*Photo from Covering the Corner*
A reclamation project is making his way west. FanSided's Robert Murray was first with the news that RHP Zach Plesac and the Los Angeles Angels have agreed to a one year, $1 million contract. The Angels have made the signing official.
Plesac is coming off a rough season with the Cleveland Guardians. He allowed 20 runs in 21 1/3 innings pitched over 5 starts, good for a bloated 7.59 ERA. With Triple A Columbus, he had a 6.08 ERA with 43 walks in 94 2/3 innings pitched. He was DFA'd by Cleveland and removed from the 40 man roster during the season. He elected free agency at the beginning of the offseason.
A calling card with Plesac is his strong control, as he has a career average of 2.4 walks per 9 innings in his big league career. His best year was the Covid affected 2020 season, when he had a 2.28 ERA and 0.795 WHIP in 55 1/3 innings and 8 starts. He is also a well regarded fielder as a pitcher.
In the first 4 seasons of his big league career before 2023, Plesac fared better than his most recent season. He combined to post a 4.04 ERA with 345 strikeouts in 445 1/3 innings, including a complete game shutout in his rookie season back in 2019.
Across all 5 seasons in the majors with Cleveland, Plesac has respectable numbers. He has a 4.20 ERA, 4.53 FIP, and 1.228 WHIP to his name, averaging 2.4 walks per 9 and 6.9 strikeouts per 9 in 466 2/3 innings and 84 games, with all but one being starts. He has pitched one scoreless inning in the playoffs, coming in the 2022 ALDS against the New York Yankees.
The Angels are hoping that Plesac can be a reclamation project that turns out well under an almost completely new coaching staff. Ron Washington was brought in as manager while pitching coach Barry Enright and bullpen coach Steve Karsay are also new to the team entering 2024.
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