'He's a gamer': How Anderson is looking to rebound in '24

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. -- Left-hander Tyler Anderson never quite felt like himself on the mound last season.

After a breakout 2022 season that saw Anderson post a 2.57 ERA across 178 2/3 innings with the Dodgers, he struggled in his first season with the Angels, registering a 5.43 ERA over 141 innings. Anderson said he got away from the mentality that brought him success in ’22 and couldn’t get his mechanics in order.

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“I’m just really trying to use my body better,” Anderson said. “No matter how hard I try, I wouldn’t be able to make the gains to go from throwing 90 [mph] to like 95 [mph]. So for me, it’s more like I know the way I know I need to throw, and I just [need to] do a better job to help my body get in those positions.”

Anderson said he’s feeling much better this spring and was pleased with the way he felt against the Rockies in a 3-1 loss during his Cactus League debut on Wednesday. Anderson went two innings, allowing two runs on four hits and striking out one. His fastball averaged 88.7 mph -- just a tick down from his season average of 90.1 mph last year, which he said was encouraging because it usually takes until late in spring for his velocity to improve.

“I was throwing harder today than I did in my first [start] last year,” Anderson said. “I was thinking back today that there were times here in like 2017 and '18 when I was 27 and I was throwing like 86 in my spring starts. And Bud Black would say, ‘Are you gonna start throwing harder soon?’ So it’s just part of spring and I’m in a good spot.”

Anderson explained that he can usually tell before his start whether it’s going to be a good or bad day just based on how his body feels while warming up. When he’s locked in with his mechanics, Anderson said the hitters react differently to his pitches, which is key because he relies on execution and deception instead of velocity.

“When my body is in the right position to execute, it kind of helps hide the ball longer or makes it play a little harder,” Anderson said. “The pitch might say 90 [mph] with the same exact advanced metrics or same movement, but hitters see it different. I want to throw it where everything coming out looks the same.”

Angels manager Ron Washington wasn’t around for Anderson’s tough season last year, but Washington said he likes Anderson's attitude and believes he has what it takes to bounce back.

“If you've played this game long enough, you're gonna have a tough season. I believe he can get back to the season that made the Angels interested in him," Washington said. "The vibe is different and the competition is different now. He went through that bad spell but now is his chance to have a good spell. It’s time to find out what you’re made of and I know what he’s made of. He’s a gamer, man.”

Salmon, Eckstein and Gubicza arrive as guest instructors
The Angels had a group of former players with impressive resumes show up to camp as guest instructors on Wednesday, as Tim Salmon, David Eckstein and Mark Gubicza were all in uniform and giving plenty of advice to Angels players.

Salmon played with the organization from 1992-2006, winning the World Series in 2002 and being inducted into the club’s Hall of Fame in 2015. Eckstein, who also played a pivotal role in winning the World Series in 2002, played with the club from 2001-04 and was the World Series MVP with the Cardinals in 2006. Gubicza’s success came with the Royals -- with whom he pitched from 1984-96, winning the World Series in 1985, before becoming a member of their Hall of Fame. But he pitched briefly with the Angels in 1997 and has been the club’s television color commentator for the last 17 years.

“It’s awesome,” Washington said. “They’re legends. They’re the kind of guys we’re trying to create.”

Angels tidbits
• Left fielder Taylor Ward served as leadoff hitter on Tuesday and Wednesday, but Washington said he still sees Luis Rengifo and Mickey Moniak as his most likely leadoff hitters once the season starts. He views Ward as the club’s No. 5 hitter behind Anthony Rendon and in front of Brandon Drury.

• Angels closer Carlos Estévez made his spring debut against the Rockies, allowing one run on two hits in the third inning. Estévez is still building up his velocity, as his fastball averaged 93.1 mph after averaging 97.1 mph last season.