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Clips

(July 7, 2017)

July 7, 2017 Page 2 of 12

Today’s Clips Contents

FROM LOS ANGELES TIMES (Page 3)

As a solid everyday player, catcher Martin Maldonado justifies an Angels leap of faith

FROM ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER (Page 5)

Angels’ Mike Trout still hitless in rehab stint with Inland Empire, will take Friday off

Angels defensive wiz Andrelton Simmons starting to work magic with his bat

FROM ANGELS.COM (Page 12)

Inbox: When will Trout return; who's sent down?

Trout reaches twice in second rehab game

Barria to represent Panama at Futures Game

July 7, 2017 Page 3 of 12

FROM THE LOS ANGELES TIMES

As a solid everyday player, catcher Martin Maldonado justifies an Angels leap of faith

By Steve Dilbeck

This is not how the plan normally unfolds. Not the way it’s dreamed on minor league ballfields across

the country.

If you haven’t become an everyday player by the time you’ve reached your prime, you’re Caesar at the

Rubicon, the die cast. You’re a role player, on the bench, a journeyman, perhaps shuttled back and forth

between the majors and the minors. Useful, but too ripe to build upon.

And then there is Martin Maldonado, an outlier in terms of history and expectation. He turns 31 next

month, and for the first time in his career the Angels have given him his dream opportunity — the

chance to be an everyday catcher.

He was brought here because of his skill behind the plate and ability to work with pitchers. Whether he

has met or exceeded those expectations, it is his surprising offense that has raised eyebrows.

Angels general manager Billy Eppler called it a “leap of faith,” though one not made in a vacuum. The

club’s homework indicated Maldonado was capable of contributing offensively, and the organization

also enjoyed the insight of third-base coach Ron Roenicke, who as manager of the Milwaukee

Brewers made Maldonado a backup to Jonathan Lucroy.

Roenicke was a believer, but did not couch his overall assessment.

“I told them he’s very intelligent,” Roenicke said. “He has great common sense. He handles people

extremely well. He obviously blocks well, throws well. His game-calling is outstanding. And the offensive

part, I told them, I just don’t know.”

There is still half a season to go, but as baseball approaches its All-Star break, Maldonado has continued

to make offensive contributions. He is hitting .250 with nine home runs, 26 runs batted in and a .314 on-

base percentage.

The numbers compare favorably to those of Lucroy, now with the Texas Rangers, who is hitting .255

with four home runs, 23 RBIs and a .300 OBP, or Jett Bandy, the young catcher the Angels traded to

Milwaukee for Maldonado, who hit .211 with six home runs, 18 RBIs and a .287 OBP before he was sent

to triple-A Colorado Springs last week.

Maldonado said he never considered that his time would not come.

“No, because I always believed in myself,” he said. “It’s belief in what I can do. I never had the chance to

play every day, so I know it’s kind of hard to judge somebody without them being given the

opportunity.”

July 7, 2017 Page 4 of 12

Maldonado hit .202 with the Brewers last season in 208 at-bats, but the Puerto Rican catcher with the

erratic playing time had a sympathetic observer in Roenicke.

“I was in that role basically my whole career,” Roenicke said. “It’s impossible to hit that way. It really is.

If you look at a guy who had 100 at-bats during the season, he’s going to have a bad year. The more you

get, the more you seem to be productive.

“He probably would have gotten the opportunity earlier if we didn’t have Lucroy. I mean, Lucroy is one

of the best offensive catchers I’ve seen, and defensively he does a lot of things very well. So that’s who

was going to play.”

Still, the trade for Bandy was viewed with curiosity. Bandy showed flashes of potential as a hitter last

year and is almost four years younger than Maldonado.

“I know the narrative coming in the door was defense, but we just wanted to let it play out, get him

some at-bats and see where he takes it,” Eppler said.

“It’s a testament to him and what he’s done from a work and preparation standpoint — both on the

defensive and offensive side. This guy works.”

Maldonado said he was excited not only for the chance to be an everyday player, but to work with

manager Mike Scioscia, the former Dodgers catcher.

“I was happy that I was going to work with one of the best catching managers ever in the game,”

Maldonado said.

Last season, Maldonado hit eight home runs in 253 plate appearances, so his nine home runs this season

in 262 plate appearances should not be too unexpected.

Scioscia appreciates that Maldonado has stung the ball, but — no surprise — he raves about how

Maldonado performs as a catcher.

“He’s had big hits, he’s driving the ball. He’s brought enough offense to the table to where he’s

contributed,” Scioscia said.

“But the lion’s share of what he’s brought is really his head, back there with game plans. This kid is really

bright. If you compare him to Bengie Molina — and I think that’s the ultimate compliment — his head is

as good as any catcher I’ve been around. That’s a lot bigger than whatever offense he’s bringing.”

And bringing it at an age when most players have peaked and begun the inevitable decline.

“Sometimes you break out of that norm that existed where you were. And that’s what he’s done,”

Eppler said. “He came over here and had an opportunity to get as much playing time as he could handle.

And he’s showing us how much he can handle. Showing us he deserves to be in the lineup more

regularly. He showed that early and we stuck with him and he’s delivered.”

July 7, 2017 Page 5 of 12

There is a half a season to go. A lot of wear and tear Maldonado has never endured. More proof of his

long-term ability to offer.

Thus far, Maldonado has shown no signs of slowing down. He figures he’s had five years to rest.

“Everything happens for a reason,” he said. “God prepared five years in Milwaukee being a backup. He

decided it was my turn this year. I’ve been blessed with the opportunity, and I’m taking advantage of it.”

FROM ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER

Angels’ Mike Trout still hitless in rehab stint with Inland Empire, will take Friday off

By Pete Marshall

SAN BERNARDINO — Fans are coming in droves to San Bernardino to watch Angels star Mike Trout play for

the Inland Empire 66ers as part of his rehabilitation assignment.

Through his first seven plate appearances, they’re still waiting for his first hit.

In front of a crowd of 6,078 at San Manuel Stadium, Trout was 0 for 2 in the second game of his

rehabilitation assignment with the high Class-A 66ers. He was 0 for 3 in his first game Wednesday.

“I’m just going up there pain-free,” Trout said.

Like he did Wednesday, he served as the designated hitter and batted third Thursday. Trout himself had

suggested he might play in the outfield on Thursday, but the decision was made before the game that he

would only serve as DH.

The 66ers announced after the game that Trout will not play Friday, but will return for Saturday’s game.

“My timing is off, but it’s going to come,” he said. “It’s good to get at-bats and see some pitches.”

Trout’s first at-bat came against another rehabilitating major leaguer. Right-hander Chris Bassitt has a 143-

2/3 career big league innings with the Oakland A’s, but underwent Tommy John ligament replacement

surgery in May of 2016.

He only pitched the first inning Thursday, but struck out two of the three batters he faced, including Trout

on four pitches.

In his next two at-bats, Trout saw only one pitch. First, he was hit by a pitch in his elbow in the third inning.

Fans booed, but it wasn’t serious enough for even the training staff to come out and examine him.

In the fourth inning, he reached on catcher’s interference.

“I was joking with the umpire to just call it a strike,” Trout said. “But I know these guys are playing a game.”

July 7, 2017 Page 6 of 12

In the sixth inning, he grounded into a fielder’s choice to shortstop.

“I was up there hacking,” Trout admitted of his last at-bat. “To see how it felt.”

The crowd exceeded the one for Wednesday’s game by nearly 2,500, and Trout was appreciative of the

fans who braved triple-digit temperatures waiting for the gates to open.

“It means a lot to me. It means a lot to the Angels in general,” Trout said. “Just to come out here and show

their support. It’s pretty hot out there. When I come out of the dugout and come on deck, it’s a great

welcome. It makes you feel good. I can’t thank them enough for their support.”

That support included more than 300 Trout 66er jersey t-shirts sold at the 66ers team store, just this week.

Angels defensive wiz Andrelton Simmons starting to work magic with his bat

By Jeff Fletcher

ARLINGTON, Texas — Andrelton Simmons might finally be shedding that qualifier in the description of him

as a player.

“Phenomenal defensively, but …”

Halfway through his second season as the Angels’ shortstop, Simmons seems to have jumped to the next

level of baseball excellence, with his hitting beginning to catch up to his defense.

It should be no surprise. After all, it takes exceptional hand-eye coordination and athleticism to be one of

the best defensive shortstops in history. Those traits don’t leave his body when he takes off a glove and

picks up a bat.

“He’s just unbelievably athletic,” Angels infielder Cliff Pennington said. “You see it in the field. It’s easy to

see. Most people see it. And now you see it in the box too. It’s showing up more this year, but it’s always

been there.”

Simmons is hitting .286 with nine homers and 38 RBI. His .769 OPS would be a career high. He is on pace to

hit 16 homers, which would be one shy of his career-high.

When you add the offense to the always-spectacular defense, using FanGraphs WAR, Simmons comes out

at 2.7, which is fourth among major league shortstops. He’s second to Houston’s Carlos Correa in the

American League.

That’s why the Angels believe Simmons should have made his first All-Star team this season. There’s still a

chance Simmons could be named to the team as an injury replacement, and there’s at least one spot open

on the American League roster, from Mike Trout’s absence. Typically a few other players will need to be

replaced in the final days before the game.

July 7, 2017 Page 7 of 12

Cleveland’s Francisco Lindor got the nod as the AL’s second shortstop, after the fan-voted Correa, based

on balloting of players. Texas’ Elvis Andrus and Boston’s Xander Bogaerts were selected to be among the

five players vying for the final spot in fan voting this week, ahead of Simmons.

Judging by offense alone, Correa (.950 OPS) is the class of AL shortstops. Simmons (.769) is now

approaching the group of Andrus (.820), Bogaerts (.816) and Lindor (.773).

Simmons’ improvement offensively fits with the career pattern of shortstops in his defensive class: Ozzie

Smith and Omar Vizquel. Both were so good defensively that they were playing in the majors before being

ready to hit in the majors.

Smith, a Hall of Famer, had a .573 OPS in his first four years, then a .698 OPS over the next 10. Vizquel had

a .612 OPS in his first five years, then .729 over the next 13.

Smith and Vizquel both finally started to hit when they were around 26 or 27. Simmons’ offensive numbers

began a steady upward climb a few months before his 27th birthday last September.

In his first season with the Angels, he was hitting .219 with a .526 OPS when he tore a ligament in his

thumb in early May. After he returned in June, he hit .302 with a .744 OPS the rest of the season.

Manager Mike Scioscia said Simmons has simply gotten more comfortable in a new league, and made the

natural improvements that come with experience.

Simmons said he’s not doing anything “crazy different, but I did go back to some of my strengths. Some of

the stuff I used to do well, I’m bringing it back, I guess.”

In Simmons’ first half-season in the majors, in 2012 with the Atlanta Braves, he actually hit .289. In his first

full season, 2013, his average dropped to .248, but he hit 17 homers.

The hard part is combining the average and power, as he’s done this year. Simmons said one of the keys is

taking advantage of situations as an at-bat unfolds, rather than simply looking for the ball and trying to hit

it. When he gets ahead in the count now, he’s no longer simply trying to spray the ball someplace, but he’s

trying to drive it.

In 2015, when Simmons was ahead in the count, he still managed just a .675 OPS. Last year, that jumped

to .763. This year, it’s .943.

“Instead of just surviving later in the count, he’s thinking ‘This guy has done this and this and this to me, I

think he’s going to do this. I’m going to be aggressive here,’” Angels hitting coach Dave Hansen said.

Simmons said one of the things he’s learned from Albert Pujols is to identify a pitch he wants, and to go

after it aggressively.

That approach has helped Simmons to more homers and extra-base hits, without hurting his average or

leading to more strikeouts. His strikeout rate is only up from 8.9 percent to 10.0 percent, which is still half

the major league average of 20 percent.

July 7, 2017 Page 8 of 12

“You watch his swing path and his ability to fight off tough pitches,” Pennington said. “He has a lot of

movement in his swing, but it’s all for a purpose. When he sees off-speed, he’s able to lengthen out his

swing and do things that aren’t easy to do.”

Hansen said that’s the product, simply, of endless hours in the cage.

“His work ethic is ridiculous,” he said. “I do believe in order to get something, you’ve got to work at it, so

your body retains it, and he does that. Give that work ethic a direction, and this is what you’re seeing.”

BRIDWELL OPTIONED

The Angels optioned Parker Bridwell to Triple-A, a day after he pitched six scoreless innings. Bridwell would

have been unable to pitch in the final three games before the All-Star break anyway. He’s now eligible to

return on July 16, the third game after the break. The Angels will make a corresponding move on Friday.

FROM ANGELS.COM

Inbox: When will Trout return; who's sent down?

By Maria Guardado / MLB.com

What's the likelihood of Mike Trout playing the first game after the All-Star break?

@ShuebBaafe2

Who will get sent down when Trout gets back, Ben Revere or Eric Young Jr.?

@EdwardCastro10

Barring any setbacks, the plan is for Trout to rejoin the Angels for their second-half opener against the

Rays next Friday. Trout served as the designated hitter in his first rehab game with Class A Advanced

Inland Empire on Wednesday, but he still needs to ease back into playing the outfield, which likely will

require at least a few more games in the California League.

When Trout is ready to return to the Majors, the Angels will be faced with a tough call in terms of

deciding whether to keep Revere or Young on their 25-man roster. Young provided a much-needed jolt

for the Angels after Trout got hurt, but he's batting .161 with a .381 OPS in 12 games since June 20.

Revere has struggled for most of the season, but he has begun to show signs of a turnaround and is

hitting .370 with an .841 OPS in nine games over that span. It should also be noted that the Angels owe

Revere $4 million this year, which could give them more of a reason to hold on to him.

If the Angels are buyers at the Deadline, do they have enough assets to get an impact player, and who

might they go after?

@ChrisW1212

July 7, 2017 Page 9 of 12

Assuming the Angels are in the Wild Card hunt at the July 31 non-waiver Trade Deadline, it's hard to see

them landing an impact player because they don't have a bounty of top-tier prospects in their farm

system. It's also difficult to predict which players they might target because there are many areas of

their roster that could use upgrades.

The Angels' rotation has been hit hard by injuries, so perhaps it would make sense to try to add some

pitching depth, but the club also has left-hander Tyler Skaggsand right-hander Matt Shoemaker on the

mend. Their bullpen has been their strength all season, but it currently lacks a lefty reliever. The Halos

also have received the worst production in the Majors at second base (.538 OPS) and first base (.581

OPS). They tried to bolster their second-base options by bringing Nick Franklin into the mix, but a

solution at first base has yet to appear, as Luis Valbuena, C.J. Cron and Jefry Marte have not performed

as expected. Cron and Marte are at Triple-A, and Valbuena, who signed a two-year, $14 million deal in

the offseason, is batting .188 with a .600 OPS in 54 games.

The Angels could stick with Valbuena and hope that he begins to hit closer to his career norms, but there

will be some first basemen available on the trade market should they choose to look externally. Yonder

Alonso, Lucas Duda and Matt Adams could be nice fits, but their price tags seem likely to take the

Angels out of the running for their services.

What are the plans for Parker Bridwell with Shoemaker's return imminent?

@TWALTZ

Bridwell has certainly emerged as one of the more pleasant surprises of the Angels' season. After

acquiring the 25-year-old right-hander from the Orioles in exchange for cash considerations or a player

to be named later in April, the Angels gave Bridwell a chance to start in their organization, and he found

himself in the club's Major League rotation just six weeks later. In six appearances for the Halos, Bridwell

has logged a 3.24 ERA over 33 1/3 innings. Though the Angels initially expected Bridwell to make a few

spot starts while Shoemaker recovered from a forearm strain, he'll likely keep his rotation spot in the

near future, as Shoemaker suffered a setback following his first Minor League rehab start Tuesday.

The Angels technically optioned Bridwell to Triple-A Salt Lake on Thursday, but he wasn't going to make

his next start until the second half, so he'll presumably be back once he's eligible to return on July 16.

What is the progress with Andrew Heaney?

-- Erik E., Indio, Calif.

Heaney has shifted his rehab from Tommy John surgery to Arizona, where he will face hitters and

practice fielding drills before pitching in Minor League games. During Spring Training, the Angels said

they did not expect Heaney to pitch this season, but they've since loosened their stance, leaving open

the possibility of a 2017 return.

When do we expect to see Jo Adell play?

@CANTHITWITHRISP

July 7, 2017 Page 10 of 12

Adell, the Angels' 2017 first-round Draft pick, is in Arizona with the club's Rookie-level affiliate and

should make his professional debut at some point this summer. The 18-year-old remains years away

from the Majors, however.

Trout reaches twice in second rehab game

By George Alfano / Special to MLB.com

SAN BERNARDINO, Calif. -- Mike Trout did not get much of a chance to show his stuff in his rehab

assignment Thursday night.

Trout completed his second game with Advanced Class A Inland Empire. Officially, he was hitless in two

at-bats as the DH, but he reached base on his two other plate appearances.

Trout, who won the American League Most Valuable Player Awards in 2014 and 2016, will take the day

off Friday and return Saturday with Inland Empire.

Chris Bassitt, who pitched for the A's in 2016 and was making his fifth rehab appearance for Stockton

while recovering from Tommy John surgery, struck out Trout in the first inning Thursday.

"Bassitt was throwing hard, and I have to get my timing down," Trout said.

Trout saw just one pitch in both his second and third at-bats of the evening. In the third, Norge Ruiz hit

Trout on his left elbow. Trout was uninjured, and it seemed unlikely there was any ill intent considering

there were runners on first and second with nobody out.

Trout's third turn resulted in him being awarded first base on catcher's interference.

"It felt like somebody grabbed my bat. It was weird," said Trout, who spoke with the home-plate umpire

as if he preferred to stay in and hit. "I wanted to be sure the catcher wasn't hurt."

In his final at-bat, Trout hit a hard ground ball to short, ending the bottom of the sixth with a fielder's

choice.

Trout, who has a .337 batting average in the Majors this season, has been out since May 28 because of a

torn UCL in his left thumb, suffered while trying to steal a base.

Although frustrated with being on the disabled list for the first time in his seven-year Major League

career, Trout said he has learned by watching from the replay booth. He also said he was grateful for

advice from teammates Albert Pujols and Andrelton Simmons. Trout said Pujols told him to make sure

he was healthy before he returned, while Simmons suffered a similar thumb injury in 2016, so Trout had

some idea what to expect.

Trout's appearance drew a crowd of 6,078 to San Manuel Stadium, 2,400 more than his rehab debut

Wednesday night.

"It's great to see fans show support for the Angels," Trout said.

July 7, 2017 Page 11 of 12

Barria to represent Panama at Futures Game

20-year-old Angels prospect the lone Panamanian on roster

By Maria Guardado / MLB.com

When Jaime Barria takes the field at the 2017 SiriusXM All-Star Futures Game in Miami on Sunday, he'll

be representing not only the Angels, but also his native Panama.

Barria, a 20-year-old right-hander, will be one of 25 players to suit up for the World Team in the annual

showcase of Minor League talent. His nationality will only distinguish him further, as he will be the lone

Panamanian among their ranks.

"I'm really happy to represent Panama and elevate my country's profile," Barria said in a Spanish-

language phone interview. "There are a lot of ballplayers that want to be there, and I want to open

doors for them, too."

The Angels have not invested heavily in Latin America in recent years, but Barria has emerged as one of

their most promising prospects to enter the organization by way of the international market. Signed for

$60,000 out of Panama City in 2013, Barria was named the Angels' Pitching Prospect of the Year in 2016

and has continued to rise through the club's farm system this season.

Barria, ranked the Halos' No. 8 prospect by MLBPipeline.com, opened the year with Class A Advanced

Inland Empire, where he recorded a 2.48 ERA over 65 1/3 innings before being promoted to Double-A

Mobile in June.

Though he's young for his level, Barria has continued to pitch well for Mobile, logging a 1.78 ERA over 30

1/3 innings.

"It's a little different," Barria said of his transition to Double-A. "Here there are stronger hitters who can

hit for power and are a little closer to playing in the big leagues. But I've adapted quickly. I've had good

starts here, and I feel good."

The 6-foot-1, 210-pound Barria features a three-pitch mix, wielding a low-90s fastball with good life, a

deceptive changeup and a curveball. The Angels have always loved his ability to command the zone, but

Barria said much of his success this season is due to his improved curveball, which he feels he can now

throw for strikes more consistently. The development of that pitch has helped Barria miss more bats this

season, as he's averaging 7.8 strikeouts per nine innings, up from 6.0 in 117 innings for Class A

Burlington in 2016.

The Angels have a number of Futures Game alums on their current roster, including Mike Trout, Tyler

Skaggs, Ben Revere and Danny Espinosa.

"My curveball has helped me a lot," Barria said. "My problem used to be when I had to throw the

curveball for a strike, but now I can command it. That's why I've struck out a lot of hitters this year."

July 7, 2017 Page 12 of 12

The 2017 SiriusXM All-Star Futures Game takes place Sunday at 4 p.m. ET at Marlins Park in Miami and

can be viewed live on MLB Network and MLB.com.