Halos Heaven - Angels 2020 season reviews Angels news and analysishttps://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/50595/hh-fav.png2020-12-31T05:51:00-08:00http://www.halosheaven.com/rss/stream/213169872020-12-31T05:51:00-08:002020-12-31T05:51:00-08:002020 review: Mike Trout
<figure>
<img alt="Los Angeles Angels v Seattle Mariners" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/uzi64N6HhYEZgCAmZ2CXBgpELlU=/0x0:4238x2825/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/68602404/1264180076.jpg.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Photo by Lindsey Wasson/Getty Images</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>For our final Angels review of 2020, we saved the best for last</p> <p id="1KGXN9">Mike Trout had a typically great Mike Trout season, albeit a shortened one, in 2020. Though he was perhaps a victim of his own excellence.</p>
<p id="Im1280">Trout hit .281/.390/.603 with 17 home runs, a perfectly excellent season for most mortals. But that was the lowest batting average and wRC+ (164) of Trout’s nine “full” seasons, his lowest slugging percentage since 2016, and his lowest on base percentage since 2014.</p>
<p id="Pu8Wxh">He was still great, finishing in the top five in home runs, RBI, runs scored, OBP, slugging percentage, OPS, OPS+ (168), wRC+, and fWAR (2.6).</p>
<p id="bI6XuX">In American League MVP voting, Trout finished fifth. By all accounts, 2020 was another fantastic season for Trout. Fifth just happens to be his lowest finish in nine full seasons. Such is the burden of being Mike Trout, who can still be excellent yet not at <em>his</em> best.</p>
<p id="3kdj6z">Trout reached a milestone this year, and not just <a href="https://www.halosheaven.com/2020/8/1/21350977/mike-jessica-trout-baby">the birth of his son Beckham</a>, born on July 30 with the baseball-friendly initials of BAT. After his son was born, Trout returned from the paternity list to hit nine home runs in 13 games.</p>
<p id="Ksf7FR">On September 5 against the <a href="https://www.crawfishboxes.com">Astros</a>, Trout took right-hander Brandon Bielak deep in the third inning at home. The 300th home run of Trout’s career gave him sole possession of the top spot on the Angels’ all-time home run list, and came one night after Trout tied Tim Salmon atop the leaderboard.</p>
<div id="xSpu3O">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">WELCOME TO THE 300 CLUB <a href="https://twitter.com/MikeTrout?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@MikeTrout</a> <a href="https://t.co/AUzo1EhQje">pic.twitter.com/AUzo1EhQje</a></p>— FOX Sports West (@FoxSportsWest) <a href="https://twitter.com/FoxSportsWest/status/1302402307578122240?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 6, 2020</a>
</blockquote>
<script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
</div>
<p id="AARUAy">“At least I can pass the torch onto somebody in the family, another fish,” <a href="https://www.halosheaven.com/mike-trout/2020/9/5/21424636/mike-trout-300-home-runs-angels-record">Salmon joked on the Fox Sports West broadcast</a>.</p>
<p id="idBNOV">Trout won <a href="https://www.halosheaven.com/mike-trout/2020/11/5/21551933/mike-trout-silver-slugger-award-angels">his eighth Silver Slugger Award</a>, and was <a href="https://www.halosheaven.com/mike-trout/2020/12/9/22166211/mike-trout-all-mlb-team-angels">named to the All-MLB first team</a> for the second time in its two years of existence. It was another great season.</p>
<h3 id="Rr0rsK">2020 particulars</h3>
<p id="8HcOb3">Age: 28</p>
<p id="8VKjJd">Stats: .281/.390/.603, 17 HR, 46 RBI, 2.6 fWAR</p>
<p id="u5wTca">Salary: $36 million</p>
<h3 id="ewW2XS">Game of the year</h3>
<p id="McMfOO">Trout on August 10 against the A’s had a season-high four hits, <a href="https://stathead.com/sharing/iv8Pu">his 19th career game with four or more hits</a>. The Angels trailed 9-4 at one point in this game, but Trout keyed the comeback, first with a two-run home run in the fourth inning then the game-winning home run to break a tie in the eighth, <a href="https://www.mlb.com/video/mike-trout-s-2-hr-4-hit-game">sending the Angels to a 10-9 victory</a>.</p>
<div id="PUmnUV"><div style="left: 0; width: 100%; height: 0; position: relative; padding-bottom: 56.25%;"><iframe src="https://streamable.com/m/mike-trout-s-2-hr-4-hit-game" style="border: 0; top: 0; left: 0; width: 100%; height: 100%; position: absolute;" allowfullscreen="" scrolling="no" allow="encrypted-media"></iframe></div></div>
<h3 id="dMOeLq">Roster status</h3>
<p id="m3io8z">Trout <a href="https://www.halosheaven.com/2020/11/2/21545909/angels-roster-breakdown-2020-offseason">is under contract for 10 more seasons</a>, and in 2021 will make $35.45 million. A bargain.</p>
https://www.halosheaven.com/2020/12/31/22193784/mike-trout-angels-2020-reviewEric Stephen2020-12-30T10:29:00-08:002020-12-30T10:29:00-08:002020 review: Luke Bard
<figure>
<img alt="MLB: JUL 10 Angels Summer Camp" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/U3GVOx2xWH2Fh2N0KMHO5dwu5uk=/0x0:3859x2573/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/68599024/1226222251.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Photo by Brian Rothmuller/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>He appeared in only six games with the Angels in 2020</p> <p id="5nzsFZ">It’s been three years since Luke Bard made his debut with the Angels. After 46 games, he still hasn’t really found his groove. </p>
<p id="0YnRhe">After a rough 2019 season, Bard’s 2020 was just as bad, if not worse. Granted, he pitched in only six games for the Angels, but he just didn’t have it last year. Bard didn’t begin the season on the Angels’ Opening Day roster, but he was called up from the Alternate Site after just a few days. </p>
<p id="wMzwNM">He made his season debut on July 29, throwing a scoreless inning. However, it took him 21 pitches to get through the inning and he allowed two hits. He’d be sent down a few days later, and wouldn’t make his next appearance until exactly one month later. Bard appeared in two games and then was optioned again. </p>
<p id="mAZhXZ">Bard was called back up near the end of September. After his scoreless outing at the beginning of the season, Bard allowed four runs on four hits in four innings of work. He was able to finish the season on a high-note, as he threw 1 <sup>1</sup>⁄<sub>3</sub> scoreless innings with two strikeouts in his last appearance. </p>
<h3 id="Rr0rsK">2020 particulars</h3>
<p id="8HcOb3">Age: 30</p>
<p id="8VKjJd">Stats: 0-0, 6.75 ERA, 5 <sup>1</sup>⁄<sub>3</sub> IP, 7 SO, 0 BB, 5.44 FIP, 1.31 WHIP, 70 ERA+</p>
<p id="u5wTca">Salary: unknown</p>
<h3 id="ewW2XS">Game of the year</h3>
<p id="Mn78yS">In his final game of the season, Bard threw 1 <sup>1</sup>⁄<sub>3</sub> innings of scoreless ball. It was his longest outing of the season, and one of two outings in which he didn’t allow a run. He needed 20 pitches to record four outs. </p>
<h3 id="dMOeLq">Roster status</h3>
<p id="CoXaid">Bard has one year and 28 days of service time. He has one option remaining. </p>
https://www.halosheaven.com/2020/12/30/22205942/angels-2020-season-in-review-luke-bardBlakeHarris2020-12-29T05:32:00-08:002020-12-29T05:32:00-08:002020 review: Noe Ramirez
<figure>
<img alt="Los Angeles Angels v Texas Rangers" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/QOA6leuxR3vDuV5c3MyekkA5j6o=/124x0:4504x2920/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/68592373/1264600021.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>He was sent to the Reds this offseason </p> <p id="zrIRH6">Noe Ramirez has been a reliable option out of the bullpen the last few years for the Angels, 2020 wasn’t any different. Ramirez posted the lowest ERA (3.00) since his brief 10-game stint with LA back in 2017. </p>
<p id="eF7lW3">The difficult about the condensed season last year was that one or two bad outings could really hurt your numbers for the season. Through the first six games of the season, Ramirez owned an ERA of above seven. After that, he owned a 1.69 ERA over his final 15 games of the season. </p>
<p id="NxmkMP">Ironically, although he was doing a much better job at limiting the damage, his strikeout and walk numbers were the worst they had been since he became an Angel. Ramirez was averaging six strikeouts per nine innings, the lowest of his six-year career. His 3.9 walks per nine innings were his worst since 2016. </p>
<p id="fSYZuB">Ramirez excelled yet again against right-handed batters. They hit only .173 off him, compared to lefties who hit .273 off him. Amazingly, he didn’t strike out a single left-handed batter all season. All 14 of his strikeouts were against righties. </p>
<h3 id="17HGu8">2020 particulars</h3>
<p id="8VKjJd">Age: 31</p>
<p id="8ou48C">Stats: 1-0, 3,00 ERA, 14 SO, 1.14 WHIP, 4.52 WHIP, 151 ERA+, 1.56 SO/BB</p>
<p id="u5wTca">Salary: $900,000</p>
<h3 id="ewW2XS">Game of the year</h3>
<p id="v2tUXb">Ramirez struck out a season-high three hitters on August 19. He threw two scoreless innings, one of three times he threw multiple innings in 2020. </p>
<h3 id="dMOeLq">Roster status</h3>
<p id="aOx6XU">Ramirez was traded to the <a href="https://www.redreporter.com/">Cincinnati Reds</a> this offseason in exchange for Raisel Iglesias. </p>
https://www.halosheaven.com/2020/12/29/22204084/angels-2020-season-in-review-noe-ramirez-mlbBlakeHarris2020-12-28T05:24:00-08:002020-12-28T05:24:00-08:002020 review: Ty Buttrey
<figure>
<img alt="Los Angeles Angels v Texas Rangers" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/bMbSEkJtlzivfn14UtlAcHWdFQ8=/0x0:2741x1827/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/68587396/1271825212.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>It was a rough year for the RHP</p> <p id="1X3Fpr">After a solid couple of years to begin his major-league career, Ty Buttrey had a season he would like to forget in 2020. </p>
<p id="7T33JC">He appeared in 27 games, nearly half of the Angels’ games on the season. His year got off to a rough start, as he had three blown saves in his first four outings. In just five innings of work, he allowed four runs to score on seven hits. Buttrey only issued one strikeout in that time. </p>
<p id="8d7yHb">However, he did really settle down after that rough stretch to begin the season. Over his next eight games, he didn’t allow a run and closed the door on three games. In 8 <sup>1</sup>⁄<sub>3</sub> innings he allowed only four hits and struck out five. It looked as if he’d be turning a corner after his slow start to the season. His ERA was down to 2.70 and it looked as if he was on track to have the best season of his career. </p>
<p id="lAWsmV">Then, the wheels just completely fell off. </p>
<p id="836BTu">Over his next 14 games, Buttrey posted an ERA of 9.75. He was allowing one home run every three innings and batters were hitting .340 off him. During this stretch, it truly looked like batting practice out there.</p>
<p id="DSRVW3">Hopefully Buttrey can bounce back in 2021 and recapture his 2018 and 2019 seasons and become a reliable pitcher for the Angels again. </p>
<h3 id="17HGu8">2020 particulars</h3>
<p id="8VKjJd">Age: 27</p>
<p id="8ou48C">Stats: 2-3, 5.81 ERA, 5 SV, 18 SO, 1.405 WHIP, 4.94 WHIP, 78 ERA+</p>
<p id="u5wTca">Salary: $578,000</p>
<h3 id="ewW2XS">Game of the year</h3>
<p id="v2tUXb"> On August 22, Buttrey threw two innings for the only time all season. He threw two scoreless innings, striking out one on the road at Oakland. He didn’t issue a hit and struck out one. </p>
<h3 id="dMOeLq">Roster status</h3>
<p id="aOx6XU">Buttrey has two years and 46 days of service time. He has two options remaining </p>
<p id="0RAXFT"></p>
https://www.halosheaven.com/2020/12/28/22202332/angels-2020-season-in-review-ty-buttrey-mlbBlakeHarris2020-12-27T08:13:00-08:002020-12-27T08:13:00-08:002020 review: Anthony Bemboom
<figure>
<img alt="Texas Rangers v Los Angeles Angels" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/MrrlULUxsSm3a99Mb6jVtNyai9c=/0x0:3720x2480/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/68584783/1275699363.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Photo by Jayne Kamin-Oncea/Getty Images</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>Both sides of a battery this season</p> <p id="fHjPRr">Anthony Bemboom in 2020 became just the second player to both catch and pitch for the Angels. </p>
<p id="mG3wZd">Behind the plate was his normal job, where he started 16 games after getting recalled on August 15. Bemboom started every day from August 29 to September 3 — when Max Stassi was on the injured list and Jason Castro was getting traded — the only Angels catcher to start five straight games all season.</p>
<p id="WfLbt8">At the plate, Bemboom hit .208/.328/.417 with three home runs, and led Angels catchers with a 41-percent caught stealing rate, throwing out seven of 17 would-be base stealers.</p>
<p id="54rAzw">But Bemboom also led the Angels in ERA in 2020, thanks to his scoreless inning on August 24. Down by seven runs to the <a href="https://www.crawfishboxes.com">Astros</a> in the bottom of the eighth inning, Joe Maddon opted to save his bullpen for one inning, handing the ball instead to the catcher Bemboom.</p>
<p id="1KGXN9">He worked around a walk to Kyle Tucker, getting Carlos Correa, Taylor Jones, and Michael Brantley to all fly out harmlessly <a href="https://www.mlb.com/video/anthony-bemboom-s-scoreless-8th">to complete his scoreless inning</a>.</p>
<div id="H5lhnX"><div style="left: 0; width: 100%; height: 0; position: relative; padding-bottom: 56.25%;"><iframe src="https://streamable.com/m/anthony-bemboom-s-scoreless-8th" style="border: 0; top: 0; left: 0; width: 100%; height: 100%; position: absolute;" allowfullscreen="" scrolling="no" allow="encrypted-media"></iframe></div></div>
<h3 id="Rr0rsK">2020 particulars</h3>
<p id="8HcOb3">Age: 30</p>
<p id="8VKjJd">Stats: .208/.328/.417, 3 HR, 108 wRC+; 0.00 ERA, 1 IP</p>
<p id="u5wTca">Salary: unknown</p>
<h3 id="ewW2XS">Game of the year</h3>
<p id="v2tUXb">Since we already covered Bemboom’s pitching, we’ll pick a different game here. He was 2-for-4 with a home run in a win over the Padres on September 23 in San Diego.</p>
<h3 id="dMOeLq">Roster status</h3>
<p id="aOx6XU">Bemboom has <a href="https://www.halosheaven.com/2020/11/2/21545909/angels-roster-breakdown-2020-offseason">one year, 58 days of major league service time</a>, and has one option year remaining, having used options in 2019 and 2020.</p>
https://www.halosheaven.com/2020/12/27/22193778/anthony-bemboom-angels-2020-reviewEric Stephen2020-12-26T12:38:00-08:002020-12-26T12:38:00-08:002020 review: Jose Briceño
<figure>
<img alt="Los Angeles Angels v Los Angeles Dodgers" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/CjKYoTSh0q3z7-JZ2dfmhKP4BRw=/0x0:2804x1869/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/68582830/1209104683.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Photo by Norm Hall/Getty Images</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>One of four Angels catchers in 2020</p> <p id="WfnJ3l">Jose Briceño came to the Angels from Atlanta in November 2015 as part of the Andrelton Simmons trade, and 2020 was one of the two years he spent at least part of the season in the majors.</p>
<p id="LRsQFY">The Angels released the catcher in August 2019 but soon re-signed him to a minor league contract. Briceño was a non-roster invitee to major league camp in spring training, and spent the first five weeks of the season at the alternate training site at Long Beach State.</p>
<p id="umBNoz">Max Stassi went on the injured list in late August, then on August 30 Jason Castro was traded to San Diego, leaving the Angels without their two main catchers. Briceño got the call to the majors on August 31 to share duties behind the plate with Anthony Bemboom.</p>
<p id="viaAOG">Briceño saw action in two games, starting on September 4 then again in the second game of a doubleheader on September 5, walking in his first game and singling in the other.</p>
<p id="5nzsFZ">Once Stassi returned from the injured list on September 6, Briceño was optioned back to the alternate site, where he remained for the rest of the season. The Angels sent the catcher outright to the minors on October 30, removing him from the 40-man roster, and Briceño elected free agency.</p>
<h3 id="Rr0rsK">2020 particulars</h3>
<p id="8HcOb3">Age: 27</p>
<p id="8VKjJd">Stats: 2 games, 1 for 5, walk, 1 catcher’s interference</p>
<p id="u5wTca">Salary: unknown</p>
<h3 id="ewW2XS">Game of the year</h3>
<p id="Mn78yS">Briceño singled off <a href="https://www.crawfishboxes.com">Astros</a> right-hander Jose Urquidy on September 5 for <a href="https://www.mlb.com/video/jose-briceno-singles-on-a-ground-ball-to-center-fielder-george-springer">his only hit of the season</a>.</p>
<div id="6GNwyM"><div style="left: 0; width: 100%; height: 0; position: relative; padding-bottom: 56.25%;"><iframe src="https://streamable.com/m/jose-briceno-singles-on-a-ground-ball-to-center-fielder-george-springer" style="border: 0; top: 0; left: 0; width: 100%; height: 100%; position: absolute;" allowfullscreen="" scrolling="no" allow="encrypted-media"></iframe></div></div>
<h3 id="dMOeLq">Roster status</h3>
<p id="BCKyJL">Briceño signed a minor league contract with the <a href="https://www.purplerow.com">Rockies</a> on November 16.</p>
https://www.halosheaven.com/2020/12/26/22193776/jose-briceno-angels-2020-reviewEric Stephen2020-12-24T09:10:35-08:002020-12-24T09:10:35-08:002020 review: Taylor Ward
<figure>
<img alt="Los Angeles Angels v San Diego Padres" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/UFdimYcd6LxdUJYVneuKhiUZVYs=/0x0:6300x4200/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/68577837/1284614013.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Photo by Rob Leiter/MLB Photos via Getty Images</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>After a rough first half, he turned into the Angels’ top hitter</p> <p id="lEYUb7">After inconsistent playing time through his first two years with the Angels, Taylor Ward found more of a role in 2020, as he appeared in more than half of the Halos’ games last season. </p>
<p id="iZOuyS">The outfielder appeared in 34 games, hitting a career-high .277. However, it was a tale of two-seasons for the 26-year-old. Through his first 14 games, Ward was hitting only .147 with one extra base-hit. He was striking out in over 35 percent of his at bats, and he just looked lost at the plate. </p>
<p id="Q1i0eQ">The Angels optioned him to the Alternate Site, where he spent a few weeks before being recalled on September 3. To close out the season, Ward would turn into one of the best hitters on the entire Angels team. From the day he was called up through September 26, Ward was hitting .368/.410/.509/.919 with 21 hits and 11 runs scored. </p>
<p id="tvahJa">There was an 11-game stretch from Sept. 6 through Sept. 20 where Ward went 16-for-32. </p>
<p id="WPUom2">What looked like another lost season for the catcher turned outfielder quickly turned into a campaign for him to be a solid role player on the team moving forward. </p>
<h3 id="KsZE5z">2020 particulars</h3>
<p id="k1lZ7R">Age: 27</p>
<p id="3j1clU">Stats: .277/.333/.383/.716, 0 HR, 5 RBI, 26 H, 6 2B, 97 OPS+</p>
<h3 id="5Gw1d5">Game of the year</h3>
<p id="q6UMUv">In game one of a doubleheader on Sept. 17, Ward finished with three hits. Two of them were doubles, a season-high for him. In addition, he also scored two runs as well. </p>
<h3 id="ZdOvVX">Roster status</h3>
<p id="w6pZim">Ward has one year and 65 days of service time. He has two options remaining. </p>
https://www.halosheaven.com/2020/12/24/22198921/taylor-ward-angels-2020-season-in-reviewBlakeHarris2020-12-23T06:04:00-08:002020-12-23T06:04:00-08:002020 review: Jaime Barria
<figure>
<img alt="Texas Rangers v Los Angeles Angels" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/2Y_TEYSKgUHFmwWjXp1Z6ZsXnX4=/0x0:3720x2480/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/68571787/1273515903.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Photo by Jayne Kamin-Oncea/Getty Images</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>He had a pretty decent season in 2020</p> <p id="conCfE">Jaime Barria has been a staple in the Angels’ starting rotation over the last three years. Since making his major-league debut in 2018, he’s made 44 total starts for them. In 2020, he made five starts and came out of the bullpen twice. </p>
<p id="vkny42">After a rough 2019 campaign, Barria bounced back fairly nicely in 2020. His ERA was 3.62, and he had career-highs in ERA+ (125), FIP (3.65) and WHIP (1.11). </p>
<p id="vTFr71">His season didn’t begin until the middle of August, as he was recalled from the alternate site on Aug. 18. After a shaky first outing, he settled down over his next two, posting a 2.63 ERA through his first three outings. He came out of the bullpen for his first two appearances, but started his final five games of the season for the Halos. </p>
<p id="oeqNbi">He threw at least five innings over his next three starts, including 6 <sup>1</sup>⁄<sub>3</sub> innings on Sept. 18, a season-high for him. His final start came on Sept. 23, where he lasted only two innings after allowing two runs. This would be the final start of his season, as he was optioned back to the alternate site after. </p>
<p id="OhQkRs">Barria really dominated against righties in 2020. They hit only .164 off of him and posted an OPS under .500. Lefties were the opposite, as they hit above .270 and had an OPS of nearly .850 off him. </p>
<h3 id="eSzsFW">2020 particulars</h3>
<p id="oos1lf">Age: 24</p>
<p id="k1lZ7R">Stats: 1-0, 3.62 ERA, 27 SO, 32 <sup>1</sup>⁄<sub>3</sub> IP, 125 ERA+, 3.65 FIP, 1.11 WHIP, 3.00 SO/BB</p>
<h3 id="GyVJaJ">Game of the year</h3>
<p id="q6UMUv">On September 18, Barria threw a season-high 6 <sup>1</sup>⁄<sub>3</sub> innings. Additionally, he struck out a season-high eight batters and didn’t issue a single walk. He threw 97 pitches and allowed two runs. </p>
<h3 id="ZdOvVX">Roster status</h3>
<p id="w6pZim">Barria has one year and 123 days of service time. He has zero options remaining. </p>
https://www.halosheaven.com/2020/12/23/22195691/angeles-2020-season-jaime-barria-mlb-newsBlakeHarris