Halos impressed with Sandoval after rookie year

ANAHEIM -- Rookie Patrick Sandoval showed some encouraging signs during his first season with the Angels, and he finished it on a high note with a strong outing against his former organization on Friday night.

Sandoval, acquired from the Astros last season for catcher Martín Maldonado, allowed one run on two hits over 3 1/3 innings in a 4-0 loss to Houston at Angel Stadium. Sandoval was on a pitch count for the fifth straight outing, as he threw 61, but he made the most of it and struck out three, including his final batter, Yordan Alvarez, in the fourth. It led to praise from Halos manager Brad Ausmus, who likes the competitive nature of the young lefty.

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“I saw someone who, despite the young age and experience, competes extremely well,” Ausmus said. “He had a very good changeup and tonight, the slider was the better pitch, so he’s got the prospect of having multiple weapons. I think he probably impressed quite a few people here.”

Sandoval, the Angels' No. 9 prospect per MLB Pipeline, ends his first season with a 5.03 ERA in 10 outings (nine starts), but his peripheral stats paint a better picture of his year. Sandoval struck out 42 batters compared to 19 walks in 39 1/3 innings while giving up only six homers.

Sandoval also pitched better after making a move from the third-base side of the rubber to the middle of the rubber on Aug. 28. Over his last six starts, Sandoval posted a 3.68 ERA with 24 strikeouts in 22 innings.

“My stuff plays up here, and I've got to keep that confidence rolling into Spring Training next year and fight for a spot on this team,” Sandoval said. “I think, from the first outing, I think I did a good job of staying in the moment and letting my stuff play up here. Had all the confidence in the world coming into being called up and going forward.”

Sandoval gave up a rare homer against the Astros, which came against Alex Bregman, who is in a battle with the injured Mike Trout for the American League MVP Award. Sandoval gave up Bregman’s 41st homer of the year on a 1-1 curveball on the outer half of the plate.

“I was just disappointed in locating fastballs,” Sandoval said. “But I think I battled through it and made some pitches. My offspeed made up for it. One run, it’s whatever.”

Otherwise, Sandoval was solid against Houston, getting eight swings and misses, including five with his slider and three with his changeup. His changeup remains his best pitch, but he’s improved his breaking stuff this season. It’ll be key for him moving forward, but he’s already established that he can miss bats in the big leagues.

“The sliders were better,” Ausmus said. “The consistency of that break would be a big help to him, especially against left-handed hitters. But the fastball command is the main thing.”

Sandoval wasn’t expected to be in the Majors this season, but he was called up due to need in early August. The Mission Viejo, Calif., native has put himself in the mix for a rotation spot next year, along with fellow rookie Griffin Canning, who showed similar promise before being shut down with right elbow inflammation in mid-August.

“We were in a situation where we had to have a pitcher, and [Sandoval] was the most deserving at the time,” Ausmus said. “I didn’t know the makeup. I didn’t know the competitiveness, the athleticism. Just knew the performance. That’s something I’ve learned about him. At this point, he has to just soak it in and go into the offseason. We talked about what we think he can do to improve. We hope he applies that and does.”