ARLINGTON -- In his role as special assistant to general manager Perry Minasian, Torii Hunter keeps a close eye on the Angels despite living in Texas.
But with the Angels in town to play the Rangers, Hunter has been meeting with the front office, coaching staff and players this week. He said before the Angels’ 7-3 loss on Tuesday night at Globe Life Field that he has been encouraged by the growth of the club’s young players this season.
The Angels are coming off a 99-loss season but hung around .500 most of the season until a recent slide that has seen them lose eight of 11.
“I think they’ve made some strides,” Hunter said. “They were whooping in late June and up to the All-Star break and playing some great ball. So you saw flashes here and there. And I think right now, I was telling a lot of guys that you need to be playing for spoilers.
“I’m not saying we’re out of it because we still got 30-plus days left. But right now, they should be trying to destroy everybody and show everybody who they really are. Finish strong as hell, because that carries over to the following season.”
Hunter spent time talking with second baseman Christian Moore and outfielders Bryce Teodosio and Jo Adell over the last two days. Hunter believes they can all be part of that young core that includes shortstop Zach Neto, catcher Logan O’Hoppe, right-hander José Soriano and injured first baseman Nolan Schanuel.
Hunter, who won nine Gold Gloves as a center fielder during his illustrious 19-year career, has been impressed by what he has seen from Teodosio defensively since he took over as the club’s regular center fielder in early August. Hunter was already plenty familiar with Teodosio, as he was teammates with Hunter’s son, Torii Jr., in the Minors in 2022 with Double-A Rocket City.
“I see him running those balls down in center field,” Hunter said. “In the Minors, I saw him grow up, and now he's getting the opportunity to come out here and play on an everyday basis. I think this guy can really fit in and be pretty good out here in center field.”
Hunter has long been close with Adell, who has been in the organization since being the No. 10 overall pick in the 2017 Draft. Adell was once one of the game’s top prospects but took some time to develop before finally breaking out this year.
Adell, 26, reached 30 homers for the first time in his career with a two-run drive in the ninth inning on Tuesday. He has looked more comfortable since moving back to right field after a stint in center this year.
“He's maturing,” Hunter said. “Every year he's getting better and better. He's still young, he’s getting there. I think he's more comfortable in the Major Leagues and getting an opportunity to showcase what he can really do.”
Hunter first met Moore last year, when the Angels brought him in for instructional league in September after he was the No. 8 overall pick in the Draft. Hunter was immediately impressed by the way Moore carried himself, and Moore spent a lot of time talking with Hunter before Monday’s game.
Moore, 22, has had some big moments but has a slash line of .190/.289/.314 through his first 36 career games after going 1-for-3 on Tuesday.
“We had a great conversation about this game, about the Major Leagues, because it's totally different,” Hunter said. “He’s open to anything. I had him last year for a week after he was drafted. And the bulldog inside him, it’s different. Now it’s about maturing and understanding the league. Give him a couple months, or a couple years, and hopefully not too many, and this guy will be a superstar.”
Hunter was also thrilled to catch up with Angels manager Ron Washington, who visited with the club after being placed on season-long medical leave on June 27 because he underwent quadruple bypass surgery.
“He went through a lot,” Hunter said. “But to see him in the clubhouse, I think guys really embraced him. It’s just great to see him.”
Hunter, 50, wouldn’t rule out becoming a big league manager himself, although he said it would have to be the right opportunity. He’s busy with his businesses, as he said he’s the owner of five restaurants, two coffee shops, a brewery, a cigar lounge and a creative space.
“If the opportunity presents itself, I definitely think that's something that I would put into consideration,” Hunter said. “A hard consideration. But right now, I’m managing and running other stuff.”