LA Angels: 3 Potential options in place of Mike Trout

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The LA Angels are in a tough spot with Mike Trout’s calf injury keeping him out for six to eight weeks.

Replacing MLB’s best player of the last ten years is obviously a daunting task for the LA Angels.

Mike Trout isn’t replaceable, but it’s clear who will be called upon to step up for him in his absence.

The first is the player who switched over to center field the moment Trout got hurt, and that’s Juan Lagares.

If there’s one thing one can always count on Lagares to do, it’s play defense.

The outfielder has always been among the league’s better defensive outfielders. He even has a Gold Glove to show for it in 2014. In 2015, he was a key contributor to the Mets’ National League-winning run, particularly on defense.

His issue is on offense. He can’t hit for very much power at all, and his lifetime .253 batting average is rather disappointing. Entering Wednesday’s double-header, he was batting just .192.

He had a two-hit game in Game 1, however. The Angels are going to need that type of production moving forward.

Expecting him to replace Mike Trout’s unreal .333/.466/.624 line would be foolish. Lagares doesn’t have potential anywhere near that caliber.

He can, however, hit closer to the .281/.321/.382 line he had in 2014, and be a quality player as long as he continues to play very nice defense.

Other than defense, Lagares’ tools don’t compare well to Trout’s at all.

If the Angels want to be competitive with the roster they have, Lagares will need to step up.

May 8, 2021; Anaheim, California, USA; Los Angeles Angels third baseman Taylor Ward (3) at the plate during the Angels 14-11 loss to the Los Angeles Dodgers at Angel Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Robert Hanashiro-USA TODAY Sports /

Taylor Ward needs to return to 2020 form.

Taylor Ward was far from bad in 2020. He’s been far from good in 2021. He’s most likely going to have to play some more center with Trout out of the picture.

In 2020, Ward hit .277/.333/.383. While nobody wants just that in return for what Trout brought to the table, that’s at least serviceable production that a major league roster can use.

This year, Ward has disappointed, with a .188 batting average and .259 on-base percentage leading into Game 2 of Thursday’s double-header. However, Ward has hit for more power this year than one might think.

He’s played in 15 games this year (entering Game 2 of the double-header), and hit three home runs in those games. That’s pretty good, and would be good for 32 home runs over the course of a full season. Obviously it’s pretty hard to just decide that Ward’s a 30+ home run guy, but he’s objectively hit for power in the opportunities he’s had.

He’s done something right, and that gives me hope for him potentially turning his bat around this year.

He had two hits in Game 1 on Wednesday, good for 2 RBI and one of those hits was a homer. If there’s any time for him to get hot, it’s now.

May 10, 2021; Houston, Texas, USA; Los Angeles Angels left fielder Justin Upton (10) scores after hitting a home run during the sixth inning against the Houston Astros at Minute Maid Park. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports /

Justin Upton is not a center fielder.

He never has been.

But what’s interesting, is that he actually played center field on Wednesday.

When Shohei Ohtani moved from the pitcher’s mound, Justin Upton shifted over to center. He moved back as soon as Ohtani’s night was done.

Upton won’t be seeing very much time in center, but on days where Ohtani pitches, it’s a possibility.

If Ohtani’s going to go to left, there are bound to be situations where Upton will shift over to center.

He has the arm for center field, he just doesn’t have the speed.

Sure, Upton won’t be playing much center, and really only will in these situations involving Ohtani.

However, those situations may come up, and he needs to step up in general.

I like his eight home runs heading into Thursday, but his .202 batting average and .284 on-base percentage heading into Thursday is unacceptable.

The former number one overall draft pick is far too talented to be putting up the numbers he has since 2019.

Next. Minor Leaguers who could fit with Halos' plans

All in all, it’s not just Upton. The team is losing Trout in a time where the team was already losing. This is going to be a crucial six to eight weeks, and the Angels need any help they can get to have Trout return to a playoff run.

Home / LA Angels News

The LA Angels are in a tough spot with Mike Trout’s calf injury keeping him out for six to eight weeks.

Taylor Ward needs to return to 2020 form.

Justin Upton is not a center fielder.

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