The Top 5 Surprises For LA Angels In The 2016 Season

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Los Angeles Angels third baseman Yunel Escobar (0) ties the game with a two run home run during the ninth inning. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports /

#2 Yunel Escobar – .304 Avg. 5 HR 39 RBI .355 OBP

Yunel Escobar was acquired during the off-season for reliever Trevor Wall. Some people were skeptical as he had only had one really good year in his career. However, Escobar was able to follow a stellar 2015 season with another strong season in 2016.

The best thing about Escobar is that he filled two big holes that had plagued the Angels for a number of years. A good lead-off hitter and a reliable third baseman. In April Escobar hit .282 with three homers and seven RBI’s. Escobar continued in May hitting .330 to raise his average to .306 for the season.

Escobar continued in June and July batting .332 over that period to raise his average to .322. The only thing that was lacking was his power as Escobar did not hit a homer from May until September. Despite his lack of power his getting on base and driving in big runs helped the Angels to win many games.

One of Escobar’s biggest moments came on September 23rd at Houston when he hit a one-out game tying two-run homer in an Angels comeback 10-6 victory. Escobar also hit a big home run that tied the game against Texas on September 11th and one inning later Andrelton Simmons hit a solo shot to give the Angels a 3-2 victory over the Rangers.