http://m.ocregister.com/sports/scioscia-311488-first-rookie.html
8/10/2011:
Angels' Richards to make debut vs. Yankees
By BILL PLUNKETT
NEW YORK – The attendance for Garrett Richards' most recent start for the Double-A Arkansas Travelers was 3,675.
They might have concession lines longer than that at his next start.
Angels manager Mike Scioscia made it official Tuesday: The Angels will promote their top pitching prospect from the Texas League to the major leagues. Richards, 23, will make his major-league debut Wednesday against the Yankees, taking Joel Pineiro's spot in the starting rotation.
Scioscia said Richards was the choice over an in-house candidate, such as left-handed reliever Hisanori Takahashi, because "first of all, he's throwing the ball well, and I think it'll be less disruptive than piecing it together from the guys in our bullpen. Garrett gives us the most length of the guys in our system we were looking at."
Richards does lead the Texas League in innings pitched (141 – an average of 62/3 per start) and victories (12, against two losses) as well as ranking second in ERA (3.06), third in WHIP (1.13) and fifth in strikeouts (100).
But he will be the first rookie pitcher to make his first major-league start against the Yankees in new Yankee Stadium (in its third year) and the first to make his MLB debut starting against the Yankees in New York since Reds right-hander Daryl Thompson on June 21, 2008.
"It may be weird for me, but I think when you come up and you're on the big stage of the major leagues, you're going to have that adrenaline and excitement no matter who you're pitching against," Angels pitching coach Mike Butcher said. "Channel that adrenaline, keep your focus – those are your best games.
"He's going to have to pitch his game, not pitch to the uniforms or the stadium."
The Angels have fielded their youngest roster in Scioscia's tenure this season and shown no reluctance to turn to young players in key roles. Scioscia turned the closer role over to rookie Jordan Walden in the first week of the season. Rookie first baseman Mark Trumbo leads the team in home runs and RBI. A near-rookie starts in center field every day (Peter Bourjos) and 21-year-old Tyler Chatwood joined the starting rotation after just 9 2/3 innings in Triple-A.
Now, a second rookie will join Chatwood in the rotation, though Scioscia said "we can't say if it's going to be for one start or 10 starts."
"I don't think it's been a lack of willingness in the past," Scioscia said of turning to so many young players. "No doubt, this year's depth chart has had some more youth in it than any year we've been here.
"Nothing changed as far as a philosophy to get younger. We've just had to lean more on the young guys."
After Tuesday's game, the Angels optioned left-hander Horacio Ramirez back to Triple-A Salt Lake to clear a roster spot. Ramirez made five appearances for the Angels, allowing six runs on 11 hits in just four innings.
8/10/2011:
Angels' Richards to make debut vs. Yankees
By BILL PLUNKETT
NEW YORK – The attendance for Garrett Richards' most recent start for the Double-A Arkansas Travelers was 3,675.
They might have concession lines longer than that at his next start.
Angels manager Mike Scioscia made it official Tuesday: The Angels will promote their top pitching prospect from the Texas League to the major leagues. Richards, 23, will make his major-league debut Wednesday against the Yankees, taking Joel Pineiro's spot in the starting rotation.
Scioscia said Richards was the choice over an in-house candidate, such as left-handed reliever Hisanori Takahashi, because "first of all, he's throwing the ball well, and I think it'll be less disruptive than piecing it together from the guys in our bullpen. Garrett gives us the most length of the guys in our system we were looking at."
Richards does lead the Texas League in innings pitched (141 – an average of 62/3 per start) and victories (12, against two losses) as well as ranking second in ERA (3.06), third in WHIP (1.13) and fifth in strikeouts (100).
But he will be the first rookie pitcher to make his first major-league start against the Yankees in new Yankee Stadium (in its third year) and the first to make his MLB debut starting against the Yankees in New York since Reds right-hander Daryl Thompson on June 21, 2008.
"It may be weird for me, but I think when you come up and you're on the big stage of the major leagues, you're going to have that adrenaline and excitement no matter who you're pitching against," Angels pitching coach Mike Butcher said. "Channel that adrenaline, keep your focus – those are your best games.
"He's going to have to pitch his game, not pitch to the uniforms or the stadium."
The Angels have fielded their youngest roster in Scioscia's tenure this season and shown no reluctance to turn to young players in key roles. Scioscia turned the closer role over to rookie Jordan Walden in the first week of the season. Rookie first baseman Mark Trumbo leads the team in home runs and RBI. A near-rookie starts in center field every day (Peter Bourjos) and 21-year-old Tyler Chatwood joined the starting rotation after just 9 2/3 innings in Triple-A.
Now, a second rookie will join Chatwood in the rotation, though Scioscia said "we can't say if it's going to be for one start or 10 starts."
"I don't think it's been a lack of willingness in the past," Scioscia said of turning to so many young players. "No doubt, this year's depth chart has had some more youth in it than any year we've been here.
"Nothing changed as far as a philosophy to get younger. We've just had to lean more on the young guys."
After Tuesday's game, the Angels optioned left-hander Horacio Ramirez back to Triple-A Salt Lake to clear a roster spot. Ramirez made five appearances for the Angels, allowing six runs on 11 hits in just four innings.
