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Angels’ Nolan Schanuel feeling confident going into new season

March 24, 2026

LOS ANGELES — Spring training might be a small sample, but it ended up being plenty of time for Angels first baseman Nolan Schanuel to make a crucial adjustment that has led to some success.

Schanuel realized quickly into spring training that what he had intended on working on was not working. Through his first seven games, Schanuel went 2 for 15 with just two walks and one extra-base hit.

After meeting with hitting coach Brady Anderson and assistant hitting coach John Mabry, Schanuel identified something in his mechanics and approach that needed to be fixed.

“Early on, I was working on something and it wasn’t going my way,” Schanuel said. “So I made an adjustment midway through the spring and it clicked. I think talking to Brady and Mabes (Mabry), my hand placement was a big thing, my load, my two-strike approach. I have too good of hand-eye coordination to let that take away from me being a hitter.”

The numbers indicate that whatever adjustment Schanuel made with the coaching staff worked. Schanuel hit safely in five of his next six games after the adjustment and his batting average jumped from .133 to .242. He is also drawing more walks and has reached base safely in his last nine games.

“I don’t really like to look at the spring numbers too much, but just looking at the development, I definitely took that jump midway through the spring,” Schanuel said. “I think this is going to be a good year for me getting on base and helping out the guys behind me.”

Schanuel has developed a good relationship with veteran first baseman Trey Mancini, who has been with the team this spring. Mancini has nine years of major league experience, was third in American League Rookie of the Year voting in 2016 and won a World Series with the Houston Astros in 2022.

Mancini has taken a bit of a mentorship role with Schanuel, similar to how former Angel Mark Trumbo mentored Mancini during his rookie season with the Baltimore Orioles.

“My first big league spring training was 2016. I ended up debuting that year and I had a lot of confidence once I got up, and I think it’s because guys like Trumbo took me under their wing,” Mancini said. “Having some of those relationships and mentors you can look up to helps a lot.”

Mancini has been impressed with Schanuel’s baseball acumen and approach to the game.

“He’s really impressive,” Mancini said. “He obviously debuted at a very young age, but he is wise beyond his years. He seems older, the way he carries himself and understands the game. He’s already a really good player and I think he’s going to improve even more.”

“Being able to talk to him everyday and just learn, I mean he’s been through a lot and seeing his process and what he does pregame has been awesome to be a part of,” Schanuel said. “I grew up watching him play and being able to be teammates with him has helped me out a lot. Not only as a teammate but with a friendship.”

SECOND BASE UPDATE

The Angels’ lineup has been nearly the same for the first two games of the Freeway Series exhibitions except for the second base spot.

Oswald Peraza started at second base on Sunday and Adam Frazier was in the lineup on Monday. Peraza, 25, was acquired from the New York Yankees at the trade deadline last season and has been outstanding this spring with a .314 batting average and .901 OPS.

Frazier is entering his 13th major league season and was a non-roster invitee heading into spring training. He has also fared very well this spring with a .447 on-base percentage.

“I just tried to show what I can do and help the guys around me,” Frazier said. “I’m happy to be here and I’m glad I made the team.”

Angels manager Kurt Suzuki said both Frazier and Peraza will get playing time at second base early in the season, but it won’t be a traditional platoon with Frazier playing against right-handed pitching and Peraza against lefties.

“At the end of the day, we’re going to put the best team that we feel like gives them the best chance to win,” Suzuki said. “They both had great spring trainings and right know we feel real confident with either one of them out there. We’ll take everything into account and make that decision.”

Frazier is primarily a second baseman but has also played 284 games as a corner outfielder during his major-league career, including 39 last season with the Kansas City Royals and Pittsburgh Pirates.

“I’ll probably play a little bit of everywhere if I had to guess,” Frazier said. “Whatever the game calls for. As the season goes on, those things kind of take care of themselves.”

INJURY UPDATE

Suzuki declined to say whether starting pitcher Alek Manoah will open the season in the minor leagues or on the injured list with a fingernail issue.

“He’s dealing with mechanical stuff he’s been working through and I think over the next couple days we’ll talk about where the plan going forward is with Manoah,” Suzuki said.

Right-handed reliever Ben Joyce is ramping up his throwing program and worked in the bullpen on Friday. Suzuki did not have a timeline for his return, but he likes what he has seen from Joyce, who has been working his way back from shoulder surgery last May.

“I saw Ben throw the other day and I was like, ‘oh my gosh, you look ready,’” Suzuki said. “I know he’s under a nice program they got for him. He’s worked as hard as anybody I’ve ever been around. If he comes back sooner than we think, I wouldn’t be surprised.”

UP NEXT

Angels (TBD) at Dodgers (RHP Shohei Ohtani, 1-0, 0.00 ERA), Tuesday, 5:10 p.m., FDSN West, SportsNet LA, 830 AM, 570 AM

Orange County Register

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Angels’ Nolan Schanuel feeling confident going into new season

SECOND BASE UPDATE

INJURY UPDATE

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