ANGELS ’89 PREVIEW SECTION : SOMETHING OLD SOMETHING NEW : The Angels, 75-87 each of the past two years, are trying to find a winning formula in 1989 by injecting some experienced blood into the youth movement. A look at players who should figure in the team’s fortunes.

JIM ABBOTT

Pitcher 60 Scouting Report: Signed to a double-A contract, Abbott has looked more like a contender for the Big A. Won his first two spring decisions, struck out Jose Canseco and maintained his poise amid the media onslaught. Says Manager Doug Rader: “He’s one of the 10 best pitchers in the organization.” Also good enough to open year in Angel bullpen, but the Angels would prefer he start. If that means Abbott opens the season in Edmonton, it shouldn’t be for long.

Prediction for ‘89: A crowd of 64,000 for his first Anaheim Stadium start.

MAJOR LEAGUE STATISTICS (ROOKIE) Has never played professionally DANTE BICHETTE

Outfield 19 Scouting Report: Great nickname (Beef) and great swing during spring training. Given virtually no chance at the outset of camp, Bichette forced his way into the Angels’ outfield picture with some impressive power hitting in Arizona and Palm Springs. Had four HRs and 13 RBIs in his first 12 games. Still, Angels would prefer he get another year of seasoning in triple-A. Was less than overwhelming (.267, 14 HRs, 81 RBIs) there in 1988.

Prediction for ‘89: Where’s the Beef? Most likely in Edmonton, waiting for the first sign of any trouble in Anaheim.

MAJOR LEAGUE STATISTICS (ROOKIE)

AVG AB R H 2B 3B HR RBI BB SO SB .261 46 1 12 2 0 0 8 0 7 0

STEWART CLIBURN

Pitcher 33 Scouting Report: Lone holdover from ’88 opening-day bullpen, with Donnie Moore, DeWayne Buice and Ray Krawcyzk in other organizations and Frank DiMichele in double-A. Had a Jekyll-Hyde season: one HR in first 35 innings, 10 HRs in next 35. Check out these monthly ERAs: April--8.53; May--1.76; June --1.26; July--5.95; Aug.--4.76. Wound up 4-2 with a 4.07 ERA. He may be the best fielder among the relievers, but he did not have a save in seven opportunities.

Prediction for ‘89: Harvey needs his tobacco chaw and Cliburn is his supplier. Stew stays.

MAJOR LEAGUE STATISTICS (2 SEASONS)

W-L ERA G SHO IP H R ER BB SO 13-5 2.11 85 0 185 173 73 64 59 91

CHILI DAVIS

Outfield 24 Scouting Report: Can’t be any worse in left field than he was in right. His 19 errors last year not only led the majors, but were the most by an AL outfielder since 1939, when Ted Williams also committed 19 errors. The bright side: Only five of those errors came after June. Chili looks best with a bat in his hands. His 93 RBIs and 21 HRs were more than Don Mattingly had in 1988. Also the best quote in the Angel clubhouse. Sample: “If you ain’t cheatin’, you ain’t tryin’.”

Prediction for ‘89: Look at it this way: 18 errors will be an improvement.

MAJOR LEAGUE STATISTICS (7 SEASONS)

AVG AB R H 2B 3B HR RBI BB SO SB .267 3,748 513 1,001 173 23 122 511 417 696 104

CHUCK FINLEY

Pitcher 31 Scouting Report: Might have been the Angels’ most consistent starter last season, which says all you need to know about how last season went. His 4.17 ERA was a near match for Witt’s 4.15 and he surrendered only 15 HRs. So why did Finley finish 9-15? A lack of support, for one. Angels scored two runs or fewer in nine of his losses. Went 2-3 despite a 3.23 ERA in April, 1-3 with a 3.54 ERA in September. Having made the conversion from reliever to starter, pitching with more confidence this spring.

Prediction for ‘89: Thirteen victories, with any luck.

MAJOR LEAGUE STATISTICS (3 SEASONS)

W-L ERA G SHO IP H R ER BB SO 14-23 4.18 91 0 331 1/3 333 166 154 148 211

GLENN HOFFMAN

Infield Scouting Report: Former Savanna High School star figures to make a homecoming this year. At 30, after trials with Boston and the Dodgers, Hoffman is bidding to hook on with the Angels as a utility infielder. Hit .240 for triple-A Pawtucket in ‘88, then signed with the Angels as a free agent. Can play all four infield positions and was batting .333 after the Angels’ first 20 spring games. His father Ed, an Anaheim Stadium usher, has sung the National Anthem before many an Angel home game.

Prediction for ‘89: Now Ed Hoffman finally has something to sing about.

MAJOR LEAGUE STATISTICS (8 SEASONS)

AVG AB R H 2B 3B HR RBI BB SO SB .244 2,059 238 502 103 9 22 207 133 296 6

BRIAN DOWNING

Designated Hitter 5 Scouting Report: One of the proud, one of the few who didn’t cash it in during the Angels’ season-closing nose dive. Fought through a season-long rib cage ailment to lead the team in HRs with 25. Probably the most unusual leadoff hitter in baseball--he’s 38 years old, a former catcher and has stolen 21 bases this decade. Yet, he bats first because he finds ways to get on base; Downing’s .362 on-base percentage led the club in 1988. Has there ever been a more intense player to wear an Angel uniform?

Prediction for ‘89: Doug Rader finds a soul mate.

MAJOR LEAGUE STATISTICS (16 SEASONS)

AVG AB R H 2B 3B HR RBI BB SO SB .266 6,252 953 1,653 282 22 220 875 971 867 48

WILLIE FRASER

Pitcher 27 Scouting Report: Would you let this man be your late-inning reliever? The Angels, desperate for support for Harvey, are going to try. Last year as a starter, Fraser led the AL in HRs allowed (33), was second in runs allowed (129) and was sixth in wild pitches (12). Angels figure his limited repertoire (fastball, slider) is more conducive to relief work and were encouraged by Fraser’s finish last September (1 HR in his last 44 innings.) Entering the final weekend at Palm Springs, led Angels with a 3-0 mark.

Prediction for ‘89: Will give Rader the late-inning Willies.

MAJOR LEAGUE STATISTICS (2 SEASONS)

W-L ERA G SHO IP H R ER BB SO 22-23 4.74 71 1 375 2/3 369 218 198 144 194

JACK HOWELL

Third Base 16 Scouting Report: Raised his batting average 114 points against left-handed pitching from 1987 to 1988. Of course, that left Howell at .237, with still a good ways to go. Saw his HR totals slip from 23 to 16, despite going from part-time to full-time status. Also struck out 130 times, sixth highest in the league. The five players ahead of him--Pete Incaviglia, Rob Deer, Fred McGriff, Bo Jackson and Jack Clark--had between 22 and 34 HRs.

Prediction for ‘89: Some more HRs, fewer strikeouts and maybe they’ll stop confusing him with Jay Howell.

MAJOR LEAGUE STATISTICS (3 SEASONS)

AVG AB R H 2B 3B HR RBI BB SO SB .242 1,237 168 305 68 9 48 166 138 209 9

TONY ARMAS

Outfield Scouting Report: Will back up all three outfield positions, do a little pinch-hitting and even play some at first base. Wore a first baseman’s glove for the first time this spring--and made two errors on the first ball hit in his direction. But since that rough start, he has settled in a bit. Hit a surprising .272 in ‘88, the second-highest mark of his career, with 13 HRs and 49 RBIs. At 35, he may have been the oldest defensive outfield replacement in baseball last year. A streak hitter, Armas batted .386 with 19 RBIs in August.

Prediction for ‘89: He’s holding the fort until Dante’s arrival.

MAJOR LEAGUE STATISTICS (12 SEASONS)

AVG AB R H 2B 3B HR RBI BB SO SB .252 4,962 592 1,250 198 38 240 785 253 1,153 18

BERT BLYLEVEN

Pitcher 28 Scouting Report: The Angels couldn’t beat him, so, after 19 years, they finally joined him. Another Angel case of too little, too late? From ’87 to ‘88, his record slumped from 15-12 to 10-17, his ERA jumped from 4.01 to 5.43. Turns 38 two days after opener. Launched 96 HRs in 1986-87, but is hoping to settle down now that he’s beyond Metrodome. Career milestones he should eclipse in ‘88: 260 victories, 3,500 strikeouts, 4,600 innings pitched.

Prediction for ‘89: The new Don Sutton. Sutton allowed 31 HRs but won 15 games in his first full Angel season.

MAJOR LEAGUE STATISTICS (19 SEASONS)

W-L ERA G SHO IP H R ER BB SO 254-226 3.25 611 55 4,462 1/3 4,094 1,792 1,609 1,224 3,431

DAVE CONCEPCION

Infield Scouting Report: Wants to play 20 years in the majors, but the Cincinnati Reds cut him loose after 19. So, he accepted a non-roster tryout with the Angels, to the puzzlement of Red Manager Pete Rose (“If we thought he could play, he’d still be with us.”). Angels, however, were hopeful of a comeback, although the signs this spring haven’t been very encouraging. A utility infielder with little range, Concepcion was batting .140 through the Angels’ first 20 spring games.

Prediction for ‘89: Will the 40-year-old help the Angels? Well, Rose wouldn’t bet on it.

MAJOR LEAGUE STATISTICS (19 SEASONS)

AVG AB R H 2B 3B HR RBI BB SO SB .267 8,723 993 2,326 389 48 101 950 736 1,186 321

JIM EPPARD

First Base 11 Scouting Report: Got the call in 1988 when Bill Buckner fell out of favor with Manager Cookie Rojas and became the Angels’ left-handed pinch-hitter. Did the job, too, as his .308 average (8 for 26) led all American League pinch-hitters. Overall, Eppard appeared in 56 games with the Angels, batting .283. Did not have a HR in 254 at-bats, Edmonton and Anaheim combined. Has led three different minor leagues in batting, including the Pacific Coast in 1987.

Prediction for ‘89: He’ll probably go down to the final cut--and end up playing in whichever city Dante Bichette doesn’t.

MAJOR LEAGUE STATISTICS (1 SEASON)

AVG AB R H 2B 3B HR RBI BB SO SB .287 122 9 35 3 1 0 14 13 15 0

BRYAN HARVEY

Pitcher 34 Scouting Report: Harvey the mule. He will be asked to carry the Angel bullpen--and could carry it a good ways. Had 17 saves on a staff that totaled 33 last year. Held opposing hitters to a .214 batting average--.191 in late-inning pressure situations, .100 with runners in scoring position and two outs. He was the last Angel pitcher to win a game (Sept. 18, 1988). Appears to have recovered from late-season elbow surgery. Had four saves and a 0.00 ERA in his first seven spring appearances.

Prediction for ‘89: Thirty saves. The Angels’ MVP.

MAJOR LEAGUE STATISTICS (1 SEASON)

W-L ERA G SHO IP H R ER BB SO 7-5 2.00 53 17 81 65 22 18 22 70

WALLY JOYNER

First Base 21 Scouting Report: No Dr. J, this Joyner. He caused the only controversy in spring training by spraining an ankle during a pickup basketball game in Mesa. Wound up missing a week and probably will have to keep the ankle taped throughout the season. Suffered a power outage in ‘88, as HR totals slipped from 34 to 13, but raised his average from .285 to .295 and still had 85 RBIs. Never a true slugger, Joyner suspects he’ll average 15-20 HRs the rest of his career. And he should hit .300 a few times, too.

Prediction for ‘89: Maybe he really is the new Keith Hernandez.

MAJOR LEAGUE STATISTICS (3 SEASONS)

AVG AB R H 2B 3B HR RBI BB SO SB .290 1,754 263 509 91 6 69 301 184 174 21

KIRK McCASKILL

Pitcher 15 Scouting Report: Hopes to pitch a whole season one of these years. Elbow surgery made ’87 a washout; a nerve irritation in ’88 shut him down by mid-August. Last time he completed a season, McCaskill went 17-10 with a 3.36 ERA in ’86. No arm problems this spring, only consistency problems. Was 1-1 with a 4.79 ERA through five exhibition outings. Curveball, a big pitch for him, has been erratic so far. At 8-6, was the Angels’ only starter with a winning record in ’88.

Prediction for ‘89: At last, he’ll last through October. Look for 12-14 wins.

MAJOR LEAGUE STATISTICS (4 SEASONS)

W-L ERA G SHO IP H R ER BB SO 41-34 4.22 101 5 657 635 333 308 251 458

BOB McCLURE

Pitcher 37 Scouting Report: Was signed as a free agent to get left-handed hitters out--and has done just that most of the spring. Had an 0.96 ERA after six outings. Toyed with a knuckleball in Mesa, got hit hard and never used it again once he got to Palm Springs. Must have lost it somewhere around Blythe. Pitched for the Montreal Expos and the New York Mets in ‘88, but didn’t appear in the playoffs. Season totals: 2-3, three saves. Developed a changeup in Angels’ camp that has been effective against right-handers.

Prediction for ‘89: Rader’s left-hand man.

MAJOR LEAGUE STATISTICS (13 SEASONS)

W-L ERA G SHO IP H R ER BB SO 56-52 3.88 509 49 1,006 1/3 977 486 434 436 609

MARK McLEMORE

Second Base 10 Scouting Report: Along with Johnny Ray, creates the ultimate conundrum for Manager Doug Rader: Do you play a fielder or a hitter at second base? McLemore is the fielder, if you hadn’t noticed (.236 career batting average). He began 1988 as the Angels’ starter, but lost the job when he underwent June arm surgery and never regained it. Has the potential to steal 50 bases, but as long as Ray’s around, he has the potential to do more sitting than running.

Prediction for ‘89: This sprinter will need help (i.e., a trade) to hurdle Ray obstacle.

MAJOR LEAGUE STATISTICS (2 SEASONS)

AVG AB R H 2B 3B HR RBI BB SO SB .236 670 99 158 24 5 5 57 74 99 38

GREG MINTON

Pitcher Scouting Report: Blew 10 of 17 save opportunities in ‘88, underwent off-season knee surgery and will turn 38 in July. Thus, a new role: Set-up man for Harvey. The antithesis of Willie Fraser: Has never struck out more than 58 hitters in one season, his average of one HR per 27 innings is the lowest among active pitchers. Moon Man’s 2.85 ERA last year was his lowest since 1980 (2.47). Tried contact lenses this spring when he could no longer read signs from catcher.

Prediction for ‘89: If he strikes out Milwaukee’s utility infielder, will it be Moon Over Polidor?

MAJOR LEAGUE STATISTICS (11 SEASONS)

W-L ERA G SHO IP H R ER BB SO 54-62 3.19 637 142 1,025 2/3 995 426 363 439 433

RICH MONTELEONE

Pitcher 44 Scouting Report: The man who made Cookie Rojas an ex-manager. Well, he was more an innocent bystander than anything, but Monteleone was the pitcher Rojas inadvertently visited twice in the same inning--leading to Monteleone’s forced removal from the game and Rojas’ firing a day later. Monteleone went 4-7 with a 5.08 ERA at Edmonton last year, but impressed Rader with his tenacity. So did a home-plate collision with Cub catcher Damon Berryhill. Monteleone got banged up, but scored.

Prediction for ‘89: Long relief not a long shot.

MAJOR LEAGUE STATISTICS (1 SEASON)

W-L ERA G SHO IP H R ER BB SO 0-0 3.97 6 0 11 1/3 14 5 5 5 5

LANCE PARRISH

Catcher Scouting Report: Glad to be back in the American League after a two-year nightmare in Philadelphia. Hopes his back is back, too, so he can give Angels at least 120 games. Since ‘84, his HR totals have declined every year--33 to 28 to 22 to 17 to 15. Threw out only 28% of potential basestealers in ‘88, but claims Philadelphia pitching staff had a big hand in that. Despite the perception of a bad season, Parrish still drove in 60 runs--a figure Bob Boone last reached in the 1978 season.

Prediction for ‘89: The most important Angel, Non-Pitcher Division.

MAJOR LEAGUE STATISTICS (11 SEASONS)

AVG AB R H 2B 3B HR RBI BB SO SB .257 5,163 663 1,328 239 25 244 827 429 1,044

DAN PETRY

Pitcher 46 Scouting Report: Calendar says he’s only 30, but his body acts a whole lot older. Had arm surgery in 1986, hurt his back last spring, missed two months with an ankle sprain last summer and has been slowed by a rotator-cuff strain this spring. He’s too young to be this brittle. Before the ankle sprain, Petry was 3-5 with a 3.98 ERA, including three three-hitters and two 1-0 defeats. Came back and lost his last four decisions. Petry figures to be the Angels’ fifth starter, his health allowing.

Prediction for ‘89: That’s allowing for a lot. Hey, Abbott!

MAJOR LEAGUE STATISTICS (10 SEASONS)

W-L ERA G SHO IP H R ER BB SO 110-90 3.80 279 11 1,778 1/3 1,667 846 751 707 930

DICK SCHOFIELD

Shortstop Scouting Report: Why is this man a millionaire? Possibly because he has led American League shortstops in fielding three times in the past five years, equaling Mark Belanger’s career total of fielding titles. And Belanger, remember, was Baltimore’s legendary Mr. Shortstop. Has committed just 22 errors during the past two seasons; by comparison, Cal Ripken committed 21 in 1988 alone. Remains the weak link in the Angel batting order, although he should improve on his ’88 totals (.239, six HRs, 34 RBIs).

Prediction for ‘89: .250 and a Gold Glove.

MAJOR LEAGUE STATISTICS (5 SEASONS)

AVG AB R H 2B 3B HR RBI BB SO SB .231 2,356 273 544 76 21 43 203 199 332 78

CLAUDELL WASHINGTON

Outfield 7 Scouting Report: Angels spent $2.6 million for free-agent Washington in January, figuring Dante Bichette wasn’t ready. It could turn out to be a costly gamble. Now 34, Washington had a career year in ‘88--.308, 11 HRs, 64 RBIs. Batted .415 in June, but only .215 in September. Flu and a sore shoulder have slowed him this spring; he had an 0-for-17 slump and took a sub-.200 average into the final weekend in Palm Springs. Defense improved as camp progressed.

Prediction for ‘89: A safe one: Right field will be a safer place this year.

MAJOR LEAGUE STATISTICS (15 SEASONS)

AVG AB R H 2B 3B HR RBI BB SO SB .280 6,255 866 1,751 314 64 150 773 497 1,104 295

MIKE WITT

Pitcher Scouting Report: Lost a few miles off his fastball in ‘87, and in ’88 his formidable curveball, “The Mercedes Bends,” spent most of the summer in the shop. Still threw more than 200 innings, but his arm has begun to show signs of wear. In the last three years, Witt’s victory totals have slipped from 18 to 16 to 13; his losses have increased from 10 to 14 to 16; his ERA has risen from 2.84 to 4.01 to 4.15. Has career record of 21-9 in June, but 11-23 in September.

Prediction for ‘89: Can Mr. June reverse swoon without Boone? If answer is no, Angels shouldn’t show.

MAJOR LEAGUE STATISTICS (8 SEASONS)

W-L ERA G SHO IP H R ER BB SO 100-89 3.68 271 10 1725 1660 798 705 595 1,146

JOHNNY RAY

Second Base 3 Scouting Report: He’s a .300 hitter, an All-Star, a 1988 club co-MVP . . . and the Angels’ prime piece of trade bait. Too bad he can’t field. A DH-in-waiting, Ray had the AL’s lowest fielding percentage (.972) among second baseman who played at least 100 games and turned a mere 64 double plays in 104 games. Still, his bat is too valuable to keep out of the lineup. His 83 RBIs and 42 doubles were career highs and he hit .438 during the Angels’ Arizona portion of spring training.

Prediction for ‘89: Have bat, will travel to another team before opening day, 1990.

MAJOR LEAGUE STATISTICS (7 SEASONS)

AVG AB R H 2B 3B HR RBI BB SO SB .291 4,254 505 1,237 255 33 43 498 298 255 72

BILL SCHROEDER

Catcher 14 Scouting Report: Goes from No. 3 catcher with the Milwaukee Brewers to No. 2 with Angels. Bothered by a bad knee, he batted just .156 in 41 games last season. Has power, though. Has 19 HRs and 52 RBIs in his last 372 at-bats (1987-88). Averages one HR every 21 at-bats, one of the top marks among active catchers. He came to the Angels in winter trade for Gus Polidor. Turns 31 in September, has yet to play more than 73 games in a big league season.

Prediction for ‘89: If he catches more than 73 games this time, Angels are in trouble.

MAJOR LEAGUE STATISTICS (6 SEASONS)

AVG AB R H 2B 3B HR RBI BB SO SB .246 1,066 130 262 44 1 51 128 54 298 6

DEVON WHITE

Outfield Scouting Report: This could be his year. The knee is fine, the confidence is high (Gold Glove in 1988) and arbitration beckons in 1990. White, the biggest raw talent on the roster, could be ready for a monster season, maybe 30-30, maybe 100 RBIs. After 20 spring games, he was batting .404 with 16 RBIs, 13 runs and five stolen bases. Led all major league outfielders with 3.35 putouts per game in ‘88; could surpass that playing between Davis and Washington in ’89.

Prediction for ‘89: Will make many Rotisserie League owners happy.

MAJOR LEAGUE STATISTICS (2 SEASONS)

AVG AB R H 2B 3B HR RBI BB SO SB .260 1,152 194 299 56 8 36 141 69 230 58