Angels reach agreement in principle with LHP C.J. Wilson

DALLAS, TX – The Angels Thursday announced that the club has reached a tentative understanding pending a physical with left-handed pitcher C.J. Wilson. Today’s announcement was made by General Manager Jerry Dipoto.

Wilson, 31, helped guide Texas to a second consecutive World Series berth in 2011. The lefty made a career-high 34 starts (T1st in MLB) registering a 16-7 record with three complete games, one shutout and a 2.94 ERA (223.1 IP – 73 ER) while walking 74 batters and striking out 206. He finished among A.L. leaders in wins (T4th), strikeouts (6th), ERA (7th) and opponents’ batting average (10th, .232). Wilson’s 2.31 road ERA (121 IP – 31 ER) was the lowest mark in the A.L.

In his second season as a starter, the 6’1” 210-pounder led the Rangers’ staff with career-bests in wins, ERA, starts, innings and strikeouts. The 206 strikeouts were the most by a Ranger since 1990 (most ever by a Rangers’ lefty) and the 2.94 ERA was the lowest by a Texas qualifier since 1991. In 2011, Wilson earned his first career All-Star selection and tallied six games with 10 or more strikeouts en route to his first 200+ strikeout season.

The left-hander made his MLB debut in 2005, pitching in relief until the 2010 season when he was named to the starting rotation. In two seasons as a starter, Wilson has compiled a 31-15 record with six complete games, one shutout and a 3.14 ERA (427.1 IP – 149 ER) in 67 starts. His 31 wins are tied for seventh most in the Majors over the last two seasons. For his career, Wilson is 43-35, with six complete games, one shutout, 52 saves and a 3.60 ERA in 325 games (73 starts).

In 252 career games as a reliever (2005-09), Wilson is 12-15 with 52 saves (63 chances) and a 3.65 ERA (259 IP – 105 ER). He served as Texas’ closer for part of 2007 and all of 2008 before moving into the rotation before the 2010 campaign. In 2009, he pitched in 74 games with a 2.81 ERA and 14 saves.

The Newport Beach, CA native graduated from Fountain Valley High School in 1998 and played two seasons at Santa Ana JC before transferring to Loyola Marymount University. After one year at Loyola
Marymount, he was selected by Texas in the fifth round of the 2001 draft.