Angels skipper Mike Scioscia spent some time talking with The Drive's Jeff Biggs on AM830 about the Angels starting pitching depth, the Gary Matthews Jr. trade, Scot Shields' health, and the potential opening day roster.
Scioacia also mentions the Angels plans for the top of their line-up, "Some guys are just going to flat out hit enough to get on base and get in scoring position, and I think a young player like Erick Aybar probably has some growth in that area that'll make him a better candidate as his career moves on to hit in front of the middle of the line-up, meaning first or second. That doesn't mean he's not ready for that challenge right now." Scioscia added they plan on batting Bobby Abreu second, "He's going to feed the middle of the line-up as well as anyone in baseball."
Scioscia AM830 Interview Part 1
Scioscia AM830 Interview Part 2
Thanks again to Jason Brennan for providing these audio files!
0 recs | 35 comments
I think we should hit Kendrick #1
Forget situational hitting, forget even working the count (we have Abreu to do that). Just let him clear his head and swing the bat.
If things break right, Kendrick with 700+ PA’s could go all Erstad 2000. ("Some guys are just going to flat-out-hit enough….)
rghan - January 29, 2010
Agreed...
I somehow doubt Aybar will repeat his 2009 performance. And honestly, there is no stat that fits him for batting leadoff except his .312 average last year. If he regresses to his career average of .285 and OBP of .324, there is no reason for him to bat leadoff. He is not that great at stealing bases, having a 66% success rate.
Not knocking Aybar here, just saying he’s not your ideal leadoff guy. But hey, maybe we could trade for Curtis Granderson?
Angel Hawker - January 29, 2010
I gotta disagree with you on this one
In his 1st full season he hit .312 which was his minor league average, I see no reason why he can’t & won’t be a .300 hitter in the majors. If he adds 15 – 20 more walks a year you’re looking at a OPB of .375-.380
Basically Aybar reminds me of Furcal, which I’ll take as a leadoff hitter any day.
Seik1177 - January 29, 2010
I like this.
HIs head could explode though, but it’s worth a shot.
clover_black - January 29, 2010
Agreed, he should have been a poll option. I've brought up Kendrick many times
The guy has the ability to be a Jeter-style hitter at the top of the order with an inside out swing that uses the whole field and gap power that occasionally goes over the fence. He’s speed enough to steal some bases.
He may not walk as much, but he’s got the potential to start us off with singles and doubles and crank one out 15+ times a year, all with an over .300 average. Those are all favorable possibilities to have with no outs in the first.
Commander_Nate - January 29, 2010
The thing I don't like about Kendrick leading-off is...
He strikes out too much. I hate having the first batter strike out. I doubt it really has any real effect on the game, but to me having the opposing pitcher strike out the first batter he faces gives them a little mental edge.
WiHaloFan - January 29, 2010
Why go all xanadu fantasy experimental...?
When we have a player who has given us:
(1) an above-average OBP three of the past four seasons;
(2) walks almost as much as he strikes out, and doesn’t strike out that much;
(3) sees more pitches per plate appearance than either Kendrick or Aybar;
(4) has a significantly better stolen base rate and % than Kendrick or Aybar.
His name is Maicer Izturis, and we just signed him for three years. While folks have voted 5:1 for Aybar over Izturis in the poll, likely due to Aybar’s only good offensive season last year, Maicer meanwhile ‘only’ hit .300 with a .359 OBP last season, while delivering positive value on both offense and defense. Every major projection system shows him delivering 10-20pts better on OBP next season over Aybar.
Turks Teeth - January 29, 2010
I'm guessing the reason a lot of people aren't voting for Izturis
is a matter of, where is he going to play?
It seems the only spot for him is 3rd, and a lot of people are big on Wood.
~MMP~ - January 29, 2010
Exactly
I like Maicer a lot, but I want to see Aybar and Wood both in the lineup on opening day.
Brody - January 29, 2010
What you say makes sense
However, Izturis has a history of wearing down when overexposed because his legs are so injury prone. You could say the same about Kendrick, of course, but Izturis is the insurance policy for the whole infield.
I think it’s likely we’ll see some sort of job share at the top of the lineup – Izturis and Aybar rotating in and out, maybe Kendrick when they face lefties. Injuries and/or good play will determine the right combo by May.
rghan - January 29, 2010
I think you hit the nail on the head there
with Izzy getting 4-5 starts a week (2 at 3rd, 2 at 2nd, 1 at ss), and leading off those games. Wood spells Morales once a week perhaps—one of Izzy’s starst at 3rd.
Raaddad - January 29, 2010
yeah
cuzz aybar always has injury issues.
Funke5ive - January 29, 2010
instead
put the fragile guy at (izzy) @ leadoff.
Funke5ive - January 29, 2010
I'm still baffled why nobody thinks Abreu should be leading off...
the guy had a near .400 OBP, 30 steals, and a far better stolen base % than figgins.
Nashdiesel - January 29, 2010
I've brought him up too, but...
He’s a run producer and a feeder at the same time like Mike said.
If a guy like Aybar gets on in front of him, there’s a good chance Abreu can drive him in or get on base setting up a 1st and 3rd, no out situation for Torii and the heart of the order. If Aybar gets out, there’s still a good chance Abreu and his speed get on.
It’s all about pressuring the pitcher early and often.
Commander_Nate - January 29, 2010
I was just waiting for Biggsy to ask him how to get lasagna stains off his shirt.
red floyd - January 29, 2010
What did he say about Shields? I do not have time to listen this morning
hauldog - January 29, 2010
Shields is good
according to all reports
Seik1177 - January 29, 2010
Thanks
hauldog - January 29, 2010
my fav. line...
time will tell.
Funke5ive - January 29, 2010
I don't get why Aybar
When Abreu would be the best leadoff candidate for at least 20 teams in the majors
baetown415 - January 29, 2010
22 teams dont make the playoffs
we dont want to be one of 22 teams.
Balls and Strikes - January 29, 2010
Hmmmmmmmm
I didn’t hear the interview, so correct me if I am wrong.
Sosh gave no solid clues as to which direction he’s leaning, and was…….Scioscia.
Dono Romantico - January 29, 2010
reading from down up
This ^
Funke5ive - January 29, 2010
I got the impressino Aybar would be leading off
Abreu would be hitting 2nd and Wood was going to get his crack at 3rd.
Commander_Nate - January 29, 2010
Woah!
Re-read this. I thought u meant sosh was giving Wood the 3rd spot in the order! AHAHA
lightupthehalo29 - January 29, 2010
anyone wanna give a summary of the whole interview?
dont really have time to sit and listen. which is sad.
TheAngelsAngels - January 29, 2010
In the words of my granpappy...
You do not have time, you make time.
Rev Halofan - January 29, 2010 via mobile
i like that
TheAngelsAngels - January 29, 2010
See Dono Romantico's post above
and you’ll get the basic gist of the interview
Seik1177 - January 29, 2010
I fear listening to these.
As if I am going to lose 45 minutes of my life listening to cliches, dissembling, and plattitudes. I will learn nothing. And I will not get those 45 minutes back.
Stirrups - January 29, 2010
You have nothing to fear but fear itself.
Just take it one interview at a time.
SalmonStream - January 29, 2010
E X A C T L Y
always a bunch of blah blah turn the page blah blah blah……did i mention turn the page.
Funke5ive - January 29, 2010
Yes, but you can...
only turn those pages, one game at a time.
Downing Rules - January 29, 2010
The problem with Bobby leading off...
The problem with Bobby leading off is you lower his RBI potential. Yes Abreu’s OBP is great but even better is his 100 plus RBI’s. If he bats lead-off that will drop substantially.
kbrown - January 30, 2010
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