Angels’ Patrick Sandoval believes new sweeper is already his best pitch
ANAHEIM — Add Patrick Sandoval to the list of pitchers who believe a sweeper can be a key addition to their arsenal.
Back in 2022, pitchers began using the term to describe a pitch that is somewhere between a slider and a curve. More and more pitchers began adding the pitch.
Sandoval started experimenting with the pitch last year, and he sprinkled in a few of them earlier this season. He had thrown just 15 in his first 10 starts, but then he threw 12 on May 24 and 21 in his last start on May 30, against the New York Yankees.
Even though Sandoval gave up his only two runs that day when Aaron Judge hit a two-run homer on the sweeper, Sandoval also struck out Judge with the pitch.
“It grades out well,” Sandoval said. “It’s my best pitch immediately based on the profile.”
The whiff rate on Sandoval’s sweeper is 33%, which is second only to the 40% rate on his changeup. He’s gotten a strikeout 25% of the time he’s thrown the pitch with two strikes, which is the highest rate of any of his pitches.
Sandoval has heard all the talk about how the sweeper can be a dangerous pitch because the bad ones tend to get hit over the fence, and he doesn’t buy it.
“If you throw a bad pitch to someone, they are going to hit it, regardless of what type of pitch it is,” Sandoval said.
Sandoval, who will starts against the San Diego Padres on Tuesday night, is looking for anything to help get him back to the type of pitcher he was in 2021 and 2022, when he had a 3.17 ERA.
Sandoval posted a 4.11 ERA last season, and this year he’s got a 5.34 ERA. He has been better lately, though. Sandoval has allowed three earned runs or fewer in five of his last seven starts.
ROTATION UPDATE
Manager Ron Washington said the Angels are likely to stick with four starters until June 15, which is the next day that they would need a pitcher to replace demoted left-hander Reid Detmers.
The Angels have an off day on Thursday and another next Monday, pushing the need for another pitcher back to the Saturday game in San Francisco.
Although Washington said on Sunday that right-hander Chase Silseth could be a candidate, the Angels now have Silseth’s next minor league rehab start scheduled for Thursday. That would not give him time to squeeze in a third minor league outing before that June 15 game.
DRURY UPDATE
Infielder Brandon Drury was on the field for a full workout on Monday, including batting practice and ground balls. It was the most extensive baseball work he had done since going on the injured list with a strained hamstring on May 9.
“I feel good,” Drury said. “Not feeling hamstring pain right now. I’ve been jogging. I’m going to crank it up a notch and see how it feels.”
Washington said he could still see from the way Drury worked out that “he’s still thinking about it.”
There is no timetable for him to return.
NOTES
Third baseman Anthony Rendon (torn hamstring) is scheduled to begin some baseball activity this week. …
Outfielder Mike Trout (torn meniscus) continues to rehab without baseball activity. …
Right-hander Sam Bachman (shoulder surgery), who came out of his previous rehab outing with neck stiffness, threw two scoreless innings, with four strikeouts, on Monday in the Arizona Complex League. …
Outfielder Jo Adell was named the American League Defensive Player of the Month for May by Sports Info Solutions. According to their metrics, Adell has seven defensive runs saved this season, including two home run robbing catches. The Angels recognized Adell’s achievement during their pregame meeting. “It was a cool moment for him,” Washington said. “He’s been working his butt off, and accolades he received from that he deserved from all the work he put in. And we also let him know that it’s not over with. It doesn’t stop because you’ve been rewarded for something that you’re supposed to do. You’ve been rewarded for it, now do it all the time.”
UP NEXT
Padres (RHP Adam Mazur, MLB debut) at Angels (LHP Patrick Sandoval, 2-8, 5.34 ERA), Tuesday, 6:38 p.m., Bally Sports West, 830 AM