Angels starter José Soriano pitches during the first inning against the Pittsburgh Pirates on May 8, 2024 in Pittsburgh. (Keynote USA Photo/Gene J. Puskar)
ANAHEIM – In the ongoing effort to get their pitchers to throw more strikes, the Angels turned to technology to teach the pitchers a lesson.
The Angels are one of the teams that uses a Trajekt pitching machine, which replicates the precise repertoire of any pitcher. A hitter can watch a video of the pitcher and then the ball comes out with speed, break and spin to mimic reality.
The Angels, however, had their starting pitchers in the box against themselves. The goal was to give a boost of confidence that his stuff is good enough to attack the strike zone.
Right-hander José Soriano, who throws a 101 mph fastball and a knuckleball curveball, laughed as he recalled the experience.
“Wow, that’s amazing,” Soriano said through an interpreter. “I knew my pitches were good, but when I faced myself, I found out they’re really good. So now I have more confidence in my things.”
The Angels rank 29th in the majors in first-pitch strikes, despite the emphasis on that during spring training. Angels pitchers rank third in the majors in mistreatment rate on pitches in the strike zone, which is an indication that their raw material should be good enough to be effective within the zone.
That contrast has baffled Angels coaches as they work to achieve better results. The Trajekt is the latest attempt at a solution.
“It was a great experience,” left-hander Patrick Sandoval said of facing himself. “Hitting is difficult. It was great to have that perspective.”
Left-hander Reid Detmers said he came away from the experience learning how difficult it is for a hitter to pick up a difference in the spin of his different pitches.
Right-hander Griffin Canning said seeing his material from that perspective also helped him understand how different pitches relate to each other.
“The point is, sometimes you don’t want to give hitters too much credit,” Canning said. “You stand there and see that your things are good.”
The Angels plan to have their relievers take turns watching themselves on the machine when they return home.
A NEW ARM
Manager Ron Washington said the Angels are unsure how they will use right-hander Roansy Contreras, who was acquired in a trade Thursday after he was designated for assignment by the Pittsburgh Pirates.
Washington said Contreras could be used for up to two innings.
Contreras, 24, had a 4.41 ERA in 16⅓ innings this season with the Pirates. Although he also struggled last season, in 2022 he posted a 3.79 ERA in 95 innings.
TRIAL DATE SET
The wrongful death lawsuit filed against the Angels by Tyler Skaggs’ family is now scheduled for trial beginning April 7, 2025.
The trial was scheduled for October 2023, but was delayed due to various legal maneuvers and a delay in the judicial system.
Skaggs died in 2019 after ingesting fentanyl, a synthetic opioid. Eric Kay, a former member of the Angels’ communications staff, was convicted in February 2022 of supplying drugs to Skaggs and sentenced to 22 years in prison. The Angels are now being sued by the family, who claim the team knew, or should have known, enough about his drug use to prevent his death.
GRADES
Luis Rengifo returned to the lineup, batting second and playing third base, on Friday. Rengifo had been out for two weeks due to a virus. “One of our best players is back,” Washington said. “He really was before he left. I’m pretty sure there will be some rust, but he’ll fight through it. “We are happy to have him in the lineup and on the field.” …
Right-hander Sam Bachman (shoulder surgery) was scheduled to face hitters in a 25-pitch session Friday in Arizona. …
Infielder Michael Stefanic (quadriceps strain) has played three games so far in his rehab assignment in the Arizona Complex League. He is scheduled to play five innings at third base on Saturday. …
Right-hander Guillermo Zúñiga (right pectoral strain) is scheduled for his third start Saturday in the Arizona Complex League.
UNTIL NEXT TIME
Angels (LHP Patrick Sandoval, 2-6, 5.00 ERA) vs. Rangers (LHP José Ureña, 1-3, 3.62 ERA) Saturday, 4:15 pm PT, FOX (Channel 11), 830 AM
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