Wooten Seeks Staying Power

The road to the major leagues was long and winding for Shawn Wooten, who endured eight years in the minors and three knee operations before surfacing with the Angels. His first full season in the majors was a rough one too, with his father dying of lung cancer in August and wrist surgery ending his season one month early.

A pleasant season would be a pleasant surprise for Wooten, but he takes nothing for granted, even after hitting .312 as a rookie last year.

Wooten will share first base with Scott Spiezio this season. If Wooten proves his rookie season was no fluke, he could be the first baseman or designated hitter for years. He can catch and play third base too, but if he struggles to hit, he won’t be long for the majors.

“I’m not going to be a guy who comes off the bench stealing bases,” said Wooten, listed at 5 feet 10 and 225 pounds. “I understand why I’m on this team, and it has to do with my bat.”

Wooten homered in Wednesday’s 5-3 Cactus League victory over the Seattle Mariners.

The home run came off Freddy Garcia, who had hit him with a pitch and bruised his left hand on Friday.

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Darin Erstad had the best season of his career in 2000, as the Angels’ leadoff hitter. Manager Mike Scioscia still had a hunch his lineup might be better with Erstad hitting second, behind David Eckstein, but he wanted statistical support before he made a decision.

So, at Scioscia’s request, team publicists Larry Babcock and Marty Sewell ran the numbers from last season: With Erstad leading off and Eckstein batting second, the Angels scored 3.88 runs per game. With Eckstein leading off and Erstad batting second, the Angels scored 4.63 runs per game.

In 2000, Erstad became the first player in major league history to drive in 100 runs from the leadoff spot.

Scioscia believes the No. 2 spot will maximize Erstad’s ability to both drive in runs--Eckstein had a .355 on-base percentage last season--and score runs, batting ahead of Tim Salmon, Garret Anderson and Troy Glaus.

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Brad Fullmer hit .202 against left-handers last season, but Scioscia said Fullmer would start the season as the designated hitter against righties and lefties alike. “We have options if it doesn’t work out,” Scioscia said. Fullmer’s career averages: .294 off right-handers, .223 against left-handers ....Jarrod Washburn has used a fastball, change, curve and slider but struggled with the latter two pitches, so he is working extensively on the slider this spring. And the curve? “It’s more than six feet under,” he said