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LA Angels Series Preview: Team Has Chance to Prove Their Strength Against the Cubs

By Ryan Falla

ANAHEIM, CA - APRIL 10: Zack Cozart #7 of the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim pats Jonathan Lucroy #20 on the head as Andrelton Simmons #2 walks past following a 4-2 victory over the Milwaukee Brewers at Angel Stadium of Anaheim on April 10, 2019 in Anaheim, California. (Photo by John McCoy/Getty Images)
ANAHEIM, CA - APRIL 10: Zack Cozart #7 of the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim pats Jonathan Lucroy #20 on the head as Andrelton Simmons #2 walks past following a 4-2 victory over the Milwaukee Brewers at Angel Stadium of Anaheim on April 10, 2019 in Anaheim, California. (Photo by John McCoy/Getty Images) /
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Let the kids play

If David Fletcher can continue to be a little rally monkey at the bottom of the order and Kole Calhoun can provide pop in his bat there will be no shortage of scoring opportunities. Even with Mike Trout out of the lineup this is still a very talented core of hitters.

The only problem is a couple of key hitters in Justin Bour and Zack Cozart cannot get it together. Luckily we have Taylor Ward returning to the big league club after recording 143 PA’s with the Angels to end the 2018 season.

Ward collected a double during his 2019 debut against the Brewers, though he did strike out twice. Ward has shown a significant increase in power potential over the last year as he stroked 6 HRs in the MLB in 2018, along with 14 in the minors. Ward also added on 26 doubles in 446 minor league plate appearances.

Compared to his 2017 power numbers of 9 HR’s and 14 doubles in 392 minor league plate appearances, it’s obvious that he’s aging into some untapped power. The age 25 season is just about where a hitter’s power begins to really mature. It’s common to see hitters bump their power potential as they hit the mid 20’s and Ward is really starting to grow into himself as a Major Leaguer.

Next. Three Takeaways from Angels Sweep vs. Brewers

If Ward can continue his pace of development he can provide an actual power bat to the Angels lineup, a much needed power bat at that. I don’t see him being a big power hitter, but if he can knock in 15-20 HR’s a year and 20+ doubles the Angels will see the lineup grow into far more effective form than it has been in weeks past.

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