LA Angels Player Grades from Sweep Against Mariners

SEATTLE, WA – APRIL 02: Jonathan Lucroy #20 of the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim scores on a groundout by Kevan Smith #44 in the second inning at T-Mobile Park on April 2, 2019 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Lindsey Wasson/Getty Images)

The LA Angels lost both games of their quick series in Seattle, The offense wasn’t good, the starters were inconsistent, and the bullpen finally broke.

However, while the LA Angels are 1-5 and largely disappointing, some players are stepping up big time, and it is time to give player grades for this series.

As always, an A grade means that player was absolutely amazing, and there isn’t a flaw in their performance. A B would mean the player was above-average and played very well during the series, but had one or two things keeping them from an A grade. C means the player was their average self in the series, while a D is below average, and an F means they were awful and better served to be on the bench.

So without further ado…

Catchers

Jonathan Lucroy: 8 AB, 4 H, 0 SO, 0 BB, 1 RBI, 2 R

Lucroy was probably the MVP of the Angels’ offense in this two game set, except the Angels apparently do not have an offense.

Nonetheless, Lucroy provided a lot of pop to the second half of this order, and would have had more RBI production if the people around him were consistently getting on base.

I’ve been really impressed with Lucroy so far. The pitching staff has been exceptional in Lucroy’s starts, and he has made solid contact at the plate time and time again. After getting out of the gate hot, he has a legitimate shot at 40 doubles this season.

Grade: A

Kevan Smith: 3 AB, 0 H, 0 SO, 0 BB, 1 RBI, 0 R

One of my favorite moves from this offseason, Kevan Smith has been atrocious so far in limited time for the Angels. He is still hitless for the year, and the only positive at-bat he had was his RBI groundout to score Lucroy on Tuesday.

While you never expect much at the plate from your backup catcher, Smith needs to start having better at-bats if he hopes to hold onto the role much longer into the season.