Tyler Skaggs stepped right out of Southern California mythology: confident, bordering on cocky even, cool, self-assured, with rugged good looks and a bright future. Coming out of Santa Monica High, those who knew Skaggs say he knew exactly where he was going, and that he knew he would make it as a Major Leaguer.
It was only a bonus for the young lefty to be drafted by the local Angels, who would deal him to Arizona in 2010, only to reacquire him after the 2013 season.
On the mound his presence was unmistakable. Tenacious, aggressive, that confidence allowing him to attack the zone, soar ahead in counts, and economically decimate the competition.