LA Angels Player Grades from Sweep Against Mariners

Infielders

Albert Pujols: 8 AB, 2 H, 2 SO, 0 BB, 0 RBI, 2 R

While that stat line might seem like a typical Pujols series, The Machine was the lifeblood of the Halos’ offense this series. I don’t think I’ve written that sentence since I started writing at Halo Hangout, wow.

However, it’s the truth. Pujols (along with Lucroy) were the main contributors to the offense this series. And, I know this is getting pretty weird, but Pujols provided a lot of value on the base paths with smart base running.

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Both of his runs scored were largely due to him being aggressive. In one sequence, he turned a single into a double when the Mariners outfielder was jogging to the ball. Then he took third base on an infield groundout prior to scoring.

Overall, a very impressive showing from Pujols, who looks noticeably more athletic. By that I mean instead of very, very, VERY, slow, The Machine is just very slow so far this year.

Grade: A-

Justin Bour:  4 AB, 0 H, 1 SO, 0 BB, 0 RBI, 0 R

Justin Bour? More like Justin Poor. He wasn’t in the lineup on Tuesday due to a lefty starter, but his performance in Game 1 of the series was another uninspiring one. He had previously mashed against right-handed pitching, but Bour hasn’t been able to find his stroke yet.

Grade: F

David Fletcher: 7 AB, 1 H, 1 SO, 0 BB, 1 RBI, 0 R

Fletcher finally got some playing time in this series, starting both games. However, he didn’t do much with his time, collecting only one hit. He didn’t strikeout at all, which is a plus, but it wasn’t an inspiring performance from Fletcher.

Grade: D

Tommy La Stella: 4 AB, 2 H, 0 SO, 0 BB, 0 RBI, 0 R

While Fletcher struggled in his two games, La Stella put together a really nice outing in his own start. He strung together a couple of hits and was an asset at the plate.

On defense he had a heads up play. With a runner on second, he allowed an infield fly ball to drop to the field to throw the faster runner out at second base. After a costly defensive miscue in the Oakland series, this was nice to see from La Stella.

Grade: A

Andrelton Simmons: 8 AB, 1 H, 2 SO, 0 BB, 0 RBI, 0 R

Simmons had a rough series, but a large part of it was unlucky. Going 1-8 at the plate is always tough, but Simmons made a lot of good contact at the plate and was just unfortunate with where the ball went. He also had a couple of potential home runs that landed just foul.

Grade: D

Zack Cozart: 5 AB, 0 H, 1 SO, 0 BB, 0 RBI, 0 R

Not a great outing for Cozart, who hit leadoff when the Angels faced a left-handed starter in the second game this series. His at-bats were not what you look for from a leadoff hitter, especially with a favorable lefty-righty matchup.

Grade: F