Angels’ Erick Aybar 1 for 4, scores tying run at World Baseball Classic.

Posted on March 12, 2013 by J.P. Hoornstra

Erick Aybar (left) celebrates with Dominican Republic teammates Robinson Cano (center) and Jose Reyes (right) after beating Italy 5-4 at the World Baseball Classic.

Angels shortstop Erick Aybar only had one hit Tuesday for the Dominican Republic at the World Baseball Classic, but it was a big one.

Aybar singled and scored the game-tying run as the DR erased a 4-0 deficit and beat Italy 5-4 on Tuesday in Miami. Aybar served as the designated hitter, with the Toronto Blue Jays’ Jose Reyes playing shortstop.

After a day off on Wednesday, the Dominican Republic returns to the field Thursday against an opponent to be determined.

Cubs 11, Angels (SS) 2: Postgame thoughts.

Posted on February 23, 2013 by J.P. Hoornstra

Associated Press

TEMPE, Ariz. — Jerome Williams knows his place on the Los Angeles Angels’ pitching staff. His job is to be ready for any role necessary.

Making his first spring training start since 2007, Williams allowed a home run to Luis Valbuena but little else Saturday as an Angels split squad was beaten 11-2 by the Chicago Cubs.

“I got the first homer out of the way,” Williams said. “It was a curve. (Valbuena) had to go down to get it and he did.”

Continue reading “Cubs 11, Angels (SS) 2: Postgame thoughts.” »

Erick Aybar will be the only Angel in the World Baseball Classic.

Posted on February 21, 2013 by J.P. Hoornstra

The final rosters for the World Baseball Classic were announced Thursday, and only one Angel was listed: Erick Aybar.

That comes as no surprise, as Aybar was listed on the preliminary roster for the Dominican Republic last month. The Angels were counting on losing him, and no one else, when WBC games and practices begin in March. The Dominican team has pool-play games March 7, 9 and 10 in San Juan, Puerto Rico. Their complete schedule and roster is here.

In the meantime, Aybar will be one of the Angels’ few projected opening-day starters who will see plenty of playing time early in spring training.

“Erick will play, probably not every day,” manager Mike Scioscia said. “Just because he’s going to the WBC, you can’t cram him and play him every day, every game. We’ll play him, then maybe give him a day to recover, play him a couple, try to get him acclimated to velocity, try to find some kind of a rhythm. It’s not ideal for the player or the team but we’ll do what we have to do.”

Daily Distractions: Love for the Angels’ gloves, Tim Salmon in Germany, Luis Jimenez on a tear.

Posted on February 7, 2013 by J.P. Hoornstra

It was nice to see the Angels’ defense get a little love today – OK, a lot of love – in MLB.com’s rankings of the majors’ 10 best defenses. The Angels led the pack, ahead of the Rays (2), Reds (3), Nationals (4), Giants (5), Rangers (6), Padres (7), Braves (8), Orioles (9) and A’s (10).

The outfield of Mike Trout, Peter Bourjos and Josh Hamilton has already been mentioned as one of the best in recent memory. The Angels’ worst defensive infielder is second baseman Howie Kendrick, but he’s considered average by some metrics (notably range factor) and managed to lead the league in fielding percentage in 2011.

It’ll be interesting to see what happens now that the Angels have overhauled their pitching staff. Righty Joe Blanton and lefty Jason Vargas are contact pitchers, certainly more than Dan Haren and Zack Greinke. Will the Angels’ defense help their effectiveness? That was part of the thinking in both acquisitions – we’ll see if it matches up with reality.

If there’s a fly in the ointment, it’s that Hamilton had a major off-year in the field in 2012. His ultimate zone rating – designed to account for a fielder’s ability to prevent runs with his arm, range, double plays and “errorlessness” (for lack of a better word) – was a woeful -12.6. That was mostly a result of his play in center field, however, and moving to right field could be the cure to what ails him.

Onto the links …

Continue reading “Daily Distractions: Love for the Angels’ gloves, Tim Salmon in Germany, Luis Jimenez on a tear.” »

Inside the Angels

Robert Morales writes about baseball's Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim

Tag Archives: Erick Aybar

Angels’ Erick Aybar 1 for 4, scores tying run at World Baseball Classic.

Cubs 11, Angels (SS) 2: Postgame thoughts.

Erick Aybar will be the only Angel in the World Baseball Classic.

Daily Distractions: Love for the Angels’ gloves, Tim Salmon in Germany, Luis Jimenez on a tear.