Ron Washington took a web page out of the characterised model of himself from the 2011 movie “Moneyball” when requested about how tough it might be to revive the Angels’ sputtering offense.
“It’s hard,” the Angels supervisor mentioned Friday. “It’s very hard.”
His response most likely sounds acquainted to “Moneyball” followers. Within the movie, the model of Washington, performed by actor Brett Jennings, visits Scott Hatteberg — portrayed by Chris Pratt — at his house. Billy Beane — performed by Brad Pitt — and Washington attempt to promote Hatteberg, a free-agent catcher with the yips, on enjoying first base.
“You don’t know how to play first base,” Beane says.
“That’s right,” Hatteberg replies.
“It’s not that hard, Scott. Tell em, Wash,” Beane quips.
“It’s incredibly hard,” Washington responds.
Discovering methods to enhance the Angels’ productiveness on the plate might show much more daunting. They’ve the second-most strikeouts (622) and second-fewest walks (163) in MLB. Washington understands it’s an issue, however acknowledges the answer isn’t simply attainable.
“Adjustments is something in the game of baseball that’s never ending, so we just got to keep making adjustments,” Washington mentioned. “That’s it. If I knew, if anybody knew the adjustment to make to get an offense going, you would never see offense putter. That’s baseball. You just got to keep adjusting, readjusting, adjusting, readjusting, adjusting, readjusting, adjusting, readjusting.”
The Angels held the third-worst batting common (.229) and fourth-worst on-base proportion (.301) in MLB a yr in the past. Three months into the 2025 season, they’ve regressed. The workforce’s batting common stands at .225 heading into Monday and the workforce’s on-base proportion is significantly decrease over final yr at .287.
Through the Angels’ eight-game profitable streak in Might, it appeared as if hitting coach Johnny Washington — in his second yr with the workforce — found one thing to assist the offense click on. They tallied a .291 batting common and averaged nearly eight runs a recreation.
The Angels then misplaced 5 consecutive video games and entered Monday having misplaced 9 of their final 14.
“I think it’s come down to guys just continuing the process with trying to simplify guys’ approaches, keeping it with their strengths, giving these guys the best chance to succeed versus a given pitcher, and continue the game plan,” Johnny Washington mentioned. “Been doing it all year. There are some youth, but there’s a ton of growth taking place. I know it hasn’t been pretty at certain times, but it’s a great group.”
Angels supervisor Ron Washington talks to Chris Taylor throughout a win over the Mariners on Friday.
(Eric Thayer / Related Press)
Of their final two collection in opposition to Boston and Seattle, there have been encouraging indicators on offense. The Angels scored 5 or extra runs in 4 of the six video games, and reduce down on their strikeout totals, with seven or fewer strikeouts coming in 4 video games.
Chris Taylor, who struggled on the plate since signing with the workforce on Might 26, started making onerous contact — going two for 3 in two of three video games in opposition to the Mariners, homering for the primary time this season on Saturday.
Sunday, nevertheless, proved to be a lot totally different. Within the Angels’ 3-2 loss to the Mariners, the lineup struck out a season-high 18 instances.
“I think it’s kind of just like snapping out of it,” mentioned first baseman Nolan Schanuel on Friday, a day after the Angels returned from a six-game journey by which they averaged greater than 5 runs a recreation. “We had a good stretch, got cold for a little bit, and snapped out of it and started to hit again.”
Infielder Kevin Newman, who has a team-low .200 on-base proportion and a .186 batting common (minimal 50 at-bats) added: “We’re pretty streaky, probably more streaky than we’d like to be. We’d like to definitely find some consistency, especially here at home.”
It’s no coincidence that the Angels are discovering a little bit extra success on the plate with Mike Trout again within the lineup.
Activated off the injured listing on Might 30, Trout has performed as if he wasn’t out for a month with a bone bruise in his knee. He hit .476 throughout six video games in opposition to Cleveland and Boston and has gotten on base in almost half of his at-bats this month (.429 on-base proportion). On June 2 in opposition to Boston, the 33-year-old carried the Angels to victory with a three-hit, three-RBI recreation — hitting his second house run since getting back from harm.
“It’s good to be able to at least hit and contribute,” Trout mentioned, including that his time on the injured listing during the last two seasons had been irritating.
Trout’s affect isn’t misplaced on teammate Taylor Ward.
“Having Mike back is — I mean, unbelievable, right,” Ward mentioned. “A guy that can carry the offense.”
Taylor Ward, proper, is congratulated by Mike Trout, left, after hitting a two-run house run in opposition to the Mariners on Sunday.
(Mark J. Terrill / Related Press)
Schanuel mentioned he has watched Trout’s day by day routine intently since becoming a member of Angels two seasons in the past. Ron Washington, who grew to become the Angels’ supervisor final yr, mentioned he has marveled at how the three-time MVP prepares and trains. However even he was shocked at how shortly Trout started to contribute coming off harm.
“He still does things that other people on the baseball field can’t do,” Ron Washington mentioned. “No doubt about it. You can get a 70% Mike Trout and it’d be 100% of a lot of players in this league. So hey, I was surprised, but then again, I’m not — because we are talking about Mike Trout.”
Even with Trout again, the Angels nonetheless have room for enchancment. Though he’s hitting .241 with 14 house runs and 31 RBIs coming into Monday, Logan O’Hoppe has walked simply eight instances, resulting in a .273 on-base proportion. Luis Rengifo holds the second-lowest on-base proportion within the league at .242.
Will Trout’s return proceed to rejuvenate the Angels’ offense and assist them shut the 5½-game hole to the first-place Houston Astros within the AL West? Time will inform.
“One of the greatest players of our generation,” Johnny Washington mentioned about Trout. “He’s been a huge help to our offensive group, to us as coaches and as well to the players”
