Overreactions & Conclusions Through 10 Games
Apr 10, 2025 - Written by Brayden Zielke
Photo Credit : MLB
The Angels have started off the 2025 season blazing hot. Through 10 games, The Halos lead the AL West with a 7-3 record and currently hold the best winning percentage in the American League. Even though 10 games don’t mean very much in the long run, here are some overreactions and conclusions reached through the first 10 games of the 2025 season.
Kyle Hendricks May Be Back To His Pre-2021 Form
When the Angels and Kyle Hendricks inked a 1 year, $2.5 mil back in November, I wasn’t bought in. While this is a low risk, high reward for a pitcher who once finished top 3 in Cy Young back in 2016, Hendricks has struggled since 2021 and I wasn’t a huge fan of taking away a rotation spot from an up-and-coming starter, such as Caden Dana or Sam Aldegheri. However, Hendricks has been the Angels best pitcher through his first 2 starter, throwing 11 innings and only 2 earned runs for a 1.64 ERA. Hendricks hasn’t faced bums either. He faced both the Cardinals and Rays, who are solid teams with good hitters. Even though it’s only been 2 games, I really like what I have seen from Hendricks thus far.
Ron Washington Shouldn’t Be Blindly Trusted
I generally try to give successful managers the benefit of the doubt. Growing up as an Angels fan with Mike Scioscia at the helm, I didn’t always agree with his in-game decisions, especially regarding when to turn to the bullpen. But at the end of the day, Scioscia was an all-time great and Angels legend, so I gave him credit where credit was due. I had the same attitude when the Angels hired Joe Maddon. Maddon had made the playoffs in over half of his seasons and won a World Series with the Cubs in 2016. But I learned pretty quickly that success does not always mean that it's the right fit. Maddon’s tenure as an Angels was marred by questionable decisions and eventually a complete disconnection in the locker room. Maddon lost his voice in the clubhouse and eventually lost 12 games in a row, leading to his eventual firing.
When Ron Washington was hired, I wasn’t expecting much from the first season. While Washington has had some amazing seasons with the Rangers, the first year won’t always be amazing. However, Washington has definitely made some questionable decisions. Washington kept Kyren Paris on the bench despite him being the hottest hitter in the lineup, wanting fans to “let the process work” while trying to transition Paris to CF despite having Jo Adell currently holding the position. Washington wouldn’t let Paris play the infield, despite it being his original position, until an injury to Yoan Moncada forced his hand. Washington also jeopardized Tuesday’s game, letting setup man Ben Joyce pitch in the 7th and throwing off a process that has been working all season long. I would encourage Angels fans to be cautiously optimistic about Washington’s tenure with the Halos. Despite his questionable decision-making, the Angels success thus far cannot be denied.
Mike Trout Is Back!
While all of us are waiting for Trout to be consistent at the plate, his power never went anywhere. Mike Trout has mashed 3 homers thus far, averaging 410 feet and an exit velocity of 106 MPH on those 3 home runs. He has also walked 7 times in 10 games. Trout is also seemingly adjusting well to playing Right Field full time. I have high hopes for Trout to turn around his other hitting stats and fully return to the superstar we know he is.
Logan O’Hoppe Is The Real Deal
I have been a believer in Logan O’Hoppe since the Angels traded for him back in the summer of 2022. O’Hoppe became a favorite player of mine in 2023 and solidified himself as part of the Angels future in 2024. Anyone who doubted him has been silenced this season. Through only 8 games, O’Hoppe has amassed a 0.5 WAR. This feat can take some players weeks or even months to achieve. O’Hoppe also has an OPS+ of 246 and an OPS at 1.254. O’Hoppe hit home runs in 5 straight games, making him a league leader in homers and the best catcher in baseball thus far.
Signing Kenley Jansen Was A Great Decision
Back in February, the Halos inked 37 year old Closer Kenley Jansen to a 1 year, $10 mil deal. Jansen is one of the greatest closers in baseball history and is 4th in career saves and is only 29 away from surpassing Lee Smith and claiming 3rd place. So far this season, Jansen has 3 saves in 3 attempts and has a 0.00 ERA through 5 innings. While I never doubted that Jansen would be a good pickup for the Angels, he is an aging superstar who I was hoping would keep his form as a top closer in the game.
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