Summary
Not bad. Not great, but not bad. A .500 record and only 4 games back, the Angels have some talent, and are close enough to try to make a push this season.
What’s Gone Right
The Rooster. Doug Rader has been a force, leading the Angels with 12 homeruns and leading the league with 73 RBIs.
No Weak Links. Behind Rader, no fewer than seven players (eight if you count the recently recalled Ron Hassey) have OPS’ between .830 and .720. None of them are spectacular, but none of them are a weak link, either. It makes the lineup very challenging to navigate.
Front of the Rotation. Gerrit Cole has gotten the attention with his 11-3 record, but Brett Anderson has probably been more effective over the front half of the season.
What’s Gone Wrong
Moving From the Pen. Both Chuck Finley and Nolan Ryan were pretty spectacular (especially Finley) coming out of the pen. The results have been much shakier since they moved into the rotation
Backstops. Brian Downing and Jim Stephens were so bad the Angels replaced both of them. John Stearns has struggled as half their replacement (although he’s doing better than they were), and the jury is still out on Hassey.
Power. It’s a familiar story, but the Angels are 19th in the WBL in homeruns. Rader leads the way with 12, but nobody else is in double digits (Kal Daniels and George Wright have 9). The Angels have hit enough doubles to keep their SLG up decently, but still some more longballs would be a welcome sight.
Key Storylines
Can they find enough pitching, and do they have any value to offer to try to improve the team?
The commitment to the left-handed duo of Daniels and Elmer Valo seems to be working out, as the pair have hit consistently.
Mike Trout has consistently improved, but he has yet to really show the potential he has–if he does, the lineup would move from good to frightening.
Trading Outlook
BUYING?
It’s a matter of fit. Many of the current contributors are in their early 30s, making it a win now sort of moment. There is a lot of talent at AA, but it’s not clear there is enough to bring in strong enough talent.
That may result in the Angels holding pat until the later trade deadline.
AAA Shuttle
Francisco Rodríguez has played at all three levels, and looks to be a solid addition. He and Hassey have been the decent call-ups.
Midseason Changes
Pud Galvin moves to AAA for reasons of general ineffectiveness, as do Andrelton Simmons and Tim Wallach. Dave LaRoche and Anthony Young join the big league pitching staff. José Reyes is recalled to replace Simmons on the roster, and High Pockets Kelly is added to the bench to provide some power.
Awards
All Stars: Gerrit Cole (P); Doug Rader (3B).
Player of the Week: Doug Rader (6/19)
Offensive MVP: Doug Rader (3B)
Pitching MVP: Gerrit Cole (SP)
Down on the Farm
AAA: Las Vegas Aces
Next to the Show: IF José Reyes, RP Dave LaRoche
Prospects: Tom Seaver (22).
Projects: 1B Wally Joyner and High Pockets Kelly (both 29). SP Sid Fernandez and Brian Anderson (both 25). P Anthony Young (29), P Dave LaRoche (28).
Suspects: SS Kevin Elster (29), OF Kevin McReynolds (34), OF Carlos Beltrán (24), P Huck Betts (36).
AA: San Diego Padres
Prospects: 2B Tyler Pastornicky (22), OF Norm Miller (22), 3B Xander Bogaerts (22), 2B Wally Backman (22). RP Dave Bennett (18), C Mark Salas (23), P Sean O’Sullivan (28).
Projects: 2B Cookie Lavagetto (25), P/OF Mike Smith (24), OF Bill Lamar (27), Blue Moon Odom (19).
Suspects: Skip Lockwood (18), OF Billy Hamilton (23).