Angels Breakout And Regression Candidates
- Updated: March 19, 2015
Cam Bedrosian could make a big difference in the bullpen this season (Image via Twitter)
While Spring Training is in full swing and Opening Day is just a few weeks away, now is the perfect time to profile possible breakout and regression candidates for the Angels in 2015.
Breakout
David Freese. After several successful years in St. Louis, Freese came back down to earth a bit last year in Anaheim. He hit .260/.321/.383 in 511 plate appearances for the Angels, recording just 10 home runs and 55 RBIs across 134 games. Injuries have been a concern for Freese, who has spent time on the disabled list four times in his six big league seasons.
Nevertheless, he’s a career .280/.348/.417 hitter with a 112 OPS+, and considering he’s a free agent after the season, a rebound isn’t out of the question for 2015. With the Angels focused on Josh Rutledge, Taylor Featherston, Kyle Kubitza and others to helm the infield in 2016 and beyond, this year is Freese’s opportunity to showcase he still has something in the tank and earn a contract elsewhere once he becomes a free agent this winter.
Cam Bedrosian. The Angels bullpen lost two reliable arms this winter in Kevin Jepsen and Jason Grilli, and while many of the anchors will return for 2015, and the bullpen should be strong, there are open slots that must be filled.
Bedrosian threw in 17 games last year, and while his numbers were poor (0-1, 6.52 ERA, 1.81 WHIP and 10.7 hits per nine innings), he did record a 4.27 FIP, indicating he pitched better than his statistics. He also struck out 20 in 19.2 innings (9.3 strikeouts per nine), and in his minor league career struck out 218 batters in 202.2 innings (9.7 strikeouts per nine). At this time last year, Bedrosian hadn’t pitched above Class A; he probably won’t spend the entire season in the Angels bullpen, but he will turn some heads at points this year.
Chris Iannetta would surprise us by improving upon his great season in 2014 (Image via Twitter)
Regression
Chris Iannetta. Iannetta, who will turn 32 just after Opening Day, enjoyed a career year in 2014. He slashed .252/.273/.392 across 373 PAs while taking on the majority of catching duties. With Hank Conger gone now, he figures to take on even more, as manager Mike Scioscia has indicated Iannetta will start as many as 115 games behind the plate this year.
Unfortunately, 32-year old catchers who already have nine years of big league wear on their bodies don’t typically continue to improve, and while Iannetta has only been on the disabled list twice in his career, it’s tough to imagine him improving on last season in 2015. He’ll be a capable primary catcher for the Angels, but hitting above .250 again would be a stretch for the career .236/.373/.392 backstop.
Garrett Richards. Richards had a breakout last year – so good, in fact, that it’s almost cheating to say he’ll regress in 2015. After all, how could you not regress from a 2.60 ERA, a 139 ERA+, a 2.61 FIP, 6.6 hits per nine innings, a measly five home runs allowed, a 3.22 strikeout-to-walk ratio and a 13-4 record across 168.2 innings?
Starting the season on the disabled list, and having to overcome last year’s serious knee injury will slow him down, but that alone won’t cause a regression. While Richards needs to help the Angels anchor the starting rotation when he gets back on the field a few weeks after Opening Day, it’s hard to imagine him following up last season’s magical campaign with something as strong in 2015. But if he can, he’ll be something special!
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