BULLPEN
Brian Fuentes – This guy is scary and not nearly as good as his league leading 48 saves would suggest. Fuentes does not throw any heat and tries to finesse his way around batters. It worked for awhile, mainly because the American League batters hadn’t seen this former NL closer. Once they had been up against him a few times, they figured him out and the blown saves started to multiply…Fuentes had 7 blown saves, most coming in the second half. Halo fans are not real fond of that style…the Angels have been home to some of baseball’s best closers…Percival, Frankie, and more…who throw with unbelievable heat.
Dad: Now that he’s been in the league for a year, look for his saves to drop rather dramatically to around 30. Manager Mike Scioscia is loyal to his players, so Fuentes will get plenty of rope, but look for Rodney to be promoted to closer sometime after the All Star break and Fuentes to be back on the free agent market next fall.
My take: I don't have anything to add.
Fernando Rodney – The man’s fastball averages over 95 mph. Compare that to Fuentes upper 80s fastball…which he doesn’t even throw that often. That first pitch in the 9th inning is the key to throwing that batter off balance. Remember, he’s been looking at another pitcher for 8 innings. That’s why I think you’re looking at the Angels next closer. In the meantime, he’ll be used as a setup man for Fuentes. Not as many saves as Fuentes you say? He did save 37 games for a team that won 86 games, 23 times on consecutive days, with only 1 blown save.
Dad: Given the way that Scioscia meagerly uses his relievers (Rodney pitched over 75 innings compared to Fuentes 55), Rodney will do well when he steps into the role. In the meantime, look for a less than 3.00 ERA with 10 saves by October.
My take: I like that Rodney saved 37 games in 38 opportunities. That should bode well for the Halos.
Scott Shields – A real big question mark. The iron man setup guy, Shields proved human last year when an injury he tried to hide limited him to 6.62 ERA (it had never been above 3.86 before) and 1 win.
Dad: He says he’s healthy now, we’ll see. It’s hard to predict, but I’ll say he’ll end up with 5 wins and a 4.02 ERA.
My take: He'll end up on the DL at some point and one of the other relievers will have to step up. Can Kevin Jepsen report to the mound?
Jason Bulger – One of the two super minor league players who stepped up their game when it counted the most. Bulger had a career high 6 wins last year while cutting his ERA in half to 3.56.
Dad: Look for him to continue his role as a middle reliever and sometime setup man with a 3.75 ERA and 4 wins.
My take: Ditto.
Kevin Jepsen – The talented rookie who along with Bulger, helped pull the Angels up to the division championship. 6 wins, 1 save, and a 4.94 ERA.
Dad: Firmly a middle reliever this year and maybe mop up. Look for an improved ERA of 3.59, 4 wins, and maybe a save.
My take: Ditto, although I think he'll end up with more than one save.
Matt Palmer – I predict Palmer will end up in Anaheim rather the minors due to the fact that he would be the team’s only southpaw in the pen other than Fuentes. Palmer’s a good utility man for the Halos. More of a starter, really, he would seem to be the guy to go to for soaking up innings after a starter’s particularly bad day and also to be put in for an injured starter.
Dad: Look for Palmer to come in for long relief and a left-handed situation in late innings to preserve a lead. 6 wins (mainly to replace an injured starter) and many no decisions.
My take: Palmer, who is not a left hander, could end up getting a lot of work depending on how deep the starting staff goes into games. He is another good pitcher who the Angels have as part of their exceptional organization depth. Last year, he ended up with 11 mop up wins last year for a pen that was really shaky.
Tomorrow's Focus: Infield
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