Newly acquired Los Angeles Angels pitcher, Lucas Giolito, unfortunately, had a less-than-ideal second game, experiencing a heavy defeat at the hands of the Atlanta Braves.
The Disastrous Game
During Wednesday’s match against the Braves, Giolito suffered a blow, conceding nine earned runs. This unenviable career-high comes only in the second game following his transition to the Angels as part of a four-player trade from the Chicago White Sox.
The last time Giolito gave up nine earned runs was in an April 2018 game against the Houston Astros. The 29-year-old right-hander finished the day on a low note, giving up nine runs on eight hits and three walks, including three home runs. Ronald Acuña Jr., Austin Riley, and Matt Olson were the successful Braves players. Jaime Barria replaced Giolito in the fourth inning.
Giolito’s Angels Debut
Giolito made his first appearance for the Angels in a game against the Toronto Blue Jays last Friday. He gave up three runs on six hits and a walk over 5 ⅓ innings, resulting in a 4-1 defeat for the Angels.
Trade Details
The Angels managed to secure Giolito and Reynaldo López from the White Sox in return for minor-league catcher Edgar Quero and left-hander Ky Bush. López has made a decent start with the Angels, pitching three scoreless innings in two appearances.
| Player Name | Traded From | Traded To |
| Lucas Giolito | White Sox | Angels |
| Reynaldo López | White Sox | Angels |
| Edgar Quero | Angels | White Sox |
| Ky Bush | Angels | White Sox |
Aggressive Moves by Angels’ GM
The Angels have made a number of strategic moves recently under general manager Perry Minasian to improve their playoff chances. In addition to Giolito and López, the Angels have acquired first baseman C.J. Cron, outfielder Randal Grichuk, and reliever Dominic Leone.
List of recent acquisitions by the Angels:
- Lucas Giolito
- Reynaldo López
- C.J. Cron
- Randal Grichuk
- Dominic Leone
These additions have been made whilst holding onto two-way star Shohei Ohtani, despite his impending free agency in winter.
Current Position
As of Wednesday, the Angels are three games short of the final American League wild-card spot.
Looking ahead, the Angels and Giolito will undoubtedly be hoping for a significant improvement in his future performances. While this recent game was a setback, it doesn’t define Giolito’s potential or the Angels’ season. Only time will tell how these recent trades will impact the team and their playoff aspirations.
Lucas Giolito: A Career in Motion
Born on July 14, 1994, in Santa Monica, California, Lucas Giolito grew up in an artistically inclined family but found his passion in baseball. A stand-out player at Harvard-Westlake School in Los Angeles, Giolito’s career began its upward trajectory from an early age.
Breaking Ground with the Washington Nationals (2012-2016)
Giolito’s career took a definitive turn when he was selected as the 16th overall in the 2012 MLB Draft by the Washington Nationals, despite the need for impending Tommy John surgery. He managed to prove his worth as soon as 2013, playing with the Gulf Coast Nationals and posting a promising 2.78 earned run average (ERA).
The following year, he moved to the Hagerstown Suns and performed exceptionally well. With a 10-2 record, a 2.20 ERA, and 110 strikeouts against 28 walks, Giolito bagged the title of the 2014 South Atlantic League Most Valuable Pitcher and Top Minor League Prospect.
His first major league game came in 2016, where he faced the New York Mets. Giolito showcased his potential by pitching four shutout innings, allowing only one hit and two walks.
The Journey with Chicago White Sox (2016-2021)
The course of Giolito’s career took a turn when he was traded to the Chicago White Sox in December 2016. The subsequent years were filled with ups and downs. His first MLB victory came in August 2017 when the White Sox overcame the Detroit Tigers with Giolito on the mound. He delivered a strong performance with seven scoreless innings, conceding only three hits and striking out four.
However, the 2018 season proved to be a challenging period. He had the highest rate of bases on balls per 9 innings pitched in the majors (4.67), and the highest WHIP among major league pitchers (1.48). Despite these hurdles, Giolito turned the tables in the 2019 season. With an impressive nine-game winning streak and a 10–1 record at the start of the year, he demonstrated his mettle. His performance earned him the AL pitcher of the month award in May 2019, and later, he was named for the 2019 MLB All-Star Game.
A career highlight came in August 2020 when Giolito pitched a no-hitter game against the Pittsburgh Pirates. This achievement marked the 19th no-hitter in White Sox history and was a testament to his skills and perseverance.
Embracing the Future
Lucas Giolito’s career so far has been a roller-coaster ride, featuring promising highs and some challenging lows. Now, as he moves forward with the Los Angeles Angels, the future holds more opportunities for him to showcase his undeniable talent and contribute to the team’s success.
