TEMPE, Ariz. \u2014 Jeimer Candelario has been here before.<\/p>\n
The 32-year-old infielder has seen his career rise and fall, so he\u2019s no stranger to being in a big league camp with something to prove.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m always working toward being consistent, producing,\u201d Candelario said. \u201cWhen I\u2019m consistent and producing and putting my body and my mental side in the right position, I feel like I can do damage early in the game. That\u2019s what I\u2019m focusing on right now.\u201d<\/p>\n
Candelario fits in perfectly with the theme of the Angels\u2019 Camp Comeback<\/a>. They brought him in on a minor league deal, risking nothing in the hopes that he can be the player he was a couple of years ago.<\/p>\n Candelario came into Sunday\u2019s game hitting .333 (7 for 21) with a 1.084 OPS. He has four doubles and a homer. He also hit another homer in a game against Italy that doesn\u2019t count in the official statistics.<\/p>\n \u201cI think he\u2019s been looking really good,\u201d Angels manager Kurt Suzuki said. \u201cHis left-handed swing has been outstanding. He controls the strike zone and his decision making has been great. He\u2019s been fun to watch.\u201d<\/p>\n If Candelario can revive his career with the Angels, it would be the second time.<\/p>\n He was with the Detroit Tigers when he first established himself as an everyday player. In 2020 and 2021, he hit a combined .278 with a .356 on-base percentage and an .814 OPS. He hit a major league leading 42 doubles in 2021.<\/p>\n But in 2022, he slumped so badly at the end of the season that the Tigers non-tendered him. The Washington Nationals signed him to a one-year, $5 million deal.<\/p>\n Candelario hit 16 homers with an .823 OPS in the first four months of 2023, and he was one of the best hitters to change hands at the trade deadline. He finished that season with the Chicago Cubs, and parlayed that success into a three-year, $45 million deal with the Cincinnati Reds.<\/p>\n By the middle of 2025, Candelario was again struggling so much that the Reds released him, still owing him half of that contract. The New York Yankees gave him a shot at Triple-A, but never called him up.<\/p>\n A back injury contributed to his trouble last season.<\/p>\n \u201cYou always play with something in the big leagues, especially when you have years and years,\u201d Candelario said. \u201cYou have to deal with that. You have to work hard to be in a good position to help the team win.\u201d<\/p>\n Candelario said he feels \u201cgood\u201d now.<\/p>\n This winter, he was again looking for a shot, and the Angels offered a minor-league deal. Most of Candelario\u2019s $13 million salary in 2026 will be paid by the Reds, with the Angels just paying the big league minimum if they keep him.<\/p>\n Halfway through the Cactus League schedule, he\u2019s showing that he could be worth a roster spot with the Angels.<\/p>\n Candelario is primarily a third baseman, but he can also play first. He could be a backup for oft-injured Yo\u00e1n Moncada at third, and he could backup Nolan Schanuel at first. He\u2019s also a switch-hitter, giving the Angels some more balance.<\/p>\n His 24% strikeout rate over the past three years is slightly more than the major league average, but he also has an 8% walk rate, which is average.<\/p>\n Candelario would also provide some value for his clubhouse presence, and his influence on the young players.<\/p>\n \u201cThat\u2019s part of my life, to try to have good vibes,\u201d Candelario said. \u201cBe positive. This game is really tough, so we can\u2019t put pressure on each other. We have to support each other and pick each other up. I think that makes a good team.\u201d<\/p>\n WBC WATCHING<\/p>\n Angels prospects Najer Victor and Sam Aldegheri had encouraging performances in the World Baseball Classic this weekend.<\/p>\n Victor, who pitched for Great Britain, struck out Team USA\u2019s Aaron Judge, Bryce Harper, Gunnar Henderson and Roman Anthony. His fastball averaged 97 mph and he got whiffs on seven of his 11 sliders.<\/p>\n Victor, 24, was the Angels\u2019 14th-round pick in 2024.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019ve seen him pitch a few times already this spring before he left and, I mean, this guy was electric last night,\u201d Suzuki said.<\/p>\n Aldegheri, pitching for Italy, struck out eight in 4\u2153 scoreless innings against Brazil. Suzuki said he was impressed with Aldegheri\u2019s work in Arizona, before the WBC.<\/p>\n \u201cHe looks in great shape,\u201d Suzuki said. \u201cGood changeup. Throwing strikes.\u201d<\/p>\n TROUT\u2019S SPEED<\/p>\n Mike Trout has recorded sprint speeds of 29.9<\/a> and 30.0<\/a> feet per second this spring, which are both faster than anything that he\u2019d run since before he suffered his knee injury in April 2024.<\/p>\n