March 6, 2015
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March 6, 2015 Page 1 of 17 Clips (March 6, 2015) March 6, 2015 Page 2 of 17 Today’s Clips Contents FROM THE LOS ANGELES TIMES (Page 3) Angels' Mike Trout will adjust his approach, swing at more first pitches Angels defeat Brewers, 3-2, behind C.J. Cron FROM THE OC REGISTER (Page 5) Union condemns leaks in Josh Hamilton case Mike Trout says he's going to be swinging at more first pitches Angels Notes: Garrett Richards almost ready for next step, Matt Joyce at cleanup, Josh Rutledge gets first shot at 2B Angels squeak out victory over Brewers in Cactus League opener FROM ANGELS.COM (Page 8) Trout exemplifies leadership for Angels Amped up Santiago, Trout contribute in Angels' first game Cron, Rutledge in lineup; preview of Opening Day? Trout talks being aggressive at plate, backs it up right away FROM LA DAILY NEWS (Page 12) Angels’ Mike Trout comes out swinging FROM ESPN LA (Page 13) MLBPA supports Josh Hamilton FROM FORBES (Page 14) Doing Right by Josh Hamilton FROM THE ASSOCIATED PRESS (Page 16) Brewers' Lohse, Angels' Santiago sharp in 1st spring outings March 6, 2015 Page 3 of 17 FROM THE LOS ANGELES TIMES Angels' Mike Trout will adjust his approach, swing at more first pitches By Mike DiGiovanna Angels center fielder Mike Trout took a mighty hack at the first Cactus League pitch he saw Thursday and sent a fly ball to right-center field for an out. This would be a normal occurrence for most major leaguers, who swung at the first pitch 25.2% of the time last season, but not for the ultra-patient Trout, who swung at the first pitch just 10.6% of the time. That could change this season, as Trout looks to cut down on his American League-high 184 strikeouts, the only blemish on a most valuable player season in which he hit .287 with 36 homers, 111 runs batted in and 115 runs. "I'm looking to drive the ball a little bit," Trout said after going one for two with an RBI in a 3-2 exhibition-opening win over the Milwaukee Brewers at Tempe Diablo Stadium. "The biggest thing in cutting down strikeouts is getting a pitch early in the zone to drive. I'm going to work on that this spring." Trout, 23, said it's obvious why he struck out so often in 2014. "Plain and simple, I was chasing the high pitch," he said. "The majority of time, they're balls." Trout's ability to work deep counts helps him measure pitchers, but he is often behind in the count and has frustrated some by taking too many first-pitch fastballs down the middle. Trout had 401 two-strike counts last season, second-most in the league. "Throughout my career, I've been taking," said Trout, a career .341 hitter when he puts the first pitch in play. "I like to see pitches, but I'm going to get locked and loaded on the first pitch. If it's in the zone, I'm going to take a hack at it." Trout hit .292 on the 27 times he put the ball in play on the first pitch last season. The league average in that situation is .336. Some coaches might discourage a player of Trout's stature from changing his approach, but Angels Manager Mike Scioscia believes Trout's adjustments will be subtle. "I think Mike Trout is going to do what he does best," Scioscia said. "If it's a situation where he should work the count, he'll work the count. If he's on a pitcher and is going to jump on a first pitch, he will. I don't think Mike is going to change too many things. They're going to be small adjustments." Strong words The players union reiterated comments that Executive Director Tony Clark made at Angels camp Wednesday, issuing a statement condemning leaks of confidential information regarding Angels outfielder Josh Hamilton, who is expected to be suspended after a relapse involving drug abuse. March 6, 2015 Page 4 of 17 "It is regrettable that people who want to see Josh Hamilton hurt personally and professionally have started leaking information about the status of his treatment program," the statement said. "These anonymous leaks are cowardly, undermine the integrity of our collectively bargained agreements and in some instances have been wholly inaccurate." Several news outlets reported that Hamilton's relapse involved cocaine and alcohol. The Times reported Thursday that a four-person baseball panel is split on whether Hamilton should enter a rehabilitation program for substance abuse. "The players association will use every right we have to make sure Josh gets the help he needs, and the fair and confidential process to which he is entitled," the statement said. Scioscia has been in touch with Hamilton, who is rehabilitating from right-shoulder surgery in Houston. "We're all waiting for direction from MLB to see what his status is," Scioscia said. "Everyone wants to get some clarity there, including Josh." Angels defeat Brewers, 3-2, behind C.J. Cron By Mike DiGiovanna AT THE PLATE: C.J. Cron stroked two opposite-field hits, a third-inning double and fourth-inning single, off right-handers Kyle Lohse and Ariel Pena. With Matt Joyce replacing the sidelined Josh Hamilton in left field, Cron could seize more of a full-time designated hitter role if he can hit right-handers consistently. He hit .255 against right-handers as a rookie last season and .258 against left-handers. "His upside is to hit right-handers as well as left-handers," Manager Mike Scioscia said. "It's going to take a little experience, but he'll get there." ON THE MOUND: Hector Santiago followed a 22-pitch first inning with a smooth 11-pitch second in which he retired the side in order. "You throw all those bullpens over the winter and the first two weeks of camp, but this was the first time at game speed," Santiago said. "The adrenaline was flowing, my heart was beating. I fell behind guys in the first inning, but the second inning was better." Left-hander Jose Alvarez threw two scoreless innings to earn the win, and Jeremy McBryde retired the side in order in the ninth. EXTRA BASES: Catcher Chris Iannetta made a quick and accurate throw to second base to pick off Scooter Gennett to end the first inning and threw out Martin Maldonado trying to steal second in the fifth. ... Garrett Richards, who began light fielding drills Wednesday, will throw to hitters as part of his next mound workout Saturday. "That's an important step," Scioscia said of Richards, who is recovering from left knee surgery and is expected to return in mid-April. UP NEXT: Colorado Rockies, noon PST at Tempe Diablo Stadium. On the air: TV: FS West; Radio: 830. March 6, 2015 Page 5 of 17 FROM THE OC REGISTER Union condemns leaks in Josh Hamilton case By Jeff Fletcher TEMPE, Ariz. – The Major League Baseball Players Assn. issued a press release Thursday condemning those who leaked confidential information about the Josh Hamilton case. “It is regrettable that people who want to see Josh Hamilton hurt personally and professionally have started leaking information about the status of his treatment program and the confidential process under our Joint Drug Agreement,” the statement read. “These anonymous leaks are cowardly, undermine the integrity of our collectively bargained agreements, and in some cases, have been wholly inaccurate. The Major League Baseball Players Association will use every right we have under the collective bargaining agreement to make sure Josh gets the help he needs, and the fair and confidential process to which he is entitled." The only official confirmation regarding Hamilton has been that he met with MLB officials in New York last week regarding a disciplinary matter. It has since been widely reported that Hamilton suffered a relapse involving cocaine and alcohol. The Los Angeles Times further reported that the four-person medical panel evaluating Hamilton’s case was split on whether he should be entered in a rehab program. Tony Clark, head of the union, said Wednesday at Angels camp that the process was ongoing, and he had no idea when it would conclude. Mike Scioscia said Thursday morning he expected to have “clarity” on Hamilton’s situation by the end of spring training. Mike Trout says he's going to be swinging at more first pitches By Jeff Fletcher TEMPE, Ariz. – As the Angels reached another milestone in the start of the 2015 season, with the start of their Cactus League schedule, it didn't take long for a clue that something might be different. Mike Trout stepped to the plate for the first time and promptly swung at the first pitch, lofting a fly ball into right center. For Trout, whose MVP season was marred only by a league-leading 184 strikeouts, said swinging early in the count is one of the tweaks he's looking to make to his game this season. Many of those strikeouts last year were a function of Trout being so disciplined that he took so many first pitches and often found himself quickly behind in the count. “The biggest thing cutting down on the strikeouts is getting a pitch early in the zone to drive,” Trout said after going 1 for 2 in the Angels' 3-2 victory over the Milwaukee Brewers in their spring opener Thursday. “I’m going to work on that this spring. Throughout my whole career I’ve been taking.