MINNEAPOLIS — As he watched Zach Neto’s evolution this season, Kurt Suzuki made a joke to his shortstop the other day.
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“You keep doing this, you might be a pretty good player,” Suzuki, and Angels manager, quipped.
Neto has been hitting for power all season. A few weeks ago, though, there was a clear change in his approach at the plate.
Prior to June 22, Neto pulled the ball 52% of the time he put it in play, and he only went to the opposite field 19% of the time. Since then, the pull rate has gone down to 40% and the opposite field rate up to 38%.
Neto’s average before was .225, with a 33% strikeout rate. Since June 23, he’s hit .295 with a 24% strikeout rate.
Neto downplayed any significant transformation.
“Just seeing the ball,” he said. “I think that’s the biggest thing. Just seeing the ball and hitting it, wherever the ball goes. Using the whole field is always good.”
Neto had singles to right field on Friday and Saturday, something he did rarely in the first three months of the season.
“He’s learning,” Suzuki said.
Suzuki pointed out that the homers haven’t been reduced by improving his use of the whole field.
“Just seeing the ball better and having more quality at-bats,” Suzuki said. “It’s been fun to watch, really.”
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Heading into the final game before the All-Star break, Neto is hitting .237 with a .787 OPS. He has 19 homers. He’s on pace to shatter last season’s career-high 26 homers. His OPS is just about the same as last year (.793). Although his strikeout rate is up and his average is down, his walk rate is up. He’s already drawn more walks (44) than he did all of last year (33).
On defense, his 14 errors are the second most in the majors. He’s only made one error since June 13. Neto also has 12 stolen bases, but he’s been caught eight times.
“It’s been ups and downs,” Neto said. “I wouldn’t mind my strikeouts being a little more down. Overall, I feel like it’s been a pretty healthy first half. That’s the biggest part I could say. I’m just thankful that my body is holding up.
“The team is where we’re at. We still have a positive mindset, which is great. The numbers show for themselves. I feel like we have a way better club in the clubhouse right now. We’re playing tough ball games. It’s unfortunate that our record is the way it is, but I feel like we’re playing really good baseball.”
NOTES
Right-hander Ben Joyce (shoulder surgery) pitched a scoreless inning, with three strikeouts, on Saturday night in the Arizona Complex League. Joyce averaged 101 mph with his fastball. It was Joyce’s second minor league outing since resuming his rehab last month. Suzuki said they aren’t sure if his next outing will be in Arizona or if he’ll move to a full-season affiliate. “Obviously we’re going to take our time with him and make sure he’s fully right before he comes back, but all the reports that we’re getting have been great,” Suzuki said. …
Catcher Travis d’Arnaud (plantar fasciitis) and infielder Adam Frazier (elbow) are both on track toward rehab assignments shortly after the All-Star break, Suzuki said. …
The Angels are not sure how they’re going to align the rotation after the All-Star break, Suzuki said.
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UP NEXT
Tigers (TBD) at Angels (TBD), Friday, 6:38 p.m., ABTV, 830 AM