Angels Reliever Dominic Leone Benefitting From Uptick In Velocity

Among the deals made at this year’s trade deadline, the Los Angeles Angels made a subtle one in acquiring right-hander Dominic Leone from the New York Mets.

Sending their 18th prospect in Jeremiah Jackson to bring in Leone, the Angels liked what they saw and felt it was worth parting with future assets for the need in a bullpen arm. The main appeal to Leone is his high quality fastball, slider, and ability to generate whiffs.

Grading out in the 92nd percentile in whiff rate, Leone has also been on the bad-end of barrel-rate, as he’s been near the bottom in that area. However, he possesses an expected batting average of .184 on his four-seam fastball, which is an area the front office most assuredly highlighted in bringing him in.

Since the 2016 season, Leone has added nearly two mph to his fastball, while maintaining decent spin. To his own admission, it’s been so slight that even he doesn’t have much reason behind it, per Jeff Fletcher of the O.C. Register:

“There’s no secret sauce or magic potion that’s made it go up,” Leone said. “I’ve just been feeling good mechanically. I like the way I’m moving down the mound. It’s translated to a small little bump. To be honest, I haven’t even really noticed.”

Leone’s insertion into the Angels bullpen rotation was seamless, even being given the opportunity to record the final three outs. The veteran reliever was one of the final deals announced at the deadline, but even with a new club, the 31-year feels comfortable with his new team:

“It’s just really about getting in a rhythm,” Leone said. “That’s been hard for me this year, just from moving around so much and being in a bunch of different organizations. But just understanding my base for my pitching mechanics and what I like to do out in the field, it’s allowed me to now kind of get a rhythm. I like what I’m doing on the field. My pregame stuff. Everything in my routine has been pretty solid since that point. Even before that. I’m trying just trying to ride the highs.”

In 30.2 innings pitched with the Mets, Leone notched a 4.40 ERA with 33 strikeouts, allowing opposing hitters to post a .243 batting average against. But in his five innings with the Angels, he’s allowed just one run on a solo shot with one save, good for a 1.80 ERA.

With Carlos Estévez showing signs of some fatigue, it’s good to know that manager Phil Nevin has another option to go to at the backend of games if need be.

Chase Silseth having success in second stint in Angels rotation

Since joining the team earlier in the year, Chase Silseth has been used in both the bullpen and as a starter, but a need for another bulk-arm made his addition back to the rotation a needed one.

In three starts since July 19, Silseth has tossed 17.2 innings over three starts — a near six-inning average — and has allowed just four earned runs. That’s good enough for a 2.04 ERA to go along with a 0.79 WHIP. He has struck out 26 batters compared with only three walks in that span.

It’s a stark difference from the pitcher that was giving up 6.3 walks per nine innings with a 5.30 ERA in his first nine appearances out of the bullpen this season.