LA Angels Spring Training Recap: Angels 17, A’s 5

It’s nice to see the LA Angels coming out this strong against an AL West opponent, even if it’s just a Spring exhibition. The deep prospect pool of the Angels came out swinging hard again today, especially against established MLB talent such as Fernando Rodney.

Once again, the younger talent shines bright in a LA Angels Spring training game. Prospects like Brandon Marsh, Jahmai Jones, Jo Adell, Matt Thaiss and Jose Rojas among others came out with the bats fully loaded. It wasn’t just the kids however, Peter Bourjos showed us once again why he’s a fan favorite in a game that was reminiscent of 2012 as Bourjos and Trout dominated the outfield.

Oh yeah, Mike Trout also showed up in this game and showed off his top-level skill as we’ve come to expect. We saw the fantastic plate discipline and speed on the base paths that we’ve become accustomed too from Trout. Baseball season really is in full swing.

Angels 17, A’s 5

Winning Pitcher: Hansel Robles (RHP): 1 IP, 1 K

Losing Pitcher: Fernando Rodney (RHP): 0.1 IP, 4 Hits, 4 Runs, 2 Walks, 1 K

Andrew Heaney started off this Spring exhibition and did not look very settled as he allowed 3 hits and 3 runs (2 earned) on 3 walks with no strikeouts. We’re not expected to see anyone in mid-season form right now, but at the same time this isn’t the best start to see out of the best pitcher from the Angels 2018 staff.

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Again, it’s only the beginning of Spring so this isn’t a major concern, but at the same time it you would love to see just a little more success out of the 2018 staff anchor.

Aside from Heaney’s rough start there was a lot to feel great about in this game. Peter Bourjos is playing like it’s 2011 all over again, a season which happened to be his best offensive year. That year Bourjos hit .270/.327/.438 with 11 triples.

I’m not saying that he can return to that form, but if he continues to play with this same level of intensity and offensive intent he could provide way more value than the defensive reserve option we all expected him to be.

Then you have Mike Trout showing up doing Mike Trout things. Trout collected a nice little infield early in the game and flashed some serious legs on his home to first speed. It’s always great to see him pushing hard whenever he plays, but seeing him working hand-in-hand with Peter Bourjos didn’t just bring back memories, it was a reminder of how dynamic that duo can be in the outfield and offensively as well. Getting Bourjos a couple batters in front of Trout and creating the opportunity for Bourjos to run the base paths with Trout at-bat can create serious danger for the opposing pitching.

We already got a taste of that today, and how did that go? Seventeen runs against the Athletics.

Dynamic indeed.

Stand-out Performers

Peter Bourjos, aka “Gorgeous Bourjos” showed off his beautiful play in today’s game. There’s nothing more attractive than a home run straight away to dead center and we got just that from Bourjos. It’s early Spring Training so we can’t immediately go to the conclusion that this is something we’ll be seeing consistently.

Then again he’s been continuously productive offensively in this Spring Training so far. Today he came around to score twice in the contest while bringing in two RBI’s (one via the homerun). Given his demeanor at the plate I don’t see this production ending anytime soon. We may be seeing a lot of Peter Bourjos this season if he keeps it up.

Roberto Baldoquin came out with a fantastic effort in today’s game by pulling in a bases loaded triple. He scored two runs on top of that and is looking more and more like a legitimate depth option as the Spring goes on.

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Baldoquin has faced some big early career struggles through his development. He’s 24 years of age and is coming off a much-needed breakthrough season, right now he has a huge opportunity to show himself as a proper depth option at short stop. Baldoquin has solid potential and if he can keep showing off his value he’ll be back in the fast lane to a big league career.

Matt Thaiss  collected two doubles and an RBIs in today’s contest. Thaiss came away with 2 doubles and an RBI in a Spring that is showing him as of a serious piece of the Angels upcoming future. Thaiss is playing his way into the big league club and everyone knows it, the way he works his at-bats and finds his exact pitch to damage is at a big league level.

Thaiss is consistently putting himself in positions to find success and is banking on every opportunity he can find/make. He’s quickly coming away as a top contender for an Opening Day roster spot, and though the duo of Albert Pujols and Justin Bour make it difficult to slot him in the Angels may have to find a way to make it happen if he keeps this up.

Brandon Marsh is starting to settle into himself as the Spring goes on. Today he pulled in 2 RBI’s with one double as well as a walk and a run scored. Marsh is a Top 3 prospect with the Angels an is seen as a someone who can develop a very dangerous bat and with games like today you see that form come more and more into being.

Marsh played in his first full MiLB season last year and faced a bit of struggle that has seen him make changes to his approach coming into this Spring. He’s setting up higher in the zone and is seeing success with making strong, quick contract. This kind of success with making adjustments will definitely see him hit a fast track to the Majors.

The Angels next exhibition will feature Trevor Cahill in his Angels debut. The Angels will face off against the Rockies at 12:10 PM PT on Fox Sports West.