Angels Hoping Certain Coaching Hire Can Help Anthony Rendon This Season
As the Angels prepare for the 2024 season, their lineup will need all the help it can get. They'll attempt to change the direction of the franchise without Shohei Ohtani for the first time in six years.
One man that they will be relying on is third baseman Anthony Rendon.
Before the 2020 offseason, the Angels made a splash in free agency by signing the reigning 2019 World Series MVP to a seven-year, $245 million contract.
Since the pairing became official, it has not been kind to either side.
Glimpse of the past
To say it's been frustrating for Rendon and the Angels is an understatement.
Throughout his first four years with the Angels, Rendon has only had one season where he did not spend most of the year on the injured list. It came in a shortened 60-game season due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
The worst of it might have been this past season, when his medical status was camouflaged practically all season. After being hit by a pitch on July 4 against the San Diego Padres, Rendon missed the remainder of the season with a fractured leg.
Between the time when it was announced that Rendon had a leg fracture, reporters were constantly asking about his health but rarely received an answer.
This wasn't the first time Rendon's attitude was an issue last season.
At the start of the season, a video emerged featuring an altercation between Rendon and an Oakland A's fan. The video shows Rendon throwing a punch at the fan.
Besides his altercations with fans and health problems, performance has been another roadblock for Rendon. Between 2021 and 2023, Rendon has yet to put together a season with a batting average over .270.
The 2021 season might've been the worst of it. Rendon played in just 58 games for the Halos, hitting .240 with just six home runs, 13 doubles, 34 runs batted in and an OPS of .711.
How will the Angels and Rendon resolve?
As the Angels enter a new era of baseball without Ohtani, 2024 will also be the first season for new manager Ron Washington.
Washington has always been regarded as a very relatable coach for players, and is well-regarded around baseball for his positive attitude.
Immediately after his introductory press conference, Washington said he was going to count on Mike Trout and Rendon to be leaders in the clubhouse going forward.
While Washington is hopeful for Rendon to become a clubhouse leader, he also is looking to help him rediscover his comfort zone. That starts with the coaching staff.
Washington's most notable hire might have been to Bo Porter as the team's first base coach.
"The team is doing some things to try and get Rendon going. Most importantly, they hired Bo Porter as first base coach. Porter and Rendon have a close relationship. And there’s some hope that he will help to improve the situation."
Like Washington, Porter is a well-respected baseball lifer. From 1999-2001, Porter was a player for three different teams. From 2007-16, he served as a coach and a manager for the Houston Astros in 2013-14.
The established relationship between Porter and Rendon will give the third baseman somebody who he knows will have his back if things get out of hand. Along with good health, Porter can help Rendon be a clubhouse leader and a morale booster in 2024.
