It is not like Curtiss is a proven commodity.  However, as we have learned from Billy eppler over the past couple of seasons he usually has a pretty good idea what he is doing.

Curtiss has a career record of 0-1 and with a 7.20 ERA pitching a total of 15 innings over two seasons striking out 17 in 15 innings of work. I’m not convinced so far, so let’s dig deeper and see what Curtiss did in the minors.

Curtiss has a 10-10 record with a 2.94 ERA in five seasons with 1.23 WHIP.  What is most impressive though is that he has 306 strikeouts in 251 innings.  He also held players to a .225 batting average in that time span.  Now those numbers are much more impressive and give me hope that Eppler has seen something in Curtiss that prompted him to make this move in hopes of further strengthening the Angels bullpen for the upcoming 2019 season.

Just like many of the Angels relievers Curtiss possesses a mid-90’s fastball and he also has an assortment of breaking pitches to complement his fastball. The Angels have a lot of similar pitchers in the bullpen mix for 2019.  The question is where does Curtiss potentially fit in this mix.

The answer may be it will be a game-time decision.  Curtiss, Noe Ramirez, Cam Bedrosian, Taylor Cole, Luis Garcia, and Hansen Robles, are probably competing for about spots on the roster.  Ty Buttery, Justin Anderson, and Cody Allen are pretty much going to be the back end of the bullpen with Allen being the closer. These spots are pretty well decided as of right now unless those three have a terrible Spring this year.

Next. The Angels now have a closer in Allen.

Curtiss will have to beat out at least two of that list of potential relievers which may prove tough, but you never what can happpen in the Spring Training this will be one of the most interesting races to follow. If Curtiss can realize some of his enormous potential he could end up on the Angels opening day roster.

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