LA Angels: Ranking the 5 AL West right fielders entering the 2023 season

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The Los Angeles Angels made an awesome trade landing Hunter Renfroe from the Brewers. The corner outfield vacancy had to be addressed and the Angels did it by adding a consistent 25+ home run bat. Only giving up starting pitching depth to get it was the cherry on top.

The Angels improved drastically with the Renfroe addition but how does Renfroe compare to the other right fielders in the AL West?

5) Ramon Laureano - Oakland Athletics

Ramon Laureano was seen as a potential building block for Oakland or at least a player they could trade for a bunch of assets when it was time to pay him, but it has not shaped out that way. Laureano was busted for PED's in August of 2021 and when he came back from his 80-game suspension he just wasn't the same player.

Laureano slashed .211/.287/.376 with 13 home runs and 34 RBI. He had a 92 OPS+ and even saw his defense take a step back as well.

When he was at his best in 2019 he had a 129 OPS+ and hit 24 home runs for Oakland. He was playing center field every day and had one of the strongest throwing arms in the game. Now after the PED suspension, it's hard to project what we'll see from this outfielder.

Laureano is an interesting bounce-back candidate for Oakland heading into 2023 but he's comfortably the worst right fielder in the AL West.

4) Adolis Garcia - Texas Rangers

Adolis Garcia has a tie to the Angels that one wouldn't expect. He was traded from the Cardinals to the Rangers in exchange for cash considerations. Since Texas was over 40 players on their 40-man roster they had to cut a player off of their 40-man roster. That player ended up being Jimmy Herget who the Angels did not pick up right away, but did end up with later on. He excelled for the Halos in their bullpen this past season.

I don't think Texas regrets this too much because they still landed an everyday outfielder. Adolis Garcia burst onto the scene in 2021 and hit 31 home runs. He was an all-star. This past season Garcia was even better as he had a 113 OPS+ and hit 27 home runs while driving in 101 runs. Garcia also stole 25 bases and has one of the strongest arms in baseball, ranking in the 98th percentile in arm strength according to baseball savant.

Garcia can improve as a contact hitter but his combination of power and speed makes him a player that's really fun to watch. It wouldn't be surprising to see him higher on this list at some point.

3) Hunter Renfroe - Los Angeles Angels

Hunter Renfroe is what he is. A consistent bopper. He's hit at least 25 home runs in every full season he's played in (excluding 2020). This past season he hit 29 after hitting 31 in 2021. The Angels can expect him to hit around 30 if not more than 30 for them this season.

Renfroe isn't a great defender but like Garcia, Laureano, and a lot of outfielders, possesses a very strong arm. He ranked in the 96th percentile in arm strength this past season and his arm is why Taylor Ward is moving to left field.

The Angels desperately needed another big bat and they got one at a low cost in Hunter Renfroe. Expect another big power year for the 31-year-old.

2) Teoscar Hernandez - Seattle Mariners

The Mariners desperately needed another bat to add to their lineup and they got it early on this offseason by acquiring Teoscar Hernandez in a trade with the Blue Jays. Hernandez is a legitimate middle-of-the-order bat and should make Seattle even better.

Hernandez dealt with an oblique issue that hampered his production for part of the season in 2022 but when he's right he's really good. Even with that injury, he had a really good offensive year, hitting 25 home runs with a 127 OPS+.

Hernandez showed what he was capable of the season prior when he hit 32 home runs while driving in 116 runs. He won his second consecutive Silver Slugger and received some MVP votes, finishing 19th in the balloting. The Angels hope he's only going to be a thorn in their side for one year as he's a free agent at the end of the season.

1) Kyle Tucker - Houston Astros

Does it get much better than Kyle Tucker? The man can hit, run, hit for power, defend, and throw. He's a legitimate five-tool player who doesn't get much respect because of the team he's on. Tucker would be hitting second or third in just about any lineup other than Houston's (and maybe the Angels?)

Tucker hit 30 home runs, stole 25 bases, and won a Gold Glove this past season for the Astros. To make matters worse, the .914 career OPS he owns against the Angels is his best against any other AL West opponent by far.

Tucker is the best right fielder in the AL West and one of the best right fielders in all

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