5 bold predictions for the Angels 2024 season

The Los Angeles Angels will enter the 2024 season with no expectations following the departure of Shohei Ohtani. The Angels failed to put a winning season together with the two-way superstar, so they won't be expected to do so in their first season without him.

The Angels have played the last couple of years with heightened expectations, expecting to win with Ohtani and Trout but they've won just 73 games in each of the last two seasons and things could get worse before they get better. Especially if they don't make major moves this offseason.

While the Angels hope to stay competitive and maybe even squeak into a playoff spot, that seems unrealistic to predict as of now. However, here are five other bold predictions that feel a bit more realistic as the Angels prepare to head to Tempe, Arizona for Spring Training in just about a month.

1) Nolan Schanuel wins the AL Rookie of the Year Award

Part of the reason the Angels don't have a great farm system is because in recent years they've rushed players up to the majors very quickly and they lose prospect status because of it. Players like Zach Neto and Nolan Schanuel would probably still be in the minors if they played elsewhere, but Angels fans have gotten a glimpse of both of these players thanks to the Angels being ultra-aggressive.

Schanuel appeared in the majors for the Angels this past season despite being selected in the MLB Draft just a couple of months prior. Despite his obvious inexperience in professional baseball, all Schanuel did was impress when given the chance.

The 21-year-old reached base in all 29 games he appeared in, posting a .402 OPS in his brief Angels stint. Pitchers might throw him more strikes knowing he has an eagle eye, but that just means Schanuel will get more pitches to hit and would theoretically do some serious damage.

The first base spot appears to be his without any competition. A player with rookie eligibility starting the year as an everyday player means he's got a good chance at winning the Rookie of the Year Award even if he isn't super highly-touted. Players like Evan Carter and Jackson Holliday are probably the favorites, but Schanuel as the Angels' leadoff hitter will win the award.

2) Mike Trout stays mostly healthy and puts up an MVP-caliber season

It's no secret that injuries have derailed Mike Trout in a big way in each of the last three seasons. Trout has continued to miss substantial time which has not only impacted the Angels, but has impacted himself.

While he wasn't quite the Mike Trout Angels fans know and love last season, he still had a terrific offensive season when healthy and was heating up by the time he went on the IL with his fractured hamate bone. Trout returned from that injury for one game but that was it. His season practically ended in early July.

Trout putting up an MVP-caliber season would require him staying healthy but with Shohei Ohtani out of the league, he has a realistic shot at taking home his fourth AL MVP Award. It might be tougher with little protection in the lineup thanks to Ohtani's departure, but Mike Trout is still an MVP-caliber player when healthy. He showed that in 2022, and showed that in flashes in 2023 as well.

With the Angels planning on using him more at DH and maybe even left field, perhaps Trout can stay healthier. If he does, expect him to be a legitimate AL MVP candidate.

4) Ben Joyce ends the season as the Angels closer

This prediction says more about Carlos Estevez than it does about Ben Joyce. Estevez was signed to be the Angels closer. In the first half of last season he more than earned that contract by pitching his way to the All-Star Game. Unfortunately, things really fell apart for the right-hander down the stretch leaving Angels fans to question whether Estevez is fit for that role.

Estevez is, barring a shocking Josh Hader signing, going to remain the team's closer to start the year. While he probably deserves that because of last year's first half, he certainly hasn't earned a long leash because of how he finished last season. If Estevez struggles, a pitcher like Ben Joyce, a guy the Angels drafted to be their future closer, could take over.

Another scenario where Joyce would take over outside of Estevez struggling would be the Angels being out of contention by the trade deadline. Estevez is in the final year of his deal, and would be a prime trade candidate if the Angels are not competing for a playoff spot. Based on how things have gone this offseason so far, unfortunately, that feels more than likely.

Joyce is going to have to improve his command and his slider for this to happen, but there's every reason to believe that the 23-year-old will improve. When he's locating his pitches he's virtually impossible to hit, and would be fun to watch in the ninth innings.

5) Zach Neto is a Gold Glove finalist

Zach Neto won the hearts of Angels fans everywhere almost instantly. He was promoted to the majors despite little minor league experience and was thrust into an everyday role on a team trying to compete. All this young shortstop did was make the team better, and he impressed on both sides of the ball.

Neto's stats don't jump off the page, but he went a 51-game span after his brief four-game slump to begin his career slashing .279/.359/.468 with six home runs and 22 RBI. He hit three home runs in his last four games before landing on the IL in June. While his bat impressed, he was always seen as a player with a great bat. There weren't as many glowing reviews about his glove, which was arguably more impressive than his bat.

Neto ranked in the 73rd percentile in outs above average according to Baseball Savant and had 3 DRS. He made several plays with a high degree of difficulty look easy, and made several heads-up plays that you only really see out of veterans.

The 22-year-old should only improve defensively under new manager Ron Washington, and Angels fans should really get excited about that. The sky is the limit, and this upcoming season Neto will force his way into the Gold Glove conversation.