New Los Angeles Angels manager Ron Washington has been known for his work with infielders over the years, and he has started to work with members of his new club already. Washington wants his guys to hone in on their skills entering the season, giving the Angels a much better chance to win.
Every infield position accrued a negative Defensive Runs Saved total for the Angels last year: -4 by the first basemen, -8 by the second basemen, -7 by the shortstops and -2 by the third basemen.
"Washington proudly refers to himself as baseball’s best infield instructor, and the defining image of the Angels’ first-year manager’s work is a series of drills that he created more than three decades ago. The 'Washington Drills' – he hasn’t come up with a better name for them – are unmistakably his."
If the Angels' infielders can upgrade from below-average to merely average as a defensive unit, it could help in the standings. The Angels didn't sign any infielders to major league contracts over the winter, so improvement will likely have to come from within. Washington is ready to show them everything he has.
"It’s my idea,” Washington said with a smile. “Let’s get that out of the way first.”
The "Washington Drills" have allowed him to work with players for a long time, leaving a positive impression on his past pupils. Some players have taken the same or similar versions of the drills to their new infield coaches after their time with Washington is up.
Clearly the drills resonate as an essential training tool. The handwork that goes into fielding ground balls might seem easy on the surface, but can be tricky in reality.
Although they’ve been refined over the years, the drills involve a four-minute sequence that starts with the player on his knees. A coach – Washington himself or else infield coach Ryan Goins – kneeling about 10 feet away first tosses a ball underhand to the player. They do balls right in front, then on the glove side, then on the backhand side. It progresses to using a fungo bat.
If Washington's methods are implemented, the Angels should be more competitive. He has a long history of success teaching fielding, and the Angels will be another test of his skill.
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