The Los Angeles Angels have officially signed left-hander Adam Kolarek to a one-year contract worth $900K, as announced on their official Twitter feed. Kolarek decided to test the free agency waters after spending the season in the Atlanta Braves’ minor league system.
Despite Kolarek’s limited big league playing time and shaky results in recent years, the fact that he secured a guaranteed deal is somewhat surprising, considering the current MLB standards. Nevertheless, the Angels were in need of left-handed relief pitching and acquiring Kolarek is just the beginning of their efforts to revamp their struggling bullpen from the previous season.
Since the start of the 2021 season, Kolarek has pitched 32 2/3 innings over 32 appearances with the Oakland A’s, Los Angeles Dodgers, and New York Mets, posting a 4.58 ERA. Although he faced struggles in Oakland, he managed to show improvement during his time with the Mets in 2023, despite being labeled as a journeyman.
After signing a minor league deal with the Dodgers last winter, Kolarek only made one appearance with the team before being designated for assignment. Despite several moves between teams, Kolarek has displayed flashes of promise, particularly in 2023 where he had a 3.80 ERA in Triple-A. However, his recurring control issues have been a cause for concern.
Despite inconsistencies, one of Kolarek’s strengths throughout his career has been his ability to induce ground balls. Since 2017, only five pitchers with over 140 innings pitched have a higher grounder rate than Kolarek’s impressive 63.9%.
Overall, the Angels’ signing of Kolarek represents an opportunity for the left-hander to bounce back and contribute to the team’s pitching staff, despite his recent struggles in the MLB.
David Rodriguez brings the excitement of Major League Baseball to readers. With a deep appreciation for America’s pastime, he covers the latest MLB news, scores, and player achievements, keeping fans up to date with their favorite teams and players.
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