AL West Notes: Escobar hitting leadoff, A's pitcher hitting cleanup

The Angels have found their solution at the leadoff spot, and it's Yunel Escobar. While at first the trade for Escobar was a bit suspect, the returns now have proved that new general manager Billy Eppler knew exactly what he was doing.

2015 was a bad year for the Angels in the leadoff spot, and while it's still an early sample size, the Angels have gotten a solid leadoff hitter and an okay defense third baseman.

More from around the American League West:

• For the first time since Babe Ruth did it in 1920, a pitcher hit cleanup in a game, but it didn't happen the way you would think. A's pitcher Kendall Graveman is the answer to a major baseball trivia question going forward, after he was inserted into the lineup after the A's had to move their lineup around when Danny Valencia went down with a hamstring injury, which forced DH Jed Lowrie into the field and Graveman into the lineup.
• Rangers pitcher Derek Holland thought that the Astros were stealing signs. Holland and Astros manager A.J. Hinch were able to make peace over the issue, however.
• The new look, revamped bullpen is providing some nice early returns for the Mariners. Through 13 games, the crew has sported a 2.76 ERA. Last year, they finished with a mark of 4.15.