Noah Syndergaard is three starts into his Los Angeles Angels career.
The Angels inked the righty to a one-year deal before the 2022 season started, ending his lengthy stint with the New York Mets.
The Angels have agreed to terms on a one-year deal with RHP Noah Syndergaard. pic.twitter.com/BBs7irtvUj
— Los Angeles Angels (@Angels) November 17, 2021
Syndergaard missed the entire 2020 season after undergoing Tommy John surgery.
His recovery lasted for most of the 2021 campaign as well, as he wound up pitching just two innings on the year.
For that reason, he entered the 2022 season as a bit of a question mark.
Although his track record is certainly impressive, you never know what you’re going to get from a pitcher after a major surgery like Tommy John.
But so far this season, Syndergaard has erased any doubt about his post-surgery abilities.
The Angels have to be thrilled with what they’ve gotten from him so far.
Syndergaard’s Season So Far At A Glance
All three of Syndergaard’s starts with the Angels have been impressive thus far.
In his first start with the team, he held the Houston Astros scoreless over 5.1 innings of work.
Along the way, he allowed just two hits before exiting with the lead and getting the win.
In his second start, he was tasked with facing the Texas Rangers.
The 29-year-old impressed, as he turned in six innings of two-run ball.
He got the win in that one as well, moving his record to 2-0 on the season.
In his third start, he was solid once more, as he limited the Baltimore Orioles to two runs in 5.2 innings.
Unfortunately, the Angels dropped this one by a score of 5-4 after the Orioles scored three runs in the seventh.
On the bright side, Los Angeles has won three straight games since that frustrating loss to Baltimore.
Overall this season, Syndergaard owns a 2.12 ERA, 2.83 FIP, and 0.82 WHIP.
It seems like Angels fans are already very fond of him.
I really hope the Angels give Syndergaard his bag after this year. I want that guy on the angels for the rest of his career.
— HAMMER TIME ⚡️🔨 (@AngelsDuo27) April 25, 2022
Much of Syndergaard’s early-season success can be attributed to his ability to prevent homers, as he hasn’t allowed a single long ball yet.
The one-time All-Star has enjoyed success in that department in years past.
From 2016 to 2018, for instance, he allowed just 0.5 home runs per nine innings across a 63-outing sample size.
In 2016, he led the league in that category.
Those were some of his best seasons, so it’s a really good sign that he’s enjoying success in that area so far this year.
Money Well Spent?
The Angels are giving Syndergaard $21 million this season.
So far, the investment is paying off in more ways than one.
Obviously, the former first-round pick is enjoying plenty of individual success.
But in addition to that, Los Angeles is looking like a legitimate threat to make some noise in the American League playoff picture this season.
It’s early, but as things stand now, the Angels boast a very solid 11-7 record.
That mark has them near the top of the AL West, as the Seattle Mariners are the only team in the division with a better record (11-6).
The Angels haven’t made the playoffs since the 2014 season, and it’s time for that to change.
Time will tell if Syndergaard can help end the drought.
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