LA Angels most indispensable player is David Fletcher

For the LA Angels the question of who is your best player is an easy one: Mike Trout.  However, a player that every team needs is a good utility man. A Jack of All Trades.

For the LA Angels that player is spelled D-A-V-I-D F-L-E-T-C-H-E-R. Fletcher is not only a Swiss-Army knife of sorts, but he is the team’s unsung hero.  Fletcher can bat almost anywhere in the batting order and be effective. He can also play pretty much any position except for pitcher and catcher.

When Fletcher was drafted in the 6th round of 2015 amateur draft out of Loyola Marymount University he was a shortstop who could play second base.  Since arriving in the Angels system he learned to play third base and when he got to the majors he learned to play the outfield as well. He can also play first base a little, but with the Angels having a plethora of options he does not play there very often.

Fletcher has had a nice two-year run with the Angels since being called up in June of 2018.  Fletcher played mostly third base in 2018 in place of injured Zack Cozart.  He hit .275 with one homer and 25 RBIs in 80 games. In 2019 Fletcher came of age hitting .290 with six homers and driving in 49 runs with eight stolen bases playing 2nd, 3rd, shortstop, and outfield.

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What’s even more amazing is that Fletcher’s career fielding percentage is .987, while making just 10 errors in 750 total chances.  He makes the tough plays look easy and he also has an above-average arm. Fletcher was a major catalyst for the Angels batting lead-off numerous times, striking out only 98 times in 880 at-bats.

So to me the talk about trading David Fletcher is absurd.  Every team needs a guy like Fletcher, who they can plug-in and play pretty much anywhere.  Fletcher is a true team player in every sense of the word team.  Fletcher even gave up his #6 jersey to new Angel Anthony Rendon.  Eckstein took the #22 which he should wear with pride as it was a number worn by two of the most selfless Angels. Dick Schofield from 1983 to 1991 and then again from 1995 to 1996. The other Angel I’m referring too was a fan-favorite like Fletcher and that was David Eckstein.  It is very fitting that Fletcher is now wearing #22 he will carry on the tradition of that number.

Now with the signing of Anthony Rendon to play third base it creates a situation where Fletcher does not have a set position.  Tommy La Stella is also a second baseman and Fletcher will probably platoon with him.  However, since Fletcher can play so many different spots he can be plugged-in wherever at new manager Joe Maddon‘s disposal.

In Chicago Maddon had Ben Zobrist who played like five different spots for the Cubs during their 2016 World Championship Season.  When Maddon was in Tampa Bay he also had Zobrist to use all around the diamond.

David Fletcher is worth his weight in gold for the Angels and to top it all off he is a very humble, nice guy who is always willing to sign autographs or pose for pictures with his many fans.  If you don’t like David Fletcher then you need your head examined.  I, for one, am glad that we have Fletcher on our roster.  I’m sure most of you feel the same way