The Angels have reshaped their coaching staff. The team announced on August 11 that it fired pitching coach Mike Maddux. Along with Maddux, the Halos relieved Bullpen Coach Dom Chiti and Assistant Pitching Coach Darryl Scott of their respective duties. Tim Leveque and Michael Wuertz are serving as the interim pitching coach and bullpen coach.
GM John Mozeliak said that, based on where he and Kurt Suzuki want the team to go in the future, “it was best to make a change.” He went on to also say that with seven weeks left of the season, it was “needed to elevate our entire pitching program.”
With a 45-74 record at the time of the firing, it was clear something needed to change. The Angels’ pitching staff had a 4.51 ERA, which was the seventh-worst in the majors. Besides that, they also had the most walks in the majors with 508.
While the firing of a veteran pitching coach was surprising to fans, it seems as though it was the right choice to make.
Positive Changes
In just eleven days, the pitching staff has improved, albeit slightly. Among starters, the Angels are 17th overall with a 4.31 ERA. Relievers are fourth in the league with a 4.23 ERA. Overall, the Halos pitchers are seventh in the league in strikeouts with 1167. And while the ERA hasn’t gone down a ton, it’s still an improvement.
Starters are going farther in games. George Klassen and Grayson Rodriguez went seven innings against the Astros. Ryan Johnson went seven innings against the Rangers, giving up only one hit. Ben Joyce has been great for the club as well since coming back from injury, recording three saves and seven strikeouts in five games.
And while the team’s record is still 52-78, 16 games under .500 and 32 games left in the season, it’s clear something has shifted positively, and not only on the pitching side. Offensively, the team has been growing. With big wins like their 7-0 victory over Texas and 18-3 win over Houston, the team’s morale seems to have shifted.
This season may be lost, but considering the updated farm system and these changes, the future may be bright in Anaheim.
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