Howie Kendrick had a successful nine years with the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim. He batted .292 and was always an above-average defender. Many Angels fans were disappointed the team traded him to their crosstown rivals, the Los Angeles Dodgers, this past offseason. However, that trade brought Andrew Heaney, a young, talented, left-handed pitcher from Oklahoma State University, to town.

When the struggling, long-term ace Jered Weaver went on the DL because of a hip injury, it led to what could be taken as a “passing of the torch.” Heaney was called up from the Angels’ Triple-A team and was slated to start his first Major League game with the Angels. Since that time, he has given the Angels’ rotation the necessary boost they needed and was a big part in helping take over the AL West lead.

In Andrew’s four starts this season, he pitched against three of the top eight highest scoring teams in MLB — the New York Yankees (No. 2 with 4.65 runs per game), the Colorado Rockies (No. 5 with 4.42 runs per game) AT Coors Field and the Houston Astros (No. 8 with 4.34 runs per game).

Regardless of the very tough competition, Heaney managed to hold the Astros to one run in six innings, the Yankees to one run in 7 innings and the Rockies to two runs in 7.1 innings. He also blanked the Seattle Mariners in seven innings in his last start. He carries a 3-0 record with a stellar 1.32 ERA and 0.84 WHIP.

Heaney’s command is something to admire. He walks just 3.9 percent of batters and would be fifth among all qualified pitchers in BB/9. His .194 batting average against would tie him with Johnny Cueto for fourth in MLB. Perhaps the most eye-opening statistic we can look at, however, is his ability to get out of jams.

Patience and the ability to not panic are two of the most important traits for pitchers; traits that are very seldom taught. Heaney contains both of these skills. He has a LOB% (Left on Base Percentage) of 94.1 percent. The highest percentage among qualified starting pitchers is nowhere close, at 89.5 percent, and that number is held by Cy Young candidate Zack Greinke of the Dodgers. Needless to say, Heaney has some real potential.

Andrew Heaney’s stuff is nasty. A 92 mph fastball along with a 79 mph slider and an 83 mph changeup is deadly. Add in stellar command and movement, and you’ve got yourself an ace. Look for Heaney in years to come, because he’ll surely be a player to watch.