2016 MLB season: AL West preview

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Sep 22, 2015; Houston, TX, USA; Los Angeles Angels center fielder Mike Trout (27) celebrates after scoring on an inside the park home run during the first inning against the Houston Astros at Minute Maid Park. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports /

5. Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim

A projected last-place finish for a team with Trout on it might seem harsh, but the Angels have holes all over the roster and could easily be surpassed by the rest of the division.

Los Angeles faces somewhat of a crossroads season in 2016 following a disappointing 85-77 campaign that landed the team one game out of the playoffs. Trout can do a lot by himself, but the Angels are going to need more to catch Texas and Houston.

Projected Lineup:

1. Yunel Escobar, 3B

2. Daniel Nava, LF

3. Mike Trout, CF

4. Albert Pujols, DH

5. Kole Calhoun, RF

6. C.J. Cron, 1B

7. Andrelton Simmons, SS

8. Carlos Perez, C

9. Johnny Giavotella, 2B

Trout is an absolute force in the middle of the lineup, posting no worse than a 167 wRC+ over the last four years per FanGraphs.com. Beyond him, Calhoun and perhaps Escobar, things could get a little dicey for the Angels.

While still an above-average hitter when healthy, Pujols’ age-related decline has come on a lot faster than Los Angeles was hoping for. Pujols already suffered a contusion on his surgically repaired foot in Spring Training, and the Angels aren’t going to have a very productive lineup if he gets any worse.

Cron has some upside left, but the bottom third of the order looks to be very weak. Simmons has never posted better than a 91 wRC+ per FanGraphs, although he offsets much of that with outstanding defense, while Perez and Giavotella offer limited ceilings offensively.

If the Angels can add a left fielder like Jay Bruce, their chances of making the playoffs will go significantly up.

Projected rotation

1.Garret Richards

2. Andrew Heaney

3. Jered Weaver

4. Hector Santiago

5. Matt Shoemaker

The rotation is where the Angels really run into trouble, particularly if Weaver continues to lose velocity due to a spine injury. If Los Angeles’ rotation is going to be even average, Richards and Shoemaker are going to need to be very good.

Both were excellent in 2014, when the Angels had the best record in the AL, but have been inconsistent otherwise in their careers. Richards was decent last year while recovering from a torn patellar tendon and should only get better, while Shoemaker struggled, posting a 4.46 ERA (4.59 FIP) per FanGraphs.

Heaney is an exciting young pitcher coming off of a strong rookie season, while Santiago is fine for a mid-rotation starter. Tyler Skaggs could also be an option later on, while C.J. Wilson might be in the same boat as Weaver due to a shoulder problem. Overall, the rotation has more questions than answers, and could lead to a big slide for Los Angeles in 2016.

Projected record: 74-88.

Next: 4. Oakland Athletics

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