3 LA Angels players that desperately need to prove themselves in 2022

The LA Angels have a lot of talent coming into next year, and they’re going to have even more once the offseason is over.

For now, the team needs to focus on developing plans to progress the players they have right now and let the front office decide on new faces to bring in.

There are three guys who need to prove their worth this season. They may need to prove themselves for different reasons, but improved performance is going to be very needed.

No. 3 LA Angels player that desperately needs to prove himself in 2022: Jose Suarez

Jose Suarez is a great bullpen pitcher. He’s a decent starting pitcher. He has lots of potential as a starter, but hasn’t reached all of it quite yet.

Next year is his chance to prove that he can be a reliable starting pitcher in this league. In nine games in relief last year, he went 3-1 with a 1.98 ERA. As a starter, he played 14 games and posted a 4.44 ERA.

The reason Suarez is coming into next year with so much momentum is that there were times earlier in his time as a starter this past season where the stats were misleading. Joe Maddon was pulling Suarez from games too early. He ended up proving that his stats were misleading in his last five starts.

In those last five starts he posted a 3-1 record, a 2.97 ERA, a CG, and a .202 BAA. Suarez has what it takes. Now he just needs to prove he can do it over a full season.