Angels Make Unexpected Coaching Move After 35th Game

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | Last updated May 9, 2025 10:20 PM ET

After losing a franchise record 99 games last season, the Los Angeles Angels find themselves in last place again. Entering Friday's game against the Baltimore Orioles, the Angels own a 15-21 record that ranks last in the American League West. Only the Chicago White Sox own a worse record in the entire AL.

This start comes despite some early optimism in Anaheim that 2025 could bring more success than 2024 did. The Angels began this season 9-5 through their first 14 games, which followed manager Ron Washington implementing new clubhouse rules in Spring Training aimed at building team camaraderie ( via MLB.com).

While Washington seemed to be steering the Angels in the right direction, the team is just 6-16 since that impressive 9-5 start. Washington's job remains intact for now, but the Angels did make a coaching move after their 35th game of the season.

Following Wednesday's contest against the Toronto Blue Jays, Washington told reporters the Angels would be swapping third base coach Eric Young Sr. and first base coach Bo Porter.

Eric Young Sr. is moving to first base coach and Bo Porter will be moved to third base coach. Ron Washington said it’s to take advantage of EY’s baserunning expertise.
— Rhett Bollinger (@RhettBollinger) May 9, 2025

Young was an elite baserunner during his 15-year MLB career. The 1996 All-Star stole 465 bases in his career and scored 996 runs. While a third base coach makes critical decisions on when to send runners home, first base coaches often lay the groundwork for how a runner should approach each scenario in front of them.

As the Angels look for any edge they can get, the team has made this coaching move in hopes of improving their base running.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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