Angels News: Nolan Schanuel Understands His Simple Role on the Halos
The Angels made headlines a couple of weeks ago when they called up their 2023 first-round pick to the majors just over two months after drafting him.
Now that he is getting more accustomed to the big leagues, Nolan Schanuel is starting to understand what his role is with the Halos.
Through his first eight games, Schanuel has shown that he is elite at getting on base. In 36 plate appearances, the 21-year-old has a .500 on-base percentage.
Not only is Schanuel seeing pitches and taking walks when he can get them — with seven already — he's been effective at putting the bat on the ball when the pitches are in the zone. He has a hit in his first eight games at the MLB level, two away from a Halos franchise record.
Manager Phil Nevin has placed Schanuel at the top of the lineup. Due to his high OBP, Schanuel knows that his job is to get on base so that superstars like Shohei Ohtani can drive runs in.
“Right now, my job is to get on for Shohei (Ohtani),” Schanuel said. “That’s my job. If I get on first and he hits a home run, it counts the same as if I hit a double and he hits a homer. I’m just trying to get on base for him. Get on base for (Brandon) Drury, get on base for (Mike Moustakas). Just trying to make everybody happy and score some runs.”
This strategy has worked out well for Nevin and the Angels. Schanuel has already scored eight runs this season.
If Schanuel can keep up the pace he's set himself of getting on base, he could be leading off Angels games for a long time coming.
