Angels not overly concerned about Kole Calhoun’s high strikeout rate

Last season, it was Mike Trout’s high strikeout rate — the center fielder led the American League with 184 of them, a considerable jump from 136 in 2013 — that raised concern among Angels followers.

This season, it’s Kole Calhoun’s whiff rate — the right fielder has a team-high 159 strikeouts, including 42 in 29 games since Sept. 1 — that has been startling.

But much like they were with Trout, who hit .287 with 36 homers and 111 runs batted in and won the 2014 AL most-valuable-player award despite his 26.1% strikeout rate, the Angels can accept Calhoun’s 23.5% whiff rate in light of his across-the-board production.

Calhoun, a strong defender who appears poised to win his first Gold Glove Award this season, is batting .258 with a .310 on-base percentage, .422 slugging percentage, 25 homers, 82 RBIs, 77 runs and 44 walks in 676 plate appearances.

Though he hit for a better average (.272) and scored more runs (90) in fewer games (127) last season, Calhoun’s power numbers are way up in 2015. He had 17 homers, 58 RBIs and 38 walks in 2014.

“The strikeout percentage is a little up, but if you look at Kole and what he’s done, he’s hitting more homers and driving in more runs,” Manager Mike Scioscia said. “The cost of that has been a couple more strikeouts. If you’re going to strike out 140-150 times, you have to balance it with power and walks, and he’s done that.

“It’s easy to say, ‘I wish he’d strike out less.’ Guys aren’t trying to strike out. But you still want him to be aggressive. He’s got 25 homers and 82 RBIs. That’s a pretty good year.”

Short rest

Scioscia appears to be leaning toward using Garrett Richards on three days’ rest Sunday against the Rangers and rookie left-hander Andrew Heaney on three days’ rest for a possible tiebreaking game to determine the second wild-card team Monday. Neither has started on short rest in the big leagues.

Or Scioscia could stick with Nick Tropeano on Sunday. That would allow Richards to start a Monday tiebreaker on regular rest and, if they get that far, Heaney to start Tuesday’s wild-card game on regular rest in Yankee Stadium, where left-handers can better neutralize the short right-field fence.

“We have contingencies,” Scioscia said, “but they’re definitely in pencil.”

Scioscia said bringing a pitcher back on short rest is “not always a slam-dunk decision.” Richards threw a career-high 122 pitches in Minnesota on Sept. 19 and 109 and 108 pitches in his last two starts.

Heaney threw 84 pitches over 4 1/3 innings in Thursday night’s loss to Texas but has already passed his career high for innings pitched.

“It’s based on the health of a player, that’s it,” Scioscia said. “We’re not going to put guys at risk.”

Starting once on short rest is “more of a mental issue,” Scioscia said. Three straight starts on short rest would be physically demanding.

“This can change six different ways before you get to Sunday,” Scioscia said, “but it’s still an option, and you want to have guys prepared to go either way.”

mike.digiovanna@latimes.com