ARLINGTON, Texas » Waipahu’s Jerome Williams is now the fifth starter for the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim, but the story of how he got here is an interesting one. Before he won a start with Anaheim last summer, he hadn’t pitched in the big leagues in four seasons and hadn’t won in five years. All told, he went 4-0 with a 3.68 ERA in 10 games (six starts) in 2011.

"Last year was a year that I’ll always remember. Going through what I had been through and coming back and performing well last year, it was a blessing," Williams said.

During his four years between big league starts, the 30-year-old pitcher had played in the minors for four different organizations, had a stint in independent ball and even played in Taiwan. The Angels signed him to a minor league deal last June and after about two months in Triple-A, he earned a big league call-up in August and the rest is history.

Through his first five starts in 2012, he is 3-1 with a 4.19 ERA, 26 strikeouts and 11 walks. But even with his current level of success, he never forgets how far he’s come. "Every day I always think about it," Williams said. "I always say I never thought I’d be in the position I’m in right now. Just working hard, I know I should have done that when I was coming up. But when I was coming up, I was young and I didn’t want to listen to anybody. Now I have a different mind-set to go out there, perform well and do my job."

No matter how he got here, Angels manager Mike Scioscia is glad to have him in his starting rotation.

"I think he’s probably one of the best-kept secrets in our league. He pitched terrific baseball for us when he started last year," Scioscia said. "Had a rough start the first start (of this year) in New York and after that has gone out there and pitched the way he can. He’s had the ball down. He’s mixed speeds well and has really pitched strong baseball for us."

It’s clear that respect between player and manager is mutual.

"He (Scioscia) is a fiery guy and you’ve got to love his enthusiasm about the team. He’s positive about the team and that’s what you want in a manager," Williams said. "You want someone’s who is right there with us and that’s what he is."

Scioscia also sees a pitcher who has the repertoire to have some great years in his second shot at sticking in the big leagues.

"I think the second time around it’ll end up being a lot more productive than his first time with different stuff," he said. "He’s not throwing mid-90s like he did when he was young. His stuff’s a little bit different, but it’s refined and I think he has more things he can do now on the mound. So hopefully he’s going to keep going."

Some pitchers might lament being on the tail end of a starting rotation, it’s exactly where this veteran right-hander wants to be.

"We have a great rotation," Williams said. "One through five, we’re going to go out there and give you at least six or seven innings. We’re capable of throwing complete games. Just to be part of a rotation that’s pretty good, I’m happy with that. I could be somewhere else, but I’d rather be here, with a good ballclub, good rotation, good team, a good group of guys. I can’t say anything more."

He also takes a great deal of pride in being one of five from Hawaii — four of whom play in the American League West — currently in the big leagues.

"I take a lot of pride in that," he said. "I take pride in that and always carry the state of Hawaii on my back and just try to do well."

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Steve Hunt is a Frisco (Texas)-based freelance writer.