LA Angels May Benefit From New Leadoff Hitter

The LA Angels have found offensive success after a dismal dry spell. They are averaging 4.1 runs per game over their last three series after averaging 2.2 in the three series prior. However, changes may still be needed at the top of the order.

Ever since the LA Angels traded for Yunel Escobar over the 2014 offseason, he has been the team’s leadoff hitter. At 33 years old last season, he hit .304 with 64 runs and 39 RBI’s. He also walked 40 times, proving his capability of getting on base for the Halo stars to hit him in. He also had a .937 fielding percentage. While that is not great, it was serviceable, especially with defensive wizard Andrelton Simmons next to him.

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However, Escobar has not been able to keep up his productivity this season. He is hitting .225 this season with an ob-base percentage of .282 (.355 in 2016). He is not a hitter who should be getting more at-bats than anyone else on the team, at least not over the past month. Escobar has also been worse in the field, as his fielding percentage has dropped nearly 20 points to .921%.

Many of Escobar’s struggles come against right-handed pitching. He hits .188 against them while swinging at a .364 pace against southpaws. There is still encouragement for Escobar though.

Early season woes are not unusual for Escobar, as he is a career .249 hitters in April and March. That average shoots up to .299 in May, .285 in June and .304 in July.

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Even with these positive numbers for the upcoming months, it does not seem like Escobar will be turning it on any time soon. Over the past week, Escobar has been absolutely atrocious at the plate. In 27 at-bats, Escobar has two hits, a double and home run, and one walk. That comes out to a .074 batting average and .107 on-base percentage. He also has four strikeouts.

The Angels may keep the lineup the same, especially with corner infielder Luis Valbuena on the way back from the disabled list. An offseason signing, Valbuena has a career .234 batting average against right-handed pitchers. While that is not an amazing mark, it is an improvement over Escobar’s awful mark.

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Another option for the leadoff hitter could be shortstop Andrelton Simmons. He is hitting .296 on the year and hits .293 against right-handed pitchers. He also has a better strikeout-to-walk rate, walking 10 times to 13 strikeouts.