Angels Correspondent Report: Angels Report 4/23

Angels Report 4/23

April 23, 2002

Latest team info- The Angels are not looking as good as the potential showed. They are not getting the hitting they got last year and the pitching staff if not as good as it seemed. They are last in the league with only eight home runs and their team batting average is .232. The Angels needed a strong season from Darin Erstad and Tim Salmon to win and they are not getting anything from either of them. Erstad is hitting .242 with no homeruns and six RBI�s. Salmon is batting a measly .169 with no home runs and eight RBI�s. If the Angels plan on winning some games they are going to need to put of some power numbers from players whose names aren�t Troy Glaus or Garret Anderson. As for the pitching staff, the two new additions are not doing what they did in their previous teams. Aaron Sele has a record of 0-2 with an ERA of 6.65. Kevin Appier has a record or 1-1 with an ERA of 4.57 and Scott Schoenweis is 1-3 with an ERA of 7.33. With what was looked at as the most improved and possibly one of the best staffs in baseball, those numbers are not going to get the job done. The thing that will hurt the Angels the most is the fact that they have not beaten, division rival, Seattle Mariners once this season. They are going to have to get wins over the Mariners if they want to get into the playoffs.

Local Perspective- The fans in the area are very displeased with the performance of their time so far this season. Though they are off to a terrible start, winning only 6 of their 20 games this year, the �true fans� still feel that they can wake up and make a run at the wild card.

Injuries- Darin Erstad is going to miss the entire series against the Mariners due to a concussion. He is expected to be back in the line up April 26 verses the Toronto Blue Jays. Benji Gill is still hurt and is expected to miss until mid-may with an ankle injury. Troy Percival is off the DL and is back being the Angels Closer. In his second appearance since coming off the DL, he gave up a three-run homer to pinch-hitter Greg Myers in the Angels' 6-5 loss to the A's on April 21.

On the Farm- As of right now there aren�t any players in the farm system that can come up and make a difference for the Angels. One player who might start seeing some playing time is Jeff DaVanon. With the extreme lack of hitting from Salmon, DaVanon will start seeing some time in right field.

Quick Views- ADD- Glaus- If you can get him in a trade then do it. He is going to have a great season in the power areas.
DROP- Salmon- He is not hitting now and does not look like he is going to start hitting any time soon.
Schoenweis- He is have a terrible season and is not looking as good as he has in the past.