There is credence to the idea that Rendon needs only to modify his timing at the plate. Rendon is striking the ball at a launch angle of 26.9 degrees. Rendon has actually had a hard time to find that sweet spot.
Rendon struck out in three of his 9 at-bats in Arlington, Texas. Only one– Sundays sixth-inning fly ball to center field that advanced base runner Ohtani, who doubled in front of Rendon and ultimately scored the Angels third run– took a trip beyond the infield.
Trout homered four times in the first four video games he played after becoming a papa and has a. 928 on-base-plus-slugging percentage. Ohtani is hitting the ball in the air once again however is starting out more than ever.
Then theres Rendon, off to the worst 12-game start of his career. As his hitless streak stretched to 28 plate appearances in Sundays 7-3 loss to the Texas Rangers, Rendons batting average dropped to.103.
During 6 years as a fixture in the Nationals lineup, the only time Rendon batted even worse than.265 through 12 games remained in 2015.
This season, Rendon has four hits in 39 at-bats, including a double and a homer, and he has struck out 12 times. The bright spot in his batting line: 14 strolls.
Rendon is the only Angel with at least 50 plate appearances batting listed below.260 besides Justin Upton, who was moved into a squadron recently.
Manager Joe Maddon does not think Rendon is feeling pressure to measure up to his agreement, the biggest free-agent deal granted by owner Arte Moreno.
” Hes got that slow heart beat,” Maddon stated, describing Rendons hallmark peace at the plate. “He looks the very same to me.”
Rather, Maddon thinks the lukewarm beginning of Rendons Angels profession may be due to the off-and-on nature of the 2020 season.
Story continues
” Im seeing his work and it looks great,” Maddon said. “You talk with Anthony, theres no BS. Its straight up all the time and it would be hard for him to hide his sensations. Hes feeling much better. I know the outcomes arent there yet. … Hes still accepting his strolls, which I really like. Hes not necessarily broadening. Hes only simply missing his pitch.”
There is credence to the idea that Rendon requires just to fine-tune his timing at the plate. Rendon is striking the ball at a launch angle of 26.9 degrees. Generally, a launch angle between 25 and 30 degrees is associated with improved power numbers– however just if the hitter has the ability to connect the barrel of his bat with the ball. Rendon has had a hard time to discover that sweet spot.
Maddon stated late last week that Angels striking coaches brought a service to Rendons attention but he did not elaborate. Whatever it was, the recommendation did not assist the Angels prevent a series sweep by the Rangers.
Rendon struck out in three of his 9 at-bats in Arlington, Texas. Only one– Sundays sixth-inning fly ball to center field that advanced base runner Ohtani, who doubled in front of Rendon and eventually scored the Angels third run– traveled beyond the infield.
Hours earlier, the Angels rearranged the bats in the lineup to prevent stacking the 4 left-handed hitters who started Sundays series ending. Rendon ended up fifth in the batting order for the very first time because 2017.
The move did little to alter the Angels fortunes. They were hitless in 8 at-bats with runners in scoring position. They left 9 on base.
The problems extend beyond Rendon. Hes an essential piece of the puzzle Maddon believes the Angels will properly put together.
” We have not put our entire game together yet,” he said. “And thats a part of why I feel pretty good about it.”
Angels third baseman Anthony Rendon throws off his helmet after starting out versus the Texas Rangers on Saturday. (Ronald Martinez/ Getty Images) When the Angels originally put together for the 2020 season in February, the groups biggest strength was its offense.
The lineup included star Mike Trout, not even a month removed from accepting his 3rd MVP trophy. It included a fully healthy Shohei Ohtani for the very first time because 2018.
And in between them stood Anthony Rendon, fresh off winning the 2019 World Series with the Washington Nationals and signing a $245 million contract to play in Anaheim for 7 years.
Fast forward six months, past the shutdown of spring training and the monthslong hiatus triggered by the coronavirus break out. The three gamers still comprise the core of the Angels batting order. And theyre producing greatly various results for a team that ranks amongst the worst in offending production.
