Get ready for an exciting baseball story! The Angels are making a move to strengthen their bullpen, and it's a move that could spark some debate among fans.
The Angels have signed left-handed pitcher Tayler Saucedo, as he himself announced on his Instagram account. While the exact contract details are still under wraps, it's likely to be a minor league deal with an invitation to Spring Training, giving him a chance to prove himself.
Saucedo, at 32 years old, has had an interesting journey. He made his MLB debut with the Blue Jays in 2021 but found his stride with the Mariners, who picked him up in 2023. Over two seasons with Seattle, he established himself as a reliable middle reliever, posting an impressive 3.54 ERA in 86 1/3 innings. His ability to induce ground balls, with a rate of 55.0%, was a key strength, and his strikeout rate of 21.7% was also solid.
But here's where it gets controversial: Saucedo's walk rate of 11.0% is a bit high for a reliever. Despite this, his combination of strikeouts and grounders is rare and highly valuable. In fact, among relievers with similar ground ball rates, Saucedo's strikeout rate ranked tenth between 2023 and '24. This is the part most people miss: it's a unique skill set that could be a game-changer.
However, Saucedo's penchant for issuing free passes has held him back from reaching the elite level. While some ground ball pitchers like Camilo Doval and Aaron Bummer have made it work with similar walk rates, they also have higher strikeout numbers. Saucedo's challenge is to find that balance.
Despite his flaws, Saucedo was expected to be a key part of the Seattle bullpen in 2025. Unfortunately, things didn't go as planned. He struggled in his MLB appearances this year, leading to a demotion to Triple-A Tacoma. A lat strain further derailed his season, but he showed promise upon his return, posting a 2.75 ERA in 22 appearances at Tacoma.
Now, with the Angels, Saucedo has a fresh opportunity. The Angels' bullpen is mostly unsettled, and he could find a role in the middle innings. With Robert Stephenson, Drew Pomeranz, and Kirby Yates handling the late innings, and Ben Joyce returning later in the year, Saucedo's spot could be in the middle relief, especially as the only other lefty in the projected bullpen is Brock Burke.
Burke had a dominant 2022 season with the Rangers but has been less impressive since. He posted a 3.36 ERA with a 4.16 FIP in 69 appearances for the Angels last year. While this is solid, there's an argument to be made that Saucedo could bring a unique skill set to the table and potentially join Burke and righty Jordan Romano in the middle innings.
So, what do you think? Is Saucedo a valuable addition to the Angels' bullpen, or do his flaws outweigh his strengths? Let us know your thoughts in the comments!
