Angels Veteran Outfielder on 2024 Halos: 'It's An Exciting Place to Be Right Now'
There seems to be a certain buzz around the Los Angeles Angels in Spring Training. Though nationally the Angels have not been viewed as contenders for a postseason berth — or more — there is an optimism within the team.
Jake Marsinick, who signed a minor league contract with the Angels back in December, echoed this sentiment. In particular, Marsinick told Halos Today he's enthusiastic about the talent on the Angels' roster:
“You look around and you see the talent, you see the young talent. Guys are still growing in here. Guys have a lot of potential and a lot of them showed it last year. To be here and see the way they’re working, it’s exciting. It’s an exciting place to be right now.”
— Angels outfielder Jake Marsinick
As Marsinick says, the Angels do have talent. Mike Trout is a future Hall of Famer. Anthony Rendon has played like an All-Star when healthy. Former first-round draft picks are everywhere — Zach Neto, Logan Schanuel, Jo Adell, Mickey Moniak, and Taylor Ward, among others. Even if they have not peaked or always played their best, the ability is there.
Though the Angels lost a star in Shohei Ohtani this offseason, they are feeling good heading into the season. Marsinick even noted this kind of energy is different from what he's experienced on other teams.
“Good vibe. The energy in here is really positive. Everybody is kind of pushing in the right direction. And that’s something you don’t always feel when you go to a new team. I’ve been around a little bit and the last couple years, this feels different. Just the general vibe around the team and the way the message is being sent across here is really good.”
— Angels outfielder Jake Marisnick
A big factor for this energy could be new Angels manager Ron Washington. Washington is a highly regarded manager across the league, and is generally very well-liked among his players. Washington isn't just a quality manager, but is someone who can change a culture and bring in the positive energy that Marsinick spoke about.
Enthusiasm is typically highest at the beginning of spring training, and Marisnick's sentiment is anything but novel.
Still, considering this is his 13th(!) major league organization, anyone would understand if Marisnick chose his words more carefully, or sounded more cautious in his optimism. It's a good sign for the Angels that he did not.
