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Angels: 5 big free agents who will not sign in LA this offseason

Daniel Preciado|
SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA - OCTOBER 16: George Springer #4 of the Houston Astros hits a two run single against the Tampa Bay Rays during the fifth inning in Game Six of the American League Championship Series at PETCO Park on October 16, 2020 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA - OCTOBER 16: George Springer #4 of the Houston Astros hits a two run single against the Tampa Bay Rays during the fifth inning in Game Six of the American League Championship Series at PETCO Park on October 16, 2020 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
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SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA – OCTOBER 17: Michael Brantley #23 of the Houston Astros throws his bat while looking at the Tampa Bay Rays dugout while running on a fly out during the third inning in Game Seven of the American League Championship Series at PETCO Park on October 17, 2020 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)
SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA – OCTOBER 17: Michael Brantley #23 of the Houston Astros throws his bat while looking at the Tampa Bay Rays dugout while running on a fly out during the third inning in Game Seven of the American League Championship Series at PETCO Park on October 17, 2020 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)

Michael Brantley

When healthy, Michael Brantley is one of the best contact hitters in baseball. The 33 year old outfielder currently holds a .297 career batting average and posted a .300 batting average in 2020. While his speed may be gone and any power he did have seeming to be on the decline, he is still a very capable bat. He posted a 134 wRC+ in 2020 and a 133 wRC+ the season prior. He is consistently very good when he actually is on the field and like Ozuna, should cash in.

Brantley held just a 40th percentile hard hit rate in 2020, but that is perfectly fine considering the power has never been out of this world for him. His 22 home runs in 2019 was a bit of an outlier and at this point in the MLB, everyone seems to crush 20 bomb or more. His game is still intact because of an elite 93rd percentile whiff rate and 88th percentile strikeout rate.

Back in his days with the Cleveland Indians, Brantley was usually a 15-15 or 20-20 threat and chipped in batting averages above .300, but at this stage of his career, he might be more of a 15 home run type who is capable of a batting average above .310.

In a day in age where there aren’t many players who are bonafide batting champion contenders, Brantley remains as such. The Angels could use a solid leadoff hitter, but the fact that Brantley plays the outfield sort of ruins his charm for the Halos in particular.

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