Don't Expect Nolan Schanuel to Hit a Lot of Home Runs, Says Angels Manager Ron Washington

Nolan Schanuel, the Angels' rookie first baseman, continues to rewrite history, boasting a 34-game reached base safely streak to start his career.

Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports

Los Angeles Angels rookie first baseman Nolan Schanuel is rewriting history with every at-bat. He is currently riding a 34-game on-base streak to start his career.

Since 1900, only two players have had a longer streak than Schanuel to start a career. It's the seventh-longest streak by any player in the Angels' 64-year history.

Through the first five games of this season, Schanuel is 3-for-15 with a home run, three runs scored, two RBIs, and five walks. He leads the team with an on-base percentage of .400.

Even though he has one home run under his belt, manager Ron Washington doesn't think he will produce power numbers that would define him as a home run hitter.

“There will be times he can pick and choose when he wants to try to go for it,” Washington said. “I just don’t want him trying to go for it every night, because then we’ll get away from his style of hitting. I want him to have his style of hitting and get some success first. Once he gathers that success, he’ll know when to pick and choose. The power is in there. I don’t want him trying to get it out of there every single night.”

Schanuel has been on a unpredicted rise since being drafted last year with the No. 11 overall pick. He made the jump to the big leagues after six weeks in the minors and has been successful enough that he probably won't see the minors again.