A Look Into Second Base Options for the Future of the Angels

Taking a deep-dive into the keystone options for the Angels in 2021.

With the 2020 MLB season almost in the books, the Angels have fielded five different players at second base. While playing the position, these players have compiled a combined WAR of -0.7, which ranks 24th in the MLB. Among other things (*cough* pitching *cough*), it is clear the keystone is an area in desperate need of improvement.

The narrative for the past few seasons was that the Angels lack pitching, with this year being no different. The Angels have a starting pitcher ERA of 5.42  and a bullpen ERA of 4.85, which ranks 23rd and 24th in the MLB, respectively. This offseason, I expect Angels GM Billy Eppler to prioritize solving this problem.

With that being said, improving the second base position may take a backseat, which is actually OK. While performance at the position has been sub-par, the Angels have a plethora of options and depth internally for someone to break-out and claim the second base job for themselves.

I’m looking forward to watching the healthy competition unfold as these players vie for the starting role as the second baseman of the future.

Angels Second Basemen of the Future: Franklin Barreto

The former top prospect has had a rough start to his career. A key return in the Josh Donaldson to Toronto trade, he has been unable to carve out consistent playing time with Oakland (211 total at-bats over 4 seasons). With a career slash line of .180/.210/.360 and striking out 44% of the time, he has not impressed in his limited chances. With the Athletics leading the AL East, they elected to trade Barreto to the Angels in exchange for the established La Stella.

Was the acquisition of Baretto a sign that Simmons’ days in Anaheim are numbered? Potentially. It seemed like the original plan was to get Barreto in the lineup as consistently as possible, to see if he can reach his prospect expectations. With zero minor league options remaining, the Angels were going to put him in a sink-or-swim situation. He was going to “play literally everywhere” according to Maddon. He spent time at second base, shortstop, third base, and left field.

Unfortunately, Baretto hit the injured list with a left shoulder injury after only 17 at-bats with the Angels and could miss the remainder of the season. The injury definitely muddies the water for the Angels moving into next season, especially with Simmons’ contract expiring.

Barreto ranked 33rd on the 2017 MLB prospect list, with solid across-the-board scouting grades (hit: 55, power: 50, run: 55, arm: 60, field: 45, overall: 55). If he can reach his expectations, he would be a solid option at second base moving forward.

If Simmons is not an Angel next season, Baretto figures to compete for the second base job. It will take a strong showing in spring training for him to prove his case, as he has not been able to showcase MLB-starting caliber play in his minimal opportunities. If Simmons returns, Baretto will be regulated to, at-best, a bench/utility role.

Angels Second Basemen of the Future: Luis Rengifo

A former under-the-radar minor-leaguer in the Mariners and Rays organization made a name for himself after being acquired by the Angels as a PTBNL in exchange for first basemen C.J. Cron in 2018. Immediately after joining the Halos organization, the switch-hitting infielder surged through the minor leagues, starting in A+ and finishing as a Salt Lake Bee, the Angels AAA farm team. He compiled a slash line of .299/.399/.452 across three levels.

In April of 2019, Rengifo was called up after (stop me if you’ve heard this before) then third baseman Zack Cozart landed on the injured list. Since his debut, his offensive success from the minor-leagues has not translated to the major league level, amassing a career slash line of .220/.311/.332.

This season, Rengifo has logged the most games at second base (23), a large portion of which during Fletcher’s temporary move to shortstop. It seems right now that Rengifo has the upper-hand in the second base competition should Fletcher shift to shortstop permanently.

Rengifo may not be in the competition for much longer, however. The Angels may choose to trade him this upcoming offseason. They have already proven a willingness and desire to move him for the right price, as evidenced by this past offseason. Surrounding the dumpster-fire Red Sox-Dodgers trade that would send Mookie Betts to the Dodgers, contingent on that trade being completed, the Dodgers also had another trade lined up that would send Joc Pederson and Ross Stripling to the Angels in exchange for Rengifo. The original trade fell through and Angels owner Arte Moreno kiboshed the impeding Rengifo trade. It is unclear as to why, perhaps because he was upset and impatient about waiting for the Betts’ trade to be completed, or that he has a soft spot for Rengifo. If the latter is true, Rengifo might factor into the future competition for second base.

While Rengifo’s minor league success has earned him major league opportunities, he has not seized on them. If the Angels elect to keep him, and he continues to provide sub-par offense, he will most likely fill a bench-role.

Angels Second Basemen of the Future: Mike Trout?

Just kidding!

Angels Second Basemen of the Future: Matt Thaiss

Sorry about that, Must’ve mixed them up. You know, M.T. initials. Anyways, moving on.

Matt Thaiss has been regarded as the first baseman of the future for the Angels, who has been slated to take the reigns at the end of Albert Pujols’ megadeal after the 2021 season. While that is still likely, the Angels are exploring other options for the young infielder.

Including the minor leagues, Matt Thaiss has one professional career game under his belt at the keystone. The idea of Thaiss as the starting second baseman may be a long shot, but it might be one that is necessary if Maddon wishes to get him in the lineup on a regular basis. The reason for this being first baseman Jared Walsh. Walsh has been enjoying a breakout season, hitting .328/.349/.793 with 7 home runs in only 22 games. If he continues to perform close to the level he is currently, he could be the first baseman moving forward, forcing Matt Thaiss to find somewhere else to play.

At least for now, Thaiss may not be able to show what he can do at the second-base position, as he was sent to the alternative site on September 16th. It is unclear whether or not he will get another chance during the 2020 season.

His career slash line of .202/.291/.405 in 61 games leaves much to be desired. Much like Baretto, Thaiss will have to have a strong spring showing to prove he’s capable. While he was a highly-regarded offensive prospect, his minor-league success has not yet translated to the big leagues.

Angels Second Basemen of the Future: Taylor Ward

The catcher-turned-infielder-turned-outfielder could also be an option for the second-base position. Taylor Ward made the transition to third base during the 2018 minor league season and enjoyed a breakout campaign finishing with 14 home runs and a slash line .349/.446/.531. The offensive success was largely attributed to the position change, as he was no longer burdened by the responsibilities of the catching position.

Ward may benefit again from another position change. The Angels outfield currently employs Mike Trout, Justin Upton, Jo Adell, and Ward. due to the underwhelming performances of Upton and Adell, Ward has seen semi-regular playing time in the corner outfield positions. That being said, with top outfield prospect Brandon Marsh knocking at the door of the majors, and Adell expected to develop into a star, Ward is the odd man out and will have an even harder time carving out playing time in 2021.

That is unless he moves back to the infield. Unfortunately for him, third base will be locked up for a while by all-star Anthony Rendon, who signed a seven-year, $245 million deal this offseason. While he has logged no professional innings at second base, it may be in his best interest to learn the position and join in on the competition.

A transition back to catcher could also be in the cards for Ward. Although he hasn’t played the position since 2017, there was speculation before spring training that he might break camp as the third catcher behind Max Stassi and Jason Castro. A transition to catcher is very rare, and speaking from experience, as a former catcher myself, it’s a luxury to not have to put on those dang pads every inning. If Ward wants a shot at consistent playing time, a position change to either second base or catcher might be necessary.

Angels Second Basemen of the Future: Jahmai Jones

The Angels followed my advice given to Taylor Ward and applied it to Jahmai Jones. Drafted in the second round of the 2015 amateur draft as an outfielder, he has since moved to second base. The transition made sense for Jones, as his path to the major leagues was blocked being behind Jo Adell and Brandon Marsh on the outfield prospect depth chart.

Jones, once a top prospect for the Angels, has struggled the past two seasons in the minor leagues, hitting .239/.337/.380 in 2018 and .234/.308/.324 in 2019. One upside was his performance in the Arizona Fall League in 2019, hitting .302 with 2 home runs in 16 games.

Another factor to consider is that he is only 23 years old, and has been younger than the league average in every league he’s played in. In 2018 he was 4 years younger than the AA league average. He still has room and time to develop, and the Angels have not given up on the young infielder, and neither should you.

Jones had a small cup of coffee in the majors. and by a small cup of coffee, I mean like a cup of coffee for ants, one that would make Moonlight Graham jealous. On August 31st, he was called up and made his debut as a pinch-runner. He was then sent back down to the alternate site the next day, compiling 0 at-bats.

With Simmons and Fletcher both healthy, it doesn’t seem likely that Jones will have another shot this season. I expect the second base battle next spring to be one that everyone will be watching, as each candidate has an equal chance, with no one player going into camp with the edge.

No, I don’t think Joe Maddon will be the starting second baseman next season. While the lineup decisions are ultimately his, I doubt he will slot himself in the lineup anytime soon.  However, It is worth looking at Joe Maddon’s past trends when trying to figure out how the second base position will be handled going into next season.

While it is no secret Maddon likes to move players around the lineup, his more successful team suggests that when he has a solid second baseman, he tends to keep them there. In 2008, Maddon was the manager of the Tampa Bay Devil Rays, the team was 97-65, winning the AL East pennant. Maddon penned Akinori Iwamura in the second base spot 152 times. In 2016, the World Series-winning Chicago Cubs had a regular-season record of 103-58. World Series MVP Ben Zobrist received the bulk of playing time at second base, playing 119 games at the position, opposed to Javier Baez’ 59 games at the position. Maddon’s past trends suggest that while he likes versatile players if he has a second baseman he trusts, he tends to keep them there.

With next season so unclear, Maddon may not have that luxury. If he gets his way and the Angels resign or extend Simmons, Fletcher will receive the lion’s share of playing time at second base. If not, the second base position may be rotated through by a bunch of players who have all underperformed expectations in their young careers.

I expect the second base competition in 2021 Spring Training to be highly anticipated and observed. Any player could realistically storm out of the gate and take the reigns. Each player in the running has shown offensive prowess at one point or another in their minor league careers, it’s just a matter of who will finally be able to bring that success to the big leagues.