Angels pitcher Patrick Sandoval showed that hes a star on Wo

  เวลาปล่อย:2023-03-15

PHOENIX, Ariz. Its not often thatMike Troutopenly showboats a home run. But hitting a bomb offPatrick Sandovalseemed like a lighthearted time to bat flip.

That hit came during a live batting practice a week before the two players joined their respective World Baseball Classic teams. Trout to Team USA. Sandoval to Team Mexico. Sandoval joked that he might do a glove flip if he got a strikeout in the WBC.

The rematch between the two came Sunday night. This time, not on the back fields of the Angels minor-league spring training complex. It was in front of a sellout crowd, with the world watching on national television.

This time, Sandoval won the battle. He struck out Trout on a nasty slider. Trout whiffed at it, then immediately turned and walked to the dugout. Sandoval had no glove flip. It was all business, but future bragging rights had been secured.

When you have Mike Trout in the box, youve got to have your best stuff, Sandoval said. I thought I did my part today. And it was fun to face him.

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Codify (@CodifyBaseball)March 13, 2023

This wasnt just Sandovals chance to face Trout. That revenge at-bat represented something larger for the youngAngelslefty.

The Mexico-U.S. game presented a chance for Sandoval to pitch on a national stage for the first time. Its the middle of spring training, but the unique event solidified his abilities in a way no Angels game has to date.

This was against, as Sandoval said, one of the greatest lineups ever assembled. Multiple MVPs, a batting champion, a Home Run Derby winner and many All-Stars. And Sandoval allowed just one run over three innings, striking out two and walking two.

It was neat to see him pitch on a stage like that, Angels manager Phil Nevin said. In an atmosphere like that, for Sandy to regroup and make the pitches like that it was pretty cool.

The regroup Nevin referenced was related to two close walk calls. Sandoval and Trout had a nine-pitch battle in their second meeting of the night. Sandoval pounded Trout with pitches down and in, then went up in the zone and it was called ball four. But it was probably a strike.

Nevin had a front-row seat last season to see Sandoval melt down at times when things didnt go his way. A bad call. An error. A hit. Anything. This time Nevin had a literal front-row ticket to the game with his son. And he saw Sandoval remain poised.

It was insane. Ive never played in an atmosphere like that, Sandoval said. To be able to contribute to a win like that, its incredible. And so grateful for the opportunity.

Sandoval didnt throw his changeup as much last season, and his slider became his most-used pitch, throwing it nearly 30 percent of the time. Sandoval is not a particularly hard thrower. He needs his changeup and his slider to be effective. It makes his fastball, which doesnt go much above 94 mph, far more effective.

His whiff numbers were down more than 4 percent last year, possibly as a result of his off-speed pitches at times being ineffective. Sunday night, however, he generated eight swings-and-misses on just 55 pitches. That came after he struck out six batters over three innings in his final spring start.

There have been signs that Sandoval might take the next step as a starter for the Angels. His performance Sunday rightfully elevated those expectations. He pitched on a large stage and established a belief he should do so again.

(Sunday) is up there with one of the greatest nights of my baseball career, for sure, Sandoval said.

Sandoval is from Mission Viejo, Calif. But his father is from Mexico. That makes him eligible to participate. Sandoval acknowledged after the game that hes still learning the countrys anthem.

That eligibility allowed him to immerse himself in the Mexican teams experience. The crowd was partisan. It wanted a Mexico win. It allowed him to be a part of something bigger than himself, and it was evident just how much he appreciated the chance.

The camaraderie with the team, the emotion we play with, the hustle, the heart, Sandoval said. Its incredible. Its fun. Its really fun to be in that dugout.

Sandoval might pitch again in the WBC. Mexico is poised to advance if it can defeat Great Britain and Canada, which it theoretically should be able to do.

For a pitcher who has shown flashes of greatness Sandoval generated 32 whiffs in a game and was two outs from a no-hitter in another this season is set up to be a breakout year. Hell start the home opener. Hes right behindShohei Ohtaniin the rotation.

His first big start of the year, though, came in a different uniform. But the Angels hope it was representative of what hell do this season.

Said Angels infield coach and Team Mexico manager Benji Gil: Patrick Sandoval showed that hes a star.

(Photo: Zachary BonDurant / USA Today)

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Sam Blumis a staff writer for The Athletic covering the Los Angeles Angels. Before joining The Athletic, he was a sports reporter for the Dallas Morning News. Previously, he covered Auburn for m and the University of Virginia for The Daily Progress in Charlottesville.