Carlos Estevez: The Halos’ 2023 All-Star Closer Making a Playoff Push

The Halos’ 2023 All-Star closer, Carlos Estevez, is gearing up to shoulder a significant burden as he aims to guide his team to a coveted Wild Card spot and embrace the excitement of October baseball. Estevez, a 30-year-old bullpen powerhouse, is embracing his role as a full-time closer for the first time this season, and his remarkable performance is capturing attention. In a remarkable feat, Estevez secured his inaugural All-Star selection in the course of his seven-year career, a milestone achieved in his very first year with the Halos. This accomplishment bodes well for the ballclub and its supporters.

Throughout the 2023 season, Estevez has showcased his prowess on the mound, maintaining an impressive 3.42 ERA over 47.1 innings pitched. The journey has not been without its challenges, as the Halos endured a challenging period following the trade deadline this year. However, signs of a turnaround are emerging, and the team is setting its sights on clinching a Wild Card position in the fiercely competitive American League. While starting pitching presented a concern for the Anaheim club, Estevez found himself at the center of two game-changing moments during this trying stretch. Although these two instances may appear minor, they stand as the sole occurrences where Estevez faltered in a save situation during the current season.

Demonstrating resilience and determination, the Angels’ All-Star closer has rebounded from those setbacks, recording two additional saves since then. His most recent accomplishment was an impressive one, as he shut down the Houston Astros in a commanding fashion, delivering a swift one-two-three inning while expending just 12 pitches.

As the Halos’ win-loss record stands at 59-60, the team currently trails by 6.5 games for the final Wild Card slot. However, the dynamic nature of these rankings allows for significant shifts, particularly with the imminent return of key players like Mike Trout and Logan O’Hoppe to the lineup in the upcoming weeks.

“We feel like we’re showing the position players,” closer Carlos Estevez said. “Hey, we got it. Don’t worry. We can (expletive) do it. That was the thought process today.”

(via Jeff Fletcher, The Orange County Register)

With the team’s overall health improving and pitchers honing their skills following a challenging period, the Angels are primed to secure a spot in October’s prestigious baseball festivities. Carlos Estevez’s tenacity and performance on the mound are pivotal driving forces behind the Angels’ pursuit of playoff success this year.