Preseason 2015 MLB Playoff predictions
AL Wild Card No. 1: Los Angeles Angels (90-72)
2014 finish: 1st in AL West (98-64), out in ALDS vs. Kansas City Royals
In a battle for the AL West crown last year, the Los Angeles Angels and Oakland Athletics went back and forth for much of the season, but the Angels clicked it into gear at the end, winning the division by 10 games behind AL MVP Mike Trout who batted .287/.377/.561 with 36 home runs leading them to their MLB-best 98-64 record. The Angels dream of a World Series was crushed by the cinderella Wild Card Kansas City Royals in ALDS who made it to the World Series.
The Angels had a quiet offseason for the most part by signing depth with Matt Joyce, Josh Rutledge, 3B Kyle Kubitza and 2B Taylor Featherson as well as probably their best signing, LHP Andrew Heaney who was a top-30 prospect prior to last year. The Angels lost 2B Howie Kendrick who had been with the Angels for nine years.
Key additions: OF Matt Joyce, IF Josh Rutledge, LHP Andrew Heaney, 3B Kyle Kubitza, 2B Taylor Featherson.
Key losses: 2B Howie Kendrick, RHP Jason Grilli, RHP Kevin Jepson.
The Angels were the top batting team in the MLB last season led by Trout, Albert Pujols who bounced back (.272/.324/.466 with 28 HR) and Howie Kendrick (.293 BA). Who will bank on another great season from Trout, consistent play from Pujols and improvement from David Freese and the 27-year-old right fielder Kole Calhoun, who batted .272/.325/.450 in his first full season last year batting leadoff.
The Angels are also retaining LF Josh Hamilton who relapsed with his drug addiction this offseason and also had shoulder surgery and will likely miss the first couple months of play. Hamilton awaits a penalty from the MLB, but until then it will be OF Collins Cowgill and Matt Joyce competing for that spot while the other will like DH.
The Angels rotation didn’t take a hit in the offseason. Jered Weaver will be back after an impressive 18-9 season with a 3.59 ERA, Garrett Richards, who was also great for the Angels pitching 13-4 with a 2.61 ERA as well as lefty C.J. Wilson, Matt Shoemaker and lefty Hector Sanitago who will round out the lineup with a possibility for Andrew Heaney to come in as well.
2015 team batting MVP: CF Mike Trout
2015 team pitching MVP: SP Garrett Richards
2015 key under the radar player: OF Kole Calhoun
The loss of Howie Kendrick may turn out to be a bigger deal than many realize. Kendrick led the team in batting average last year and had the most hits on the team. The Angels are filling a big hole with Josh Rutledge, who has a lot of work to do. If Kole Calhoun can break out as one of the top hitters on the team right alongside Trout, and Jered Weaver or Garrett Richards can throw a sub-3.00 ERA, the Angels have a chance at the west, but Seattle has momentum right now and will ride that hard throughout the season.