LA Angels: 3 players who have something to prove in the final five weeks
The LA Angels only have about five weeks left in the year, and it looks like this is a bit of a lost season.
The Halos left their series against the Orioles having dropped two out of three, and dipping to 63-66 on the year. There are still individual players on this team, however, who do have plenty to prove. They all had high expectations coming into this year, and have had high expectations for a while.
They have what it takes, however, to play to their potential. If they can put together a great last 31 games, they’ll be achieving at the level the Angels expected them to. It’ll leave the organization feeling good about them as they enter this offseason and into next year.
No. 3 LA Angels player who has something to prove in the final five weeks: Brandon Marsh
I like what Brandon Marsh has been for the LA Angels so far. Entering the weekend series vs the Padres, he was hitting .383/.439/.550 in his previous 18 games. He had driven in 11 runs in that time, and proved that he does have what is takes to be a great player at this level.
While Marsh has shown these flashes, I still want to see a bit more power from him. He’s hit just one home run all season (38 games). He’s also stolen just three bases.
A player as fast as Marsh should have more than three steals in 38 games. I’m aware that the Angels don’t send runners very much, but I do think he could still be better there. Marsh is ready for this level, and I think he can make this next jump in these remaining five weeks of his rookie season.
No. 2 LA Angels player who has something to prove in the final five weeks: Jo Adell
I don’t know why, but it’s become some sort of trend for LA Angels fans to claim that Jo Adell is so disappointing and that we should flip him for pitching.
Yes, because that makes so much sense, right? Trade him for a position we just spent every draft pick on, right? Wrong, and wrong.
Why are we acting like Adell is playing so poorly?
He’s improved significantly on defense, which was a big part of his struggles last year. He’s also driven in 16 runs in the 22 games he’s played. That’s very good in general, but in particular when considering the fact that he’s batting at the bottom of the lineup.
Adell just needs to keep doing what he’s doing, and he’ll prove himself. He’s driving in runs, which is most important. Of course, he needs to cut down on his 24 strikeouts, but he knows that.
It’s all going to be about continuing his progression on defense, and continuing to drive in more runs while making more contact.
He’s going to be a tremendous player someday.
No. 1 LA Angels player who has something to prove in the final five weeks: Justin Upton
The LA Angels need more out of Justin Upton to finish this season. The thing abut J-Up is that when he gets hot, he’s unstoppable.
We saw it this season before his injury. He was hitting .326/.420/.600 with six jacks and 15 RBI from the leadoff spot in his last 25 games before he got hurt. Since, he’s been hitting .140/.213/.267 with three home runs and eight RBI in the 23 games he’s played.
He looked unstoppable, and now looks very stoppable. Clearly, the injury has affected him very much. Joe Maddon has even been practicing him at first base, seemingly due to the way his injury is affecting him.
He’s had to sit out of games recently, and he needs to get right at the plate as soon as he gets healthy. If he doesn’t, he may not have the best offseason in 2023.
He’ll be a free agent then, after next year. The Angels won’t be bringing him back if he doesn’t return to form. He has what it takes, and was taken with the No. 1 overall pick for a reason.
He’s still not even that old, at 34. There’s no excuses, and Upton needs to perform at the end of this year. If he doesn’t, he better have a monster contract year in 2022 and earn every cent of that $28 million he’s getting then.