#1 – Shohei Ohtani needs to become staff ace and put TJ surgery behind him, while hitting well too.
The biggest key to the Angels in 2020 is Shohei Ohtani. When Ohtani burst on the scene in 2018 the stadium was abuzz in anticipation and Ohtani-Son would not disappoint going 4-2 with a 3.31 ERA and 60 strikeouts in only 51.1 innings. Ohtani also hit .25 with 22 homers and 61 RBIs in 328 at-bats, which was good enough to win the AL Rookie of the Year Award.
Ohtani did not pitch after mid-June in 2018 due to a torn UCL that required Tommy John surgery that kept him off the mound for the past 18 months. Ohtani’s return to the mound in 2020 could be just what the doctor ordered. Especially since the Angels were not able to sign or acquire an ace pitcher this off-season.
The Angels could still get some more pitching help, but a healthy Ohtani will go a long way in bolstering the Angels pitching staff and also solidifying the Angels batting order.
If Ohtani can do this in 2020 without suffering a new injury the Angels will be in good shape with what they have right now. Let’s hope for the best and try to be optimistic.
If the Angels and the players I have mentioned can do these five things they will be popping the champagne bottles in the end of September as they will be making the playoffs for the first time since 2014. Hopefully they will be up to the task and make the 2020 season a memorable one.