MLB Fantasy Jump Start - Los Angeles Angels

LOS ANGELES ANGELS

Rotation


1. RHP Jered Weaver - You'll find very few pitchers in baseball with a better arsenal of pitches than Weaver. After putting up good numbers collectively from 2006-2009, the 2010 all-star lead the majors in Ks & had a top 5 AL stat in WHIP and ERA. Climbing to the top of the Angels rotation, the only concerns are occasionally reoccurring injuries & the ability to hang in games long enough to get consistent win totals. 20 win seasons should be a part of his resume but he's averaged just under 13 wins during those past 5 seasons. I'm always willing to gamble a high pick on a starter of his ability and I think he'll be at the top of MLB strikeout leaders but be aware you may not get the win totals you expect from a fantasy staff ace.
 
2. RHP Dan Haren - Not many teams have the luxury of having another established ace in the #2 hole but that's what Haren is. Splitting time with 2 teams last year may have weighed on his concentration but he rolled out a 2.87 ERA after coming back to the AL West. I'm very impressed by his career numbers including an amazing 1.19 WHIP and he still managed to post 216 Ks last year. With a settled situation in 2011, and a lineup with decent pop behind him, I expect to see a season where he might top his 16 win best and near the top of the league in Ks with his usual great WHIP & ERA numbers. The 1-2 punch the Angels have will shut down a lot of teams this year. He's a #1 starter, no doubt.  

3. RHP Ervin Santana - A pitcher with his superior ability is always an attractive option. The negative is that he's injury prone and very inconsistent. You never know what you're going to get from start to start. If all the stars align, he should match Weaver & Haren in strikeouts and win at least 15 games. He won 17 games last year and you'd think he will build on that but he's regressed before after the solid seasons he had in 2006 & 2008. At 28, he may be ready to put it all together in 2011 but may also have a follow up down year like he did in 2007 & 2009. If he's still on the board when you need a #3 or #4 starter in mid draft, I'd pull the trigger.  
4. RHP Joel Pineiro - Pineiro also posted a fairly solid year for the Halos in 2010. He's a capable #4 starter who's not going to give you big strikeout numbers. He's been sparkling in 3 spring starts so far & perhaps that will carry over into the regular season giving him enough wins to help your fantasy pitching staff. Look for him towards the latter part of the draft if you need to fill your roster with a #4 or #5 starter.
 
5. LHP Scott Kazmir - You want to believe that this former Rays phenom  has had a puzzling last two seasons but I think injuries and a loss of confidence are certainly factors in this decline. He also used to be a strikeout machine and that seems to have disappeared as well. I'd like to think that he could turn the corner again at 27 but until I see a glimmer of that former domination, I'll wait and see since his very ordinary spring hasn't provided that evidence.

Closer

RHP Fernando Rodney - As Brian Fuentes departs, last year's 8th inning reliever and former Tigers closer steps into the breach. He did save 37 in 2009 and 14 in limited duty last year. His awful ERA & WHIP scares me away and his 2011 spring hasn't changed my opinion. As long as LA keeps him in the closer's role he should accumulate saves & Ks but kill your team's ERA & WHIP. If he falters early, the Angels have plenty of options with past closing experience including imported Scott Downs & Hisanori Takahashi. I wouldn't clear a spot on my roster for him unless you're really scouring for a 3rd closer's option.   

Lineup

1. SS Erick Aybar - As with the majority of middle infielders, speed and scoring runs is what Aybar knows best. Last year's numbers were very disappointing other than the 22 steals as his average dropped from .312 to .253 and he only scored 69 runs. He's done much better this spring so far. If you need a 2nd SS for your team late in the draft, he might give you some reasonable numbers.

2. DH Bobby Abreu- Now at 37 and moving to the DH role, he only hit .255 last year but did produce 20 HRs, 78 RBIs & 24 steals. Those numbers show the beginnings of a downward  decline & he has looked out of shape this spring. I think you'll probably get close to what 2010 yielded this year which is certainly good enough to warrant a roster spot, particularly as he'll be OF eligible. Not the all-star he once was but definitely should be on someone's opening day fantasy team.
 

3. 1B Kendry Morales - Before breaking his leg last year in a celebratory display at home plate, Morales was once again on his way to duplicating the monster breakout year he had in 2009. Speed was never a part of his game anyway so when he's ready to go, he should get back to being a top shelf offensive machine. It took a few years with Angels for him to find his groove but I always believed in his ability. He hasn't made a spring appearance yet and that does give me pause. Watch what happens when he gets some Cactus League ABs, but as soon as I see he's ready to start, I'm grabbing him high in the draft.

4. RF Torii Hunter - Now at 35 and moving to RF, Hunter is still producing the kind of numbers you want in your fantasy team's offensive stats. The stolen bases declined last year & that part of his game may not return again as well as a drop off in HRs. Still a worthy part of a fantasy roster as a number 2 or 3 outfielder.

5. LF Vernon Wells - Rising from the ashes of 3 previous underachieving seasons, Wells put up some serious numbers in 2010 though fading at the end. Still picking him up cheaply as my last offensive pick, he delivered beyond expectations. Moving to a potentially solid lineup behind Hunter should still produce quality numbers in 2011. He's still just 32 and able to play at his usual high level in the outfield so there's no reason to suspect a crash. He might not deliver the power numbers of last year and probably won't hit close to .300 but I'd select him at least on a par with teammate Hunter in a fantasy draft.

6. 2B Howie Kendrick - Grabbing the full time spot at 2B in 2010, Kendrick has rolled out 2 pretty good seasons in a row for a middle infielder. He may never be the batting champ LA expected him to be due to lack of plate discipline but most of us can live with an average of .270-.280, mid double digit steals & HRs & 70 runs scored & RBIs. A fairly high 2B selection for fantasy purposes.
 

7. 3B Maicer Izturis/Alberto Callaspo - With perennial prospect Wood still not hitting and now hurt, the task falls to probable split duty here. Neither will give you the normal power numbers expected of a fantasy 3rd baseman & Callaspo with the better spring so far, might have the inside track on the bulk of the at bats once the bell rings. I'm hesitant to clear a roster spot for either and probably won't.
   

8. C Jeff Mathis - After years of toiling in part time duty, Mathis looks like he'll get regular playing time at catcher this year. Though not putting up offensive numbers in his Angel years yet, he has flashed promise of power and is hitting .316 this spring. I wouldn't take him higher than a 2nd team catcher if you want one as he seems to be keeping the position warm for Hank Conger's arrival.
 

9. CF Peter Bourjos - Known chiefly for his defensive ability, the Angels hope he'll show promise to begin hitting so they can use his speed at the top of the lineup. He only hit .204 (but with 10 SB) in 181 2010 ABs & has bumped it up to .320 this spring. If that's an indicator of him turning the corner, he could be quite a find this year for steals and runs scored. I'm not swayed as of yet and need to see more before I consider a spot on my roster.

Possibilities

RHP Jordan Walden - Since there appears to be no room in the rotation for now and Walden showing plenty in his 16 2010 appearances, don't be surprised if he follows the recent trend of most MLB teams to try a young flame thrower in the closer's role. With Walden certain to have a spot in the LA pen, any slip up by Rodney might thrust this 23 year old into that spot. Touching 100 MPH on the radar gun with regularity, he struck out 23 in 15-1/3 innings last year. He also gave up 7 walks so his control must get better but he's only walked 1 in 3 scoreless spring innings so far. I'd monitor this situation closely.
 

OF Mike Trout - More than likely not ready for the big club in 2011, Trout might wind up being the best of all the young Angel hitters. A true 5 tool player he won't turn 20 until August. On the LA fast track and seeing AA pitching this summer, he has yet to show anything in 16 spring at bats so his MLB debut is still probably some time away. Don't be surprised to at least see a September call up.

1B Mark Trumbo - Pushing for a spot on the Angels opening day roster with a monster spring (4HR/11RBI/.375), he might stick given the uncertainty of Kendry Morales. He showed little in 15 2010 at bats but his resume of leading the minors in HRs last season is enough to make the Angels pay close attention. His bat appears Major League ready now so I'd see what develops with Morales amd look to see him getting ABs with the team this year.
 
C Hank Conger - The Angels see this 23 year old as their catcher of the near future but not hitting MLB pitching in 29 2010 & 20 spring at bats may delay his arrival. Positioned as the #3 catcher for now. I'd wait to see his bat come alive before giving him any consideration.