Despite having the stupidest name in baseball, they’re the Anaheim Angels whether you want to admit it or not, the Angels may have
the best team in the American League. They made a huge splash this winter inking Albert Pujols to a 10-year contract and also signing pitcher CJ Wilson. Mike Scioscia’s Angels are looking to compete with the defending AL Champion Texas Rangers for the AL West crown.
Projected Lineup:
- Erik Aybar (ss)
- Howie Kendrick (2b)
- Albert Pujols (1b)
- Kendrys Morales (DH)
- Torii Hunter (Rf)
- Mark Trumbo (3b)
- Vernon Wells (Lf)
- Chris Iannetta (C)
- Peter Bourjous (Cf)
Projected Rotation:
- Jared Weaver
- CJ Wilson
- Dan Haren
- Ervin Santana
- Jerome Williams
Strengths:
Outfield: The Angels may have the best outfield depth in the majors. Bourjous is one of the top defensive centerfielders in baseball and with Torii Hunter, one of the best defensive outfielders ever, in right, this outfield is a pitcher’s best friend. Offensively, Vernon Wells was awful last season but still has the potential to be a solid force in this lineup. On the bench, the Angels have Bobby Abreu, who would start for almost any other team in baseball, and Mike Trout, the number one prospect in the game.
Lineup: Any lineup with Albert Pujols in it is automatically pretty good but add in Kendrick, Aybar, Trumbo’s power, Hunter’s experience and talent, Iannetta’s potential and you have a pretty potent force. Not to mention the boost they get if Kendrys Morales can return to form after missing all of last season with a broken leg. This team can swing it pound for pound with anyone in baseball.
Starting Rotation: With the addition of CJ Wilson this team has one of the best potential playoff rotations in baseball. Jared Weaver finished second in the AL Cy Young voting last season and posted a 2.41 ERA. Dan Haren is a big game pitcher with a great resume and Ervin Santana is one of the best 4 starters in the game.
Weaknesses:
Age: For all their depth, the Angels are not young. Mike Trout is an uber prospect and he’ll be 20 this season but other than him, everybody of any significance in in their late 20′s or 30′s. Can this team stay healthy and produce over the course of 162 games?
OBP: The highest on base percentage of any of the Angels starters in 2011 was .370 posted by catcher and 8 hitter Chris Iannetta. Outside of him and Albert Pujols, the rest of the lineup had an OBP closer to .320, lowlighted by Vernon Well’s number of .248. In order for this lineup to produce the number of runs it is capable of, somebody needs to get on base.
Stroylines:
How will Albert Pujols adapt to a new league, a new team, and new opponents?
Will closer Jordan Walden be able to replicate his very good 2011 season?
What will the Angels get from Kendrys Morales? Morales has been out since a freak leg injury about a year and a half ago. At the time of the injury, the first basemen was rapidly becoming an offensive force in the AL West and it’s important that he regain at least most of that form. Mark Trumbo and Torii Hunter are very good but any pitcher would rather face them than Albert Pujols so Morales is vital to provide Prince Albert with some lineup protection. Kendrys doesn’t have to play first any more but he definitely has to hit and be in the lineup almost every day. It’ll be really interesting to see if he’s able to do that.
Prediction:
95-67, First Place, AL West. The race for the AL West will be neck and neck all summer between the Angels and Texas Rangers. We’re picking the Angels based on the strength of their stating pitching. It’ll be close though.
Bold Predictions:
- Albert Pujols will hit .311 with 40 homers, proving that it doesn’t matter who’s pitching, he’ll always hit.
- CJ Wilson will fall off from his great 2011 campaign, posting a 3.91 ERA
- Jared Weaver will finish 4th in the Cy Young voting
- Torii Hunter will have a resurgence of sorts, batting .298 with 25 bombs
- Bobby Abreu will not be an Angel by July 1st
- Mike Trout will start over Vernon Wells in June when Vernon is hitting only .212 and the Angels can’t deny Trout’s superiority any longer.
-Max Frankel
