Skaggs brings lessons from last spring to Arizona

TEMPE, Ariz. -- Tyler Skaggs learned a valuable lesson last spring. The 22-year-old left-hander entered camp in competition with Randall Delgado and Patrick Corbin for the fifth spot in the D-backs' rotation, but he put too much pressure on himself, which caused him to overthrow, led to his mechanics getting out of whack and resulted in an 11.00 ERA and an option to the Minor Leagues after nine innings.

"I think I got a little overzealous coming into camp, tried to blow it out too early," said Skaggs, who posted a 5.12 ERA in 38 2/3 Major League innings and a 4.60 ERA in 109 2/3 Minor League innings. "This year, I just want to kind of get my work in and take it slow."

Skaggs not only has another chance to crack a Major League rotation; he's the favorite.

Re-acquired alongside Hector Santiago in the three-team deal that sent Mark Trumbo to the D-backs, the Angels would like nothing more than for Skaggs to show he's ready to pitch in the Major Leagues and fill out their starting staff coming out of Spring Training.

So Skaggs will spend the spring searching for the delicate balance most pitchers in his position struggle with: pacing himself for the regular season while trying to impress and win a job.

"That's what this Spring Training is all about," Skaggs said. "We'll see. Gotta figure it out."