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Clips

(March 23, 2017)

March 23, 2017 Page 2 of 15

Today’s Clips Contents

FROM LOS ANGELES TIMES (Page 3)

Angels' Andrelton Simmons hopes to get a jump on the season after playing in the

World Baseball Classic

Angels win one split-squad game, lose another

FROM THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER (Page 5)

Andrelton Simmons believes WBC experience can carry over into Angels season

Angels' Luis Valbuena tweaks surgically-repaired hamstring

Mike Trout homers while Angels split a pair of games

Angels Notes: Presumed opening day starter Garrett Richards may yield to Matt

Shoemaker

FROM ANGELS.COM (Page 9)

Revere leads Angels' offense vs. Mariners

Trout clubs 1st spring home run

Despite disappointing end, Simmons a fan of Classic

Angels cautious with Valbuena's tight hamstring

Schedule may take Richards out of OD mix

FROM THE FEDERALIST (Page 13)

3 Players Who Might Fulfill Baseball’s Quest for a Culture Icon

March 23, 2017 Page 3 of 15

FROM THE LOS ANGELES TIMES .

Angels' Andrelton Simmons hopes to get a jump on the season after playing in the World

Baseball Classic

By Pedro Moura

Andrelton Simmons loved everything about his second World Baseball Classic, except for the logistics.

Between Feb. 28 and Monday, he and the Netherlands’ contingent traveled from Seoul to Tokyo to

Phoenix to Los Angeles, where they lost an 11-inning semifinal to Puerto Rico at Dodger Stadium.

“It’s a lot of traveling,” Simmons said. “A lot of people. A lot of germs. On my team, a lot of people got

sick.”

The shortstop from Curacao returned to camp and the Angels’ lineup on Wednesday. He said the

Netherlands team he had just left wound up with more talent than expected and he lamented the way

their run finished — and his role in it. Early in Monday’s loss, he strayed too far from second base on a

bunt attempt and was tagged out.

“We had it in our hands,” he said. “It hurts that we could’ve won it, in our eyes, but we also threw it

away by not doing certain stuff. But it was fun, a good experience.”

Simmons said he benefited from the fervor surrounding the games.

“I don’t know why, but I feel like it’s a lot more focused at-bats, a lot more intense,” he said. “In spring

training, even though you’re working on stuff, you’re not selling out for an at-bat. Most at-bats matter in

that. I’m trying to win something, so I’m more focused.”

There’s also inherently less information and video available on the opposition in an international

tournament featuring players of varying pedigrees.

“You wing it a little more,” he said, “which I don’t mind that much.”

During the 2009 World Baseball Classic, Simmons was still an amateur in Curacao, not yet discovered by

American scouts. After his quick ascent, he participated in the 2013 tournament, and said it helped him

during the regular season’s first month. And he’s hoping the same thing happens this time.

“I can’t predict the future, but I definitely feel more locked-in than normal,” he said. “It’s different, I

can’t explain why. But I just played a semifinal. Maybe for you guys here you don't feel it as much as we

did there. We were trying to win something.”

Upon his arrival to Angels’ camp a year ago, Simmons said he wanted to hit .280 and drive in 100 runs,

and then said he knew those goals were unrealistic. He wound up hitting .281, but with only four

homers, 44 runs batted in and a .692 on-base-plus-slugging percentage.

March 23, 2017 Page 4 of 15

Asked about those goals Wednesday, he expressed surprise that he had revealed them. He said he’d like

to replicate the altered approach he carried into last season’s second half, when he improved his on-

base percentage by 50 points.

“Instead of swinging at strikes, I think I started focusing more on swinging at my pitches that I wanted to

look for in that particular count, that particular day,” Simmons said. “That changed a little bit. It takes a

little bit to zone in and be more selective, but hopefully I can keep that going this year.”

He said he was unconcerned about the limited time remaining to gain familiarity with new second

baseman Danny Espinosa, but acknowledged there would be some aspects of the double-play pairing

they would have to pick up during the regular season.

“It’s not like he hasn’t played,” Simmons said. “It’s not like I haven’t played baseball before. We’re going

to be fine. He’s a good defensive player.”

Simmons said he was not in favor of moving all or part of the WBC tournament to a later time in the

baseball calendar.

“In my head, that doesn’t work,” Simmons said. “Like it is, it’s OK. … Some people can’t risk playing, but

if you have the opportunity and you’re healthy, it’s a fun experience. Spring training’s cool and all, but

the classic’s way intense. It’s fun to represent your country.”

Opening questions

It remains unclear who will be the Angels’ opening-day starter. Right-hander Garrett Richards said upon

his arrival this spring that he assumed it would be him. But he’s now scheduled — “in pencil,”

Manager Mike Scioscia cautioned — to start a March 31 Freeway Series game against the Dodgers.

That would put him on track to start the third game of the season, not the first. Right-hander Matt

Shoemaker is currently in line to pitch opening day. Scioscia said a decision has not been finalized.

“If you’re trying to figure out what our rotation is going to be opening day,” Scioscia said, “you’re going

to have to wait.”

Valbuena hobbled

First baseman Luis Valbuena exited the Angels’ Wednesday home game after three innings because of

tightness in his right hamstring. Scioscia said Valbuena was to be further evaluated after the game.

“Hopefully, it won’t be anything serious,” Scioscia said.

The 31-year-old underwent surgery on the same hamstring last August, ending a career year. Valbuena

did not play for nearly two weeks earlier this month while bothered by general leg soreness.

March 23, 2017 Page 5 of 15

Angels win one split-squad game, lose another

By Pedro Moura

In their first split-squad games of the spring, the Angels lost to Texas, 7-4, at Tempe Diablo Stadium and

defeated Seattle, 9-8, at Peoria Sports Complex on Wednesday. The Angels are 14-11 in the Cactus

League.

AT THE PLATE: In Tempe, Mike Trout hit a home run in the seventh inning. The Angels’ only other extra-

base hit was a ninth-inning double by minor leaguer Michael Hermosillo. … In Peoria, Ben Revere hit a

three-run home run and fellow outfielder Eric Young Jr. hit a solo shot for the second consecutive day.

Jefry Marte hit a home run, his third. Also producing runs via doubles were catcher Tony Sanchez and

designated hitter Dustin Ackley.

ON THE MOUND: Right-hander Alex Meyer could not finish three innings in Tempe. He had been

scheduled to complete five. He walked three batters, struck out four and gave up five runs, four earned.

He recorded seven outs. He said his fastball command felt better than the results reflected. … In Peoria,

right-hander Yusmeiro Petit threw 3 2/3 scoreless innings, striking out four and giving up one hit. …

Among the 11 relievers who appeared in an Angels uniform, left-hander Jose Alvarez and right-handers

Cam Bedrosian, Mike Morin and Blake Parker pitched well; right-handers Kirby Yates, Austin Adams

and Deolis Guerra struggled.

EXTRA BASES: In Tempe, catcher Martin Maldonado threw out a runner trying to steal second base, and

threw to bases three times in the first inning. He possesses one of baseball’s strongest arms.

UP NEXT: San Diego Padres today at 1 p.m. at Peoria Sports Complex. TV: FS West; Radio: 830.

FROM THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER .

Andrelton Simmons believes WBC experience can carry over into Angels season

By JEFF FLETCHER

TEMPE, Ariz. — Andrelton Simmons returned to the mundane preparation for his day job on

Wednesday.

After a three-week hiatus to play in intense baseball games, wearing his country’s name on his chest,

the Angels shortstop was back to playing the zero-pressure baseball of the Cactus League.

The good news is, in about a week and half he’ll again be playing with something on the line. And he

believes what he just did is going to help.

“I can’t predict the future, but I definitely feel more locked in than normal in spring training,” said

Simmons, a Curaçao native who played for the Netherlands. “It’s a lot more focused at-bats. A lot more

March 23, 2017 Page 6 of 15

intense. You are are focused (in spring training) but you are not selling out for an at-bat. When you’re

trying to win something, you are more focused.”

Simmons, who singled and walked in the Angels game on Wednesday, hit .344 (11 for 32) in the WBC.

He hopes that's a good sign for the upcoming season. In 2013, he also played in the WBC, and he

returned to have one of his best seasons in the majors. He hit 17 homers and won a Gold Glove.

That’s why Simmons was willing to leave the Angels to play for his country, even though it meant going

to the other side of the world for games in South Korea and Japan and coming back sick.

“A lot of traveling, a lot of people, a lot of germs,” he said.

Simmons said he would recommend the WBC to anyone who asks.

“It’s a fun experience,” he said. “Not everybody can risk playing. Maybe they are fighting for a job or

whatever. But if you have the opportunity and you’re healthy, it’s a fun experience. Spring training is

cool and all, but the Classic is way intense. It’s fun to represent your country.”

Not so fun was the way the Netherlands lost two of their games. Starting in the 11th inning of WBC

games, teams begin the inning with runners at first and second. It’s a rule intended to prevent games

from going deep into extra innings and taxing pitching staffs at a time of year when players are trying

to get ready for the season. Both times the Netherlands got to the 11th, they lost, including in the

semifinals Monday night against Puerto Rico.

“I wasn’t a big fan of (the rule) before we had to do it,” he said, “and I’m less of a fan now.”

Angels' Luis Valbuena tweaks surgically-repaired hamstring

By JEFF FLETCHER

TEMPE, Ariz. — The Angels finally had their entire projected opening day lineup on the field on

Wednesday, but it lasted only three innings.

Luis Valbuena left the game after three innings because of right hamstring tightness, which could be

concerning because he had surgery on his right hamstring last August.

“We’ll get it evaluated,” Manager Mike Scioscia said. “Hopefully it won’t be anything serious.”

Valbuena already missed almost two weeks this spring with weakness in his legs. This injury is in a

slightly different spot.

If Valbuena’s injury keeps him out for an extended period, the Angels have C.J. Cron to play first.

Valbuena got hurt in the first game the Angels played with all their projected starters. Andrelton

Simmons just returned from the World Baseball Classic and Yunel Escobar just returned from a minor

abdominal strain.

March 23, 2017 Page 7 of 15

Mike Trout homers while Angels split a pair of games

By JEFF FLETCHER

THE GAMES: The Angels played their first game of the spring with their entire projected opening day

lineup, but still lost, 7-4, to the Texas Rangers on Wednesday at Tempe Diablo Stadium. An Angels’

split-squad took a seven-run lead before beating the Seattle Mariners, 9-8, in Peoria.

PITCHING REPORT: In Tempe, right-hander Alex Meyer, who was expected to go five innings, lasted

only seven outs. He gave up five runs on five hits and three walks. “The results obviously weren't what

you are looking for, but physically this is as good as I've felt in a while,” Meyer said. “I felt like my

command was better than what the line showed.” Meyer said his two first-inning walks were pitches

that could have been strikes. ... Right-hander Blake Parker struck out all five hitters he faced. ... Right-

hander Cam Bedrosian pitched a perfect inning, striking out two. He hasn’t allowed a run in five innings

this spring. ... Left-hander Jose Alvarez pitched a scoreless inning, striking out three, in his first

appearance since returning from the World Baseball Classic. ... In Peoria, Yusmeiro Petit tossed 3-2/3

scoreless innings, allowing one hit and striking out four. Petit is one of the leading candidates for a

bullpen spot. ... Right-hander Kirby Yates gave up four runs. Yates, who didn’t allow a run in his first

five innings, has allowed eight in his last three.

HITTING REPORT: In Tempe, center fielder Mike Trout hit his first homer of the spring. Trout also drew

a walk and was hit by a pitch. ... Left fielder Cameron Maybin drew two walks, lifting his on-base

percentage to .286 despite hitting .074 (2 for 27). ... Second baseman Danny Espinosa drove in two

runs with a single. ... Right fielder Kole Calhoun beat the shift by poking a single into the hole vacated

by the shortstop. ... In Peoria, center fielder Ben Revere, left fielder Eric Young Jr. and third baseman

Jefry Marte all homered. It was the second straight day Young hit a homer.

DEFENSE REPORT: In Tempe, catcher Martin Maldonado made three throws in the first inning, two to

try to catch runners stealing and a third to try to pick a runner off. All the throws were accurate, but

none were in time. Maldonado threw out a runner trying to steal later in the game. ... In Peoria,

catcher Tony Sanchez made a nice running catch of a pop-up on the third base side when Marte was

shifted toward the middle.

UP NEXT: Angels (RHP Ricky Nolsco) vs. Padres (TBA), Peoria Sports Complex, Thursday, 1 p.m. PT, Fox

Sports West, KLAA (830 AM).

Angels Notes: Presumed opening day starter Garrett Richards may yield to Matt Shoemaker

By JEFF FLETCHER

TEMPE, Ariz. — The Angels continue to cross off days on the calendar without giving any more

definitive news as to how their rotation will line up for the first week of the season.

Manager Mike Scioscia said Wednesday morning Garrett Richards is scheduled — “in pencil” — to start

March 31 against the Dodgers in the Freeway Series, just three days before opening day. Although that

March 23, 2017 Page 8 of 15

could be just a one- or two-inning tuneup that would still allow him to pitch opening day, that would

seem to eliminate him from the assignment that typically goes to a team's best starter.

Scioscia, however, left open the possibility of more changes.

“If you’re trying to figure out what our rotation is going to be opening day, you’re going to have to

wait,” he said.

As of now, the Angels line up to have Matt Shoemaker start the April 3 opener at Oakland, followed by

Tyler Skaggs, Richards, Jesse Chavez and Ricky Nolasco.

Skaggs, however, is at least an inning behind the other starters because of the time he missed with

shoulder fatigue, so it would seem unlikely that he’d start the second game of the season. J.C.

Ramirez, who pitched five strong innings on Tuesday, and Alex Meyer, who gave up five runs

Wednesday, both also appear to be in the mix.

It's also possible the Angels want Skaggs to pitch between Shoemaker and Richards, because they are

the two starters who figure to work the most innings, so that would give the Angels more bullpen

flexibility to back up Skaggs if he comes out early.

“There’s a couple things that could happen next week,” Scioscia said. “We can’t definitely give you our

rotation for the Freeway Series.”

OPENING DAY LINEUP?

Andrelton Simmons’ return from the World Baseball Classic and Yunel Escobar’s return from a mild

abdominal strain allowed the Angels on Wednesday to use their projected opening day lineup for the

first time this spring.

Scioscia filled out his lineup card with Escobar at the top, followed by Kole Calhoun, Mike Trout, Albert

Pujols (DH), Luis Valbuena, Cameron Maybin, Danny Espinosa, Martin Maldonado and Simmons.

Although Scioscia wouldn’t commit to it being the opening day lineup, it certainly provided strong

evidence that the club still views Maybin and Valbuena ahead of C.J. Cron and Ben Revere, respectively,

even though the latter two have had good springs.

ALSO

Huston Street, who is out with a strained lat, said he feels “good, a lot better.” He believes he’s in line

to start throwing within seven to 10 days, which would match the original prognosis after he got hurt

March 3 in his only game of the spring. Street said he couldn’t guess how long it will take him from the

start of a throwing program until he can be active, but there are numerous steps involved. He has to

play catch, then throw a couple bullpen sessions, then pitch in at least three to five games. All of that

figures to take at least three weeks.

March 23, 2017 Page 9 of 15

The race for the final spots in the bullpen remains wide open, but Cody Ege fell out of the mix. The left-

hander, who has not allowed a run in 8-1/3 innings this spring, with eight strikeouts and no walks, was

reassigned to minor league camp. Right-hander Justin Miller was also reassigned.

FROM ANGELS.COM .

Revere leads Angels' offense vs. Mariners

By Maria Guardado / MLB.com

PEORIA, Ariz. -- Ben Revere and Eric Young Jr. ripped back-to-back home runs in the second inning

and Yusmeiro Petit turned in a strong start as an Angels split squad topped the Mariners, 9-8, under

overcast skies at Peoria Stadium on Wednesday afternoon.

Shortstop Jean Segura, playing his second game since returning from the World Baseball Classic, hit his

second homer of the spring for the Mariners with a two-run shot in the sixth.

"Jean had some good at-bats, battled the count there and got a breaking ball and hit it out of the

ballpark," said Mariners manager Scott Servais. "But there wasn't a lot to talk about early in the game. A

nice job by our young guys to put some good at-bats together late."

Revere, who has six homers in 748 regular-season games in seven years in the Majors, launched a three-

run blast off Seattle starter Cody Martin, and Young followed with a shot to right field as the Angels

jumped to an early 5-0 lead.

Revere went 3-for-3 with a walk, two runs and three RBIs as he hiked his spring average to .421, and

shortstop Cliff Pennington also had a three-hit day. Jefry Marte added his third home run of the spring

with a leadoff fly that just cleared the fence down the left-field line off Nick Vincent to open the fifth.

Martin, expected to open the year at Triple-A Tacoma, hadn't allowed a run in 9 2/3 innings in five prior

appearances, but gave up seven hits and six runs in 2 2/3 frames in his first start of the spring.

Petit was far more efficient in his third start for the Angels, allowing just a Mike Freeman double in the

third in his 3 2/3-inning outing. Petit didn't walk a batter and struck out four in a smooth 45-pitch

performance.

Seattle managed just two hits in the first six innings before Nelson Cruz, Danny Valencia and Guillermo

Heredia laced doubles in a three-run seventh.

Angels Up Next: Right-hander Ricky Nolasco, who has logged a 4.00 ERA this spring, will make his fourth

Cactus League start against the Padres on Thursday at Peoria Sports Complex. First pitch is scheduled for

1:10 p.m. PT, live on MLB.TV.

March 23, 2017 Page 10 of 15

Mariners Up Next: After pitching twice for Venezuela in the World Baseball Classic, Felix

Hernandez makes his return to Cactus League action Thursday in a 6:05 p.m. PT contest against the

Giants in Scottsdale that will be available live on MLB.TV. The Mariners' Opening Day starter is expected

to throw about six innings, with Nick Hagadone and Casey Fien in relief.

Trout clubs 1st spring home run

By Maria Guardado / MLB.com

TEMPE, Ariz. -- Mike Trout hit his first home run of the spring, but it wasn't enough to prevent the split-

squad Angels from falling to the Rangers, 7-4, on Wednesday at Tempe Diablo Stadium.

James Loney's two-run double off Angels starter Alex Meyer capped a three-run outburst for the

Rangers in the first, though the Halos scored three times in the bottom half of the inning to tie the game

at 3. The Rangers restored their lead on Jurickson Profar's tiebreaking sacrifice fly in the second and

went ahead 5-3 on Drew Robinson's RBI double in the third.

Trout slugged a solo shot to left-center off Rangers right-hander Anthony Bass in the seventh to cut the

deficit to one, but the Rangers scored twice in the eighth to build a three-run cushion.

Cameron Maybin collected an RBI by drawing a bases-loaded walk off Texas starter Allen Webster in the

first, while Danny Espinosa contributed a two-run single.

Rangers pitcher Mike Hauschild continued his strong bid to win a spot on the Rangers' Opening Day

roster. Pitching in relief of Webster, Hauschild did not allow a run in two innings. The only baserunner

was on a walk; he struck out one and now has a 3.52 ERA in six Cactus League outings.

Hauschild is a strong candidate to make the Rangers either as the fifth starter or as a long reliever in an

eight-man bullpen. He has retired 18 of 20 batters faced in his three relief appearances.

"The initial thought process is more strikes and he attacks the strike zone more out of the bullpen,"

manager Jeff Banister said. "He's a little more relaxed. But the stuff is still the same ... quality stuff."

Meyer allowed five runs (four earned) on five hits while walking three and striking out four over 2 1/3

innings, significantly dampening his chances of winning the fifth spot in the rotation. Meyer, who has a

7.20 ERA over 10 innings this spring, issued back-to-back walks to start the game, which helped spark

the Rangers' three-run first. The 27-year-old right-hander also gave up one run in each of the

subsequent innings before being lifted with one out in the third.

"The results obviously weren't what you were hoping for," said Meyer, who threw 62 pitches.

"Physically, this is as good as I've felt in a while. I feel like my command was better than what the line

showed."

Right-hander Cam Bedrosian, who's in position to open the season as the Angels' closer, struck out two

over a spotless fifth. He has not allowed a run in five innings this spring.

March 23, 2017 Page 11 of 15

Rangers Up Next: Adrian Beltre will be back in the lineup Thursday when the Rangers play the Dodgers

at 6:05 p.m. CT in Surprise, live on MLB.TV. Beltre is 0-for-7 in five Cactus League games and was 1-for-

15 for the Dominican Republic in the World Baseball Classic.

Angels Up Next: Right-hander Ricky Nolasco, who has logged a 4.00 ERA this spring, will make his fourth

Cactus League start against the Padres on Thursday at Peoria Sports Complex. First pitch is scheduled for

1:10 p.m. PT, live on MLB.TV.

Despite disappointing end, Simmons a fan of Classic

Angels shortstop feels 'more locked in than normal' after playing for Netherlands

By Maria Guardado / MLB.com

TEMPE, Ariz. -- Shortstop Andrelton Simmons returned to Angels camp Wednesday after playing for the

Netherlands in the World Baseball Classic and said he enjoyed the experience despite the Dutch team's

heartbreaking exit from the tournament.

The Netherlands fell to Puerto Rico, 4-3, in 11 innings Monday in a semifinal game at Dodger Stadium. It

was a disappointing end for the Netherlands, which was hurt by a pair of baserunning gaffes in the first

that undermined a potentially big inning for the club. Simmons committed one of the miscues when he

was caught straying too far off second base on a bunt attempt.

"It was fun," Simmons said. "I feel like we had a better team than I thought we had. At the end, even

though we messed up a couple plays that would have changed the game, we had it in our hands. It hurts

that we could have won it in our eyes, but we also threw it away by not doing certain stuff. But it was

fun. Good experience."

Simmons, a native of Curacao, batted .344 (11-for-32) over his seven-game stint in the Classic and said

he hopes to use that stretch as a launching pad for the regular season.

"I can't predict the future, but I definitely feel more locked in than normal Spring Training," Simmons

said. "I feel like it's a lot more focused at-bats. It's a lot more intense because every at-bat matters.

You're trying to win something, so you're more focused. I felt really good playing the tournament."

While Simmons said the travel was a bit grueling -- the Netherlands opened the tournament in Seoul,

South Korea, and made a stop in Tokyo before finishing in Los Angeles -- he remains a fan of the Classic

and encouraged other Major Leaguers to consider participating in the future.

"It's a fun experience," said Simmons, who also played in the 2013 Classic. "Some people can't risk

playing. Maybe they're trying to fight for a job, or whatever, but if you have the opportunity and you're

healthy, it's a fun experience. Spring Training is cool and all, but the Classic is way intense. And it's fun to

represent your country."

With Opening Day less than two weeks away, Simmons will now be able to focus on building chemistry

with new double-play partner Danny Espinosa, who was acquired from the Nationals in an offseason

March 23, 2017 Page 12 of 15

trade. The two middle infielders played in only one Cactus League game together before Simmons

departed camp, but Simmons said he doesn't think it will take them too long to get acclimated to each

other.

"We're going to be fine," Simmons said. "He's a good defensive player, so it shouldn't be an issue. There

will be some things we'll pick up as we go, but it'll happen pretty quick, I think."

Angels cautious with Valbuena's tight hamstring

By Maria Guardado / MLB.com

TEMPE, Ariz. -- First baseman Luis Valbuena departed the Angels' 7-4 loss to the Rangers on Wednesday

with right hamstring tightness, manager Mike Scioscia said.

Valbuena played three innings at first before he was replaced by prospect Matt Thaiss in the top of the

fourth. Scioscia said Valbuena exited for precautionary reasons and will be evaluated.

"Hopefully it won't be anything serious," Scioscia said.

Valbuena underwent season-ending surgery to repair a tendon in his right hamstring in August and also

missed two weeks earlier in camp with leg soreness. The 31-year-old infielder signed a two-year, $15

million deal with the Angels over the winter and was projected to be the club's Opening Day first

baseman.

If Valbuena is not ready to start the season, the Angels could deploy C.J. Cron at first base.

Before Valbuena's departure, it looked as though the Angels had put together their probable Opening

Day lineup for the first time this spring. The Angels' original batting order Wednesday was: 3B Yunel

Escobar, RF Kole Calhoun, CF Mike Trout, DH Albert Pujols, 1B Valbuena, LF Cameron Maybin, 2B Danny

Espinosa, C Martin Maldonado and SS Andrelton Simmons.

"I'm not going to say it's the Opening Day lineup, but I think these are the guys that obviously are very

important to us," Scioscia said before the game.

Schedule may take Richards out of OD mix

By Maria Guardado / MLB.com

TEMPE, Ariz. -- Angels manager Mike Scioscia said Wednesday that ace right-hander Garrett Richards is

scheduled "in pencil" to start against the Dodgers on March 31, three days before Opening Day. That

would seem to suggest that Richards will be unavailable to start the Angels' season opener, though it's

also possible he could make an abbreviated outing to stay sharp for their first game against the A's on

April 3.

Still, Scioscia said nothing is definitive at this point.

March 23, 2017 Page 13 of 15

"There's a couple of things that could happen next week," he said. "That's in pencil, so we're not

announcing Garrett is starting on [March 31]. I'm just saying it's a possibility."

Matt Shoemaker is currently lined up to start on Opening Day and would be followed by Tyler Skaggs,

Richards, Jesse Chavez and Ricky Nolasco.

FROM THE FEDERALIST

3 Players Who Might Fulfill Baseball’s Quest for a Culture Icon

By Daniel Kishi

The average American can likely identify LeBron James and Tom Brady, who transcend the world of

sports and have seeped into the broader American culture.

With lucrative endorsements from Nike, Coca-Cola, Under Armour, and UGGS, their faces are plastered

across billboards, magazines, and television advertisements. They are routinely photographed rubbing

shoulders with movie stars, musicians, and politicians, and have accumulated the statistics and

championship pedigree necessary to become fixtures in heated debates about which is the greatest of

all time in their respective sport. You might think Michael Jordan or Kobe Bryant is better than LeBron or

that Joe Montana is better than Brady, but love them or hate them they spark conversation and

encourage even the most nominal of sports fans to tune in for their biggest games.

At present, Major League Baseball does not have its version of LeBron or Brady. The game of baseball,

although ripe with emerging young talent, is experiencing a passing of the torch as the old guard of

baseball superstars have, over the past ten years, retired (Derek Jeter and Ken Griffey Jr.), fallen from

grace (Barry Bonds and Alex Rodriguez), or entered the twilight of their careers (Albert Pujols and Ichiro

Suzuki). Whether saints or sinners, these players succeeded at energizing regional, national, and, in

some cases, international audiences of America’s oldest pastime.

The difficulty in developing transcendent superstars is, to some extent, a natural consequence of the

game itself. Unlike basketball and football, a single player can rarely dominate a baseball game. The

Cleveland Cavaliers can run their offense through LeBron, ensuring that he either scores or assists in a

high percentage of its offensive possessions. In the final seconds of a tie game, LeBron will most

certainly have the basketball in his hands.

Likewise in football, Brady, as the facilitator of the New England Patriots’ offense, touches the ball on

every single offensive play. With help from a faceless offensive line, he is the commander-in-chief of

each drive and funnels the football to members of his supporting cast.

In baseball, however, position players can only bat once every nine times. While quick-footed outfielders

and sure-handed infielders can make the occasional defensive web gem, each player only gets a handful

of defensive opportunities per game, many of which are routine. Starting pitchers, meanwhile, do have

March 23, 2017 Page 14 of 15

the unique opportunity to single-handedly dominate a game. But they, at most, play once every five

games during the regular season and, if their team makes the playoffs, once every three games in the

postseason.

Despite these underlying disadvantages, baseball superstardom is still achievable. However, it requires a

recipe that consists of the following four ingredients: personal excellence as measured by Most Valuable

Player and Cy Young awards; team excellence as measured by championship rings; marketability as

measured by the size of the team’s regional market and fan base; and sustained success as measured by

prestigious career milestones. Having established this criteria, a few players come to mind.

Mike Trout, Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim

In his first five full seasons in the Major Leagues, Mike Trout has won two American League MVP Awards

and finished in second place three times. Only 25 years old, Trout is, without a doubt, the best player in

the major leagues. In addition to consistent offensive excellence, Trout makes highlight reel

catches and routinely robs home runs. Barring a career-altering injury, he will undoubtedly join the

ranks of Ruth, Williams, Mays, and Aaron on baseball’s Mount Rushmore.

Despite his unprecedented personal accomplishments, his superstardom remains half-baked. This is

partially due to the fact that he plays in the American League West. Although Anaheim, California is part

of the Los Angeles metropolitan area, the Angels are a West Coast baseball team that consequently

plays more than half its games when most of the country is asleep.

This wouldn’t be a problem if the Angels were a perennial playoff contender. However, in the Trout era,

the Angels have only made the playoffs one time (2014) and were swept in the first round. Other than

their one division title, they have finished in third place three times and fourth place once.

The future doesn’t look much brighter as the Angels are, once again, expected to flirt with the cellar of

their division and, once again, have one of baseball’s worst farm systems. Trout signed a six-year

contract extension in 2014 which, absent a trade, will keep him stuck in baseball purgatory through the

end of the 2020 season.

Kris Bryant, Chicago Cubs

The Chicago Cubs, after 108 seasons of championship futility, won the 2016 World Series and ended the

longest championship drought in the history of professional sports in America. Kris Bryant was a major

reason. Between his regular-season exploits and postseason heroics, Bryant became an instant icon in

the hearts and minds of the Cubs’ faithful. As the centerpiece of a young and talented lineup, Bryant

might very well lead the North Side of Chicago to a couple more championships in the next half-a-dozen

years.

Two weeks after the World Series, Bryant won the National League MVP Award, becoming the first

player in baseball history to win the college baseball player of the year award, the Minor League

Baseball player of the year award, a Major League Baseball Rookie of the Year Award, and a Major

League Baseball MVP Award in consecutive seasons.

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Off the field, he has the looks of an Express model and an honest-to-goodness, aw-shucks personality

that makes you wish he were still single so your sister (or daughter) could marry him.

Bryce Harper, Washington Nationals

As a 16-year-old high schooler, Bryce Harper was pictured on the cover of Sports Illustrated with the

headline: “Baseball’s Chosen One: Bryce Harper is the Most Exciting Prodigy Since LeBron.” No pressure.

In his five big league seasons, the fulfillment of the prophecy has been a bit of a mixed bag. His National

League Rookie of the Year season in 2012 was followed by two disappointing injury-plagued seasons in

2013 and 2014. But in 2015, at the age of 22, he posted one of the best offensive seasons in baseball

history en route to winning the National League MVP. He was, however, unable to repeat his

performance in 2016, suffering considerable regression in almost every single offensive category.

Harper seasons his game with bat flips, clubhouse fights, and ejections. His fans say he’s confident, his

haters say he’s arrogant, but Harper says he’s simply trying to “make baseball fun again.”

A free agent after the 2018 season, Harper could very likely sign the most lucrative contract in sports

history if he comes anywhere close to replicating his 2015 performance in the next two seasons. The

New York Yankees are a rumored suitor, setting the table for one of baseball’s brightest young stars to

play for one of baseball’s most storied franchises in one of America’s largest markets.

Other young players with the potential to rise to the ranks of baseball’s greats include Mookie Betts of

the Boston Red Sox, Corey Seager of the Los Angeles Dodgers, Manny Machado of the Baltimore Orioles,

and Carlos Correa and Jose Altuve of the Houston Astros.

These players are well-known among baseball fans. However, none have broken through the glass

ceiling of cultural superstardom. Serious injury or performance regression can certainly derail their

rendezvous with destiny—the game of baseball is no stranger to the meteoric rise and fall of promising

stars.

But regardless of which team you root for, if you are a fan of our nation’s oldest pastime you should be

rooting for the success of the game’s next generation of superstars. As youth participation in baseball

declines, and as the average age of baseball fans inches increasingly north of 50, the emergence of a

new crop of rising stars just might attract the next generation of fans to the ballpark.