Despite a tough season, the 2020 Angels had their bright spots

2020 Angels Bright Spots: Mike Mayers

When the team bullpen ranks 21st in ERA, 27th in GB%, 20th in Hard-Hit %, 26th in RS/9, and 24th in WPA, there aren’t generally going to be a lot of bright spots to write home about.

Mike Mayers may be one of the sole luminaries in that group.

Coming over as a buy-low candidate from the St. Louis Cardinals, Mayers turned Joe Maddon’s head during the abbreviated summer camp. And despite giving up six runs (four earned) over his first three innings of work, Mayers eventually proved Joe right on this one.

As Maddon made frustratingly ample usage of his bullpen, Mayers was called on again and again to get the starters out of tough spots. Over the course of 29 appearances and 30 innings of work, he worked to a 2.10 ERA, a 2.19 FIP, and a 12.90 K/9 mark. Of all Angels relievers, he faced the highest average leverage index (pLI) at 1.23 and provided a WPA of 0.86.

The Angels bullpen will remain in flux in 2021, as the team is expected to make a dramatic overhaul in that department. However, the pre-arbitration Mayers will likely find a home there again next season and may see his role increased depending on this winter’s additions.