LA Angels: Here’s 3 bold predictions for the 2021 season

David Fletcher-MLB’s 2021 hits leader (200-plus hits)

My first bold prediction involves a player with a brand new contract: David Fletcher.

The Angels second baseman agreed to a five-year, $26 million extension just before Opening Day on Thursday. It’s safe to say the Halos can expect a lot of hits from Fletcher in that span. I believe Fletcher will surpass the 200-hit threshold and lead Major League Baseball in 2021.

Angels: David Fletcher will lead MLB in total hits this season.

Expect manager Joe Maddon to use Fletcher as his leadoff man in as many games as he can throughout the year.

David Fletcher Career Statistics:

• 2018 (307 PA): (.275 BA) 78 Hits
• 2019 (653 PA): (.290 BA) 173 Hits
• 2020 (230 PA): (.333 BA) 66 Hits

Last summer, Fletcher finished 11th in MLB with 66 hits which was twelve shy of Washington’s Trea Turner (78) as the league leader. However, Fletcher played in 49 games and had 29 less plate appearances compared to Turner’s 59 games and 259 PAs in 2020.

Heading into Sunday, Fletcher rides a three-game hitting streak. In that span he’s gone 4-for-12 (.333 BA) with one walk and four runs scored. He’s currently five hits back of the 2021 league leader, Eddie Rosario.

There’s plenty of time for Fletcher to make up ground, and I wouldn’t be surprised if he rises atop the list in the next game or two.

I think this Angels team will finish the season leading many offensive categories, and in the mix of it all will be the straw that stirs the drink, David Fletcher.

Justin Upton-Angels 2021 home run leader (40-plus HR)

This is probably not who you were expecting to see as the Angels 2021 home run leader with 40-plus. However, I believe this will be a comeback season for left fielder Justin Upton.

A healthy Justin Upton will be bad news for opposing pitchers in 2021.

For this to take place a few things need to happen.

The first being Upton needs to stay healthy. He’s been hampered by injuries the past few seasons which has also affected his performances on the field.

The second thing that needs to take place is he needs to be playing well overall. That sounds obvious, and it is, but if Upton is going 0-for-4 with three strikeouts consistently he’s going to lose playing time regardless how how much he’s getting paid. Last season Joe Maddon placed Upton on the bench after poor performances, and he won’t be afraid to do it again. His job is safe for now, but the closer the young outfielders (Jo Adell and Brandon Marsh) are to getting called up, the better chance they have to replace Upton if he is struggling.

In his 15-year career Upton has never eclipsed the 40-home run mark in a season. The closest he’s come was finishing with 35 in 2017, and he’s had four seasons of 30-plus in the big leagues.

Upton launched his first home run of 2021 in Saturday’s 5-3 win, a go-ahead two-run blast in the eighth inning against the White Sox.

One down, 39 or more to go.

Angels finish 1st in AL West with 90-plus wins

The Halos have one playoff appearance in the last 11 seasons, and have missed the postseason for six consecutive years. The lone trip to October in 2014 was the last time the Angels finished first in the AL West, and the last time they’ve won at least 90 games. There’s a lot that needs to go right, but I believe this team is capable of doing this again in 2021.

The first thing the Angels need to do is consistently win division matchups. The Halos have suffered three consecutive losing seasons against AL West opponents. One of the best ways to put distance between themselves and their rivals is to take advantage of their head-to-head matchups.

The Angels winning the AL West is more realistic than most are projecting.

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I don’t believe the AL West has gotten any better in the offseason. The Mariners and Rangers are in rebuild modes. The Astros have some injury concerns with their pitching, and the A’s annual Moneyball approach is beatable. The Angels winning this division is more realistic than people think, and it’s time they take advantage.

Another area the Angels will need to take care of business is in their starting rotation. This has been the case for the past few seasons, but in 2021 especially, the starters need to step up.

The Halos didn’t make any additions you would consider high-level, so instead they pieced together their six-man rotation with pitchers who would normally be considered mid-level arms. Given how the offense is projected to do the heavy lifting, all this starting staff needs to do is keep the Angels in games consistently.

They’ve got the best player in the league, and another right behind him in the batting order. There’s no excuses for not going all-out in the efforts to push this team in the postseason.

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If this team looks promising in the first few months of the season, expect owner Arte Moreno and general manager Perry Minasian to bring in a legit arm.

This would make the Angels, not just a threat in the AL West, but the entire league.