LA Angels Newest Signing Has Huge Potential in 2020

The LA Angels are already looking forward to 2020, and they may have just made a sneaky move to improve their pitching as they look to rebound after a disastrous season.

As the LA Angels were shutout by the Texas Rangers last night, they were busy off the field. The team signed left-handed pitcher Luiz Gohara, formerly of the Atlanta Braves. It’s become obvious that the Angels, quite literally, can never have too much pitching. This move, at the very will provide the team with another depth piece going forward.

However, Gohara underwent shoulder surgery earlier this year, and has been shut down for 2019. Before you go and worry about how he’ll never pitch again (shoulder surgeries can be worrisome for pitchers), this operation was described as a “clean-out/exploratory”.

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Gohara had a lot of hype building towards a breakout 2019, but the shoulder injury derailed any potential progress he had. Prior to the season, it was reported that Gohara’s work ethic had improved drastically, and the formerly 265 pound prospect was reportedly down to 210 prior to the season.

Speaking of Gohara as a prospect, he was an exceptional one. In the Braves’ rich farm system, he was one of their higher touted amateurs, ranked as the seventh best prospect in their system. When he was released earlier this year, it was simply due to his injury than his potential in the MLB.

Gohara has absolutely dynamic stuff. His fastball, slider, and changeup are all considered above-average, while his fastball has the potential to be one of the better pitches in the MLB. With his shoulder discomfort, he seemed to lose some of the excitement in his pitching. However, if he can find his groove again, he’ll be a dangerous weapon in Anaheim.

While he hasn’t pitched exceptionally since 2017, he is still a risk-free flier move for the Angels.

As we watched the team have one of the worst rotations in MLB history this year, we know they’ll once again be in on the top free agent pitchers. However, they’ll need to have solid depth in addition to any big name hurler they sign in free agency.

Gohara has the upside of an above-average starter in the MLB. Whether or not he reached that is a major question considering his past two seasons and the following surgery. However, this Angels team needs to look into every possible way to add starting pitching, and they did just that with the signing of Gohara.