Los Angeles Angels: Grading 2016 With A Strong Curve
While the rest of the baseball is focused on the postseason, the Los Angeles Angels are quietly preparing for the winter meetings. That means the Angels are reviewing all aspects of 2016.
It’s difficult to grade the Los Angeles Angels this season. It’s even more difficult to grade certain players in terms of production. For example, RHP Garrett Richards gets an A for the season based on him not needing Tommy John surgery.
What’s problematic is Richards was available in six games. As all Angels fans know, the injuries to the starting rotation and the fielders took it’s toll. The Angels fought with great effort missing a postseason appearance.
However, as a unit. The Angels played moderately well this season. For example, in the AL the Angels ranked sixth with a batting average of .260 collectively. However, the Angels ranked next to last in home runs hit with 156. Mike Trout, Kole Calhoun, C.J. Cron and Albert Pujols scored the majority of the team’s home runs this season. Pujols led the team in home runs with 31, followed closely by Trout with 29.
Mike Trout, Kole Calhoun, C.J. Cron and Albert Pujols scored the majority of the team’s home runs this season. Pujols led the team in home runs with 31, followed closely by Trout with 29.
The Angels were above the league averaging in the on-base percentage category this season. Collectively, they averaged a .322 this season. However, they ranked tenth in total runs scored with 717.
For the most part, the Angels were a middle of the pack team statistically. Nothing stood out on either side of the ball. The Angels managed to secure a team ERA of 4.28 which ranked 12th in the AL. Sadly, the Angels ranked dead last in the AL in strikeouts with 1,136 on the season.
Normally, these are numbers that would get someone fired, especially on the pitching side of the ball. However, the Angels get a pass due to the number of injuries sustained this season. Still, the Angels have a chance to rebound and regain strength this offseason. Free agency will certainly play a huge role in the Angels quest to dominate the AL West again.
Grading the efforts of the Angels is difficult considering the numbers. However, a C is the grade I am giving. This team is always playing its heart out, night in and night out. As a result, you have to acknowledge the Angels as a team that fights during dark times.
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