The Los Angeles Angels have had their ups and downs over the previous decade. On one hand, they’ve had stars equivalent to Mike Trout and Shohei Ohtani on the roster. Alternatively, the Halos haven’t made the postseason since 2014. With Ohtani heading right into a contract season, the Angels’ solely possibility is to achieve the playoffs as a way to entice Ohtani to probably keep. So can this Angels’ crew snap their playoff drought?
Let’s check out 4 bold Angels predictions ahead of the 2023 MLB season.
*Stats via Baseball Reference.
Patrick Sandoval makes the AL All-Star crew(*4*)
Patrick Sandoval is one of probably the most underrated pitchers in all of MLB. The Angels’ left-hander displayed promise in 2021, recording a 3.62 ERA over 87 innings pitched. He took one other step ahead in 2022 when he pitched to the tune of a powerful 2.91 ERA over 148.2 innings pitched.
Sandoval can battle with management at occasions however options high quality stuff. His repertoire and all-around pitching prowess ought to excite followers. Assuming Sandoval stays wholesome in 2023, he’ll be part of Shohei Ohtani and Mike Trout as All-Stars for the ball membership.
Hunter Renfroe hits 35 dwelling runs(*4*)
The Angels acquired slugger Hunter Renfroe from the Milwaukee Brewers through the offseason. The deal has the potential to develop into an absolute steal for the Halos.
Renfroe has hit 26 dwelling runs or extra 5 occasions throughout his profession. He’s additionally crushed 31 dwelling runs or extra twice throughout his MLB tenure.
He finally completed the 2022 marketing campaign with 29 homers by way of simply 125 video games. If he is ready to play 140-plus video games in 2023, Renfroe ought to be capable of set a brand new profession excessive in homers with Ohtani and Trout drawing the bulk of the eye within the Angels’ lineup. Pitchers could take Renfroe for granted and provides him pitches to hit.
The presences of Anthony Rendon and Jared Walsh, if they will each keep wholesome, will solely assist issues.
Renfroe may very well be the Angels X-Think about 2023.
Angels’ beginning rotation shocks MLB world, finishes high 5 amongst AL ERA leaders(*4*)
The Angels’ main want over the previous few years has been pitching. However will their rotation really be good in 2023?
Shohei Ohtani and Patrick Sandoval are set to be joined by Tyler Anderson and Reid Detmers. Different candidates embrace Tucker Davidson and Jose Suarez. The Halos would have benefitted from including yet one more dependable arm to the rotation. However their high 4 pitchers, Ohtani, Sandoval, Anderson, and Detmers are intriguing.
Anderson was a journeyman who broke out as an All-Star caliber hurler with the Los Angeles Dodgers through the 2022 marketing campaign. Detmers was beforehand a highly-regarded prospect who flashed indicators of stardom at occasions final yr. We’ve already established that Sandoval will make a big effect alongside Ohtani as effectively.
Ending inside the high 5 within the American League in ERA will likely be a problem. But when these 4 pitchers all dwell up their ceilings, it isn’t out of the realm of risk.
Angels make the playoffs (*4*)
The ultimate and most eye-opening bold prediction is that the Angels will make the playoffs.
Profitable the AL West continues to be unlikely with one of MLB’s greatest groups within the Houston Astros main the cost. The Seattle Mariners additionally count on to compete whereas the Texas Rangers might make some noise.
The Angels will want their stars to stay wholesome as a way to make a playoff run. However given the uncertainty round Shohei Ohtani’s future, we will count on them to do all the pieces of their energy to lock up a Wild Card spot on the very least.
