Los Angeles Angels 2016 Fantasy Preview

Mar 9, 2016; Tempe, AZ, USA; Los Angeles Angels first baseman Albert Pujols (5) hits in the fourth inning during a spring training game against the Los Angeles Dodgers at Tempe Diablo Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Rick Scuteri-USA TODAY Sports /

Los Angeles Angels 2016 Fantasy Preview

The Angels spent the money, but the rewards haven’t been there. Will this be the season that it all clicks? The Angels brought in a couple more free agents. Can it get them over the top?

Los Angeles Angels 2016 Projected Starting Lineup:

C: Carlos Perez (.250, 4HR, 21RBI in 260 AB)
1B: C.J. Cron (.262, 16HR, 51 RBI in 378 AB)
2B: Johnny Giavotella (.272, 4HR, 49RBI)
SS: Andrelton Simmons (.265, 4HR, 44RBI with ATL)
3B: Yunel Escobar (.314, 9HR, 56RBI wtih WAS)
LF: Daniel Nava (.194, 1HR, 10RBI in 139 AB with BOS/TB)
CF: Mike Trout (.299, 41HR, 90RBI, 11SB)
RF: Kole Calhoun (.256, 26HR, 83RBI)
DH: Albert Pujols (.244, 40HR, 95RBI)

Perez will be the starting catcher this year. He hits for a decent average and will provide a few counting stats, but he is still best left for two catcher leagues or deep leagues at this time.

The Angels will let Cron play first base full time, and he could have a solid season. Over a full season last year, he would have hit around 25 homers and drove in around 90. That makes him a good option late in standard leagues.

Giavotella has proven to be solid all around, but he wont really help your fantasy team besides in deeper leagues.

Simmons was once a top prospect for the Braves, but it was mostly due to his defensive prowess. He will help the Angels far more than he does your fantasy team. Simmons is worth using in deeper leagues or if you are in a league where errors count against you.

Escobar had a monster spring, and that has him creeping into the last round of standard league drafts. He is a good hitter with some power. This might not be a fluke.

Nava struggled badly last year. Will the change of scenery help? The Angels sure hope so. If not, they could turn to Craig Gentry for short term help. I might take a flier on Nava late in deep leagues, but there are probably still more reliable options, and younger options (Nava is 33).

Trout is still a top four pick even if his steals aren’t where they used to be. Outfield has a lot of fluff after the elite options. I can’t fault taking Trout in the top three in any draft. That said, Albert Pujols put up nearly the same power numbers, and you can snag him eight round later. The only problem is that he plugs up your utility slot.

Calhoun flashed good power last year, and likely will be able to do so again. The average is a little lower than what we were expecting, but he is still worth a pick in the tenth round or so.

Next: How Will The Rotation Shape Up?

Mar 31, 2016; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Angels starting pitcher Andrew Heaney (28) throws the ball in the fourth inning against the Los Angeles Dodgers at Dodger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports /

Los Angeles Angels 2016 Projected Pitching Rotation:

Garrett Richards (15-12, 3.65 ERA, 1.24 WHIP, 176K)
Andrew Heaney (6-4, 3.49 ERA, 1.20 WHIP, 78K in 105.2 IP)
Jered Weaver (7-12, 4.64 ERA, 1.23 WHIP, 90K in 159 IP)
Hector Santiago (9-9, 3.59 ERA, 1.26 WHIP, 162K)
Matt Shoemaker (7-10, 4.46 ERA, 1.26 WHIP, 116K in 135.1 IP)
Huston Street (3-3, 3.18 ERA, 1.16 WHIP, 57K in 62.1 IP, 40/45 saves)

Richards becomes the de-facto ace this year. He has good enough numbers to warrant using in league of 12 or more teams. Right now, I would only use him for spot starts in standard leagues.

Heaney still has a lot of upside. I would take a shot on him near the end of my standard league draft. He may never be an elite strikeout pitcher, but he knows how to get outs.

Weaver was a disaster last year. It was easily his worst season in the majors. His WHIP suggests that he may have been a victim of some bad luck, but the strikeouts were also way down. I would take a shot on him in deep leagues, but I would wait everywhere else.

Santiago is a solid pitcher. He isn’t great at anything, but I would use him in standard leagues as a streaming option and in leagues of 12 or more teams.

Shoemaker is in the rotation until C.J. Wilson (8-8, 3.89 ERA, 1.24 WHIP, 110K in 132 IP) gets back from shoulder problems. Wilson is worth using in deeper leagues, and as a streaming option everywhere else. He still had flashes of brilliance last year. I wouldn’t use Shoemaker besides in deep leagues.

Street is still a good closer, but is no longer among the elite. Still, he is a good bet for 40 saves and still racks up a strikeout per inning. He is a solid option in your bullpen.

Next: What Prospects Are Worth Watching?

Aug 31, 2015; Oakland, CA, USA; Los Angeles Angels third baseman Kaleb Cowart (41) is greeted in the dugout after he scored on a RBI singel by first baseman Albert Pujols (not pictured) in the sixth inning of their MLB baseball game with the Oakland Athletics at O.co Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Lance Iversen-USA TODAY Sports /

We will take a look at a few prospects that could crack the majors for the Angels this year, and in what type of leagues you should be looking for them in. They traded most of their prospects, but the do have some that could make the jump this year. Let’s get started!

Nate Smith, LHP: Smith could be ready to step in if there are problems in the rotation. Tyler Skaggs (6-4, 5.84 ERA, 1.77 WHIP in 2014) is almost ready for a return following Tommy John surgery, so he and Wilson are still ahead of Smith in the pecking order. Still, TJ surgery and shoulder issues can be tricky. Smith could be up fairly soon, and he may be worth a look in deep leagues.

Kaleb Cowart, 3B: Cowart hit .174 with a homer and four RBI in 46 September at bats last year, and will start the season at AAA. The acquisition of Yunel Escobar blocks Cowart for now, but Escobar can also play shortstop if need be. If Cowart hits, he will get the call.

Kyle Kubitza, 3B: Kubitza also struggled in September last year (.194, one RBI in 36 at bats). The struggles of their third base prospects led to bringing in Escobar. It could be difficult for either Cowart or Kubitza to get the call because the Angels wont call either of them up if they don’t have a place for them to play every day. In dynasty leagues, I would lean towards Cowart over Kubitza right now, even though Kubitza may be up sooner.

Chad Hinshaw, OF: Hinshaw could get a look if he hits in the minors and Nava struggles. He stole 30 bases in the minors last year, and could provide speed at the top of the order if he gets a shot. He is worth picking up in deeper leagues if he gets the call.

Next: MLB FanDuel Picks For Opening Day

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