Angels in April: In Praise Of Billy Eppler And Everyone On His Staff Whose Name I Don't Know
Los Angeles Angels general manager Billy Eppler professes to be a pretty systematic guy. In an interview earlier this year he talked about how he and his staff - "The Office of the GM" - break a season into thirds, doing an "audit" of the team around Memorial Day and again at the trade deadline. He's got a system for his first job as a GM. He's got the almost impossible task of rebuilding while remaining competitive, but he seems prepared.
But who can prepare for the April the Angels had?
They lost their ace, Garrett Richards. They lost their closer, Cam Bedrosian. They lost their best bullpen guys, Huston Street and Andrew Bailey. At the end of the month, they lost their best starter, Tyler Skaggs. I imagine Eppler and his people felt they might lose their minds.
The fact the Angels are 14-13 and in second place is a testament to a team that is more flexible and resilient than perhaps they have been in the past. That's thanks to Eppler. It's also part of his plan. Guys he brought in to shore up the pitching staff have all contributed, particularly starters Jesse Chavez, J.C. Ramirez and Ricky Nolasco. Dave Hernandez has pitched well out of the bullpen, and Bud Norris has four saves.
None of these guys have eye-popping numbers, but they are hanging in there. The Angels pitching staff FIP (4.16) is just slightly above league average. The team ERA (3.95) is tied for 10th best in the majors.
A team with Mike Trout and Albert Pujols is going to score. The bats will heat up with the weather. The story of the Angels in May - and the rest of the season - will largely be determined by who Eppler and his staff can find to plug the pitching staff holes, and how those people perform. So far, so good.
And hey, maybe Garrett Richards will actually come back in June. Maybe.
But who can prepare for the April the Angels had?
They lost their ace, Garrett Richards. They lost their closer, Cam Bedrosian. They lost their best bullpen guys, Huston Street and Andrew Bailey. At the end of the month, they lost their best starter, Tyler Skaggs. I imagine Eppler and his people felt they might lose their minds.
The fact the Angels are 14-13 and in second place is a testament to a team that is more flexible and resilient than perhaps they have been in the past. That's thanks to Eppler. It's also part of his plan. Guys he brought in to shore up the pitching staff have all contributed, particularly starters Jesse Chavez, J.C. Ramirez and Ricky Nolasco. Dave Hernandez has pitched well out of the bullpen, and Bud Norris has four saves.
None of these guys have eye-popping numbers, but they are hanging in there. The Angels pitching staff FIP (4.16) is just slightly above league average. The team ERA (3.95) is tied for 10th best in the majors.
A team with Mike Trout and Albert Pujols is going to score. The bats will heat up with the weather. The story of the Angels in May - and the rest of the season - will largely be determined by who Eppler and his staff can find to plug the pitching staff holes, and how those people perform. So far, so good.
And hey, maybe Garrett Richards will actually come back in June. Maybe.
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