Angels News: 2 Halos Players That Escaped The Hot Seat Before Trade Deadline
In a way, it feels like the Los Angeles Angles have played much more than two and a half months of baseball this season. So much has already happened including roster moves, off the field drama, slumps and hot streaks, and the Halos have still been able to boast a winning record and are playing some of their best baseball right now.
Prior to their winning streak against the Cubs, Mariners, and Rangers, LA had a number of problems on their hands and it was looking like they may have been poised for a fall-off after nearly getting swept by the division-rival Astros. Key rotational players were underperforming and morale was starting to drop. However, they improved for the better and LA now sits at 40-32 on the year, only 3.5 games behind first place in the AL West.
Let's pinpoint some of the biggest names on the roster that were previously on the hot seat found their way off!
Taylor Ward (OF)
The arrival of former number one pick Mickey Moniak was a blessing and a curse depending on how you look at it. He was thrown into the leadoff spot from day one in the midst of Ward playing some of his worst baseball with the clubhouse. Ward then watched Moniak homer in his first at-bat and immediately become a key contributor.
However, the key here was that team manager Phil Nevin never gave up on him. He continued to mix up the lineups and not always play Moniak over Ward despite him posting some crazy efficiency. Both of the outfielders never let this turn into animosity and Moniak even highlighted their OF depth as one of LA's biggest strengths.
And now Ward has returned back to normal form as he has been able to hit .300 over his last five games and also gave us a homer in LA;s Saturday match against the Kansas City Royals.
Patrick Sandoval (Left-Handed Pitcher)
The Angels' pitching staff has definitely been a huge reason as to why they've won so many games this month as the starter on the mound has been taking care of the business and the bullpen then carries that same energy to finish the opposing team off.
When we look at Patrick Sandoval, the talent has always been there and even though his recent struggles did not land him fully on the hot seat, the worry was starting to grow. Prior to Friday's win over the Kansas City Royals in which he served seven scoreless innings, he had pitched in five straight losses.
However, that type of performance is what we know Sandoval to be able to do and as the games grow more serious for the Halos this season, he will be ultra-important.
