Los Angeles Angels: Players that must play better to make postseason
By Jason Reed
2. Andrew Heaney
Andrew Heaney was not particularly bad for the Los Angeles Angels like Cozart was last season. In fact, it is safe to say that Heaney has not even reached what he is fully capable of doing at the MLB level.
However, time is running out for the young southpaw to start making those leaps into what he is fully capable of. Heaney is no longer a young upcoming pitcher with a lot ahead of him. He is entering the point in his career that will decide whether or not he will be a great pitcher in this league.
Heaney has the stuff to be great and was a highly touted prospect as he jumped from the Miami Marlins to Los Angeles Dodgers to Los Angeles Angels. There is no questioning the potential that is there.
Heaney will turn 28 midway through 2019 and is going to have to assert himself as the ace of this rotation. While Matt Harvey and Tyler Skaggs will also be fighting for the role, right now, it is Heaney’s to lose.
And if he pitches as he did in 2018, which was to the tune of a 4.15 ERA, he probably won’t win the job. Heaney’s numbers are not bad for an American League pitcher by any means, but they certainly are not worthy of being the ace on a potential playoff team.
The Angels need better starting pitching and some of that has to come from within, starting with Andrew Heaney.