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LA Angels: 3 Halos that need to be on your All-Star ballot

By Evan Desai |
Los Angeles Angels infielder Jared Walsh (20) flips the ball to first to record an out against the San Francisco Giants in the first inning. Mandatory Credit: Cary Edmondson-USA TODAY Sports
Los Angeles Angels infielder Jared Walsh (20) flips the ball to first to record an out against the San Francisco Giants in the first inning. Mandatory Credit: Cary Edmondson-USA TODAY Sports
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All-Star voting is underway, and there are three LA Angels who we need to get in.

The league gives us fans a say on who gets in, and we need to take advantage of it.

One Angel has to make the Midsummer Classic, but there’s too much talent on this team to be content with the required one All-Star per team to make the AL All-Star roster. We need to vote as much as we can.

Los Angeles Angels designated hitter Shohei Ohtani (17) tosses his bat after hitting a single during the third inning against the Kansas City Royals. Mandatory Credit: Kelvin Kuo-USA TODAY Sports
Los Angeles Angels designated hitter Shohei Ohtani (17) tosses his bat after hitting a single during the third inning against the Kansas City Royals. Mandatory Credit: Kelvin Kuo-USA TODAY Sports /

No. 1 LA Angel who needs to be on your All-Star ballot: Shohei Ohtani

This one’s a no-brainer. LA Angels Designated Hitter/Starting Pitcher Shohei Ohtani should be on every single voter’s ballot and there’s no excuse to not vote for him.

He adds to his ridiculous highlight reel every single day.

Among DH’s in this league, Ohtani leads in slugging percentage (.602), and is tied for fourth in on-base percentage (.349). No DH has hit as many home runs as him (17), and no DH has scored more runs (41).

He’s driven in 44 runs this year, which is third among Designated Hitters, and not only is he the only Designated Hitter that pitches, but he’s one of the best pitchers in the entire league.

Ohtani owns a 2.76 ERA in his eight starts so far this season. That’s sixth in the American League.

He can play the field too, and is simply too valuable of an asset to not have playing in the All-Star game.

He leads DH’s in fWAR at 2 games, making him the most valuable DH in baseball. He also has an 0.9 fWAR to be added on as a pitcher, making him that much more valuable.

He’s been the most valuable player in baseball this year, not just the best DH. Vote him in.

Los Angeles Angels first baseman Jared Walsh (20) during the game against the Seattle Mariners. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
Los Angeles Angels first baseman Jared Walsh (20) during the game against the Seattle Mariners. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports /

No. 2 LA Angel who needs to be on your All-Star ballot: Jared Walsh

Jared Walsh is very impressive as a defensive player. Take that into account when voting.

It’s not just that he’s in the top 3 among AL first basemen in batting average (.297), home runs (13), and slugging percentage (.552). There are obviously multiple other first basemen in this league that top him in those categories.

It’s about the full package that the All-Star team would be getting when penciling Jared Walsh into the starting lineup.

He’s made just one error all year and leads AL first basemen in fielding percentage (.997).

He may only have two stolen bases this season, but that doesn’t mean he should be looked at as slow. Baseball Savant found that he’s the quickest first baseman in the American League.

He’s too well-rounded of a player to not include on your All-Star ballot.

He covers so much ground over at first base, doing things a typical first basemen in this league can’t do.

He’s also played 18 games in right field, showing off his versatility. He can play both a strong-armed position and a weak-armed position. Get him in the All-Star game.

He provides a roster with a ton of value all-around.

Los Angeles Angels center fielder Mike Trout (27) runs towards home plate to score a run during the fourth inning against the Houston Astros. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports
Los Angeles Angels center fielder Mike Trout (27) runs towards home plate to score a run during the fourth inning against the Houston Astros. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports /

No. 3 LA Angel who needs to be on your All-Star ballot: Mike Trout

Mike Trout is still out with a calf injury, and will be for about three to five more weeks. The longest he can be out for is through July 13th, which is the day of the All-Star Game. That’s the absolute worst-case scenario.

So vote for him as many times as you can in case he’s able to play. Vote for him as many times as you can either way.

The All-Star Game is supposed to put the three best outfielders in the AL together on the same team. Trout is still easily one of the three best outfielders in the AL, so vote like it.

Before Trout was hurt, he was on an absolute tear. He was hitting .333/.466/.624, and already had eight home runs in 36 games. If he was healthy on the day of the All-Star Game, he’d easily be the best outfielder in the American League.

He deserves the recognition even if he ends up not being healthy enough to play.

All three of these Angels deserve this recognition. It’s been a tough year with Trout’s injury and Mickey Callaway’s firing. The Angels have been thrown to the wolves this season, but Ohtani and Walsh have held down the fort.

Next. Hard to predict what Strickland will be for Halos

They need to be voted in, and so does the face of Major League Baseball.

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