Angel Notebook : Good and Bad of the Arizona Phase

Camp has broken and the Angels have deserted the desert in Arizona. A month in Mesa has come and gone and now the Angels have relocated in Palm Springs, where they will open the final phase of the spring today.

So how do the Angels stand at this point of spring training? A look at the first 14 games--or, rating Arizona:

Record--4-10 after Thursday’s 11-0 victory here over Seattle.

Vital statistics--Batting average .279, runs per game 5.9, earned-run average 4.67.

Biggest impact--Devon White. His defense is still lagging behind his scouting reports, but what White has shown with the bat suggests interesting potential. He hit a grand slam Thursday, increasing his team RBI lead to 13, and is batting .377. White could become the most exciting Angel newcomer since that guy named Wally.

Problem nearing resolution--The fifth starter. Urbano Lugo has a 2.08 ERA after three appearances. Willie Fraser is at 1.80 after four outings. Even Ray Chadwick, an extreme long shot after going 0-5 in 1986, is hanging in there with a 3.72 ERA. “Everybody involved has looked pretty good,” said pitching coach Marcel Lachemann. “This is turning into a very pleasant problem.”

Problem developing--The bullpen. Manager Gene Mauch holds his breath every time Donnie Moore and Stewart Cliburn test their uncertain right shoulders. Gary Lucas has what he describes as “a toothache in my shoulder” and will have his left arm examined by team doctor Lewis Yocum Saturday. Chuck Finley has a 6.14 ERA after four uneven appearances. The only thing going for the Angels here is the calendar. Eighteen days remain before this group has to be ready for the opener.

In lieu of Boone--While Bob Boone awaits May 1, Butch Wynegar and Darrell Miller have been given their chances behind the plate. Wynegar, who figures to be the opening-day catcher, is batting .229 with 6 RBIs in 10 games. Miller, who just wants to figure on the opening-day roster, leads the Angels in hitting at .455 and has 8 RBIs. Miller knew he had to catch Mauch’s eye is a hurry and he has. “Miller’s been playing like gangbusters,” Mauch said.

Platoon--Or will there even be one at second base? Rookie Mark McLemore is getting most of the playing time in the A games and is batting .306 with six RBIs. Veteran Rob Wilfong has 1 hit in 13 at-bats for a .077 average.

Best nickname--Dante (Beef) Bichette. The strapping 23-year-old outfielder will begin the season in the minor leagues, where he hit 22 home runs and drove in 109 runs in 1986, but he made an impression with some of his batting cage sessions in Mesa. “That’s our next power hitter, boys,” Donnie Moore said one day when Bichette walked into the Angel clubhouse. “Awesome.” Said Mauch: “He hit one into the fifth row the other day. And I don’t mean seats. I mean five rows of orange trees.”

Most inspirational--Mike Port. The general manager’s hard fiscal line moved at least a couple of Angels to action. Nice kid Wally Joyner accused the Angels of valuing money more than winning and considered walking out of camp. Nice kid Kirk McCaskill went several steps farther. He did walk out, returning six days later after reversing a contract renewal. And Port’s “Whatever happens, we’ll have nine functioning individuals on the field” quote went over big in Mesa. “Isn’t that great?” Doug DeCinces said. “That’s just what the fans want to read.”

Wally, the sequel--Joyner began making his mark in Mesa last year, doing unto Arizona what he eventually did unto the American League. He finished his rookie spring with a .387 batting average, 3 home runs and 12 RBIs. In 1987, bothered by a sore right hamstring, Joyner is batting .244 with 1 home run and 5 RBIs in 11 games.

Angel Notes John Candelaria and Willie Fraser combined for a three-hitter against the Mariners Thursday. Candelaria pitched five innings, allowing two singles, striking out four and walking two. “I walked a couple people I wasn’t happy about, but otherwise, that’s a whole hell of an improvement from the way I’ve been pitching,” Candelaria said. “I had to struggle my last two times out, that’s no secret. I’m still not happy with my breaking ball, but at least I’m getting a little better.” Candelaria entered the game with a 6.30 ERA. . . . Fraser gave up one hit and struck out two while pitching the final four innings. . . . Besides Devon White’s grand slam off Bobby Castillo, the Angels’ 12-hit attack included a two-run homer by Doug DeCinces and two hits apiece by Gary Pettis and Mark McLemore. . . . Gary Lucas tested his bothersome left shoulder by playing catch for about 10 minutes before the game. “It’s still sore, but it’s not like it was,” he said. “The soreness is probably from not picking up a ball for three days.”