Baldoquin Is Settled In
TEMPE, Ariz.–Better familiarity with a new country and the rhythms of a pro baseball season should help Cuban shortstop Roberto Baldoquin develop into the prospect the Angels envisioned when they invested more than $14 million in him in December 2014.
“I feel a lot more comfortable,” Baldoquin, speaking through an translator, said early in camp. “Nothing is new for me this year. Last year, I was able to get to know Mike Trout and Albert Pujols a little bit, and that helps me moving forward. It gives me the strength to keep working hard.”
Asked about the major challenges he faced in his first year in the U.S., Baldoquin answered with one word: “English.”
“He’d never been in an environment like this,” said Denny Hocking, who managed Baldoquin at high Class A Inland Empire last season. “He’s trying to learn the language. He’s trying to learn the system. He’s trying to learn how to go to a grocery store. There’s so many things he had to adapt to.”
Baldoquin hit .235/.266/.294 in 77 games in 2015. A lat injury didn’t help, and those around him said the adjustment to a longer season also played a role.
“He never got into a rhythm of work ethic,” Hocking said.
Baldoquin, 21, said it was not the pressure of living up to his signing bonus, but the layoff after his defection that set him back.
“I feel like at the end, I got more comfortable,” he said.
It showed on defense. Baldoquin made 12 errors in his first 37 games and none in his final 40 games. The 5-foot-11 shortstop worked out in Miami this winter and gained 15 pounds—”all muscle,” he said—bringing his weight to 195.
Baldoquin looked good in the nine big league exhibition games he played in this spring before being sent to minor league camp, going 4-for-12 (.333) with three doubles and five RBIs.
ANGEL FOOD
• Reliever Deolis Guerra, a Rule 5 pick in December, cleared waivers and elected free agency in late March, but the hard-throwing righthander decided to accept a minor league deal and remain with the Angels, who need bullpen depth.
• Catching prospect Jett Bandy left a good impression before being optioned to Triple-A Salt Lake on March 25, going 9-for-23 (.391) in 14 Cactus League games.
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