NFL
By: George Lopez
The Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim enter the 2024 season looking to bounce back from an injury-plagued 2023 season where they finished with a 73-89. The team’s first move to improve their roster was hiring veteran manager Ron Washington to lead the club. Washington is a no-nonsense players coach and will bring out the best in players. The Angels were relatively quiet during free agency, choosing not to sign a big-name free agent. The team has decided to go with a core nucleus of their younger players to begin this season. The projected starting lineup for the Angels
RF Mickey Moniak
1B Nolan Schanuel
CF Mike Trout
LF Taylor Ward
3B Anthony Rendon
DH Brandon Drury
C Logan O’Happe
2B Luis Rengifo
SS Zach Neto
When talking about the Angels, Mike Trout is the first name that comes to mind. In 2023, Trout batted .263 with 18 home runs and 44 RBI’s. Injuries limited Trout to 82 games last season. Injuries have taken its toll on Trout. In the last 3 seasons, he has averaged 79 games played per season. The health of Trout will be a major factor for the offense to be productive this season.
During his time in Anaheim, Anthony Rendon has not lived up to the contract he signed as a free agent prior to the 2020 season. In 4 years with the Angels, Rendon has not played more than 58 games in a season due to multiple injuries. The Angels are banking on a healthy Rendon this season to help provide offensive production at the plate as well as veteran leadership on the field. Catcher Logan O’Hoppe showed tremendous promise in 2023 until a shoulder injury forced him to miss most of the season. Entering his 2nd season, O’Hoppe has already earned the trust of the pitching staff in how he calls a game and works behind the plate.
First baseman Nolan Schanuel had an extremely fast rise to make his MLB debut last season. Taken in the first round in last seasons MLB draft, Schanuel rose quickly through the minor leagues and made his debut at the end of the season, where he reached base in all 29 games he played. Schanuel has the potential to become an elite 1st baseman for years to come. Having Ron Washington has his manager will do wonders for his defensive preparation at first base as Washington is known to help improve the defensive play of multiple players in MLB.
Starting pitching will be concern for the Angels entering the season as they do not have a legitimate #1 starter. The projected starting rotation to begin the season:
Patrick Sandoval
Tyler Anderson
Reid Detmers
Griffin Canning
Chase Sileth
Patrick Sandoval has been named the opening day starter. Sandoval had a disappointing 2023 season, finishing with a record of 7-13 with a 4.11 ERA. Sandoval has shown promise, but consistency has been a problem for him. Tyler Anderson will look to regain the form that saw him finish the 2022 season with a record of 15-5 and a 2.57 ERA while with the Dodgers. If Anderson is able to bounce back from a 2023 season, he gives the Angels a solid #2 starter.
The success of the bullpen will be key for the Angels in 2024. The Angels signed free agent Robert Stephenson this offseason and will team with closer Carlos Estevez and will help give the Angels a strong back end of the bullpen. Middle relief is expected to be relied on quite a bit this season as the club will look to Matt Moore, Luis Garcia, Jose Cisnero and Adam Cimber to fill the roles of middle relief to get the ball into the hands of Stephenson and Estevez. Jose Suarez is expected to fill the role of long relief in the Angels bullpen this season.
Entering this season, most “experts” have predicted the Angels to win anywhere from 70-74 games this season. As with all teams, health will be a key factor in determining how the Angels do in 2024. Will Trout and Rendon be able to play a majority of the season? If Trout and Rendon are healthy for a majority of the season, the will do better than most are expecting. The Angels will not be a factor in the playoff race, but they will do better than expected and take the 1st step in the right direction under Washington.
Predicted record:
80-82
