LA Angels: Three Players Exceeding Expectations this Spring Training

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Each week, the crew at Halo Hangout will be answering a roundtable question about the LA Angels. This week, we each gave a player we believe has been performing far above what we thought they’d be doing, and how it could impact the 2019 season.

Dillon Peters

By David Rice (@HaloHangout)

Dillon Peters is a pitcher with minimal major league experience who the LA Angels acquired in the off-season from the Florida Marlins for next to nothing. Peters is left-handed which always makes a pitcher a little more valuable. Angels general manager Billy Eppler saw something in Peters mechanics that made him think that Peters may be a diamond in the rough.

So far Peters has looked pretty good in the Spring through two appearances. Peters got the Spring Training Opener nod pitching two scoreless innings giving up only one hit and striking out one batter. Peters then pitched on Thursday in relief of Tyler Skaggs and pitched two innings again giving two runs only one that was earned and striking one batter.

Peters has a 2.25 ERA in the two starts and has looked good overall. He is in the mix for the fifth starter spot although he is a long shot for that role. However, Peters could win a roster spot by getting lefties out consistently and becoming the lefty specialist in the Angels bullpen which the race is wide-open for at this point with Greg Mahle, Williams Jerez, Dan Jennings, and Peters all in the mix.

The amount of innings that Peters has pitched thus far is too small of a sample-size to get overly excited about, but he is still making the most of his opportunity. We will see in another two weeks if Peters is still pitching well.

Peter Bourjos

By Vincent Page (@VincentPage74)

When the Angels brought back Peter Bourjos on a minor league contract, it immediately seemed as if he’d be in the race for the fourth outfield spot. However, Bourjos has taken an undeniable lead in that race, as he hot been as hot as anyone so far in Spring Training.

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In just seven games and 19 at bats, Bourjos has collected 10 hits with half of those going for extra bases. With two doubles, a triple, and two home runs, Bourjos’ swing has provided absolutely gorgeous results.

With those hits have come RBI’s, as Bourjos has driven in eight so far in Tempe. He has shown an all-around ability at the plate, and while his power is likely going to regress as Spring Training continues, it is pleasant to see Bourjos still has the ability to drive the ball out of the park on occasion after having only 15 home runs in the past four seasons combined.

And while his bat has been the focus this preseason, Bourjos’ defense is still elite. He can play all three outfield positions at an above-average level, making him an idea bench option. Whether it is to pinch hit for Calhoun late in a game for a better matchup, or to step into left field as a defensive substitute for Justin Upton to close out a win, Bourjos has immense value coming off the bench.

Matt Thaiss

By Ryan Falla (@rmfalla)

Did anyone see Matt Thaiss having a breakout Spring Training? There wasn’t a lot of attention paid to the young come-ups within the Angels franchise looking to solidify themselves coming into this Spring, but just a weeks worth of games later and we’ve seen the Angels future making waves that no one saw coming. Leading that youthful charge is an Angels Top Prospect, Matt Thaiss, the power-hitting first baseman whose ability to make contact is as timely as it comes.

Matt Thaiss has spent three seasons developing within the Angels farm system after being drafted in the 1st round of the 2016 draft. As he began his development journey many scouts rated him as a high-contact, low-power first baseman and when you look at his early MiLB power numbers it easy to understand why.

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The 2018 season, a breakout year for Thaiss, was the first year in which he posted double-digit HR’s (16). However, his skill-set still saw him bring a fair amount of power to the plate in the form of line-drive, doubles producing ability all throughout his career. In 2017 Thaiss collected 27 doubles across 606 Plate Appearances, though that number rose significantly in 2018 as he collected 34 doubles in 30 less Plate Appearances.

Those numbers are starting to translate to an MLB-level readiness big time. Thaiss isn’t just looking like the most MLB-ready prospect, he’s looking more ready for the regular season than some Angel mainstays.

So far he’s collected six extra base hits (1 HR) with 9 RBI’s and 5 Runs Scored in 17 Plate Appearances as well as one walk. Thaiss’ is approaching the plate in the calm and collected manner you usually only see from MLB veterans and it shows in his results. He isn’t just making good contact, he’s absolutely lacing the ball every which way.

We’re seeing it all from Thaiss, from punching blazing line drives up the right field corner to showing off his no-doubt HR ability. The fact that he’s also managed 2 triples shows both how fierce his line-drives are as well as how strong his physical conditioning is this early in the year.

Prior to the 2018 season Matt Thaiss was seen as a more advanced James Loney type; high contact ability with a strong glove at 1B, but likewise holding a lacking ability to punch the ball with force. That all changed after his 2018 MiLB breakout at the age of 23, and now at 24 Thaiss is showing that he’s more than just an MiLB breakout. He’s showing he’s more than just a Spring Training standout.

Next. The Dallas Kuechel Conundrum

Matt Thaiss isn’t just an MLB ready prospect, he’s the kind athlete whose rising ability isn’t just going to settle in as a MLB contributor. Thaiss is well on his way to showing off not just his MLB readiness, but his All-Star ability as well.

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