Spring Training / Angels : Mauch: Team’s Young Pitchers Most Impressive He’s Seen

MESA, Ariz. —  After less than a week of spring drills with his pitchers and catchers, Angel Manager Gene Mauch said Wednesday that the Angels have the most impressive array of young arms he has ever seen.

“I don’t know how I’ll feel two weeks from now, but after five days I don’t have a care in the world,” he said.

Spring hyperbole?

“Well I’ll tell you what I told my coaches,” Mauch said. “I told them that never in my 24 years as a major-league manager have I been in a camp with this much young (pitching) talent.

“Of course, I’ve never been on teams that were particularly rich in pitching, but that doesn’t change the fact that there are five or six kids here who have never pitched in the big leagues but who could have made my Montreal staff in either my first or second year there.”

Mauch managed an expansion team at Montreal. No one has said his current staff is that suspect, but there are definite opportunities for the best of the Angels’ farm system.

“It’s not difficult to recognize real good stuff,” Mauch said, alluding to the early efforts of starter candidates Kirk McCaskill, 24; Rafael Lugo, 22, and Bob Kipper, 20. Mauch also mentioned bullpen candidate Pat Clements, 23.

If Ken Forsch completes his comeback from last season’s dislocated shoulder, the essential need is for a fifth starting pitcher to join Mike Witt and Ron Romanick, who are both 24, and Forsch and Geoff Zahn, both 38.

Tommy John, 40, will get an opportunity, but he has to impress the same way that the young pitchers do.

“T.J. knows what’s happening,” Mauch said. “When you win only 18 of your last 44 decisions, the picture should be clear.”

Witt’s maturing last year, Romanick’s jump from Double-A, and the success of Kansas City in winning the title in the American League West with three rookies in the starting rotation has enhanced the candidacy of the Angels’ unproven farm products.

“I think you’ll see a lot of clubs doing what Kansas City did,” Mauch said. He cited the economic factor--rookies are less expensive than veterans--and a change in the game’s environment.

“There’s not the bench jockeying there once was,” he said. “There’s more of a fraternal atmosphere. It’s so much easier for kids now. They just have to throw strikes.

“I don’t mean to imply that I anticipate anyone pitching past Zahn and Forsch, but if it happens, it happens.”

Angel Notes Gene Mauch on Ken Forsch, who dislocated his shoulder in his second start last year and did not pitch again: “I can’t believe Forsch. He went from absolutely nothing in October to a guy you would never know was hurt.” Said Forsch, who is following the same regimen as the other pitchers: “Right now I’m at a point where I am every spring. I might even be a little ahead.” . . . Mauch said he has also been impressed by Craig Swan, who pitched only twice after having been picked up from the Mets last year, then twice had surgery for a vascular problem in the area of his right biceps, a condition that affected his strength and stamina. “Swan is throwing super,” Mauch said. “There doesn’t seem to be a twinge of pain. Either that or he’s the world’s greatest actor.”

If Tommy John and Frank LaCorte win their battles for survival with the Angels, credit may go to former Dodger Mike Marshall, who worked with John during the winter, and former Dodger and Angel Andy Messersmith, who worked with LaCorte. “Frank looks like he’s been spending a lot of time on his delivery,” Mauch said. “It’s a lot smoother. I wish he’d also learned the Messersmith change-up. It’s probably the most powerful change-up I’ve ever seen.” . . . The Angels finally reached relief pitcher Luis Sanchez in a remote area of Venezuela and expect him to report today. Of reports Sanchez had injured his neck, General Manager Mike Port said: “He has some stiffness but it’s apparently not serious.”

Nine Angels remain unsigned, including Dick Schofield, Ron Romanick, Mike Brown and Gary Pettis. “We have ample time,” Port said, alluding to the March 10 deadline for renewing contracts. “The players aren’t really the problem as much as their, charitably speaking, representatives.” . . . Reggie Jackson reported with a beard that he said would be gone by Friday, when the full squad will hold its first workout. Mauch does not allow his players to wear beards.