Three Breakout Candidates for the LA Angels

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The LA Angels are looking for a much better season in 2019 than the one they just endured. If they truly hope to make it back to the playoffs, they’ll need some players to really turn their potential into production this year, and these three players have all the capabilities to be a key factor in a playoff run.

Jaime Barria

This one is almost cheating, as the LA Angels saw Barria break out as a rookie last season to the tune of a 3.41 ERA, highest among Non-Shohei Ohtani pitchers in the rotation.

In 2019, however, Jaime Barria has the potential to make or break the Angels’ rotation. If he can break out further, lowering his walk numbers while boosting strikeouts, Barria can make the Angels’ rotation absolutely elite.

For the Angels to truly contend, and have a three-headed monster in their rotation of Skaggs, Heaney, and Barria, they can not only compete for a Wild Card spot, but could also make some noise in the American League West given the Houston Astros and Oakland Athletics lack of starting pitching.

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Jaime Barria seems to be aware of how important a breakout sophomore campaign is as well, as he reportedly showed up to Spring Training looking noticeably leaner. While physique isn’t as important for pitchers as other players (Bartolo Colon is still a free agent, just saying), any time a player shows up in much better shape, it shows how hard they worked over the offseason.

Behind Skaggs and Heaney, the Angels’ rotation is mostly a question mark with Barria and veterans Matt Harvey and Trevor Cahill filling out the group. If Barria can ascend to new heights in 2019, it turns elevates group from good enough to an absolute weapon.

Ty Buttrey

Last season, once it was clear the LA Angels weren’t truly going to contend for a playoff spot, they started shipping away veterans, including a deal that sent Ian Kinsler to the Boston Red Sox. This could be a win-win for everyone, as Kinsler and the Sox won a ring, and the Angels received Ty Buttrey.

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Last season, Buttrey was very impressive in a limited sample size. The soon-to-be 26-year-old posted a 3.31 ERA over 16 games, and was a very reliable reliever down the stretch. When you consider four of the six earned runs he allowed last season came in one game against the Houston Astros, the results are even more encouraging. If not for that game, his season long ERA would have dropped to an absolutely dominant mark 1.10.

Now, while Buttrey’s sample size is limited, it will e considered a breakout season if he can maintain, or even improve upon, his numbers in 2019 while getting a full season of MLB experience under his belt. He won’t be competing for the closer job, as Cody Allen has that locked up (at least until Kenyan Middleton returns). However, he could become one of the best options out of the bullpen for Brad Ausmus this year.

If he can be the Angels’ 2019 version of Yusmeiro Petit, and be a stopper out of the bullpen (his strikeout numbers were elite), Buttrey would be one of, if not the most, important reliever for the Angels this season.

Like Barria and the rotation, Buttrey can change the entire dynamic of the bullpen. If he can be dominant this season, he can join Allen and Middleton (once healthy) to form a deadly trio to finish games for the Halos.

David Fletcher

Last season, David Fletcher was one of the many players the Angels had to call upon for significant playing time as injuries decimated the roster. While many of those players weren’t able to fill in adequately, Fletcher was an outlier.

When he replaced Ian Kinsler at second base, Fletcher was as solid as they come. Kinsler, one of the best power-hitting second baseman in recent history, was a much different archetype than Fletcher, whose game is reminiscent of David Eckstein. And as coincidence has it, Eckstein and Fletcher may end up serving parallel roles for the Angels.

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Eckstein was a solid fielder and a staple in the lineup as a leadoff hitter. In a lineup that features stars at the top, an adequate leadoff hitter is extremely important. Last year, Fletcher performed superbly at both third base and second base. He also filled in as the leadoff hitter, where the team found success with him hitting in front of Mike Trout.

Both players have their power restricted by their small frames, but not every player has to hit for power in order to be an above-average player. Fletcher has the power to drive the ball into the gaps for extra bases, which is what you hope for from a potential leadoff hitter.

And Fletcher’s role is only expanding for the Angels. He will reportedly take reps in the outfield this Spring Training, as well as second and third base. David Fletcher has all the potential to be an super-utility player in the MLB, and it could very well end up being his role going forward.

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So for a breakout in 2019, Fletcher is set up nicely. He is going to see regular playing time either at third base or second base, and if he can maintain his numbers from last season at the plate, he will score a lot of runs as the leadoff hitter for the Angels. I mean, if he gets on base Trout, Shohei Ohtani, or Justin Upton is bound to drive him in most of the time, right?

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Jaime Barria

Ty Buttrey

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