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3 LA Angels need to take advantage of extra playing time after David Fletcher injury

By Evan Desai |
Andrew Velazquez, LA Angels
Andrew Velazquez, LA Angels / Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
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With David Fletcher (hip) out for the LA Angels, there are three Halo middle infielders that need to take advantage of more playing time that they'll secure now that the team is a man down. Fletcher had surgery on his adductor muscles and will not be able to play for the next couple of months:

While this is a blow to the Angels in terms of depth, it gives a few other Angels the opportunity to secure more playing time not only now, but later.

Both Fletcher and Matt Duffy have battled injuries this season, and they were considered by many to be the two front runners for the most starting opportunities in this middle infield platoon before the season. Now that they're not in the picture, three players in particular need to fight for opportunities the most.

No. 3 LA Angel who needs to take advantage of extra playing time after David Fletcher injury: Luis Rengifo

Luis Rengifo has obviously been playing much more with the LA Angels after David Fletcher went down, and he needs to take advantage of that. Perhaps he sticks around, or at least sticks around longer than expected even when Fletcher comes back if he has strong performance in Fletch's absence.

After all, it's not like Fletcher is a tremendous ballplayer these days. He's elite defensively, but even last year when he was healthy he only hit .262/.297/.324 (.622 OPS). Rengifo has hit .333/.400/.444 (.844 OPS) in the four games he's played with the Big League club. If he keeps that up, he may be a bigger part of the platoon even when Fletcher gets back.

No. 2 LA Angel who needs to take advantage of extra playing time after David Fletcher injury: Andrew Velazquez

Andrew Velazquez has a tremendous opportunity to use the more plate appearances with the LA Angels with David Fletcher sidelined. He's already been terrific in the field, collecting four defensive runs saved so far this year. That's tied for third in the game, and he did it in 42.1 less innings than first-place Jeremy Pena.

Velazquez has already been able to come in and play in 25 of the Halos' 33 games this year. Now that he'll be able to play more and more with Fletch out, he'll have a chance to break out of his slump at the plate.

He's batting .171/.253/.229 (.482 OPS) this year, which goes to show that he's only been receiving significant playing time due to his defense. If he can start hitting, he'll have a different reputation.

He would potentially be upgraded to a full-time starter. That sounds insane to think about, but elite defense, elite speed (five stolen bases in 25 games so far), and competent offense would give him that designation. This is a major opportunity for not just Velazquez, though, and the other middle infielder the team brought in from the Bronx this past offseason.

No. 1 LA Angel who needs to take advantage of extra playing time after David Fletcher injury: Tyler Wade

Tyler Wade is similar to Velazquez in which he can play D for the LA Angels, and he's got great speed. He doesn't, however, have the bat yet. He's been better than Velazquez offensively, though, as he's hitting .279/.333/.344 (.678 OPS) on the year. Still, however, that's of course not an impressive slash line.

Now that Fletcher's to be out and Wade will get even more looks, he'll have the opportunity to right that ship. He already has been getting chances this year (26 games played so far), and now he's looking at even more opportunity.

With a defensive run saved this year and good eye test results, everyone knows Wade can play defense. The bat is where the question lies and if he can take another step in this time, don't be surprised at all if he's the clear-cut best middle infielder on this team.

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The Halos are in first place for many reasons, and one of the top reasons is due to their infield defense. That aspect of the middle two positions is already proven, but the offense is where this platoon can really take the next step.

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