Los Angeles Angels off to a “hot” start in 2017

The Los Angeles Angels have had a see-saw season thus far. After starting 6-2, they fell to 8-12. However, as the end of April approaches, the Angels have fought their way back to 12-12 and are in second place in the AL West.

No secret has been made of the LA Angels offensive struggles early in the season. No matter what stats you look at, a team .238 BA and .304 OBP is not going to cut it. Things are beginning to trend better as the two offensive players on this list continue to do well and Albert Pujols and Cameron Maybin have joined them in the last week. Pujols to the tune of a .400 BA to go along with 12 H and 7 RBI. Maybin has added 6 H, 3 RBI, and 2 SB in his five games.

However despite the mediocre record given recent seasons the Angels being able to finish April over .500 would be considered by most to be a big step in the right direction in 2017.

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All of that aside, the five Los Angeles Angels off to a hot start:

Bud Norris (RP) – The former starting pitcher was a buy low candidate when the Angels signed him. In 12 games Norris has pitched his way into the injury vacated closer role, having secured 4 saves. In addition, Norris has 4 saves and 15:5 K:BB through 12.2 IP

Blake Parker (RP) – Parker has continued his strikeout happy ways into the regular season. Through 10.2 IP, the pitcher has 18 K to just 3 BB, while notching 3 holds. The pitcher has done so with a 0.44 FIP and already netting a 0.6 WAR in the young season.

Andrelton Simmons (SS) – Simmons has continued his offensive resurgence in 2017. The shortstop has been the Angels second best hitter in the young season. To go along with a .289 AVG and .366 OBP, Simmons has also contributed 3 HR, 9 R, and 7 RBI thus far.

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Yusmeiro Petit (RP) – Petit has quietly turned in an impressive first month. Working 13.1 innings across 8 games, the reliever has stranded 90% of baserunners while adding 13 K to just 3 BB. Additionally, Petit is capable of going multiple innings. For this reason, the Angels will need Petit to continue his hot start to support a surging starting rotation.

Mike Trout (CF) – Trout has continued to do Mike Trout things. Through just 101 plate appearances, Trout has already added 6 HR, 15 R, 15 RBI, and 5 SB. Similarly, his .337 BA, .406 OBP, and 1.6 WAR are what has buoyed an Angels team scuffling to score runs.

Next: Angels offense explodes against Oakland A's

In conclusion, if the Los Angeles Angels are to continue their climb, these 5 players will need to maintain their hot start and continue to build momentum. However, despite just a .500 record at the time of this writing, that 12-12 record has been hard fought for, especially by their starting rotation. Over the last 14 games, starters have gone 5-4 with a 2.52 ERA across 82 IP. During that time, starters have averaged almost 6 IP with a .275 BABIP, yet with so little to show for it.