Los Angeles Angels Preview

Team MVP:  Kendry(s) Morales.

As Mark Saxon references here, Kendrys is key to an offense that scored 202 fewer runs last year than they did in 2009 (partially because the offense just isn’t all that wonderful).  Saxon also notes that, “This is a lineup that is one key injury away from being harmless once again,” and, unfortunately, that key injury may be Morales beginning the season on the DL, or lingering effects from his leg injury.  Morales was actually kind of a monster in his ’09 campaign, with a .306 AVG, 34 homers, and 43 doubles.  He may not finish the season with the biggest numbers on the team (though he could miss some time and still lead them in HRs), but he is certainly the most important player to their offensive success this season. 

Team Cy Young:  Jered Weaver.

He posted a 1.86 ERA in Angel Stadium last year, and really had a breakout season in every category.  59 more strikeouts, 12 less walks, he finally produced ace numbers after his stats had been climbing in that direction every single season.  He puts hitters away, to the tune of a .150 BAA if he has two strikes on a guy.  He was sixth in baseball with 9.35 Ks/9, and his 2.17 BB/9 is by far the best rate among the top 6 guys.  His zone-contact percentage (defined by Fangraphs as, “the percentage of times a batter makes contact with the ball when swinging at pitches inside the strike zone.”) was 79.7 percent, leading all of baseball, and the only pitcher under 82 percent.

Fresh face with impact?  Vernon Wells.

Not bad for 86 million over three years.  Oh, wait.  This animosity may or may not be due to Mr. Wells absolutely defecating on my fantasy team’s chances a few years back.  It truly depends on which Vernon Wells the Angels get, and make no mistake, they need the 2006 or 2010 version.  He is their best hitter heading into the season.  Oddly enough, his lefty/righty splits are absolutely awful: Vs. RHP: .290, 27 homers, .342 OBP.  Vs. LHP: .195, 4 homers, .289 OBP…

Not only did Wells completely burn me a few years in fantasy, the year he decides to absolutely rake the ball, he was happily sitting on my friend’s squad (eventual league champion friend, by the way).

Impact Prospect: Mark Trumbo.

Because Mike Trout is simply too easy, and because I don’t think he affects this team in a huge way this year, other than making Angel fans positively giddy.

Trumbo hit .301 with 36 homers and 122 RBIs in Triple-A Salt Lake a year ago, leading the league in both categories.  The impact will really come if the 24 year old can get off to a hot start in his journey to keep the offense afloat until Morales returns.

Biggest sleeper or breakout candidate:  Jordan Walden.

Because at some point someone is going to have to drag Fernando Rodney’s 1.50+ WHIP and 4.30+ ERA off the mound in the 9th, and Walden is my pick to potentially do that.  His fastball average 98.8 MPH in 16 appearances in the bigs last season, which led to an impressive 13.50 Ks/9.  Mike Scioscia likes him, which is very decisive. 

Biggest concern:  The offense.

Finding runs will be the key, and guys like Bobby Abreu, Torii Hunter, and Peter Bourjos will need to hit to keep pace with others in the division.  It is do-able, but not a sure thing.

Projected Lineup: With hopes for a quick Kendrys healing. While Kendrys is out, Move Hunter/Trumbo to 4-5, potentially.

Maicer Izturis – 3B (S)

Bobby Abreu – DH (L)

Vernon Wells – LF (R)

Kendrys Morales – 1B (S)

Torii Hunter – RF (R)

Howard Kendrick – 2B (R)

Erick Aybar – SS (S)

Jeff Mathis (R)/Hank Conger (S) – C

Peter Bourjos – CF (R)