3 trade targets for the Colorado Rockies from the Los Angeles Angels

Los Angeles Angels starting pitcher Patrick Sandoval could help the Colorado Rockies rotation

The Los Angeles Angels have struggled in the starting pitching department in the last decade-plus but in 2021, they got a good season from Patrick Sandoval, who could also help the Colorado Rockies rotation.

Sandoval, 25, was drafted by the Houston Astros but was traded to the Angels in 2018 for Martín Maldonado. He made his MLB debut for the Angels in 2019 and struggled as he had an ERA of 5.03 in 10 appearances (nine starts) due to a high hit and walk rate. In 2020, the walk rate dropped but the home run rate and hit rate went higher, leading to a 5.65 ERA in nine games (six starts).

However, he was much better in 2021 when he wasn’t injured (he had a back injury that cost him some time). He appeared in 17 games (14 starts) and he had an ERA of 3.62 (124 ERA+). He had a FIP of 4.03, a WHIP of 1.207, a hit rate that dropped by more than 20 percent, a home run rate that dropped by more than half, and an increased strikeout rate.

Additionally, in each of the last two seasons, Sandoval’s groundball rate has been above 51 percent, meaning that he could be good in Coors Field. For comparison, since 2019, Antonio Senzatela’s groundball rate is 52.1 percent and in the top ten in that span and he (and the other Rockies starters with a high groundball rate) have pitched well at Coors Field.

Sandoval isn’t even arbitration-eligible yet so the Angels, with their lack of pitching, are unlikely to trade him but he is somebody that the Colorado Rockies should keep their eye on.

Next in our trade target series is the Oakland A’s as we continue through the American League West.