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Three LA Angels Storylines to Watch for the Rest of 2019

By Vincent Page |
BOSTON, MA - AUGUST 10: Mike Trout #27 high fives Kole Calhoun #56 of the Los Angeles Angels after hitting a two-run home run in the sixth inning of a game against the Boston Red Sox at Fenway Park on August 10, 2019 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Adam Glanzman/Getty Images)
BOSTON, MA - AUGUST 10: Mike Trout #27 high fives Kole Calhoun #56 of the Los Angeles Angels after hitting a two-run home run in the sixth inning of a game against the Boston Red Sox at Fenway Park on August 10, 2019 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Adam Glanzman/Getty Images)
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BOSTON, MA – AUGUST 11: Kole Calhoun #56 of the Los Angeles Angels hits a solo home run in the eighth inning against the Boston Red Sox at Fenway Park on August 11, 2019 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Kathryn Riley/Getty Images)
BOSTON, MA – AUGUST 11: Kole Calhoun #56 of the Los Angeles Angels hits a solo home run in the eighth inning against the Boston Red Sox at Fenway Park on August 11, 2019 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Kathryn Riley/Getty Images) /

The LA Angels are out of the Wild Card hunt for 2019. A disastrous start to August doomed them, but there are still three major storylines that should keep Halo fans watching for the rest of the season.

The Final (?) Months of Kole Calhoun

As all Halo fans know, this season could very well be Calhoun’s last in Anaheim. He has been Mike Trout’s running mate for nearly his entire career, and the possibility of seeing that come to an end is very real.

So instead of debating whether or not the Angels should have traded him at the deadline, why don’t we just enjoy what could be the final 50 games for Calhoun in the white and red? With an expensive club option next year, along his offensive revival and always stellar defense, Calhoun could have a flurry of suitors come free agency.

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Calhoun’s leadership won’t be replaced by top prospect Jo Adell, or whoever fills his hole should he leave. That’s no knock on any other player, but a testament to how much Calhoun means to the Angels and their fans. He plays his heart out every time he steps onto the diamond and was an emotional leader after the tragic passing of Tyler Skaggs.

There’s no doubt Calhoun has value beyond 2019 for the Angels, should they choose to pick up his option or renegotiate a new deal with him. However, there’s no certainty when it comes to free agency, so let’s enjoy what could be the Red Baron’s final curtain call in Anaheim.

SEATTLE, WA – JULY 20: Griffin Canning #47 of the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim delivers in the third inning against the Seattle Mariners at T-Mobile Park on July 20, 2019 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Lindsey Wasson/Getty Images)
SEATTLE, WA – JULY 20: Griffin Canning #47 of the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim delivers in the third inning against the Seattle Mariners at T-Mobile Park on July 20, 2019 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Lindsey Wasson/Getty Images) /

LA Angels Trio of Young Pitchers

While the Halos’ biggest problem this season has been the starting rotation, it remains one of the most interesting and important positions to watch as the team looks forward to 2020.

This is because of Griffin Canning, Jose Suarez, and Patrick Sandoval. All three are getting their first taste of the big leagues this season, and all three have had different paths leading them here.

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Griffin Canning was a second round pick in 2017. Suarez signed as an international free agent in 2014 at just 16 years old. Sandoval was drafted by the Astros in the 11th round, only to be traded to the Angels in return for Martin Maldonado.

All three seemingly have different expectations as well. Suarez has always been viewed as a back-of-rotation arm, maybe working his way to the middle of the order in a best case scenario. Canning was drafted extremely low based on talent, and has all the capabilities to become a #2 in a rotation behind a true ace (Gerrit Cole please come home I am begging you). For Sandoval, he is a bit of a wild card. He has shown a lot of skill so far in his two appearances, and may have a higher ceiling than originally thought.

With these three making up the majority of the rotation for 2019, it’ll give the Angels front office and their fans a glimpse into what they can expect going into the offseason and give them a read on just how much starting pitching they need.

BOSTON, MA – AUGUST 9: Mike Trout #27 of the Los Angeles Angels hits a double in the first inning against the Boston Red Sox at Fenway Park on August 9, 2019 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Kathryn Riley/Getty Images)
BOSTON, MA – AUGUST 9: Mike Trout #27 of the Los Angeles Angels hits a double in the first inning against the Boston Red Sox at Fenway Park on August 9, 2019 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Kathryn Riley/Getty Images) /

The Best Season of Mike Trout’s Career

Simply put, we all know how great Mike Trout is. At 28 years old, he’s inarguably the best player in the league for a seventh consecutive season, and he may just go down as the best of all time.

With the final quarter of the season approaching, Trout is chasing a handful of records and milestones. He will surely pass his career high in homers of 41, and could reach the 50 dinger mark if he keeps up his current pace. The Angels’ current record for most home runs in a season belongs to Troy Glaus, who hit 47 home runs in 2000.

Trout is also leading the league in home runs, tied with Christian Yelich with 39. Behind them, Cody Bellinger and Pete Alonso both have 38 dingers on the season. Between those four players, it will surely be a tight race towards the finish line.

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Besides the home run race, simply watching Trout is reason enough to watch Angels games. Seemingly every game nowadays (literally), he is hitting a 450 foot home run, making an amazing defensive play, or walking three times.

He is the absolute best player in baseball, without a doubt, and he is having what is quite possibly the best season of his career.

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