Halo Hangout
Fansided

Ranking the LA Angels Positions By Need Ahead of the Offseason

By Vincent Page

ANAHEIM, CA - OCTOBER 22: Owner Arte Moreno and general manager Billy Eppler applaud as The Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim Introduce new team manager Brad Ausmus during a press conference at Angel Stadium on October 22, 2018 in Anaheim, California. (Photo by Jayne Kamin-Oncea/Getty Images)
ANAHEIM, CA - OCTOBER 22: Owner Arte Moreno and general manager Billy Eppler applaud as The Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim Introduce new team manager Brad Ausmus during a press conference at Angel Stadium on October 22, 2018 in Anaheim, California. (Photo by Jayne Kamin-Oncea/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
4 of 9
Next
SEATTLE, WA – JUNE 12: Zack Cozart #7 of the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim makes the throw to second to get a double play on Dee Gordon #9 of the Seattle Mariners and Jean Segura #2 in the first inning at Safeco Field on June 12, 2018 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Lindsey Wasson/Getty Images)
SEATTLE, WA – JUNE 12: Zack Cozart #7 of the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim makes the throw to second to get a double play on Dee Gordon #9 of the Seattle Mariners and Jean Segura #2 in the first inning at Safeco Field on June 12, 2018 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Lindsey Wasson/Getty Images) /

6.) Third Base

Truth be told, no one quite knows what the Angels have at third base. They signed Zack Cozart to a three-year deal last offseason, but he missed the majority of the 2018 season because of shoulder surgery. He’ll be ready for 2019, but his limited sample size last year left a lot to be desired.

After a breakout 2017 season in which Cozart slashed .297/.385/.548, he hit the free agent pool as a likely candidate for regression. While he only had 224 at-bats, Cozart’s .219/.296/.362 was way below what the Angels expected from him, even with the expected regression. While it is hard to judge a hitter off of so few at-bats, Billy Eppler and the Angels can’t be overly confident Cozart will put up numbers closer to the 2017 version next season.

The reason third base is ranked here instead of higher up is because of David Fletcher and Taylor Ward. Fletcher could very well be used as a utility infielder next year, spending time at third as well as shortstop. Ward saw a monumental rise through the minor leagues this year and while he only hit .178 in 135 at-bats. He did finish the season strong however, hitting .286 with three home runs and five RBI’s over the final week of the season.

Home/LA Angels News