Angels sign lefty Medeiros to Minors deal

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. -- The Angels added to their lefty relief depth, signing former first-round pick Kodi Medeiros to a Minor League deal.

Medeiros, the No. 12 overall pick in the 2014 MLB Draft by the Brewers, reported to Minor League camp on Wednesday and participated in his first workout on Thursday. Medeiros, a Hawaii native, said he was interested in signing with the Angels throughout the offseason and finally signed the deal on Tuesday after the Braves showed some interest last week.

“I received a call from the Braves on Friday and that really got things rolling,” Medeiros said. “As far as an opportunity, I was coming from the White Sox and they're pretty stacked in their farm system, and same with the Braves. We faced them in Triple-A last year and they were pretty well off. So I think this is just a great fit. I'm really happy. This is where I wanted to sign."

Medeiros, 25, reached Triple-A for the first time in his career last year, posting a 5.52 ERA with 37 strikeouts and 25 walks in 29 1/3 innings. It marked his first full season as a reliever, as he had previously made 91 career starts. Medeiros was mostly a starter while in the Brewers' system from 2014-18, but started to pitch more in relief after he was acquired by the White Sox in a trade for Joakim Soria a few days before the 2018 Trade Deadline.

"I really liked relieving," Medeiros said. "The whole thought process and anxiety built up compared to a starter, it's just way different. You just get your name called upon and you get that adrenaline spike and just kind of ride that out. I didn't have to worry about that buildup of five days.”

Medeiros has the stuff to make the Majors with a fastball that sits from 92-94 mph and a solid slider he uses as his strikeout pitch, while also mixing in changeups against right-handers. He's struck out 558 batters in 574 1/3 innings, but his biggest issue has been his control. He's also walked 312 batters over that span, so it’s something he’s focusing on improving this season.

“It’s just a matter of being more consistent and attacking the zone,” Medeiros said. “You have to have that mindset and the intent of filling up the zone.”

If Medeiros can improve his control, he has a legitimate shot to help the bullpen this season and finally reach his goal of getting to the Majors. He knows he’s taken an unusual road for a former first-round pick, but he said he’s never lost any passion for the game during his seven seasons in the Minors.

"It never cut my attitude or my drive for the game," Medeiros said. "We would all like to make it earlier in our careers but I'm still young. I'm 25. And I still have that burning desire to get there."