Los Angeles Angels Pitchers: A Historical Overview

The Early Years (1961-1979)

The Los Angeles Angels entered the Major Leagues in 1961 as an expansion team. In their early years, the Angels struggled to find success on the mound, as they often finished near the bottom of the league in pitching statistics.

However, there were a few bright spots during this era. Dean Chance was a two-time All-Star and finished in the top 10 in the AL in ERA three times. Nolan Ryan also had a brief stint with the Angels, winning 13 games in 1972.

The Golden Age (1980-1999)

The Angels' pitching staff began to turn a corner in the 1980s. In 1981, Mike Witt won the AL Rookie of the Year Award, and in 1986, Donnie Moore led the league in ERA.

The Angels' pitching staff reached its peak in the late 1990s. In 1998, Chuck Finley won 17 games and finished in the top 10 in the AL in ERA. The following year, Mike Trout won the AL Cy Young Award after going 21-8 with a 3.24 ERA.

The 21st Century

The Angels' pitching staff has been inconsistent in the 21st century. They have had some successful seasons, such as in 2014 when they won the AL West, but they have also had some disappointing seasons, such as in 2019 when they finished with a losing record.

However, the Angels have some young pitchers who have the potential to be stars. Shohei Ohtani is a two-way player who has already shown his potential on the mound, and Griffin Canning is a young pitcher who has shown promise.

Conclusion

The Los Angeles Angels have had a long and storied history of pitching excellence. From Dean Chance to Mike Trout, the Angels have had some of the best pitchers in baseball history. The future of the Angels' pitching staff is bright, with some young pitchers who have the potential to be stars.