Fansided

3 surprise Angels players who've dominated early in Spring Training

By Zachary Rotman |
Feb 21, 2023; Tempe, AZ, USA; Los Angeles Angels infielder Kevin Padlo poses for a portrait during
Feb 21, 2023; Tempe, AZ, USA; Los Angeles Angels infielder Kevin Padlo poses for a portrait during / Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
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The Los Angeles Angels have had a pretty good start to their spring, racking up six wins with four losses and one tie. They sit in fourth place in the Cactus League which doesn't matter, but shows that they've played some pretty good baseball.

The Angels have had plenty of their expected producers come through early on in the spring. Patrick Sandoval and Reid Detmers have combined to allow just two earned runs in 9.1 innings pitched with 14 strikeouts. Taylor Ward has four hits in 10 at-bats with four RBI. Hunter Renfroe has two home runs in just 11 at-bats including this mammoth shot.

While it's good to see players we expect to produce come through, the Angels have gotten some surprise performances as well. These three players have stood out thus far.

1) LA Angels infielder Kevin Padlo leads the team in extra-base hits

Kevin Padlo was signed by the Angels to a minor league deal after appearing in 13 MLB games for three different teams last season. The Angels are the sixth organization Padlo has been a part of, and he's looking to find a home. With a good start to his spring, Padlo sure is making a good impression.

The 26-year-old has five hits in 16 at-bats, four of which are doubles. Those four extra-base hits lead the club which is something no Angels fan would've predicted over a week into the spring.

Padlo has virtually no shot at an Opening Day roster spot because of the amount of infielders the Angels have, but he has the ability to play first, second, third, and both corner outfield spots.

If he continues to hit like this when the minor league season starts don't be surprised to see him potentially called up when the Angels need an infielder.

2. LA Angels pitcher Kolton Ingram has been dominant out of the bullpen

Kolton Ingram is a player the Angels protected as he became Rule 5 eligible this offseason, and that's looking like a great decision with how he's performed this spring.

Ingram has made four appearances for the Angels thus far and has completed three innings. In those innings he's racked up six strikeouts while allowing two singles and a walk. Ingram has not allowed a run.

Not giving up a run is nothing new to Ingram, a southpaw who pitched to a 2.57 ERA in 50 appearances for AA Rocket City last season. Ingram struck out 73 batters in 60.2 innings pitched (10.8 K/9) and looks like a potential bullpen arm that could help the Angels down the stretch of this season or next season at the latest.

Ingram is somewhat of a late bloomer as he's 26 years old but with a strong start to his minor league season, he could find his way with the club at some point. The Angels clearly believe in him since they protected him, and he's justified it thus far with how he's pitched.

3) LA Angels infielder Jake Lamb is among the team leaders in OPS

Like Padlo, Jake Lamb is with the Angels on a minor league deal. Unlike Padlo, Lamb does have some MLB success to look back on, as he hit 29 home runs in 2016 and followed that up with a 30-homer season and an all-star appearance.

Unfortunately since that all-star appearance Lamb has struggled mightily and has spent time with five different organizations, but Lamb has looked closer to that all-star version thus far this spring.

Lamb has four hits in 12 at-bats including a home run and a double. He's also drawn a walk. He's hit the ball incredibly hard and looks like a player the Angels could potentially use down the line.

His path to a roster spot is murky, as the Angels have depth at first and third, Lamb's primary positions. However, anyone who gives a good impression in the spring has a chance at some point, and Lamb has most certainly done that thus far.

It'll be interesting to see how Lamb in particular does with more playing time as the Angels deal with so many of their players going to the WBC.

Next. Angels roster projections 2.0. dark

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