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Philly Product Ryan Etsell One To Watch In Angels Organization

By Matt Leon

PHILADELPHIA (CBS) -- It has been steady progress up the organizational ladder for Philadelphia native Ryan Etsell since he was selected by the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim in the 16th round of the 2013 draft.

This year the product of the now-shuttered North Catholic High School is pitching very well for the Inland Empire 66ers out in San Bernardino, California. The 66ers are the High-A club of the Angels.

A 23-year-old right-hander, Etsell started the season in the bullpen, but recently he moved into the starting rotation.

"Whatever they need me for, I'll definitely go out there and do that," Etsell tells KYW Newsradio. "I was always a starter, so that's definitely my preference is to be a starter. Coming out of spring training it was just a numbers thing to just get the best 13 pitchers on the staff so they asked me to go to the bullpen. I started to like it a lot actually after awhile. It just shows that you're versatile and you can do both."

Listen to the entire interview with Ryan Etsell

 

Etsell has been very effective regardless of his role this season. In 18 appearances (6 starts), Etsell is 4-3 with a 2.81 ERA. He's thrown 57 2/3 innings and allowed just 46 hits and 11 walks, while striking out 59 batters.

"Just keeping the ball down low," Etsell says of his focus these days. "Location's been a key part of my game for awhile. So keeping the ball down, especially in the California League out here, which is known as a hitters league. Keeping the ball down, mixing it up, keeping the batters off-balance. Just putting together a good routine every day when you come to the ballpark."

Etsell says he's gotten a lot of help the last couple years from his pitching coaches .

"Last year (while pitching for Burlington), Ethan Katz, he specialized in the slider, so I fine tuned that," Etsell says. "This year I've got an ex-Major Leaguer in Matt Wise and his big pitch when he played was a change-up so we work on that a lot. I think minor league baseball is just developing and preparing yourself for the Major Leagues. So mentally and physically he's helped me a lot to prepare for that and it's always great to have that third pitch. It's worked out well."

Etsell and the 66ers will spend the weekend visiting the Rancho Cucamonga Quakes.

You can follow  Matt on Twitter @mattleonkyw.

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