The last time the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim made it into the postseason was 2009, where they lost to the Yankees in the American League Championship Series. Ever since then, the Angels just have not been a good baseball team. They have not made the playoffs, and they have not had good records. Just last season, the Angels finished 18 games behind in the AL West division race, and had just a .481 winning percentage. With players like Mike Trout, Albert Pujols, and Josh Hamilton, it would seem that the Angels could easily be a postseason team year after year. Somehow, that has not been the case since 2009.
However, that could very well change starting this season.
For Los Angeles to turn things around, they are going to have to build on certain things that they are doing well, such as their run totals, their slugging percentage, and the performance of Albert Pujols. They also need to turn certain things around, like Mike Trout’s slump, and Josh Hamilton’s poor health.
Starting with improving on what is already working, LA is one of the top five teams in the league in runs (237) and slugging percentage (.423), so they have some good positive things going on at the plate that they can really build on. Also, the star first baseman Albert Pujols has really been playing well this year, with a .267 batting average and 14 home runs, including his 500th career homer. LA can really start being dominant this season if they build on their current stats, and keep their franchise first baseman hitting with power.
The Angels are currently a decent ball club with the success they are having offensively so far, but there are a few things missing that could really propel them to the top of MLB. The most important factor that they need going forward is the production of Mike Trout that everyone is used to. We all know Mike Trout to be possibly the best outfielder in MLB today, and if it wasn’t for Miguel Cabrera’s hitting ability, Trout might be known as the best player in the league, period. Trout’s first year with the Angels was not extremely special. He played just 40 games, but he did rack up six doubles and five home runs in those first 40 games. The next two seasons (2012, 2013) were nothing short of spectacular. In those two seasons, Mike had a .325 average, 57 home runs, and a .432 on-base percentage. This season for Trout has really been a different story. His average is down to .279, which for Mike Trout is below expectations, and in just 48 games this season Trout already has almost half the number of strikeouts that he had in 2013. Trout is in a bit of a slump right now, but if he can get back to being the MVP contender that he was the last two seasons, The Angels’ offense will improve immensely. Trout improving would definitely help improve what they are already doing well.
Another issue for the Angels is the health of MVP left fielder Josh Hamilton. Hamilton is one of the best hitters in baseball, but he can not help LA’s offense improve if he is on the disabled list. Hamilton has played just eight games this season, so his production has been minimal due to poor health. When Josh Hamilton was at his best in Texas, he was absolutely unstoppable. Josh was a power hitting phenomenon, and hit bombs all over the place en route to racking up a ton of home runs, and three triple-digit RBI seasons. Josh Hamilton still possesses that kind of talent, but he needs to get healthy. If Los Angeles can get Hamilton healthy, they will have another major performer in their offense that would bring them great success.
The Los Angeles Angels have all the potential in the world to be a championship baseball team. They have a star-studded lineup full of great hitters and power threats. If all of them can be healthy and play well on a consistent basis, LA will be able to build on what they are already doing well now, and will be able to become the team to beat in the American League.
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