The Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim are one of those confusing
teams right now that you’re not quite sure if they are all-in in terms of
making the postseason and winning a World Series or if the team is just wasting
away Mike Trout’s best years and prime with mediocre ball clubs weighed down by
large contracts. This LA of A team is paying Josh Hamilton to essentially play
for their AL West rivals in the Texas Rangers and it’s keeping the team out of
the deep end of the free agency water and away from potential bats like Yoenis
Cespedes. Either the team is confident in what they have, they truly are more
worried about going over the luxury tax than putting the best team out there on
the field for 162 games or they believe in the young guys on the team that you
are unlikely to have heard much of. Well until today when I explain how those
same guys can help you win the later rounds of your fantasy baseball draft and
win you your league. You’re welcome.
If Trout is there first overall you should probably take him
and he shouldn’t go any farther than 2nd, this much you should know,
but the names of Andrelton Simmons, Kole Calhoun and Garrett Richards you may
not. Rather than tell you that Albert Pujols is still one of the better first
baseman in the league and to stay away from most, if not all, of the Angels
pitching staff I would rather focus on the players that are going to win your
draft.
We’ll start with Simmons and your first warning of the day.
Simmons is a glove-first type shortstop that will give you very little in terms
of offensive prowess. He’ll likely hit low in the lineup and not get many
chances to drive in runs or make a huge impact offensively. He’s there for
defense and defense doesn’t win your league. If you just desperately need a
shortstop then he will work in a pickle but I wouldn’t reach too high for him
personally.
Speaking of defensive only shortstops while the fantasy
owners won’t appreciate Simmons much his pitching staff will, especially the
staff ace Garrett Richards. Richards is a ground ball inducing pitcher that
strikes out enough batters to survive. Richards K numbers should improve as he
matures and grows into his body and he should only be helped by a potent
offense behind him and a much improved middle infield defense. He may be worth
taking in the middle rounds when most of your top notch aces are already off
the boards.
Kole Calhoun is an outfielder that a lot of people don’t
talk about when they should. Calhoun is obviously overshadowed by Mike Trout in
the Angels outfield and the fact that he plays on the west coast doesn’t help
him much in terms of media but Calhoun quietly had a nice 2015 campaign. Last
season Calhoun hit 26 home runs and knocked in 83 RBI at the top of the Angels
order. Calhoun doesn’t steal bags and he may be destined for a platoon role
sooner rather than later but if you need runs scored, RBI and home run then he
may be a steal in the later rounds.
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Sorry for the Capatcha... Blame the Russians :)