When the LA Angels traded for Andrelton Simmons in the winter after the 2015 season they knew they were getting a defensive wizard, but to see Simmons live on daily basis you realize how special he really is.
One of the first moves then newly hired GM Billy Eppler addressed in trying to rebuild the LA Angels team was the need for strong defense. Eppler made a deal with the Atlanta Braves to get young defensive shortstop Andrelton Simmons. Since they have acquired Simmons he has won two Gold Gloves in three seasons with the Halos.
Simmons has now been chosen as the best shortstop in both leagues for the second straight year. Simmons saved 21 runs with his defense and bailed out many Angel pitchers with his eye-popping plays. Not only has Simmons excelled defensively but he has now become on of the more consistent offensive players as well for the Angels.
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Simmons hit .292 with 11 home runs and he drove in 75 runs which was a career high in average and RBIs. Simmons also stolen 10 bases and had a career high .337 OBP. On defense Simmons made 10 errors and had a .984 fielding percentage. This is the fourth time in the last five seasons with the first two seasons being while he was still with the Braves.
Simmons teamed up with another Gold Glove winner second baseman Ian Kinsler to make up a stellar middle infield. Kinsler was traded during the July trade deadline to the Red Sox. Simmons is still under contract to the Angels for two more seasons and hopefully he will re-sign with the Angels.
Thee Angels truly have a gem at shortstop and hopefully he will play the rest of his career. He is definitely a fixture for the Angels at shortstop and will be for at least a few more years. So Angel fans enjoy it now as you are watching greatness at shortstop.