The Sports Xchange
MLB Team Report – Los Angeles Angels – INSIDE PITCH
Peter Bourjos tried to forget about 2012 as quickly as possible, and now he’s got an opportunity to make everyone else forget, too.
Bourjos has the chance to be the Angels’ everyday center fielder if he can hit at close to the level he did in 2011, before a season that started with an injury and included plenty of idle time on the bench.
When all was said and done, Bourjos hit .220 with a .291 on-base percentage last year.
“It’s tough to look at anything offensively with Peter and say he did or didn’t do this,” manager Mike Scioscia said, “because once Mike Trout came and took off, Peter never got the consistent looks to contribute. The year before is more reflective of what his talent is, and hopefully he’ll play at that level.”
In 2011, Bourjos hit .271 with 12 homers and a league-leading 11 triples. Although those aren’t eye-popping numbers offensively, certainly they are good enough to keep Bourjos in center field, where his glove is his real strength.
“Peter has the ability not to have the pressure to bring a ton of offense or be off the chart offensively like Mike Trout is because of the premium defensive look he gives your team and how he can help you win games out there,” Scioscia said. “Peter is a good baseball player. If he ends up playing at the level he can, no doubt he’s going to get a lot of playing time and give us a deep look in the outfield on the defensive side.”
As for his offense, Bourjos said he’s coming to camp after a winter of extra hitting. Instead of taking one or two months off, as he had in the past, he skipped only one week after the season.
“I’m just trying to stay short to the ball like always, stay on top of the baseball,” Bourjos said. “I think what I did in 2011, I can do that again if I have the at-bats.”
He should get the chance, with Torii Hunter moving to Detroit as a free agent and Kendrys Morales going to Seattle in a trade. Mark Trumbo figures to take over as the designated hitter, leaving an outfield spot for Bourjos.
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MLB Team Report – Los Angeles Angels – NOTES, QUOTES
–LHP Sean Burnett went for an MRI on his back after feeling stiffness. He missed about 10 days late last spring with a lower back injury. Burnett, 30, went 1-2 with two saves and a 2.38 ERA in 70 relief appearances for the Nationals last year. He signed a free agent deal with the Angels in December, two months after he underwent left elbow surgery.
–OF Mike Trout said he arrived in camp 10 pounds heavier than he was last season, but neither Trout nor manager Mike Scioscia anticipated the extra weight having any impact on his game. Trout, 21, was the AL Rookie of the Year in 2012, and he finished second in AL MVP voting.
–OF Josh Hamilton said he has always arrived at camp at about 245 pounds, but this year he came in at 225 and planned to maintain his weight all year, rather than seeing his weight — and strength — decrease during the season. Hamilton, 31, hit a career-high 43 homers for Texas last year.
–RHP Ryan Madson resumed throwing after a 17-day layoff. Madson, who is rehabbing from Tommy John surgery performed last April, is not expected to be ready for the season opener.
–2B Howie Kendrick had elbow surgery shortly after the season to relieve what he called a “nuisance.” The Angels had not disclosed the surgery until the start of spring training. Kendrick is now 100 percent.
BY THE NUMBERS: 8 — Players who had an on-base-plus-slugging percentage (OPS) greater than .900 in their age-20 season, a list that includes Mike Trout (.963), along with Mel Ott (1.084), Alex Rodriguez (1.045), Ted Williams (1.045), Al Kaline (.967), Jimmie Foxx (.964), Frank Robinson (.936) and Mickey Mantle (.924).
QUOTE TO NOTE: “I don’t think I’ll be running to the bathroom any time during the game. I don’t want to miss anything. It’ll be nice to see those guys doing work.” — Jered Weaver, on an Angels lineup that features Mike Trout, Albert Pujols and Josh Hamilton.
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MLB Team Report – Los Angeles Angels – ROSTER REPORT
PROJECTED ROTATION:
1. RHP Jered Weaver
2. LHP C.J. Wilson
3. LHP Jason Vargas
4. RHP Tommy Hanson
5. RHP Joe Blanton
This is not a sexy rotation, but it’s solid at the top, with Jered Weaver as good as any pitcher in baseball. C.J. Wilson had an All-Star first half in 2012 and then slumped in the second, in which he was pitching with bone chips in his elbow.
The bone chips have been cleaned up, so the Angels are hoping to get a full season of good work out of him.
Of the back three, Jason Vargas and Joe Blanton are innings eaters. The one who has a real chance to make a difference is Hanson, who was once one of the top prospects in baseball, but injuries have caused him to decline. If he’s healthy and returns to form, the Angels could have a strong rotation. Garrett Richards and Jerome Williams are at the top of the list if the Angels need a spot starter.
PROJECTED BULLPEN:
RHP Ryan Madson (closer)
RHP Ernesto Frieri
LHP Sean Burnett
RHP Kevin Jepsen
LHP Scott Downs
RHP Jerome Williams
RHP Bobby Cassevah
This group is the biggest reason the Angels hope to improve on last year’s finish. The top five relievers have all had success in the late innings, giving manager Mike Scioscia plenty of choices to get through the final innings.
The big question will be whether Ryan Madson, who is coming back from Tommy John surgery, will be healthy or effective. If not, Ernesto Frieri will likely get the ninth-inning opportunities.
PROJECTED LINEUP:
1. LF Mike Trout
2. SS Erick Aybar
3. 1B Albert Pujols
4. RF Josh Hamilton
5. DH Mark Trumbo
6. 2B Howie Kendrick
7. 3B Alberto Callaspo
8. C Chris Iannetta
9. CF Peter Bourjos
This is one of the best lineups in baseball, including four of the 27 players who hit 30 homers last season (Josh Hamilton, Mark Trumbo, Albert Pujols and Mike Trout). No other team has more than two.
The Angels also have a nice mix of speed and switch-hitters and players who can put the ball in play, making this a tough group for any opposing pitcher.
TOP ROOKIES: LHP Nick Maronde, the Angels’ third-round pick in 2011, rocketed to the big leagues for a brief stint last year. He had a 2.26 ERA at three minor league levels in 2012. He could crack the bullpen or make it as a starter if someone gets hurt. OF Kole Calhoun has a good shot at winning the job as the Angels’ fifth outfielder. He had an .877 OPS last season at Triple-A.
MEDICAL WATCH:
–LHP Sean Burnett (back stiffness) was slowed early in training camp. He had recovered from left elbow surgery performed in October.
–RHP Ryan Madson (Tommy John surgery in April 2012) expects to return to the mound in early to mid-March, but he probably won’t be ready for Opening Day.
–1B Albert Pujols (right knee surgery in October 2012) was hitting and doing light fielding early in spring training, but he had yet to run at full speed. The Angels are expecting him to be fine for Opening Day.
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