The key for the Los Angeles Angels to make a run is getting healthy. They currently have the most players in MLB on the IL with 16. A lot of these injuries make moves difficult. The Angels maneuvered the injuries reasonably well, with the only actual injury replacement they acquired being Randal Grichuk. Getting healthy over the next few weeks is the key to getting into the playoffs. The first player to return from injury will be Brandon Drury, who is set to come back this weekend for the Angels.
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Angels Getting Healthy Is The Key
Infield Troubles
With the regular infielders getting hit with injuries at almost the same time, the Angels had to shift to an old infield that didn’t do much offensively. Luis Rengifo has become a bit of a fan favorite. However, the numbers tell a different story about the 26-year-old middle infielder. He is coming off a career year with a line of .264/.294/.429 and a wRC+ of 103. This year, he has a line of .229/.318/.391 and a wRC+ of 96. Rengifo has seen a .024 increase in his OBP. The strikeout/walk ratio has risen from 3.3% to 10.7%. The offense wasn’t the issue, it has been his defense, as he sports a -2 DRS. The lack of defense has already cost the team, so moving Rengifo back to a reserve role will significantly help the infield defense. The Angels getting healthy will shift him back to his normal role.
Another intriguing player, Andrew Velazquez, is on the other side of the second base bag. Never known for his bat, he has been touted as a defensive player. In his first season of getting consistent playing time, the numbers would agree with the defensive player mantra. He had a wRC+ of 50 and a DRS of 11 in 2022. In 2023, his DRS is -1, with a line of .203/.299/.288 and a wRC+ of 66. Lately, he has been a late-inning replacement. He will pinch run and then slot into second or shortstop to end the game. This, according to the number, isn’t a smart idea. He does have a bit of leverage since last year; mainly at shortstop, where he did well. However, the need for better play might change things for Velazquez in the coming days.
Mike Trout’s Return
Losing a star player is always a difficult hurdle to overcome. For the Angels, losing Mike Trout was especially difficult. Mickey Moniak has improved, but he only has five hits against left-handed pitching. A platoon isn’t the worst strategy, but the Angels need another outfielder to pair with him. Right now, that is rookie Jordyn Adams. Adams was good enough for the month in AAA. In July, he had a 1.050 OPS, a .991 OPS vs. lefties, and a .975 OPS with runners in scoring position. All these are needs the Angels have. Granted, his first game wasn’t the best on defense, but that could be nerves or something small. Hopefully, he can figure it out as it goes.
Mike Trout should be back in the lineup by mid-August. Yes, Trout had his struggles this year. But with the time away, he got a chance to take a break, look at things, and improve. A .269/.369/.493 slash line and wRC+ of 137 isn’t bad. He is still Mike Trout, and he’s returning to a lineup that’s different from when he left. It’s deeper and more balanced. When healthy, this lineup will be dangerous. How long that will last is the big question. The Angels could stay healthy this time and ride out the season.
Mike Trout is expected to progress to hitting off a tee as soon as today. He had previously taken dry swings on Monday and Tuesday. Nevin said the ramp up should be pretty quick once he starts hitting a baseball.
— Rhett Bollinger (@RhettBollinger) August 3, 2023
Stretch Run
The most significant additions to the Angels’ after the trade deadline may just be their guys getting healthy for the stretch run into the postseason. Everything is still within reach. It comes down to how this team can perform from now until the end of the season. Only being four games out of a wild card spot is very possible to overcome. It’s just that now, every series is like a playoff series going forward, with very few breaks coming up for the Angels.
Photo Credit: Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports
Players Mentioned: Randal Grichuk, Brandon Drury, Luis Rengifo, Andrew Velazquez, Mike Trout, Mickey Moniak, Jordyn Adams
