BALTIMORE — Much changed in the 712 days between Sam Bachman’s 11th and 12th big league games.
A day after the Angels’ right-hander pitched a perfect inning in his first big league game in nearly two years, he said he has a new mental approach.
“Laser focus,” Bachman said. “I felt in control, in command. In the past, in my rookie year, it was kind of not a controlled energy. It’s like lightning in a bottle now. It’s what it feels like. The focus is there. I like where I’m at.”
Bachman called it “one gladiator circle at a time.” It’s how he described a focus on each pitch, without looking to the previous one or the next one.
“Just stuff I’ve been working on,” Bachman said. “All that matters is that pitch. Not concentrating on what happened in the past or in the future. Just keeps me present and keeps my focus where it should be.”
The result was a nine-pitch inning against the Baltimore Orioles on Saturday. Bachman averaged 98 mph with his seven sinkers, and he also threw two sliders.
Although he didn’t use the slider much in his first game, he was feeling so good with it recently that he threw 14 of them among his 15 pitches in a Triple-A outing last week. Hitters missed on four of their seven swings at the pitch.
“The slider felt so good that it’s hard not to go back to it every time,” Bachman said. “The swings I was getting, the approach from the hitters I was seeing, it was just a no-brainer for me to keep going to it.”
Manager Ron Washington, who hadn’t seen Bachman pitch in any sort of game since he’s been with the Angels, liked what he saw on Saturday.
“I was very impressed,” Washington said. “He came in and pounded the strike zone. He showed good live stuff. I’m looking forward to getting him back out there.”
The Angels have been waiting for Bachman.
The first-round pick in the Angels’ all-pitcher draft in 2021, Bachman dealt with numerous injuries before and after his six-week stint in the majors in 2023.
Bachman, 25, had shoulder surgery after the 2023 season. He came back last season to start 16 games in the minors, posting a 4.82 ERA. He trimmed down about 10 pounds over the winter in an effort to avoid injuries. He missed spring training with what was finally diagnosed as thoracic outlet syndrome (defined as a group of conditions in which there’s pressure on blood vessels or nerves in the area between the neck and shoulder that can cause shoulder and neck pain.). It didn’t require surgery, and Bachman started pitching in games in early May.
Bachman said he feels “amazing” now. It’s unclear if his long-term future is in the bullpen or the rotation. The Angels planned to work him as a starter before the setback this spring, but they are likely to let him ride out this year as a reliever because of the late start.
Bachman said he doesn’t know if one role or the other will help him stay healthy. He’s gotten hurt doing both.
“I just want to be here,” Bachman said. “I want to help get wins. Do anything I can. Whatever my role is — long guy, one inning, starter — I’ve got stuff for whatever they want.”
NOTES
Second baseman Christian Moore was out of the lineup on Sunday. Washington said it was a “planned day.” Next up for Moore will be a trip to New York, his hometown. Moore estimated that he’ll have 50 to 60 friends and family members at Yankee Stadium on Monday. More went 0 for 6 with a walk in his first two big league games. …
Catcher Logan O’Hoppe is hitting .085 over his last 48 plate appearances. O’Hoppe has also had season-long issues behind the plate, which he’s admitted have been a focal point for him. Washington said he doesn’t think the defense is affecting O’Hoppe’s offense. “I think he’s at the point where he can separate that,” Washington said. “If you notice, he’s been getting some good swings off and missing some pitches. And that happens. Usually those pitches he hits, but he’s not hitting. And when that happens, you know you’re struggling.” O’Hoppe did not start on Sunday because Travis d’Arnaud is the regular catcher when Yusei Kikuchi pitches. …
Center fielder Jo Adell, one of the Angels’ hottest hitters, was batting eighth on Sunday. Asked if he has considered taking advantage of Adell’s hot streak by moving him up in the lineup, Washington said: “I’m not planning on moving him anywhere. He’s doing a good job where he is, and other guys are doing a good job where they are.”
UP NEXT
Angels (RHP José Soriano, 4-5, 3.86) at Yankees (TBD), Monday, 4:05 p.m. PT, FanDuel Sports Network West, 830 AM