The Angels are signing left-hander Tayler Saucedo, as Saucedo himself indicated lately on his private Instagram account. The precise particulars of Saucedo’s contract aren’t but recognized, but it surely’s more likely to be a minor league cope with an invitation to large league Spring Coaching.
Saucedo, 32, made his large league debut as a member of the Blue Jays again in 2021 however received the vast majority of his work over time with the Mariners after Seattle picked him up off waivers previous to the 2023 season. Saucedo proved to be a viable center aid arm for the Mariners throughout two seasons, pitching to a 3.54 ERA in 86 1/3 innings of labor with a 21.7% strikeout price in opposition to a stroll price of 11.0%. That latter determine is elevated relative to Saucedo’s strikeout skill, however the lefty was capable of make up for it by producing a superb 55.0% floor ball price. Saucedo’s 3.79 FIP and 4.05 SIERA had been extra pedestrian than elite, however there was nonetheless motive for optimism concerning the southpaw’s profile.
That’s as a result of Saucedo’s mixture of strikeouts and grounders was very encouraging. Amongst relievers with a floor ball price of 55.0% or larger between 2023 and ’24, the lefty’s strikeout price ranked tenth. That mixture of strikeouts and grounders is tough to return by, and amongst those that match that invoice are high-end closers like Andres Munoz and Jhoan Duran. Saucedo was held again from reaching these elite ranges primarily by a his penchant for permitting free passes. Whereas floor ball like Camilo Doval and Aaron Bummer have managed to make stroll charges within the 11-12% vary work in excessive leverage conditions, they accomplish that with a a lot more healthy serving to of strikeouts than Saucedo can muster.
Regardless of his flaws, Saucedo entered 2025 figuring to be a key piece of the Seattle bullpen. Sadly, that didn’t pan out because the lefty struggled in ten MLB appearances this yr. His 7.43 ERA throughout 13 1/3 innings within the majors this season left him to spend a lot of the season at Triple-A Tacoma. After being optioned to the minors, he was sidelined for 2 months by a lat pressure that despatched his season additional off the rails. The lefty seemed good for Tacoma upon his return to motion, with a 2.75 ERA general throughout 22 appearances on the degree to go along with a 27.9% strikeout price. That efficiency wasn’t sufficient to persuade the Mariners to maintain him within the fold, nonetheless, and he was non-tendered again in November in consequence.
Now with the Angels, Saucedo figures to enter Spring Coaching with a possibility to seize a spot in a principally unsettled Angels bullpen. Robert Stephenson, Drew Pomeranz, and Kirby Yates determine to deal with the late innings, whereas Ben Joyce will probably be an element later within the yr upon his return from final yr’s shoulder surgical procedure. If Saucedo finds a job in Anaheim, it figures to be within the center innings. Moreover Pomeranz, the one different lefty within the crew’s present projected bullpen is Brock Burke. Burke turned in a dominant 2022 season as a member of the Rangers however has been much less spectacular within the years since; he posted 3.36 ERA with a 4.16 FIP in 69 appearances for the Angels final yr. That’s stable sufficient manufacturing for a center aid lefty, however there might nonetheless be room for Saucedo to affix Burke (in addition to righty Jordan Romano) within the center innings.
