LA Angels: Who should replace Dexter Fowler in right field?

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Dexter Fowler, Los Angeles Angels (Photo by Ralph Freso/Getty Images) /

The Angels were dealt a huge blow on Friday when right fielder Dexter Fowler suffered a torn ACL, ending his 2021 season.

Fowler was heading towards second base on a force play and it looked as if he was caught in between a slide and standing up when he planted awkwardly on the base. The initial diagnosis was a knee contusion on Saturday, but that changed when the Halos announced his season-ending injury on Sunday.

Dexter Fowler has a torn ACL.

The initial diagnosis was just not at severe.

More to come. #Angels
— Jeff Fletcher (@JeffFletcherOCR) April 11, 2021

It’s a tough break for the Halos and Fowler who was beginning to swing the bat well, going (4-for-10) in his last three games prior to his injury. From a statistical standpoint (.250 BA-21 PA), it’s not exactly a huge loss, but Fowler was a clubhouse leader on and off the field.

The Angels lose more than just statistics with Dexter Fowler.

Those types of intangibles seem to be forgotten among the exit velocities, launch angles, and other data-driven categories in the Statcast Era, but they are still keys to any team’s success.

Fowler has been a winner everywhere he’s gone, finishing on teams above .500 for six straight seasons. In that span was four trips to the postseason, and a World Series victory in 2016 where Fowler famously led off game 7 with a home run.

The winning attitude has rubbed off in Anaheim, as the Angels have gotten off to their best start in over a decade.

He’s not going to be easy to replace, but here are the players who are most likely to play in right field in Fowler’s absence.

Jo Adell, Los Angeles Angels (Photo by Ralph Freso/Getty Images) /

I think the short answer for calling up Jo Adell or No.1 prospect Brandon Marsh from the team’s alternate site is simply no, at least not right now.

Both players are definitely the future of the Anaheim outfield, but they still need more time to develop. If manager Joe Maddon or the Angels organization believed they’d be ready so soon, they would have been on the 26-man roster to begin the season.

Angels: Jo Adell and Brandon Marsh both need more development.

Spring Training Statistics:

Jo Adell (16 games): 26 PA (5-for-20) 2 HR 6 RBI 1.023 OPS
Brandon Marsh (12 games): 17 PA (4-for-14) 0 HR 1 RBI .983 OPS

The minor league season won’t begin until May, so the only repetitions each player has gotten since the end of spring training has been at the Angels alternate site.

Jo Adell

Adell may be a bit closer offensively right now. In a small sample size last summer, Adell appeared to be rushed to the big leagues too soon, slashing .161/.212/.266 with three home runs and seven RBI. He also walked seven times and had 55 strikeouts in 132 plate appearances in 2020. Adell did show improvement during his spring camp, walking six times with six strikeouts in 26 plate appearances. Defensively he could still use some work as he misplayed a few routine plays in the outfield.

Brandon Marsh

Having seen what happened with Adell, I don’t think the Angels want to rush Marsh to the MLB-level just yet. Marsh dealt with some nagging injuries in spring training, so he was not used defensively as much as he was a designated hitter in the lineup. The former second-round pick has yet to play above Double-A so it’s likely the Halos want to see further development at the Triple-A level for a decent amount of time this season.

At the moment, the Angels aren’t in a desperate need for either young outfielder to provide a spark in the big leagues. Maybe it could happen towards the end of May at the earliest, but as of now the Angels will use one of the following options in right field.

Jared Walsh, Mike Trout, Los Angeles Angels (Photo by Douglas P. DeFelice/Getty Images) /

It’s going to be all hands on deck to replace Fowler. The current options who have spent time in right field this season will get their shot: Jared Walsh, Juan Lagares, and Jose Rojas.

One of these three players will need to step up for the Angels.

Jared Walsh

Joining the ranks of Shohei Ohtani and Mike Trout, Walsh is on pace for a breakout season in 2021. The 27-year-old is slashing .385/.467/.808 with three home runs and eight RBI in 26 plate appearances. I think the use of Walsh in right field will also depend on how well Albert Pujols is swinging the bat. If Pujols is producing, than Walsh will be used in right for a majority of the time. When Pujols is slumping, Walsh will be used at first base while one of the following players will be the right fielder.

Juan Lagares

Former Gold Glove winner Juan Lagares will be the next man up in right field. Defensively, Lagares has not lost a step since he last won the award in 2014. His limits on offense will be what stops him from getting the nod as the team’s right fielder. He made the 26-man roster after an impressive spring camp where he slashed .375/.405/.575 with two home runs, eight RBI, and three stolen bases in 42 plate appearances. He has yet to record a hit in seven at bats this season, but I think Lagares will need more playing time to find his groove. If he struggles in the next few weeks, the team could call up Taylor Ward or veterans Jon Jay and Scott Schebler from their alternate site.

Jose Rojas

The hometown kid, Jose Rojas is one of the best stories of the season so far. He’s scratched and clawed his way to a big-league roster and now he’s got an opportunity to make his case as to why he belongs. A minor left groin injury to Anthony Rendon would have given Rojas the start at third base on Sunday if the game had not been rained out. It’s possible he could be used at the hot corner if Rendon misses extended time, but if not Rojas will get his share of opportunities in the outfield. Maddon has already used Rojas in left and right field this season. He’s still looking for his first hit of 2021 (0-for-8), but a strong spring camp where he slashed .306/.447/.583 with two home runs and six RBI in 36 at-bats is encouraging. Like Lagares, I think Rojas will need consistent playing time to find an offensive rhythm.

Next. Now is the time for Joe Maddon to rally this team

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Obviously you never want a player to go down with an injury, but hopefully this opens the door for one or more role players on the Angels. They won’t need to provide 30-plus home runs or 100-plus RBI, but when their opportunity presents itself, someone will need to step up and help this team win.

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