#16
Starting with the Cleveland Indians at #17, we have officially entered the next tier of teams entering the 2021 season. Teams 11-17 are teams that will be serious contenders for playoff spots, and it wouldn't surprise anyone to see them be a part of the postseason. For the Los Angeles Angels, they continue to build a stellar lineup around the greatest player of this generation. The only question is do they have enough pitching to get over the hump.
#13 - 3rd in AL West
MIH - Anthony Rendon
MIP - Shohei Ohtani
PTW - Jo Adell
2020 Results
#22 - 26-34, 4th in AL West
The Angels continue to be one of the more interesting teams every season. Mike Trout is the best baseball player on the planet, but they can't seem to get him to the playoffs. Even after bringing in Anthony Rendon, who was their most productive player in 2020, and new manager Joe Maddon, the Angels still squandered another season of Trout's prime.
Additions / Subtractions
The biggest hole for the Angels always tends to be their pitching, and although they didn't address it with star power, they did add a lot of depth. To the rotation, they added Jose Quintana and Alex Cobb. They also traded for Reds' closer Raisel Iglesias. the biggest addition to the pitching staff might be the fact that Shohei Ohtani's arm is healthy enough to pitch again. As for the offense, they replaced slick-fielding Andrelton Simmons with slick-fielding Jose Iglesias at shortstop. They also brought in Dexter Fowler to solidify right field so they can show some patience with young phenom Jo Adell.
Most Important Hitter
Jose Iglesias
The lineup never seems to be lacking for production. With that said, the Angels tend to have a lot of boppers and not a ton of table setters. Jose Iglesias has a similar reputation to departing Andrelton Simmons for defensive prowess, but Iglesias's bat made a huge jump in 2020, hitting a career high 160 OPS+. If that production continues, he is the leadoff hitter needed, along with second baseman David Fletcher, to get on base in front of Trout, Rendon, Pujols, and Upton.
Most Important Pitcher
Griffin Canning
The Angels lack the star ace at the top of their rotation. Most of their rotation are veterans looking for a bounce back. The one young arm in the group is Griffin Canning. Playing his first full season in 2020 (if you can call that a full season), he has shown some serious promise of developing into a stud starter. If he can take some huge strides forward and become the ace of this staff, he might solve all the Angels' pitching problems.
Prospect to Watch
Brandon Marsh
The Angels seem to have an average farm system, boasting only two players in MLB's Top 100 Prospects. They don't seem to have a lot of talent that is ready to help at the big league level right now, especially with Jo Adell graduating from the list last season. Their closest to the big leagues is their top prospect, outfielder Brandon Marsh. This 23 year old left-handed hitter, ranked 53rd on the overall list, seems to be an all around stud. The only problem is the Angels are loaded at outfield, with Justin Upton, Mike Trout, and Dexter Fowler manning the three spots now, Juan Legares on the roster as a defensive specialist, and Adell still the star in waiting. Marsh might be blocked from a big league spot, which means he could be a trade piece to bring in a top talent if the Angels are buyers at the Trade Deadline.
2021 Prediction
3rd in AL West
The Angels are getting closer, but I don't think they have enough quite yet to break into the top two in this division. This offense should score runs, but I still question if they have enough pitching to go from good to great. With Mike Trout turning 30 this year, and Albert Pujols probably retiring at the end of the season, their window of winning with their generational talents should start getting a little urgent.
Fearless Prediction
Justin Upton and Dexter Fowler will be traded for prospects at the Trade Deadline.
With the young outfield talent waiting behind these veterans, I could see the Angels trading these corner outfielders as a way to possibly improve the roster by letting the kids play while also bringing in more young talent ready to contribute sooner rather than later. They could be traded without the Angels really selling. They would be interesting moves for sure.
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