LA Angels have some good pieces for 2020, but need to fill holes

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Angels Shohei Ohtani gets a single to complete the first cycle by a Japanese player in MLB hstory

ST. PETERSBURG, FL – JUNE 13: Shohei Ohtani #17 of the Los Angeles Angels follows through on his single in the seventh inning of a baseball game against the Tampa Bay Rays at Tropicana Field on June 13, 2019 in St. Petersburg, Florida. (Photo by Mike Carlson/Getty Images) /

Designated Hitter –

The LA Angels got a second season of Shohei Ohtani at DH and it was another pretty good year although he has slumped as of late he still had a good season. Ohtani is hitting .286 with 16 homers and 55 RBIs with 11 stolen bases. He had slightly better numbers in 2018 in less at-bats, but he also has played most every day including against some tough lefties which he was held out against last season.

Ohtani will probably get about the same amount of at-bats as he has right now, in 2020 because he will be limited due to the fact that he will be again be able to pitch. Will there be the same restrictions put on him next season that were in place his rookie year (not playing on the day before and after he pitches) ? We will find that out next season. Hopefully the production will be good and Ohtani will make a full recovery on the mound.

When Ohtani is not in the line-up Albert Pujols and possibly Justin Upton or even Kole Calhoun (if he returns) will share the DH role with Ohtani. This season Ohtani has played about 60% of the time with Pujols, Justin Bour, and even Brian Goodwin filling in the rest of the time.

Grade – B+

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