LA Angels Week Two Power Rankings

10.) Mike Trout (Last week: 4)

Mike Trout barely making the power rankings is not something I thought would be happening this season. However, we just saw Trout go through one of his worst weeks as a big leaguer. He went just 3-21 (.143) with seven strikeouts. Trout probably would not have made the rankings if not for his performance on Sunday, where he went 2-3 with a walk, home run, and a stolen base. It was a positive ending for a poor week, and Trout now travels to Texas where he has a career .341 average with 11 home runs.

9.) Zack Cozart (1)

If not for his phenomenal first week, Zack Cozart would have missed these rankings completely. His batting average has fallen to .250 after a week in which he only collected four hits (.160). However, he did slug one home run during his slump. He also has been putting the ball in play, as he only struck out once this week. It may have been a week of poor luck for Cozart, but either way he did not produce. He is still showing his versatility in the field, as he played second base all week as Ian Kinsler continues to rehab from a groin and abductors injury.

8.) Garrett Richards (Not Ranked)

In his first start, Garrett Richards did not look the ace the Halos needed him to be. The only real positive from the start was that he made it out healthy. However, Richards showed his true potential in his second start of 2018. He was far from perfect, but he only allowed two earned runs over his 5.2 innings. Both runs came on a first inning home run, but Richards was lights out after that. That two run shot was the only run Richards and the bullpen allowed on the night. He also posted 9 strikeouts to four walks. That is not a great ratio but fans saw signs of what Richards can become this season.

7.) Jose Alvarez (NR)

Jose Alvarez is a surprise on the list. He has gone relatively unmentioned so far this year. However, that is not always a bad thing, especially in Alvarez’s case. He is off to a phenomenal start this season, as he has yet to allow a run so far in 2018. In 4.1 innings of work in five appearances, Alvarez has only allowed two hits. Over the past week, where he made three appearances, he allowed no hits. He has four strikeouts and two walks thus far.

The reason Alvarez is ranked so high on this list is because he has fulfilled his role in the bullpen to perfection so far this year. He is the Halos left-handed specialist, and has yet to allow a hit to a left-handed batter so far this year. All four of his strikeouts have also come against lefties, and he has only walked one. Right-handed batters have had a little more success, cumulatively going 2-7 with a double and a walk against Alvarez thus far. He has been one of the best relievers for the Angels so far, and would be a key piece for any potential postseason run.

6.) Blake Wood (7)

Another week, another four games of perfect pitching from Blake Wood. He has yet to allow a run this season, and only allowed one hit and two walks this week. He has been extremely effective at getting outs, and trusting his defense to do so in the process. If he continues performing at such a high level, he could join the upper echelon of the Halos bullpen in short time.