LA Angels: Updates on Three Pivotal Position Races

When the LA Angels reported for Spring Training this year, there weren’t many position battles to watch. However, the few that did exist have all become very close battles between players who know their playing time is at risk.

For the LA Angels, their three main position battles are for the starting 2B/3B, fourth outfielder, and fifth starter. While none of them have been decided yet, there has been enough baseball to be played for us to provide an update on each.

The Fourth Outfielder

The fourth outfielder race is officially a two-man competition now, and even then it may still a runaway. Peter Bourjos has been absolutely amazing this Spring Training. A .478 batting average and slugging numbers well above his career average, Bourjos is putting up great numbers and is one of the three best players so far this Spring Training.

Obviously, Bourjos is no slouch in defense either. While he doesn’t have a great arm, his range is still elite, especially if he’s slotted in one of the corner spots next to Trout. Maybe the Angels wants to give Trout a day off? Bourjos is a natural center fielder. If he does end up winning this race, he’ll be a great option late in games as a pinch-runner or a defensive substitution as well.

This race would be over if not for one name, Jarrett Parker. The 30-year old former San Francisco Giants outfielder has been lighting it up in Tempe as well, to the tune of a .316 batting average and a handful of extra base hits. He has been driving the ball well, and his left-handed bat is a plus for an Angels team desperate for them.

While Parker doesn’t have the same versatility on defense that Bourjos does, he’s no slouch in the corner outfield spots. He has played center field in a pinch before, but his abilities are best suited for left and right field.

Three Man Race for 2B/3B

This one may not seem like much of a race, but the Angels have three exceptional options to fill to of their infield positions. Zack Cozart, David Fletcher, and Taylor Ward are all competing to start on Opening Day, and there hasn’t been a clear winner yet.

At the start, it seemed as if Ward was the clear option to come off the bench. He hit just .178 last year while playing average defense at third. However, that has changed as Ward has arguably been the best Halo (.350 average, one home run, two doubles) not named Matt Thaiss so far in Spring Training. He has forced his name to be considered in the starting lineup, and if things continue to look so easy for the second-year player, he might just be the new Angels’ third baseman.

Zack Cozart has had an up-and-down preseason. Coming back from season-ending shoulder surgery, he reported early and said he felt better than expected. While the results are minimal, he has looked solid at the plate to the tune of three hits in seven at-bats.

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However, Cozart suffered a calf injury and will miss “a few weeks”. While he only has a Grade 1 strain, the Angels are likely (and widely) going to play it safe with the veteran. However, this gives Ward and Fletcher all the more opportunities. If Cozart is healthy come Opening Day, the likelihood of him getting the nod to start is high due to his veteran status.

However, if Brad Ausmus truly values production over everything, it’d be hard not to start Ward and Fletcher come Opening Day, especially if they each go on to have solid preseasons.