The Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim’s bullpen is a challenge to fix. Left-handed reliever Nick Maronde is proving to be one piece to help solving the BP woes.
The Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim bullpen is the brunt of a lot of jokes once again to start the season. But a few recent changes to the roster could prove to propel this relief corp to adequate status.
In the month of April, Angels relievers ranked 23rd in relief in Major League Baseball with a 4.42 earned-run average, 38 earned runs, and a .238 batting-average against in 77.1 innings of work.
However, as the Angels are hovering around .500, the bullpen is shaping into less embarrassing.
After Ernesto Frieri managed to pitch himself out the closer role (7.59 ERA, 9 ER, and 5 homers in 10 2/3 innings), Joe Smith (3.00 ERA, 2 saves, 13 strikeouts in 12 innings) has stepped in and recorded two straight saves against his former team, the Cleveland Indians.
But there’s one reliever not generating a ton of buzz and that’s left-hander Nick Maronde.
The 24-year-old lefty’s body of work can’t be ignored. The last few seasons, Maronde hasn’t found a steady roster spot in the majors due to health issues, durability and command concerns.
In 2012, at the age of 22, Maronde skyrocketed through the Angels system and made 12 relief appearances in the majors where he pitched a memorable 1.50 ERA, facing 27 batters over six innings, giving up only one earned run, three walks and seven strikeouts. After that, everyone was talking about this gifted left-handed pitcher.
The following season, Maronde took a few steps back. His brief stay in Anaheim resulted in 10 relief appearances with a 6.75 ERA, 4 ER. His command took a hit as he walked eight batters in 5 1/3 innings pitched.
Still, over time Maronde has learned to develop himself. And on April 21, the Angels sent Josh Wall back to the minors after Wall faced 11 batters, allowed six earned runs, and 54.00 earned-run average, and recalled Maronde.
In eight relief appearances, he has tossed a sparkling 1.80 ERA, walked three batters and struck out seven in five innings. Oh, and he hasn’t allowed a run since Opening Night on March 31 in a 10-3 loss to the Seattle Mariners.
This left-hander sure bolsters the bullpen. He pounds the strike zone, shows a lot of control on the mound, aggressive approach and good command when pitching. He mastered two effective pitches – fastball and slider.
His fastball clocks an average 90-92 mph (high of 95 and low of 88). He locates his fastball well on both sides of the plate. His slider has proven to be his best out pitch with his incredible control and the late drop around 85 mph. If he could establish command of a changeup (his least effective), Maronde could really cement a roster spot and increase his chances of success in the majors.
With new power-hitting lefties in the American League West – Robinson Cano (Mariners), Shin-Soo Choo and Prince Fielder (Texas Rangers) – Maronde is utilized as left-handed specialist. Left-handed batters are only hitting a .181 average against him. But what most don’t realize, right-handed batters aren’t adjusting as they are hitting .216.
Maronde appears to be healthy and poised for success with the Angels. Once he sharpens his control and command a bit, look for him to remain in the bullpen and contribute to an improving relief corp.
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