Angels name Leveque interim pitching coach, Wuertz interim bullpen coach

ANAHEIM -- When interim general manager John Mozeliak explained why the Angels dismissed coaches Mike Maddux, Darryl Scott and Dom Chiti on Tuesday, he said they didn’t use the technology available to them enough and that the new staff will rely more on tech.

On Wednesday, the Angels promoted Double-A Rocket City pitching coach Tim Leveque to be the club’s interim pitching coach, while Minor League assistant pitching coordinator Michael Wuertz was moved up to become interim bullpen coach. Leveque spent 20 years in the Cardinals' organization before this season, and said he believes embracing data is a key part of the job.

“My philosophy's been to just try to use as much information as I can, because ultimately, at the end of the day, it's about making the right decision,” Leveque said. “What my instinct tells me, what information the organization has, how I know the guys, and just trying to use everything that we have to try to make the best decisions possible.”

Leveque and Mozeliak have ties going back to their time with the Cardinals, as Mozeliak first joined their front office ahead of the 1996 season and Leveque was hired by St. Louis in 2006. But Mozeliak said others in the Angels' organization vouched for Leveque to get the role.

“First off, the internal group recommended him,” Mozeliak said. “But there was my dotted-line connection to him as well. But I think he's a really smart guy. I think he understands where the game's at and he'll be a good resource for [manager Kurt] Suzuki moving forward.”

Leveque is already plenty familiar with a few of the club’s pitchers, such as right-hander Ryan Johnson and relievers Blake Weiman and Luke Murphy, as they all pitched for Double-A Rocket City this year.

Wuertz has also been in the organization in a variety of roles for 11 years, including as Double-A pitching coach for five seasons before Leveque took over that position this year, so he’s worked with pitchers like Reid Detmers, Ben Joyce, Samy Natera Jr., Walbert Ureña and Wednesday’s starter George Klassen.

Suzuki said Leveque already helped him make a key decision with the bullpen in Tuesday’s 3-2 win over the Rangers, going with Murphy over José Fermin in the sixth inning with a few lefties coming up.

“The positive thing is they know most players that are here because they had them,” Suzuki said. “It helped with Murph, talking with Tim and debating whether to go Fermin or Murphy. And he gave me a good insight on Murphy being more of a reverse guy, so we stuck with Murphy and it worked out.”

Johnson started on Tuesday, allowing one run over four innings, and the rookie said Leveque has aided him in keeping a positive mindset.

“He just said, ‘Be you, do what got you here.’" Johnson said. “Working with Tim in Double-A, during my time there, he got to know me. He said, ‘I know exactly what your strengths are, go out there, do that, you're going to be fine.’"

Leveque said that identifying individual strengths of pitchers and leveraging those in games is one of his primary goals as a pitching coach. He said he’s still in the relationship-building phase with such a quick turnaround, but is working to get a good grasp on each pitcher on the roster.

“My overall philosophy is really just knowing what pitchers' strengths are and being able to individualize what you can,” Leveque said. “And to try to get guys to understand who they are, and to be able to go out into the game and execute their strengths. I think it’s a goal for every pitcher at every level, from the lower Minor Leagues to the big leagues.”

Veteran lefty Yusei Kikuchi threw a bullpen session on Wednesday and came away impressed after he met both Leveque and Wuertz. Kikuchi is slated to make a fourth and final rehab appearance on Saturday with Single-A Rancho Cucamonga before returning from the injured list after being out since late April with shoulder inflammation. But Kikuchi, who remains under contract next year for just over $21 million, liked how the coaches are open to technology.

“I feel they're very data-oriented, and we had a very good discussion about my strengths and planning,” Kikuchi said through interpreter Koki Goto. “And I feel like I can relate to them, pitching this season and in the future.”