Angels Mid-season Report Card

After a slow start to the season, the Angels have been on fire as of late going 11-2 in their last homestand going into the all star break, pulling themselves within a game and a half of first place Texas. Below is a report card for the Halos’ first half.

[caption id="attachment_93" align="alignleft" width="167" caption="Hank Conger is the catcher of the future for the Angels, but it's up to Mike Scioscia to give his young catcher more playing time down the stretch. "][/caption]

Catcher: C

After unloading Mike Napoli during the offseason, the Angels left themselves pretty thin at catcher going into the year. So far we’ve seen Jeff Mathis and rookie Hank Conger split time behind the plate with Bobby Wilson filling in at times. Mathis has put together a typical Mathis season now hitting around his career average of .198. Conger has shown flashes of his offensive potential, but his lack of experience shows at times both in the box and behind the plate. Together, they’ve managed the pitching staff well, played pretty consistent defense and contribute on offense every once in a while, which is all you can ask of your backstop.

[caption id="attachment_95" align="alignright" width="210" caption="Trumbo's power has added an element to the lineup that the Angels haven't had since Morales went down."][/caption]

1B: B+

When Kendrys Morales went down in a heap after celebrating a walk-off grand slam in the middle of last season, the now year and a half long ankle injury left the Angels thin at first base. Luckily for the Halos, Mark Trumbo has stepped in and has put together a rookie of the year type first half. Trumbo’s 17 home runs leads both the team and MLB rookies and his 41 RBI is second on the team behind only Torii Hunter. He’s exceeded all expectations this season and is the Angles offensive MVP of the first half.

2B: B

How Kendrick has been one of the most consist ant second baseman in the league going into the All Star break and his team leading 91 hits, 42 runs and .305 average have earned him a trip to Arizona. While he’s been the least of the Angles worries, after a power surge to begin the season, Howie has hit just 2 of his 8 home runs after April in what started out to be a true breakout campaign.

[caption id="attachment_97" align="alignright" width="197" caption="Aybar's athleticism is among the best of AL shortstops."][/caption]

SS: B+

Erick Aybar has been the unsung hero of the Angels first half, leading the team in steals with 18, driving in 38 runs and scoring 37 times in a season that has built more on his 2009 campaign than his disappointing 2010. While Aybar’s offensive production has been pleasing, he’s also played his usual terrific defense with more consistency this season.

3B: C

Alberto Collaspo and Maicer Izturis have both held down the hot corner throughout the season thus far. Collaspo’s 31 RBI is ten more than Iztruis, but his decision making and base running has been frustrating to say the least, often running into outs in scoring opportunities. Maicer Izturis has filled in at both short and second base along with his starts at third base this season. He leads the team in doubles with 20, has played reliable defense at multiple positions and, most importantly, he’s managed to stay healthy.

[caption id="attachment_98" align="alignleft" width="141" caption="While Vernon is playing better, the Angels $23 million man will have to keep it up for the Halos."][/caption]

LF: C+

Vernon Wells had a miserable first couple months that had people clamoring that the Angels made the worst trade of the offseason for baseball’s worst contract. But in baseball it’s what have you done for me lately and after coming back from a hamstring injury that had Kendrick fill-in in left field for the fist time in his career, Wells’ team leading 31 hits, 9 home runs and 21 RBI over the past 30 days has helped lead the Angels to a 19-7 record over that stretch. A good second half from Wells will probably determine whether or not the Angels win the division.

CF: B

Peter Bourjos has been the best defensive outfielder in the game so far this season and can run down just about anything hit up the middle. His play in the field has been crucial for the Angels, allowing them to start Wells in left, Hunter in right and DH Abreu with the flexibility to mix and match. While his defense won him the job, his offense has been a plus hitting .272 with 15 doubles and 6 triples. It would be nice to see Peter be more aggressive on the base paths given his elite speed and improve on his 11 steals in the second half of the year.

[caption id="attachment_99" align="alignright" width="141" caption="Hunter lines a double down the left field line."][/caption]

RF: C+

Torii Hunter, while leading the team in runs batted in with 45, has had just an average season so far. He’s hitting just .250 and with just 11 home runs and 13 doubles, he has seen a decline in power production. On the defensive side, the former gold glove center fielder has made a good transition to right and his range, arm, and athleticism makes him one of best defensive right fielder in baseball.

DH: C+

Bobby Abreu has received the majority of at-bats at the DH spot and at age 37, he has fallen a bit short of the productivity that we have grown accustomed to seeing with Abreu. While he’s hitting .279, his 3 home runs is well off pace of the 20 he hit last season. Despite his age, Abreu hasn’t lost much on the base paths and has stolen 13 bases through the first half, second only behind Aybar’s 18.

[caption id="attachment_101" align="alignleft" width="139" caption="Weaver will start for the AL at Tuesday's all star game"][/caption]

SP: A

Jared Weaver’s 11-4 record, 1.86 ERA and 120 strike outs has earned him a trip to Arizona to be the starting pitcher for the American League all star team and could be well on his way to his first Cy Young Award.

[caption id="attachment_100" align="alignright" width="136" caption="Dan Haren has been the best second starter in the AL through the first half."][/caption]

Dan Haren has been the second-half of the American League’s best one-two punch on the mound. In his first full season with the Halos, Haren has compiled a 10-4 record and 115 strikeouts through the first half.

Ervin Santana has been doomed by the long ball again this season, allowing 17 home runs through 19 starts. He has pitched better than his 4-8 record would suggest though, striking out 106 and allowing only a .249 batting average against him.

Joel Pineiro has pitched well in his 14 starts through the first half. His ability to keep the ball in the yard (just 7 home runs allowed) and limit base runners (23 walks) is just about all you can ask for from a fourth man in the rotation.

Tyler Chatwood has been the surprise of the Angels staff. After Scott Kazmir proved that he is all but done as a major league pitcher, giving up 5 runs through 1.2 innings in his only start this season, the Angels called up the 21 year old righthander making him the youngest player in the American League at the time. Chatwood has held his own during his 17 starts this season, going 5-5 with a 3.62 ERA.

[caption id="attachment_102" align="alignleft" width="169" caption="Walden leads baseball in speed per pitch, averaging more than 97 MPH."][/caption]

Bullpen: B+

The Angels headed into the season a bit unclear of how the bullpen situation would shake out. Fernando Rodney opened the season as the closer with Kevin Jepsen and rookie Jordan Walden setting him up. After a few hickups from Rodney and a complete collapse from Jepsen that sent him to the minor leagues, Walden has taken over the closer role and hasn't looked back closing out 20 games with a 2.84 ERA in an all-star rookie campaign. Offseason acquisition Scott Downs has also played a major role out of the pen, leading the team with 14 holds and a 1.52 ERA.